10 great ways to experience Lisbon
Tour leader, linguist and art history specialist Dr Jeni Ryde takes you through one of her favourite destinations – Portugal’s coastal capital city of Lisbon.
Situated on seven hills at the wide mouth of the river Tagus (Tejo), where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon enchants travellers with its white bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and brightly coloured yellow trams. With over 20 centuries of history, let’s find out what makes it one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities in Europe.
Medieval quarter of Alfama
Wander through the narrow medieval quarter of Alfama once the Moorish and Jewish quarter and the only area left standing after the earthquake in 1755. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Tagus from the Mirador of Santa Lucia (pictured). Find the Roman theatre nearby and visit the small but beautifully presented museum. Eat authentic Portuguese food at Le Farol. Have a cocktail on the terrace of the Memmo hotel.
Belém district
Pick up a tram in Figueira Square and spend a day in the Belém district to enjoy the contrast of the old and the new. Here you will find an ensemble of wonderful museums and monuments related to the Age of Discovery, including the Torre de Belém (pictured), the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) and beautiful the Jerónimos Monastery, as well as the Berardo museum, an excellent contemporary art collection.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Spend a morning in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum one of the best private collections of art in the world, not only a gem for its artworks, but also for its music programs and its setting. This Foundation houses the collection of a man with exceptional tastes. In particular look out for the display of beautiful mosque lamps and other oriental treasures. Take a break for a coffee in the garden next to the lake.
Art Underground
Enjoy fabulous art underground by riding the metro to Oriente station. Ride the blue line from Rossio station changing at San Sebastião onto the red line for Oriente. Hop on and off at different stations to see spectacular displays of tiles on the platforms (pictured is art at Lisbon's underground station, Restauradores). When arriving finally at Oriente, make sure you see all 12 tile panels with a maritime theme commissioned from international artists for the 1998 Expo. Australia is represented by Arthur Boyd.
Striking Architecture
Check out the batlike architecture of Oriente station designed by Santiago Calatrava and then go walking in the Parque das Nações area with wonderful views of the Vasco da Gama suspension bridge. View striking art and architecture commissioned for the 1998 Expo that transformed this pollluted industrial area into a thriving community. Don't forget to visit the state of the art Oceanarium considered to be the best in the world.
Portugal’s National Gallery
Visit Portugal’s National Gallery, the Museum of Ancient Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga), where you will find paintings by Bosch, Durer and Raphael but especially art related to the Age of Discovery. In particular seek out the exceptional Japanese screens. Pictured above, these important historical and artistic documents about the relationship between Portugal and Japan depict the arrival of the Portuguese vessels in the port of Nagasaki.
Palacio de la Fronteira
Visit the stunning formal gardens of the The Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira (Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira), including wonderful displays of tiles. Still privately owned, the palace houses the Hall of Battles considered to showcase some of the best tilework in Portugal.
Carmo Convent
Walk up to the Chiado area and visit the ruins of the Gothic Carmo Convent, a potent reminder of the 1755 earthquake which destroyed Lisbon. The small archaeological museum in the apse houses an eclectic display of artifacts.
Ribeira market
Eat at the Ribeira market (Time Out Market). Surf the various food bars run by many of the best chefs in Lisbon to enjoy excellent food in the old fruit and vegetable market now enjoying a reincarnation as a food hall. It's open until late. The Time Out Market is located in the Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré, Lisbon.
And of course, Portuguese tarts!
Eat delicious Portuguese tarts warm out of the oven at Portugal’s most famous pastry shop, the Pasteis de Belém, next door to the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. One won't be enough!
Explore Lisbon in 2024…
Led by Dr Jeni Ryde this September, our 16-day comprehensive tour of Portugal begins with four nights in Lisbon, as it takes you deep into the country’s history, art, architecture and cuisine. Continuing on to visit the beautiful cities of Évora, Tomar, Coimbra, Pinhão and Porto, you’ll enjoy spectacular coastlines, lush river valleys and even a private cruise of the Douro!
