Excursions in Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is not the one of the oldest, but also one of the most adorable cities in Europe. Just one sightseeing tour, and tourists fall in love with a city located on the Atlantic coast, where there are no less palaces than museums, and ancient temples are adjacent to trendy cafes. Those who first appeared in Lisbon begin the acquaintance with this city with a tour of the Alfama circuit, which can also be delivered in English. Alfama is the heart of Lisbon and the oldest urban area full of attractions. Namely this particular area is famous for such architectural pearls as:

• Lisbon Cathedral, 12th-13th centuries;
• Churches of St. Anthony and Santa Engracia;
• Monastery of San Vicente de Fora.

The main historical monument of the Alfama district is the castle of St. George, which once in the past was the residence of the Moorish emir and the Portuguese king, and now is a favorite place for guides and tourists. The guide will reveal you the rampant past of the castle, and, whatching from its walls you can admire the breathtaking views of Lisbon.

Other interesting places in Lisbon, which are worth visiting on a guided tour. include the Baixa district, a UNESCO World Heritage List. Be sure to visit in the company of the English-speaking guide its spacious squares of Komersiu and Figueira, as well as walk along the pedestrian street of Augusta to the Arc de Triomphe. The Belem district, famous for its tower of the same name and the Belém Palace, now the residence of the Portuguese president – also deserves a separate attendance with a guide. Buffs of history and luxurious interiors will be interested in a tour of the rest royal palaces:

1. the neoclassical palace of Ajud, turned into a museum;
2. located in the suburbs of Kelush palace – a splendid example of the Rococo style;
3. Mafra Palace – a complex, combining basilica, library and monastery.

As for the Lisbon museums, the National Museum of the Carriages (more than 200 thousand people visit this place per year), the Museum of Ancient Art, founded in 1879, and the newest museum of art, architecture, and technology, settled in the ultramodern building, specially erected for this purpose, are the most popular among them.