Lisbon its historic heart.
Here we go for a long weekend of 3 days in Lisbon where travel and photos will be there. Arrived at night, we choose to take a taxi to reach the Amazonia hotel in the Rato district (Hotel Amazon Lisbon in Lisbon (amazoniahoteis.com). This hotel is not very far from the "yellow" metro line. both close to the city center without being too close either in order to avoid the tourist influx and the much higher cost in the "Baixa" district for example. Lisbon has 4 metro lines. All allow you to go downtown (sometimes with a change). This metro is modern and clean. There is therefore the "red" from the airport, the blue which takes you to Place du Commerce, the green which takes you to the station and finally the yellow which we will take regularly to reach our various destinations.
For this 1st day of visit we choose to discover the Place du Commerce. Largest square in Lisbon, there are 2 points of interest not to be missed. First of all, in the north the Arco triunfal da rua Augusta (the arch of the street of Augusta), built at the end of the 19th century after an earthquake which destroyed the city. This arch is the entrance to the most important street in Baixa...Augusta Street, a pedestrian street since 1984. You will find many shops and restaurants with their terraces, but also street artists...Lisboans and tourists mix in the middle this cosmopolitan city.
The 2nd point of interest, the equestrian statue of Joseph 1st, King of Portugal at the time of the 1755 earthquake. The largest square in Lisbon, it takes us to the banks of the Tagus where in the evening you can sit on the steps down to the old pier, listen to flamenco and watch the sunset. On both sides of this square...magnificent arcades, taverns, cafés, ministries and administrations have taken up residence there.
After spending the morning walking around the Baixa district, we decide to discover the Alfama district...by taking the famous Tram "28E". The tram winds through the narrow streets of this picturesque district. As you stop, you can admire the panorama that unfolds on the banks of the Tagus. We descend several times to admire Lisbon Cathedral and then the Santa Lucia and Portas do Sol watchtowers.
On our return we visit the castle of Sao Jorge. Panoramic viewpoint overlooking the old quarter of Alafama. Do not hesitate to take the walkway of the castle located on the ramparts to admire Lisbon. Since 2013, an elevator connects the Baixa district to the castle. From the cathedral "Elevador Da Sé" you can reach the castle for free.
Back to the trade square at the end of a busy day. In the distance the Vasco de Gama bridge, 17 kilometers long (the 2nd longest bridge in Europe), it was built for the 1998 Universal Exhibition and connects Northern Portugal with the South. On the other side of the bank... the 110m high Cristo Rei Cross dominates the Tagus. At its base a small chapel. You can follow this road to reach the beaches of the Costa de Caparica if you feel like it.
For us the day ends on the banks of the Tagus to listen religiously to flamenco. The sweetness of this city has already conquered us. Tomorrow will be another day in this magical town