“More Wanderings in Lisbon”
Lisbon, Portugal. May 2019. (12 photos)
This is Part 12 of my Portugal 2019 photo series, and also Part 18 of my Europe 2019 photo series.
Recently I spent a month visiting France and Portugal, with a short visit to Singapore for good measure.
I stayed for 8 nights in Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese), using it as a base for making a few day trips in Portugal. In between eating pasteis de nata and drinking port, I found some time to go wandering and enjoy the Lisbon life.
Lisbon is a city built on 7 hills, or more accurately 9 hills, as the city expands. Given the multiple hills and cobblestoned streets, I’m very glad it was sunny and dry every day I was there. It doesn’t seem like a very user-friendly city for those with mobility issues or when it’s raining.
“Arco da Rua Augusta”
The Arco da Rua Augusta is a stone, triumphal arch-like, historical building on the Praca do Comercio. It was built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. The allegorical group at the top represents Glory rewarding Valor and Genius.
Don’t forget to look down when in Lisbon. The variety and beauty of the numerous designs of Portuguese cobblestone is quite impressive.
“Chafariz d’El Rei”
The El-Rei Fountain was the first public fountain in the city of Lisbon, built in the 13th century in the Alfama. The present facade dates from 1864. Above it is the Palace of the King’s Fountain, a 19th-century mansion in a beautiful Moorish-style, now a boutique hotel.
“Torre de Belem”
The Belem Tower (Torre de Belem), officially the Torre de Sao Vicente, is a 16th-century fortification located in Belem that served as a fortress and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. It was built during the height of the Portuguese Renaissance, and is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style. Since 1983, the tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“In the Mouraria”
“Art by Raoni Assis”
Street art is everywhere in Lisbon.
“Azulejo heaven”
The Miradouro da Graca is one of the more popular viewpoints in Lisbon, but it seemed to me that most tourists don’t actually go into the Igreja e Convento da Graca. That’s a shame.
“The other side of Lisbon”
In the top right of the photo above, behind the tram is the entrance to the very popular Miradouro das Portas do Sol, literally “the door to the sun”. Yet just in front of it is the other side of Lisbon, characterised by decrepit buildings and street art.
“Cristo Rei”
The Sanctuary of Christ the King (Santuario de Cristo Rei) is a Catholic monument dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument. The project was inaugurated on 17 May 1959.
“Lisbon feels like…”
For now, this is my final post about my wanders in Lisbon. It’s a lovely city and I particularly miss my almost nightly 11pm ritual of a freshly baked pasteis de nata with a glass of port.
“The Lisbon life”
“Goodnight Lisbon”
Other posts in my Lisbon photo series:
The Lisbon life
The Lisbon life (2)
The Lisbon life (3)
…
In May and June 2019, I visited France, Portugal and Singapore.
This is Part 18 of this photographic series and Part 12 of the posts about Portugal.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
It’s impressive really. I could never get bored with some cities.
Yes, I know Lisbon holds a place in your heart. I only scratched the surface. It would be wonderful to spend a year there.
You did it marvelously. (At least)
Thank you very much. 🙂
Beautiful set of photos to end with: azulejos, street art, and the wonderful sunlight. The only thing I might add is memories of many different pastries, and great food.
Thank you. Yes, those things you describe are a good summary of what to expect in Lisbon and Portugal. I had some fabulous grilled meats, and seafood dishes there. The Timeout Market was a good find. And yes, so many pastries, apart from pasteis de nata.
What a colorful and uplifting urban center. Its public art is dazzling. As usual you bring us the city’s heart and soul.
Thanks, Sally. Lisbon is one of those places that deserves a long stay to fully appreciate what it offers. It’s a beautiful city.
Another lovely round up of Lisbon. The last night shots are fantastic and you are dead right about those cobbles in the rain! Real ankle breakers!
Thanks, Jude. I would imagine a lot of people would not want to leave home until the streets were dry. Additionally, I thought the cobblestones tended to visually disguise small gradients and steps.
Thanks for the tour! Absolutely love “Arco da Rua Augusta.” Beautiful images!
