Alluring Lisbon has cobblestone, hilly streets, vibrant buildings and colorful neighborhoods. This morning, we took a free walking tour of the Chiado/Baixa,areas of “Lisboa”. Lisbon’s city center is home to these two neighborhoods that meld together into one. We were surprised at all the high-end shops and elegant cafes that encompass the Chiado area. We were told that it is one of the most fashionable areas of Lisbon. . . . and indeed it is! The tour started at Camoes Square. The square was full of people, sitting outside cafes in the sun, snapping photos and gathering around street performers. One of the area’s biggest attractions is the Convento do Carmo. It is a beautiful medieval church in a state of ruin due to the major 1755 earthquake. The Santa Justa Elevator, another of Lisbon’s icons, offers Neo-Gothic architecture with long lines in order to take the elevator to the top. Our guide led us up to almost the top with no lines and no cost!
From Praca do Comercio, Lisbon’s main square, we took a scenic tram ride to the very popular district of Belem. It is about 5 miles outside downtown Lisbon along the coast. We had lunch at a charming little cafe along the street. Belem is noted for it’s famous Portuguese custard tart invented by the Jeronimos monks 200 years ago. By inventing and selling the pastry, it enabled the monks to avoid closing down the monastery. The Jeronimos Monastery is a very imposing structure and left us breathless both inside and out. It is a famous example of the Portuguese late gothic architecture along with the equally famous Tower of Belem which is almost across the street adjacent to the Tagus River. Belem reflects all the grandeur that characterized the “Age of Discovery” as this was the start of nearly all of Portugal’s voyages of exploration. This area is packed with interesting historical sites.
We had dinner tonight at “La Petite Cafe” very close to our hotel. The seafood was delicious as well as was the wine. Portuguese food is wonderful and the Portuguese wine is even better. Lisbon is the place where you come expecting nothing in particular and leave wishing that you could take it with you. It definitely has a “chill-out” vibe and we absolutely love everything about it!
