Portugal’s buzzing capital city
Words and photos: IB
Sitting in an open air café down one of Lisbon’s busy streets, I wondered why we hadn’t visited Lisbon before. It was April, the place was buzzing, but not overcrowded. The weather- not cold, not hot. Tourists mingled with locals, restaurants tried to lure people to try their Bacalhau – cod fish – a must try in Portugal. Kids skipped behind their parents out doing a little shopping, while street performers entertained people out dining. Everything was super relaxed ….
We were based in Baixa, which we learnt was a great location to be in. The area is popular with tourists and families with restaurants and shops lining the pedestrianized streets. This was a last minute trip, so nothing was really planned but we found 3 days sufficient to see all that we needed to see here.
These streets, such as Rua Augusta, lead you to a lovely plaza, The Praca do Comerico overlooking the River Tejo, where, especially during sun down, people seem to gather to enjoy the view, listen to music or dine in one of the many restaurants in the square. A short walk will bring you to the The Elevador de Santa Justa, a top attraction for many. The lift with its intricate wrought iron work is said to be a must see while in Lisbon. There may be a long queue- so if you are not so interested in going up to see the view, you can easily admire it from the street. Another top touristy thing we opted out of was the ride on Tram 28, which was crowded. There is a lot of walking and climbing to be done in Lisbon –so leave your fancy heels at home and take your best walking shoes. Lisbon is said to be one of the oldest cities in Western Europe and was rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Sebastiao de Carvalho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal is said to have played a key role in rebuilding Lisbon. Today, it is a vibrant city, with its beautiful buildings, monuments, and its interesting history.