My pleasure. Thank you!
I’ve enjoyed very much wandering with you through Lisbon.
Thank you for showing us your brilliant pictures.
Thank you. I think you’d love it in Lisbon. Such much to see and photograph.
I’m always happy to see a post from you, as I know I’ll enjoy some interesting and lovely wanderings as I did today. I had to look up pasteis de nata, but I’d be happy to try one in person. 🙂 Although I liked all the shots, I especially enjoyed the last three.
janet
Thank you very much, Janet. Outside of Portugal, pasteis de nata are simply called Portuguese tarts. It’s not a good idea to call them that inside Portugal – you might get something else. 🙂 🙂 🙂 I think they taste nicer in Portugal; it must be the hometown advantage.
Lisbon is very photogenic.
I have to admit that the laundry hanging outside that building with the painting/portrait of the woman is my favorite.
Thanks. I thought it nicely captured the ambience of the old Moorish quarter of Lisbon.
Love the wall with the washing! I had a terrible time choosing in a cake shop today, Draco 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Jo. The muted colours of that wall, the peeling paint, windows and laundry… all so very Portuguese.
Allow me to make one pastry shop recommendation to you for your next trip to Lisbon: Pastelaria Alcoa in the Chiado. You can thank me later. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about a trip ‘up north’. 🙂 🙂
Good. 🙂
I really like “The Lisbon Life”. I enjoyed looking through this post.
Thanks. I think on the water near sunset is a great place to be in Lisbon.
This city has so much to offer – and you are giving us much of it on a silver plate – thank you for the beautiful tour!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Indeed, Lisbon has much to offer. I wish I had the time to discover more of it.
I would like to go another season…we have always visited very shortly on our way somewhere else. And more than 42 C is too much for my going on sightseeing. I always walk, so that is quite impossible.
That’s way too hot, particularly with all those hills. Autumn/Spring is best, I think.
True.
🙂
I love seeing places through someone else’s eyes, especially when I’ve visited them too, yet there is always new to discover and the angle and experience is never the same. These photos remind me of how much there still is for me to discover in Lisbon. Definitely one of my favourite cities.
Yes, we all see things from unique perspectives even though we may be there at the same time. I only scratched the surface, but I love what I found in Lisbon. There’s so much more I’d love to see and do if I go back. Sadly, it’s a long way from Australia.
Some reminiscences are tinged with sorrow. But your gains and gratitude are obvious in the blog and your beautiful photos.
Thank you. Indeed, I have lovely memories of Lisbon. I’m glad that comes through in the photos.
I am hoping “eating pasteis de nata and drinking port” didn’t mean those two were consumed together!!!
Well,,, yes. 🙂 Port is a dessert wine and there are websites and pages extolling the various pairings of port with food, particularly desserts. I enjoyed it.
OK, port and chocolate can go well…. But I quite often use it in cooking, I threw together a venison casserole at the weekend, and it had a decent quantity of port in it!
Oh, that sounds delicious!
It was, and my friend and I polished off a bottle of Chambolle Musigny as accompaniment!
Now you’re just rubbing it in. 🙂
Yep, sorry!
🙂 🙂 🙂
I’ve really enjoyed your Lisbon series. It took me back to my visit to this very atmospheric city. A city that would have perfectly suited me had it not been for the enthusiastic menfolk following me through those streets. I’m sure you had the same problem. 🙂 Do you think you’ll ever go back?
Thanks, photos are a powerful stimulus to the memory. I’d love to go back, but then there are other places I’d love to see as well. It comes down to how I feel at the time, particularly since going almost anywhere from Australia involves a long flight.
Such wonderful photos! I’ve never been, but I’d quite like to now I’ve seen your photos 🙂
Thanks. It’s well worth a visit if you have the chance to go.
Beautiful pics!:)
Thank you.
You make want to go!
You should! 🙂
Another super post Mr Draco with wonderful images .. goodnight Lisbon such a beautiful city ..
Thank you very much, Julie. Indeed, Lisbon glows so beautifully at sunset. It’s a sight to behold.