Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is one of the most recent publication “city break” in Europe. Still places despite this apparent lack of tourist marketing, Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and has a unique, exotic quality these impressions from Portugal’s colonial past.
A three-day city break in Lisbon provides enough time to visit most major attractions. It was in early October when we enjoyed such a breach and the weather was perfect. Every day, sky blue and the Sun had prevented with a pleasant breeze from getting too hot. Despite this evening were pretty hot out of food. However, Lisbon is not always good at the end of October and there can be safer, plans to visit a little earlier than we do.
Our first afternoon was the castle of San Giorgio, in the heart of Lisbon’s Alfama, the oldest and most picturesque part of the city. The Castle, like most of the Iberian Peninsula, is of Arabic origin. Located on one of the many mountains of the topography of the retro-like Switchback higher than Lisbon. The castle was purchased by the Christians on the Moors in 1147. The reserves are still going strong, external walls, several defensive constructions, eleven towers and the former Moorish palace was the residence of the King of Portugal between 14 and 16. We found the castle is a charming place, we just wander around the beautiful gardens were happy, issue, finding the city walls on the landscape of red-roofed houses, or simply sit and listen to you are sent a guitarist playing exhilarating melodies in the courtyard between us. When we left we finally increased the castle through the narrow streets and alleys in the neighborhood of Alfama, where rooftops of houses that seemed almost touched tips buildings drooping and others defy the laws of gravity. The sudden appearance and noise a tram rattles in a curve, told us that we were once again back in the 21st century. But there was still much more in our walk through the city and return to our hotel enjoy.
Visit Sintra spent our second day. Sintra district of Lisbon, is a city in itself and about thirty minutes after the local train on the way to Lisbon. There is only one of the most beautiful places in Europe and has the status of world heritage sites. It was our day filled with things to do and see. It is as if the very landscape of the village was renovated in art. Here is the former Summer Palace of the Portuguese King. It was enlarged in the 14th century and later. Many rooms are excellent and continuously the past Imperial Palace announced memories of beauty and wealth of Portugal.
There is another Palace at Sintra attention of tourists and his camera is absolutely necessary. It’s called the Palace of Pena and see it become part of the day with a challenging walk or take a taxi. In both cases, the trip is worthwhile. Are at an altitude of 1,500 meters, this 19 buildings with pink and yellow towers, domes and bridges to draw is the stuff of fairy tales, fantasy and Disney.
They are also high in the hills, but much less walk leads you to is the remains of a Moorish Castle of the century. The hike to the top of the walls large offers stunning views of the surrounding neighborhood. Looking West, magnificent view comprising the Atlantic coast and far from Sintra from many beautiful beaches that are within walking distance.
Before leaving, make sure you have Sintra, time for a stroll through the medieval streets, enjoy many tourist shops with a stop off in one of the coffee for some refreshment.
On our last day was more an unscheduled, chill out, the art of the day. The height and area, the city of Lisbon, Baixa us maximum time was lower. We entered the ruins of the Carmo convent and farther from the Center, the buildings of the Portuguese Parliament and the nearby botanical gardens. In the late afternoon we return to the District of Alfama, explore the parts we missed our first day.