Pastéis de nata in Lisbon, por favor!
- Fernando Magellan? Vasco da Gama? Pastéis de nata? Sintra? Cabo da Roca? The Treaty of Lisbon? Cristiano Ronaldo? ⚽
- What have all in common?
- PORTUGAL is the answer!!!🎉
These clues made me book my first trip in Portugal in December 2017. Unfortunately, I didn't see Cristiano Ronaldo, but I tried the traditional dishes. 👌😊🤣😍Did you know that the Portuguese art of pastry has its origins in the many medieval Catholic monasteries?
These monasteries, using very few ingredients (mostly almonds, flour, eggs and some liquor), managed to create a spectacular wide range of different pastries, such as pastéis de Belém (or pastéis de nata) originally from Lisbon.
I flew with TAP Air Portugal and arrived in the morning in Lisbon. It was very sunny, but very very very cold.🥶 At one point, I felt like Frozen from Disney.🤣 Probably the best period to visit this city is in Summer time. But the good part was that the city had Christmas decorations.🎄🎁
However, let's see together the best sights that I discovered in Lisbon, Sintra and Cabo da Roca 😊😉:
1. St. George's Castle/Castelo de São Jorge - Is the most recognized of Lisbon's major attractions. Its position is near Alfama (oldest quarter) on the crown of a hill overlooking the Portuguese capital.
2. Igreja de Santa Engrácia-Panteão Nacional - The Church of Santa Engrácia is one of the most recognizable buildings on the Alfama skyline. In 1910, the church was classified a National Monument, and six years later chosen as Portugal's National Pantheon. This beautiful church has been used for many years as the burial place for Portugal’s royals and outstanding cultural figures.
3. Sé de Lisboa - The Lisbon Cathedral is also called Igreja de Santa Maria Major or Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Mary Major and this is the city’s oldest church. Construction of the church was begun in 1147 when the Portuguese, led by King Afonso Henriques took the city from the Moors.
4. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - Was built in Honor of Portugal's Age of Discovery. The 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery is one of the great landmarks of Portugal. Vasco da Gama's tomb lies just inside the entrance to Santa Maria Church.
5. Oceanário de Lisboa - Is a modern aquarium. Opened in 1998 the Lisbon aquarium was the highlight of the 20th Century’s last World Fair. It is the largest indoor aquarium on the continent and runs many interesting programs & activities for children and families.
6. Belém Tower - This impressive defense tower was constructed on a rock outcrop in the Tagus River but over the years the water levels have changed and it is now on the bank of the river so visitors can walk right up to it across a small bridge. Is a symbol of Portugal's extraordinary Age of Discovery during the 16th Century.
7. Padrão dos Descobrimentos/Monument to the Discoveries - You can’t help seeing this monument on the edge of the river. It is dedicated to the 15th to 16th century Age of Discovery when Portuguese explorers set out across the oceans to seek the New World. It was from this point where the ships would set sail to far off destinations like India and the Far East.
8. Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta - The triumphal arch at the end of the pedestrian street Rua Augusta opens up on to Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio). It has been recently restored and is now not only very clean and repaired but is also open to visitors who want to go up to the observation level.
9. The 25 de Abril Bridge - It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966. It is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, US, because they are both suspension bridges of similar color. Several movies have been filmed on the bridge, including some scenes in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
10. Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira - Is the home of a 17th-Century Portuguese Aristocrat. Unfortunately, it was closed when I hardly arrived, but I took a selfie for the sake of the road till there.
11. Nosolo Italia-Lisboa - It's a very good restaurant where you can eat delicious food and ice cream. I ate there every day in that trip. 🤣I strongly recommend it! Belém was my favorite place in Lisbon.
12. Museu de Marinha - The world-famous Maritime Museum in Belém has a children’s section as well as ship models. Portugal was a world leader in maritime exploration. Here you will find out about ship models, royal barges, maps & maritime history.
13. Castelo dos Mouros - Arguably the most rewarding day trip experience out of Lisbon is a visit to the wonderfully romantic town of Sintra, a direct 40-minute rail journey from the city center. Standing high above the old town across a craggy escarpment, the 8th-century Moorish Castle adds dramatic character to the barren landscape.
14. Palácio da Pena - From a distance, The Palace of Pena resembles a huge marzipan birthday cake with its pink and lemon facades, crenelated towers, bulbous domes, and spinning top turrets. This gloriously exaggerated and fanciful creation was built in the 19th-century to satisfy the whim of Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Maria II. I could not help myself not to buy a purse with the image of the palace. I know...I know...shame on me!🤣
15. The National Palace of Queluz - It's my favorite palace!!! This fascinating palace is located partway between Lisbon and Sintra, which means it is often overlooked by tourists, but for those who visit will be rewarded with an exquisite Baroque palace that has an intriguing history and amazing gardens.
The sober façade of the palace hides the majesty and opulence of the interior of Queluz. The palace combines Baroque, the Rococo (my favorite😍) and the Neoclassical architectural designs while the gardens are inspired by French styles.
16. Monument to the Overseas Combatants - This eye-catching Lisbon attraction commemorates all the people involved in the wars that Portugal was involved with overseas. The cold geometry of the frontal view is intentional and also directs the attention of viewers towards the centre where the flame of the nation is placed. The water of the lake symbolizes the distance and separation of the combatants from home and family.
17. MAAT or Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology - Is a new cultural proposal for the city of Lisbon. A museum that combines these three fields in a space for debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue.
18. Museu Militar de Lisboa - The museum has a very nice collection of artillery pieces from the past 4 or 5 centuries, pistols,rifles, machine guns, edged weapons, uniforms and armour.
19. Gare do Oriente - Is one of the main Portuguese intermodal transport hubs, and is situated in the civil parish of Parque das Nações. Ambitious in its conception, the modernist station includes a Lisbon Metro station, a high-speed commuter and regional train hub, a local, national and international bus station, a shopping centre and a police station.
20. Armazéns Do Chiado - Is a good place for shopping lovers. For more info click the link http://www.armazensdochiado.com/.
21. The Lisbon City Hall - Or Paços do Concelho de Lisboa is the seat of the Lisbon municipal government. The building is located in the City Square (Praça do Município).
22. The Assembly of the Republic - Is the Parliament of the Portuguese Republic. According to the Portuguese Constitution, the unicameral parliament "is the representative assembly of all Portuguese citizens." The constitution names the assembly as one of the country's organs of supreme authority.
23. Cabo da Roca - Or Cape Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, of mainland Portugal, of continental Europe, and of the Eurasian land mass. It is situated in the municipality of Sintra, near Azóia, in the southwest of the district of Lisbon. The sunset was amazing!!!🌇🌆
Currency in Portugal
The currency in Portugal is Euro. For more info about exchange rates click the link https://www.xe.com/currency/eur-euro.
Transport in Lisbon
Click the link for more info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Metro.
Where to stay in Lisbon? 🏨🏡
From my point of view, I would stay around Pastéis de nata 🤣😂🎂(their traditional dessert). Just kidding 😉. For accommodations click the link https://www.booking.com/city/pt/lisbon.en.html?aid=1971070&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=ATB.
Travel Guide
For more info about Portugal click the link https://www.planetware.com/portugal-tourism-vacations-p.htm. 😉
I hope you enjoyed the article and took some great info for your trip! Thank you for your time and have a wonderful and inspiring day!
Andra😘💋
Source for describing the sights: Wikipedia
