Lisbon, capital city of Portugal, and its charming surroundings

The country of azulejos, the sky bright and the warmth and simplicity of its people, but also a country which houses monuments

Architectural fabulous, fairytale castles and imposing monasteries, charming villages immersed in a landscape always sweet and surprisingly green. Modern Lisbon, with a careful eye to the future, the past holds true angles where there is an air of other times in his old neighborhoods that climb the hills, where you can admire unforgettable panoramas. The nearby Sintra is a small corner of paradise immersed in the green with castles and royal palaces of charm incredibly attractive. Few kilometers separate it from Cape Roca, the point where Europe ends to make room for the infinite ocean.

 

Lisbon

The castle overlooking Lisbon

The ancient castle overlooking Lisbon certainly not imposed for its elegance or its state of preservation. But its spectacular location, and stunning views it offers and having to cross the picturesque neighborhood dell'Alfama to achieve it remains one of the most indelible moments during the visit of the city. The climb begins from the lower city and the first stop not to be missed is the Sé Cathedral, looking like a fortress, to endure three earthquakes. Just beyond, a stop at Miradouro de Santa Luzia is absolutely a must, a splendid panoramic terrace on the river and the red roofs of the city. Exceeded the typical Largo das Porta do Sol, where you can relax with a cup of coffee sitting in one of the many outdoor tables, the procedure again with a little effort up to the castle: the ticket costs about € 5 to person, but a family with one child pays € 5 in all (crazy?). The castle was built in 1100 after the victory over the Moors and was for centuries the residence of the Portuguese royal, but the various events and earthquakes have done is that what you see today is the result of a complete reconstruction.

E ', however, still possible to climb the towers and along the walls, but what makes it priceless to visit is the wonderful view all over Lisbon and the Tagus river, which can be seen from the gardens. Before leaving the castle you can walk in the typical district of Santa Cruz and the subsequent heart dell'Alfama, a maze of narrow lanes, called "Beco", steep staircases, old houses where the laundry is hung on wires stretched from one house to 'other.

Who does not like to tackle the climb up to the castle, you can use the historic tram No 28, which climbs up to Largo Sol, then go down the entire route.

Elevador de Santa Justa

In a city built on seven hills, characterized by steep slopes that join one district to another, here to help get this extraordinary lift, though perhaps just as well call it seems somewhat 'simplistic. The elevador that connects the Baixa to Chiado, 32 meters high, was completed in 1902 in neo-Gothic style and has a completely wrought iron. After waiting a few minutes for the queue that forms at practically every hour, the attendant care system with all the bars, make the number on a piece of the journey and does accommodate the huge passenger cabin, which contains even benches wood. In the upper station, a narrow spiral staircase leads to a cafe built on a terrace from which the view is beautiful both day and night.

The cost of one way is insane (€ 2.70), so absolutely recommended the purchase of day pass that is about all transport in the city (€ 4). A trip with the elevador is definitely a fascinating experience, but it is certainly recommended for those in a hurry. Alternatively you can use the escalators free from nearby Metro Baixa-Chiado, covering more or less the same distance.

Barrio Alto

Painting as the most traditional among the districts of Lisbon, the Bairro Alto in recent years has probably lost some of its original charm definitely opening up to tourism. Heart of the city's nightlife, the night is alive with light and color, with small rooms where you can enjoy performances (tourists and expensive) of fado, a drink or dine in one of several restaurants in doc for tourists. Despite this, I have never had dinner in the Barrio Alto: restaurants, though very pretty and characteristic, they seemed much more Italian tourists and with prices and Portuguese. Although during the day to lose some 'charm, there are two good reasons to go to the Barrio. The first is the wonderful sight provided by Alcantara belvedere, the second is to see the Church of Sao Roque, where the anonymous facade hides one of the most opulent interiors of the churches of Lisbon, with panels coated with precious mosaics , chapels adorned with gold and beautiful ceramic tiles. The most typical and convenient to the district is represented by Gloria dall'Elevador, a kind of tram-funicular that leaves from city Baixa and traveling a thrilling ascent. Similar, less well known is the Elevador da Bica, starting instead from Cais do Sodre, waterfront, and reaches the Gothic on the side adjacent to the Chiado, across another typical neighborhood, one of Santa Caterina, much more authentic than the twin most famous, if a little 'decadent and abandoned. In this area you can find some of the cheapest restaurants in town. The Chiado is instead the most commercial of the Barrio, although it is considered a neighborhood itself. Especially treated with major renovations following a fire which devastated the area in the late '80s, with their elegant cafes and shops of the best known names, large traffic arteries and a gentle walk along Rua Garrett. The attractiveness more important from tourism point of view is represented by the ruins of the Convento do Carmo, where they remain only in Gothic arches to symbolize the violent earthquake that struck the city in 1700.

Baixa

The only part of the center of Lisbon, which develops in the plan is the part called "Baixa", entirely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake of 1700. At one time, access to the city was by river and arcaded Commerce Square was the welcome to visitors. Crossing the magnificent Arco da Victoria leads to the old town, where part of the Rua Augusta, the ancient street of the merchants, and today the shopping street and the mall's busiest city, with street performers, painters who show their work elegant shops and typical cafes. The long pedestrian street ends at the large square called Rossio, who appears in all its beauty, surrounded by neoclassical buildings, among them the National Theater and the adjacent Piazza Figueira. Continuing, surprising elegance of the train station whose facade is typically Manueline style and is particularly attractive with night lighting. The Baixa tourist ends in Restauradores, then by Elevador Gloria to the Barrio Alto.

