5 sitios que no te puedes perder de Lisboa

Lisbon, capital of Portugal since 1255, is located in the center of Portuguese territory.

It was taken and governed by different cultures over the years that left their mark immortalized through architectural jewels that are still preserved.

Many of these emblematic buildings have been threatened by natural disasters or by the action of man, however we can still count on buildings that have been valued as World Heritage by UNESCO for its high historical value. Examples of this are the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

Of the Arab stay in the country, which had its peak in the Middle Ages, today there are numerous constructions identifying the Muslim culture. These are concentrated in the Barrio de la Alafama, which, by the way, is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon.

If you want to know which sites are the most interesting in this wonderful city, in this article you will find five places that you can not miss.

• Belem Tower:

First of all I recommend you visit one of the symbolic sites of this city and which had already made a comment before, it is the Torre de Belém.

Its construction was completed in 1520 and its objective was, in its beginnings, to be part of a defense system against the entry of enemies from Portugal through the Tagus River.

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At present it is considered one of the most representative examples of Manueline style characterized by the strong influence in its construction of Islamic and oriental cultures.

Located in the neighborhood of Santa María de Belém, if you decide to visit this impressive monument you can enjoy admiring its exquisite architecture raised in stone and adorned with distinctive elements of the time.

It has five floors that include the Governor’s Room, the Hall of the Kings, Audience Room, Chapel and Terrace from where you get wonderful views of the city.

It is a place that you can visit from Tuesday to Sunday (October-April): 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and from May – September you can also go from Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• Neighborhood of the Alafama:

Another of my recommendations is that you do not miss the Barrio de la Alafama. As I mentioned before, it is in this place where the greatest number of constructions still preserved from the stage in which Lisbon was conquered by the Arabs are concentrated.

It is one of the safest places in the city and frequently visited by Portuguese and foreign hikers. Popular also for hosting countless bars and restaurants where you can taste delicious dishes representative of local cuisine.

In this neighborhood there are several centers that are of great tourist interest such as the National Pantheon, the Cathedral of Lisbon and the Museu do Fado. You will also find numerous street markets full of articles representing the Portuguese culture that will serve you as charming souvenirs.

• Oceanarium of Lisbon:

Another mandatory stop if you are visiting Lisbon is in the Oceanarium. Its building is floating in the water on the banks of the Tagus River. It is part of the Las Naciones park and was built on the occasion of Expo 98.

It is the second largest Oceanarium in Europe, preceded by L’Oceanogràfic de Valencia. It inhabits more than 15,000 animals of 450 species that include fish, mammals, birds and amphibians. In its facilities you can discover living beings representative of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctic oceans for which the habitat to which they belong has been exceptionally recreated.

In addition to its main attraction are the animals, in this center there are numerous activities to make the stay of visitors more enjoyable. Provides services for organizing birthday parties. Organizes workshops promoting the care and preservation of nature. They teach children what life is like under the sea through interactive activities, only on vacation dates.

You can visit it every day, in summer from 10 in the morning to 8 at night and in winter it will be from 10 in the morning to 7 at night.

• Portas do Sol viewpoint:

In Lisbon there are several viewpoints from which you can get an overview of the city more or less acceptable, however the views that are obtained from the Portas do Sol are spectacular.

Nestled in the middle of the neighborhood of Alafama, it is a place frequented by hikers who arrive in Portugal from all over the world and even by many Portuguese.

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If you really want to take a beautiful souvenir photo this is a place you should not miss, especially very early in the morning is the ideal time for breathtaking panoramas.

It is a very lively place where you will find, in the same building or quite close, where to have an aperitif in case you want it.

Admission is completely free and open to the public 24 hours a day.

• Trams:

Although it is not a place, I can not conclude without recommending one of the attractions of Lisbon that arouses more interest.

On board the historic trams that circulate throughout the city you can visit almost all the places that I mentioned before and others that you discover along the way. There are even certain areas that you can only reach by this means due to the narrowness and height of the streets.

There are three types of them in Lisbon. The yellow wooden classics that were the first to circulate at the beginning of the 20th century, the modern ones also yellow but with a more current model and the red ones that are only used by tourists.

One of the most used by visitors is the tram 28 that runs the route where the sites of greatest interest to them are located.

See also: Possible effects and implications of Brexit on the ETIAS

Without doubt, Lisbon is an extraordinary city that offers its visitors the chance to experience exciting experiences. If you dare to explore its streets you will discover a cheerful, affable and respectful community, formed over the years as a result of the mixture of all the cultures that have lived there.

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