Another 3,5-day city trip led me through Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
I expected a lovely city with romantic houses near the coast, a warm climate and a modern environment.
Well, this is how it really was in detail.
Day 1
I got up at 4.30 am. Partially sleeping, I made the last preparations until my friend fetched me.
The flight to Milano was operated by the smallest airplane I had ever seen in my whole life (1 seat, corridor, 2 seats), but that didn't disturb me so much.
Arriving in Lisboa, it was easy to find the information center, immediately buying the 3-day Metro- and Sightseeing Pass for 31€. A fair price in comparison to other cities.
We searched for the airport bus, which brought us to a center station (Saldanha), where our hotel was located approximately.
Check-In OK, it was 16h until we were ready to leave the room and explore the city.
As we always do, we started promenading to get used to our new environment. Despite the high expectations, the first impression was not that good, though.
Old-fashioned fragile houses, traffic noise and chaotic streets confused us and it took us the rest of the day to find anything interesting in the town.
In the evening, we had to stop by a McDonald's to eat a McMenu for only 4,25€, hence realizing that Portugal only longs for 12% sales tax.
Day 2
After having brought structure into our thougths, we built a route and immediately chose one of the better known sights - the main square called "Rossio".
The 200x90 meters wide area was built by prisoners in the year 1847 and is famous for its ground, consisting of thousands of colored cobblestones, thus forming an interesting pattern. It really looks like an everlasting wave...
Quite close you can find the elevator, which connecteds the lower- with the upper-city. Through gaps between the houses you can almost vaguely discern the heights of the castle Castelo Sao Jorge.
Indeed the city has lots of little mountains! The sporty ones may walk up, the lazier ones may prefer the busses or trams, which unfortanately have long intervals.
In the upper heights of Lisbon you can enjoy yourself while either drinking a coffee or sitting in a beautiful park. Actually, there are lots of so-called "Miradoures" (which are outlooks) to relish the environment.
The Castelo Sao Jorge is a giant castle built supposingly built in the 12th century. It is located at a point where one can see any location of the town. The last earthquake destroyed huge parts, but it was renewned in the 1940s.
For Lisboa Card Owners, the ticket fee is only 3.50€ (instead of 5€) - you should ask, because they do not plead for it ^^
Also very advicable to see is the Sao Vicente Church, which you can reach with the 28E tram, which is very nostalgic and worthing going with! Take your pictures rapidly, 'cause it's officially not allowed ;)
Day 3
We had a look at the eastern side of Lisbon, which is the so-called "Oriente". The newest and most modern buildings are being risen here. Additionally, the largest Shopping Center in the city (I suppose 'cause I haven't seen any others), which contains any kind of shops.I expected a lovely city with romantic houses near the coast, a warm climate and a modern environment.
Well, this is how it really was in detail.
Day 1
I got up at 4.30 am. Partially sleeping, I made the last preparations until my friend fetched me.
The flight to Milano was operated by the smallest airplane I had ever seen in my whole life (1 seat, corridor, 2 seats), but that didn't disturb me so much.
Arriving in Lisboa, it was easy to find the information center, immediately buying the 3-day Metro- and Sightseeing Pass for 31€. A fair price in comparison to other cities.
We searched for the airport bus, which brought us to a center station (Saldanha), where our hotel was located approximately.
Check-In OK, it was 16h until we were ready to leave the room and explore the city.
As we always do, we started promenading to get used to our new environment. Despite the high expectations, the first impression was not that good, though.
Old-fashioned fragile houses, traffic noise and chaotic streets confused us and it took us the rest of the day to find anything interesting in the town.
In the evening, we had to stop by a McDonald's to eat a McMenu for only 4,25€, hence realizing that Portugal only longs for 12% sales tax.
Day 2
After having brought structure into our thougths, we built a route and immediately chose one of the better known sights - the main square called "Rossio".
The 200x90 meters wide area was built by prisoners in the year 1847 and is famous for its ground, consisting of thousands of colored cobblestones, thus forming an interesting pattern. It really looks like an everlasting wave...
Quite close you can find the elevator, which connecteds the lower- with the upper-city. Through gaps between the houses you can almost vaguely discern the heights of the castle Castelo Sao Jorge.
Indeed the city has lots of little mountains! The sporty ones may walk up, the lazier ones may prefer the busses or trams, which unfortanately have long intervals.
In the upper heights of Lisbon you can enjoy yourself while either drinking a coffee or sitting in a beautiful park. Actually, there are lots of so-called "Miradoures" (which are outlooks) to relish the environment.
The Castelo Sao Jorge is a giant castle built supposingly built in the 12th century. It is located at a point where one can see any location of the town. The last earthquake destroyed huge parts, but it was renewned in the 1940s.
For Lisboa Card Owners, the ticket fee is only 3.50€ (instead of 5€) - you should ask, because they do not plead for it ^^
Also very advicable to see is the Sao Vicente Church, which you can reach with the 28E tram, which is very nostalgic and worthing going with! Take your pictures rapidly, 'cause it's officially not allowed ;)
Day 3
For about 3€ we also enjoyed a short trip with the cablecar, which brings one to the coast. To reach it, we had to go through an artificial tropical forest, where bananas, coffee and other tropical fruits had been planted.
This is where one can already see the large bridge, which connects the two peninsulas with each other. It is so long, that you need a fully clear sky to discover its end...
The Vasco da Gamma Shopping Mall is so large, that we spent hours in it.
Day 4
Time to buy the last presents before we leave. In the Rua Augusta one can easily find lovely things like pictures from all those beautiful sights.
Several people try to sell you Marihuana and Hashish secretly - I'm no expert, but I doubt it's good stuff, so keep off ;)
That was all, folks!
If you are interested now and want to go to Lisbon, mention the following things:
- Buy a Multiple-Day Public transport ticket (15€ for three days)
- If you love museums, forget about the first point and buy the Lisboa Card immediately, which contains accesses to almost every museum (31€ for three days)
- Plan your tours carefully! You can easily get lost in the narrow streets
- If you want to eat something, try some restaurants in the Rua Augusta. I didn't find any others elsewhere! Even McDonald's are reaaally rare! (found only two on my trip)
- Watch your back! Pickpockets are everywhere!
1 comment:
what a pain.. you didn´t visit the restaurante Nilo in Lisbon downtown
www.geocities.com/nilo217219/restaurantebar
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