Belem

Monasteiro of Jeronimos

At the heart of Belem, district overlooking the river at 6 kilometers from downtown Lisbon, appears in all its glory this beautiful monastery which in my opinion is the most fascinating monuments of the city. Commissioned in 1501 in honor of the return of Vasco de Gama from historic navigational opened a new route for businesses to India, Unesco's World Heritage List, shows an elaborate facade and a grand style Manueline richly portal decorated. The interior of the church presents a spectacular and vast nave with tall columns and houses the remains of the famous explorer. The most striking of all, however, remains the splendid cloister (entrance fee, € 4.50), entirely in stone and decorated in every detail.

Tower of Belem

Gaze toward the river is indeed kidnapped by this bizarre and isolated tower, which perhaps can be the symbol of Lisbon. It was built to protect the entrance of the port city and today is the icon of the famous navigator who went from here into the unknown. The details of the sculptures are quite elaborate, from cables to the extraordinary carved in stone towers built in Moorish style. You access the monument via a suspended walkway over the Tagus (admission € 3), the hall on the ground floor holds copies of the cannons that defended the air. Going it comes to prisons, claustrophobic, but the most striking is represented by the upper floor that houses the lodge and offers a beautiful view across the river and Belem, besides preserving the most valuable of the battlements of the tower and its decoration drugs. Needless instead the difficult ascent to the top floor, with little appeal and with a view identical to the lower floor.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The monument in Belem that attracts most attention is undoubtedly the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, because of its majesty and height. This is a relatively new, dated 1960, limestone, erected in memory of the explorers of the many companies that started to destinations unknown. The shape is reminiscent of a caravel with the bow facing the ocean and river carved on both sides there are the famous people who have made the history of Portuguese navigation and other important historical figures, among which one can easily recognize Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan. The entrance fee is € 2.50 and offers a visit to the museum as well include lift to the summit, where you can admire a fantastic view and observe the immense underlying Compasses engraved on the floor, surrounded by nautical maps including any routes of the fifteenth century. On a visit to Belem can not miss a stop at Antiga confeitaria churning the hot Pasteis de Belem (€ 0.90), fluffy cakes filled with cream and cinnamon, the fruit of a secret recipe handed down for centuries.

Sintra

Palacio da Pena

The palace rises almost like a mirage on the top of the hills surrounding Sintra: the facade very original and imaginative, a bizarre mix of architectural styles that merge in a surprising way, as if to recall a palace but from the Arab Mediterranean colors, surrounded by deep green of the vegetation looks lovely and lush. Wanted by Ferdinand of Saxe and built in the nineteenth century, shows the eastern rounded domes, walls covered with ceramic tiles and fine decorations, crenellated walls interspersed with towers and turrets. The interior is worthy of a true palace of opulence: the entrance is accessed from the arch reminiscent of a mosque, then go through the various rooms among which stands out as the Arabs, made of vaulted arches and precious furniture, but above the room dance, jewel of all sumptuously furnished. Complete the building the various bedrooms, a chapel and the great princely cuisine that still keeps the pots at the time.

The resort of Sintra to the palace can be reached by car via a narrow winding road that leads to the 3-kilometer free parking (a few places) a few hundred meters from the entrance, or you can use the frequent bus service which takes you up to 'entry. From the village also a very beautiful footpath surrounded by green forests, the ascent takes about half an hour. The entrance to the park and the palace is € 10 (family ticket € 20) and excludes the shuttle (1.50 a / r) that the entry covers the steep climb up to the front door. Unfortunately, the opening is at 10.00, at which time we already have many visitors at the entrance and formed a long queue to buy tickets. The advice is to be at the ticket office 15 minutes before.

Palacio Nacional de Sintra

At the heart of the charming town of Sintra, a resort about half an hour's drive from Lisbon, stands this majestic building dating from the fourteenth century, easily recognizable by its two huge conical chimneys visible from afar. Sintra was chosen by the Portuguese royal summer resorts, because of the cool climate and idyllic location. The building, its facade rather anonymous, hits for great indoor, a combination of different styles which is necessary on the prevalence Moorish, as can easily be seen in the magnificent Sala dos Brasoes where the walls are entirely tiled dome and richly decorated left speechless. Very glitzy dos Cisnes also the hall, so called because of the ceiling panels decorated with swans, and the huge kitchen left as it appeared at that time, the center of which are raised two majestic fireplaces. The various ports recall the most famous buildings like the Alhambra, while other rooms are presented entirely covered by beautiful ceramic tiles.

The entry cost is € 4, free on Sundays, while Wednesday is closed.

Cabo de Roca

Sintra, a winding road that climbs up the hills leading to the ocean, where the wild promontory of Cabo de Roca marks the end of the old continent and the cliffs overlooking a steep stretch of coastline because of huge stacks and stretches of meadows in spring are filled with flowers. The importance of the place is attested by a column topped by a cross, with a headstone that marks the longitude and latitude and reads "Aqui, waves to the ground if acaba eo Comec Tues.

A large parking lot could easily leave the car and the beautiful sunny days are ideal for a picnic outdoors, admiring the infinite ocean that has marked past the dream of discovering the adventurous discoverers. Several trails follow the profile of the headland with stunning views over the coast, in particular, walking toward the east, a path descends to the sea and reach two stacks of sharp rocks where they break the powerful waves. A place very charming and evocative.