Only found in Lisbon
Last August, my son and I visited Lisbon. It was my son’s first trip to Europe. All this way to savor a flaky tart. I discovered August is not the best time to go, given the crowds and the heat. My son made me promise that the next time I book a trip to Europe, it would not be in the dead of summer. I told him I promise nothing.
The whole trip was for 10 days. We arrived in Lisbon first, and spent three days there. Lisbon is a beautiful city with a rich history, and its architecture is beautiful, as is most architecture in Europe.
I would have liked to stay longer to see other cities
We stayed at Açores Lisboa Hotel. The room was pleasant, and the continental breakfast offered was good. I choose hotels that include breakfast, even though I am not really a breakfast person.
The hotel is located near a subway station. It was my first time taking the subway, and it was so easy and quick to get around town. I wish we had more of them here in the US.
We scheduled a tour for the few days we were there. The tour included a local guide who led us through the area’s attractions.
Day one, Belém Tower
The Belém Tower was under construction at the time and was off-limits to us. The photo is unflattering, but the scaffolding obscures the building’s beauty.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
It stands at the banks of the Tagus River. It is near a historic monument to an old airplane. I didn’t catch the history of it, but my son took a picture of it.
Day two- Rua Augusta Arch-Praça do Comércio
Once the tour was over, our guide dropped us off in the Baixa district, at the Rua Augusta Arch. The tour guide said there were several restaurants and shops nearby, so we stopped for lunch at Martinho da Arcada. I ordered the sardines, but I did not eat them. They did not taste appetizing to me at all. I ended up eating the salad, potatoes, and bread. I should have ordered what my son ordered, oysters in garlic butter and olive oil, and they tasted amazing. anything with garlic and olive oil. My son ordered his beer and decided to try green wine. He said it was good. He is a drinker, I am not. I stick with water. I took a few pics below.
Day three -Jerónimos monastery
We visited the Jeronimos monastery, which I loved, by the way. I have always loved the beautiful architecture of monasteries and churches. The interior and exterior details make them remarkable. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. Lisbon has so many beautiful buildings. I admire the imagination and detail put into each one. I would have loved to visit some of the nearby museums.
The guide bought us Pastel de Nata (custard tarts). Only in Lisbon will you find these flaky tarts. I was told they are a must-try, since this is the birthplace of the pastries. The monks at the monastery are credited with inventing these tasty treats, dating back to 1834. tHE am not a big fan of sweets, but they were good.
The stone carvings, large pillars, tall stained-glass windows, and a gold-painted wooden display are shown below. The pillars were modeled on palm trees, as the architect loved them and drew inspiration from them for the monastery’s design.
Alfama District
After the tour of the monastery, we walked through the streets until we reached the Alfama District. The view from the top is beautiful, and the district was filled with vendors selling handmade items such as paintings, jewelry, handbags, and wallets. Two musicians played their guitars for the crowds passing by. We decided to stay after the tour ended and wander around town, taking in the various sites and views.
Well, that is how we spent most of our time in Lisbon. I enjoyed it and would like to travel back someday. If I find more pictures, I will make sure to upload them.
