What to do and visit in Lisbon
Lisbon offers a lot of interesting locations and points for which you do not need to pay. This is a museum under the open sky, where you just need to walk, absorb the brackish air and dissolve in the atmosphere. Therefore, a walk around the city can become a budget and pleasant.
So, what to visit and do in Lisbon:
Walk through the winding streets and steps of the oldest district of Alfama. It is this area that is best preserved in Lisbon and conveys the atmosphere of old Europe. It is located on the hillside between the Castle of George and Tagus. Sometime back in 1755, Lisbon was destroyed by all 4 elements: a powerful earthquake occurred, followed by a tsunami, a fire that lasted for 5 days and a wind that spread the ashes. Almost the entire city was destroyed to the ground. Only Alfama was able to survive it and preserve its streets. Now it is one of the most colorful areas, where it is pleasant to walk along narrow winding streets, walk up many stairs and wonder where you will go at the next turn. And the most soulful music lives in Alfama-fado!
Try the local drink jinjinha in one of the Alfama pate shops. The streets of Alfama are located on a slope, so get ready for the fact that you will have to climb a lot, go down stairs, walk up the cobblestones and after some time you will inevitably get tired. In order for the rest to bring new impressions, it is better to combine it with gastronomic experiments. It is worth going to one of the cute cafes on the old streets and trying the local cherry liqueur-jinjinha, and take a traditional dessert-pate de nata with it. The liqueur is served in small glasses of 25 ml. Classic ginjinha is served in a chocolate cup, which you can then eat.
Climb on the observation decks and explore Lisbon from different sides. This capital is famous for its hills and observation decks (miradouro). There are probably several dozen of them in the city. Just enter Miradouro on the map and move to the one that is closer to you. The most interesting: miradouro de Santa Luzia, miradouro de Santa Catarina, miradouro da Graça, miradouro do Mercado do Chao do Loureiro, miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
Don't forget to bring wine or at least a cappuccino (the locals drink galao or meia de leite, the same as cappuccino, but cheaper) and enjoy the views, the wind and the moment! Be like the Portuguese, live in the moment!
Visit the Lisbon Cathedral. Walking through Alfama, it is impossible to pass by the Lisbon Cathedral. Its monumental building is visible from all points of the city. Entrance to the cathedral is free. It is worth visiting to feel the former majesty of Portugal and Lisbon. The huge columns, the vault, the doors are impressive. The lucky ones can have time to capture two main symbols of the city in the photo: the cathedral and the yellow tram on its background.
Take a look at the oldest bookstore in the world. Apparently, the Portuguese love books, because here they have not only the largest, most beautiful, popular stores, but also the oldest in the world. For sure, there were already bookstores before it, but it is the only one that has been preserved. The Bertrand store has been operating since 1732! Just imagine what he has seen and experienced in his lifetime. Yes, it is not as beautiful and magical as Lello. But it is undoubtedly necessary to look into it. Moreover, it is located in the center, in the bohemian quarter of Chiado. Admission is free.
Take a walk around the Commerce Square. The square opens directly to the embankment, where young people sit in the evenings. There is a Triumphal Arch installed here, there are many government buildings around the perimeter of the square.
Find murals and hidden stairs in the area of Mouraria (Mouraria). Another old and incredible neighborhood. It is adjacent to Alfama and is just as atmospheric. There are, perhaps, even more steps, intricate labyrinths of streets. And all this is still decorated with murals on the walls, a symbiosis of buildings of 15-16 centuries and cute cafes, from which you can hear fad. Mouraria is not as tourist as Alfama, which means that there is still a chance to wander through the streets without crowds, take beautiful pictures, visit one of the local establishments to taste delicious cuisine and wine.
Visit the Time Out market. This is a modern and even hipster market, where more than 30 restaurants have gathered under one roof. All this is similar to a large Asian food court, only more stylish and expensive. There are also traditional shopping malls and a flower market. It is located next to the Commerce Square and the embankment, so you can easily connect them in a walk. Admission is free.
Go to the creative cluster-LX Factory. Once there was a factory on this place, which was converted into creative spaces, cafes, shops. Locals come here to work in one of the largest coworking spaces, chat over a cup of coffee on the terrace overlooking the bridge on April 25, or drink wine in nice places. Here you should definitely see and visit a giant bee from improvised means, a bookstore, a restaurant Rio Maravilha, where you can climb to the terrace, admire the bridge and the statue of Christ. And on this terrace, opposite Christ, there is a modern statue of a girl. Admission to LX Factory is free.
See the guard of honor and the monastery without a roof. One of the main evidences of how strong the earthquake was in the 18th century is the Carmelite monastery, which was left without a roof. A majestic building, inside which you can watch the clouds! It looks unusual. Now there is an archaeological museum located inside the Carmelite Monastery and the Karmu Church. Admission is 3.5 euros. And there is a republican guard and a guard nearby.
Buy interesting souvenirs at the oldest market Feira Da Ladra. From time immemorial, there was an open-air market in Lisbon, where they brought stolen goods to sell. Hence the name Feira Da Ladra, which means Thief's Market. Now it is a popular flea market, where you can find rare things, souvenirs, clothing, author's products, postcards. It is located in the Pantheon district, just above the Alfama quarters and is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You don't have to buy something. Even a leisurely walk will be enough to gain impressions. And you can have a snack at lunch after such a walk in the cafe Restaurante Panteão (são Vicente De Fora), where the soup costs only 1 euro!
Santa Justa elevator. One of the business cards of Lisbon. The elevator is located in the central part of Lisbon and connects the Baixa district with Chiado. There is always a long queue near the elevator to take it to the observation deck. The lift costs 5 euros. But the viewing room itself is free. You can also see the same view from the side of the Carmelite Monastery or from the roof of the Armazéns do Chiado shopping center.
Belen Tower, Geronimouche and the place where the pates were born. Another part of the city that is worth paying attention to is the area of Santa Maria de Belen, behind the bridge on April 25. There is a monument to the discoverers here. In this area there is also the Belen Tower, which flashes on many postcards, and the beautiful Jeronimos monastery. It is worth coming here by sunset. And in the evening, go to the oldest pate – in the Pasteis de Belem institution. According to legend, it was here, within the walls of the monastery, that the monks mixed egg yolks and received pate de nata. Now tourists are jostling to order the same pate and cappuccino.
In Lisbon, you can find a dozen more interesting places, because it is never boring in the capital. This is a city of contrasts, dynamics, but at the same time here you can find corners in which life becomes sticky and sweet, like caramel! Don't forget to visit Foxiepass to find your best excursions in Lisbon!