Lisbon, Portugal - October 2023

 It was rainy, windy and cold when we arrived at our hotel in Lisbon. The Sheraton Lisboa Hotel where we stayed for two nights is located in Lisbon city center, a short walk from the financial, shopping area of Lisbon. It's about 2km from the landmark Rossio Square and Rossio Railway Station. Lisbon is a walkable city.

In spite of raining on and off, we walked down the main boulevard from the hotel to explore the town.

An academy on corner of Duque de Avila and Novas Avenues, near Saldanha Square.

Cafe Versailles on Novas Avenue.

Cafe Versailles' pastries.

Commercial center of Campo Pequeno located in Praca de Touros of the city of Lisbon.

The Campo Pequeno Bullring - used for bull fights, musical concerts, fairs, exhibitions and other events.

Main entrance.

We took the bus tour of the city the next day. Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal is the second oldest city in Europe. It's a hilly, coastal capital city with rich historic and cultural heritage. 

 Marquis of Pombal Square on Novas Avenue.

Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (convent of the Poor Clares).

Street art on apartment buildings

Belem Tower, a fortified tower that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portugese explorers.

Belem Tower

25th of April Bridge, also called the Tagus River Bridge, the longest expension bridge in Europe which connect the city of Lisbon to municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus River.


 Port of Lisbon - from Belem Tower side.




Monument to the Discoveries - from Belem Tower side.

Monument to the Discoveries on the northern bank of the Tagus river estuary, in the Santa Maria of Belem district. 

From the Eastern profile - Leading by Prince Henri the navigator. The famous explorer, Magellan is the 5th person holding the cross.

Beautiful tile work throughout.

Western profile of the monument.

The monument entrance.

Across the Santa Maria de Belem river front is the prominent building complex of Jeronimos Monastery, a former necropolis of the Portuguese royal dynasty in the 16th century. 

Huge line of people waiting to get in the monastery. 

Another tourist attraction around the corner of the monastery is the "Pasteis de Belem" restaurant. 

"Pasteis de Belem" is famous for inventing the egg tarts or "cream pastry".

Beautiful interior art/tile work of the Pastel de Belem.

Praca do Imperial Garden.

Praca do Imperio Garden with Jerominos Monastery in the background.

Monument to the Restores in Restauradores Square.

Lisbon Hard Rock Cafe in the Rastauradores Square.

The train station in Rossio.

Rossio train station facade.

The Restauradores Square with beautiful tile work on the ground.

Restauradores Square. - tribute to the "Pavers" of the beautiful tile work.

Shops and restaurants in the Restauradores Square.

Pastry and Cafe in the square.

Rossio Square a short block across from Restauradoers Square.


Rosisio Square.


Entrance to Santa Maria Maior, located in the historic center of Lisbon. 

Santa Justa Elevator or Carmo Lift is a historic elevator for transporting people from the Baisa Neighborhood (Lower Lisbon) to Bairro Alto (Upper Lisbon) since 1902. The elevator was electrified in 1907 and remains one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

 
Santa Maria Maior is a charming neighborhood with narrow cobbled paths. The medieval fortress (in the background) offers Lisbon's long history as well as stunning views of the city and river below.


Commercial main street in Santa Maria Mairo leading to the river.

Praca do Comercio gate.


Rua Augusta Arch, a memorial arch-like historical building, on the Praca do Comercio. It was built to commenmorate the city's reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon.

Equestrian Statue of D. Jose at Placa do Comercio in Lisbon.


The suspension bridge, April 25 Bridge (Salazar Bridge) over Tagus River from across the Plaza do Comercio.


Tagus River across the Santa Maria Maior neighborhood.


More beautiful tile work on Liberty Avenue Gardens near Marquis de Pompal Square.




Some "French" architectural buildings/landmarks on Novas Avenue behind the hotel. 





Our two nights in Lisbon concluded the month long trip to Malta, Tunisia and Portugal. We had a great time visiting all of the remarkable places and experiencing our first river cruise. Hopefully, our next river cruise will be the Danube when we come back this way again.