What to see in and around Lisbon?

Let’s go where the sun is. Except where is it? Driving through Portugal (after visiting Trijullo and Caceres in Spain) was quick and easy. The landscape was surprisingly green and the country had a certain charm about it. I couldn’t wait to explore the capital and pastel coloured city as well as the Jerónimos Monastery. So, is Lisbon worth a visit? What else is there to see in and around Lisbon?

Lisbon

As expected, Lisbon looked very colourful as I approached it, although I did arrive in rain. So I waited… (again). The next morning I woke up to sunshine but also heavy mist covering the city. As I am an early riser I started my walk down to the harbour well before most have had their breakfast. So, due to my early eagerness to explore, the mist really blocked the views. Until midday.

I missed a few photo opportunities from the old town, but once the sun came out, it definitely shone.

The hilly town with all the layers of the colourful buildings looks cute. Because, whether you want to walk the old city part or shop in the newer part of Lisbon, be prepared for some hills. It goes up and down in this capital. That said, if you don’t feel like walking, the old trams will be waiting for you at the bottom of the hill. So idyllic!

Where to eat?

If you are in Lisbon you can miss the ‘Time Out Market’ near the main subway station, Cais do Sodre. It is THE place to try all the local goodies. From local fish to the famous custard tarts, you will find all of the Portuguese foods there. How many custards could I eat without feeling guilty?

Lisbon City

So, is Lisbon worth a visit?

Lisbon is an interesting city. There are certainly some grand and stunning buildings that are clearly past their glory days. I have read that Lisbon is a dirty city due to all the graffiti. And although I agree, there is lots of graffiti, I have seen much dirtier towns in Europe (e.g. Zagreb, Skopje).

In comparison, in Lisbon the streets are more or less clean, the public areas well maintained, the shopping boulevards grand, and the paved streets very artistic. So for me, although Lisbon could do with a major facelift, it is a charmfull city with lots of character and quirkiness.

And it doesn’t stop inside of Lisbon. There is more outside of the city, that is worth a visit.

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The Jerónimos Monastery, Belem

The Jerónimos Monastery (also know as the Hieronymites Monastery) and its location, just outside of Lisbon City on the banks of the River Tagus, has had a great purpose after it was build. As early as the 15th century, the Portuguese exploration of the world was beginning from the shores of Belem. And the explorers from the country would be praying for spiritual protection in the Monastery, before heading out to sea.

The ‘Monument to the Discoveries’ at Belem is very grand and for someone like me, who learns about history as I travel, right at my feet, there is a grand world map of the explorer’s journey. It s a great way to visualise the achievements and the years the discoveries started and progressed.

It was a great stop and worth the visit. Definitely go inside the Jerónimos Monastery. It is a stunning and remarkable piece of architecture. (Read more here).

Visit Sintra

Sintra is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, just north of Lisbon. Known as a longtime royal sanctuary, the hills are decorated with terrains of pastel-coloured villas and palaces. Certainly a cute and unexpected place, worth the trip.

It seems the most popular building for tourists, however, is the somehow ‘strange’ designed castle, the Quinta da Regaleira. To me, the castle looked like Dracula himself built it. I wasn’t really interested in going inside (everybody else seemed though), so, as the dark clouds approached I headed back to Lisbon.

And so …

To complete this leg of my Portuguese adventure, I headed south to the Atlantic coast, stopping in the small town Fora, in the Algarve region, for a quick walk.

So is Lisbon worth a visit? Certainly yes! It was a great Portugal detour and next time I will go north of Lisbon. For now it was time to head back to Spain to continue my trip through Andalusia. Stay tuned…

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