Location: Lisbon
Top Things to do in Lisbon
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The 8 Best Scenic Walking Areas in Lisbon, Central Portugal
The museums of Lisbon celebrate the rich history and culture of this Portuguese capital city. The Maritime Museum is perfect for kids (and grown-ups!) who adore all things nautical, while the Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves is a hidden gem of colorful artwork. To fully appreciate the city’s dramatic stone architecture you can take a guided walking tour, or customize your own tour, making sure to visit the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and the UNESCO World Heritage site the Torre de Belem.
Restaurants in Lisbon
1. Parque do Tejo
2. Waterfront Promenade Belem
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
One of the best things about a day trip to Belem is that all the main sights are within easy walking distance of each other and most are linked by this beautiful waterside promenade. Having visited the Jeronimos monastery and church, we walked straight across to the Discoveries Monument, where the promenade starts. It was from this very point that the 15th century explorer, Vasco da Gama set sail for India, returning with news of a new sea trading route and treasures that would ultimately help turn Portugal into a global empire and establish it as a 15th century super-power. We walked from here, alongside the Tagus River, to the Belem Tower. Along the way there is a marina, a couple of restaurants, an unusual lighthouse and the Coutinho monument (a replica of the bi-plane that crossed the South Atlantic almost 100 years ago). Walking back, you look towards the 25 April Bridge and the Discoveries Monument looms large, most of the way. Mostly though it is just a beautiful stretch to walk along and the wide, flat path makes it suitable for small children and pushchairs
3. Cais das Colunas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
A beautiful spot to watch the sunset across the Tagus River. People gathered around the pier as the last of the day faded and colours of the setting sun spread across the sky. During the day, the pier is fairly nondescript. However it is a part of the magnificent plaza, Praca do Commercio and everything about the plaza is grand. The gleaming triumphal arch is perfectly aligned with the the pier columns so that your eye is immediately drawn to the central statue of King Jose I then to the water and beyond. Historically this is a significant site. The royal palace stood here but both the palace and pier were destroyed by the devastating 1755 Earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake, with a 8.5-9.0 magnitude, opened enormous fissures, up to 15ft wide, and the entire quay, along with the Cais De Pedra, disappeared into the river. 40 minutes later an enormous tsunami wave engulfed the harbour and downtown, sweeping away people, boats and buildings. It's difficult to imagine, when you stand here on a sunny afternoon in such a beautiful area. The pier was eventually rebuilt with marble steps and the two columns that we see today. They are symbolic of the columns from Solomon’s temple, representing wisdom and devotion. For many years, this was the point where state dignitaries and visiting royalty were received. Later, I found some old B&W photos of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 1957, showing a fresh, young queen with the classic 1950s circle skirt and teeny weeny wasp waist being escorted up the pier.
4. Escadinhas Damasceno Monteiro
5. Rua da Bica
6. Calcada do Duque
7. Escadinhas da Saude
8. Lisboa
