Why Visit Lisbon, Portugal?

Because Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest and vibrant cities! It is also the beautiful capital of Portugal famous for its historic yellow wooden trams! The eléctricos as they are also called, have been used for 150 years offering transport through touristic areas of Chiado and Alfama, both neighbourhoods in Lisbon. They are compact carriages that can go through narrow streets. If you’re a tourist hold on to the legendary No.28 line ran by Carris company, inaugurated in 1914, it’ll take you on a beautiful experience as you hop on at Estrela Basilica to Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia among others!

Because if you love complex ceramic painted tiled buildings, then you can have your fill of these views in neighbourhoods like Chiado, Alfama, and Bairro Alto, where some of these beautiful constructions are. Lisbon is famous for these ornately patterned tiles used on buildings across the city, made from hand painted ceramic tiles called azulejos! The ceramic tiles are an ancient art going back to the 1800s.

Because if you enjoy various music genres, then you will get to try out soulful Fado music, a traditional Portuguese music with roots in Lisbon. It said to be sung solo and performed with a Portuguese as well as classical guitar. The songs are usually poignant, with themes of loss, love and daily life, that can sometimes be relatable.

Because Lisbon is not famously known as ‘The City of Seven Hills’ for nothing! The city was built on seven hills and offers fascinating viewpoints like Miradouro das Portas do Sol at sunrise, where you can see Alfama neighborhood’s popular red-roofed houses and churches. If you enjoy hilltop views another place to keep in mind is Miradouro da Graça.

Because you can enjoy an adventure to more historic buildings like Lisbon’s famous landmark, Parque Eduardo VII. If you are a green ambassador, you’ll enjoy the many green areas as you enjoy Lisbon’s fine architectural structures. From this coveted spot, you can enjoy captivating sights of the Tagus River as well as one of the city’s most ancient boulevards. It’s really a medley of things to see!

Because in Belém, Lisbon you can visit UNESCO World Heritage site , the renown Jerónimos Monastery. It is popular for its captivating 16th-century Portuguese late Gothic architecture also known as manueline. It is a major historic monument where the Portuguese nobleman, explorer and Mariner, Vasco da Gama is buried. He discovered the first direct maritime route between India and Europe for exploration and commerce regarded as a turning point in world history.

Because again you can take a tour of the famous Belém Tower, steeped in culture, it is a 16th-century fortification building that served as a fortress, ceremonial gateway to Lisbon as well as a light house. It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site to enjoy. It was constructed between 1514 and 1520 by Portuguese architect Francisco de Arruda.

Because in Belém you can go on an adventure to see the much talked about 170-foot high landmark, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, in English, Monument to the Discoveries. It is in form of a swift sailing Portuguese vessel,located on the Tagus River. It was constructed in 1960 in honour the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator’s death, a Portuguese Prince who was known to finance voyages along the West African coast. It has on display 32 statues of 15 to 16 century Portuguese missionaries, explorers and artists.

Because if you like culinary with a bit of history, Lisbon is the right place to try out the famous pastel de nata custard tart ! Known for its golden crispy tart shell filled with creamy rich and a bit of runny egg custard and caramelised flavour. This popular pastry came about in the 18th century at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. At the time monks would use large amounts of egg yolks leftover from starching clothes to create the delicious custard tarts.