A Day trip to Lisbon

We had to meet by the Dolphin roundabout in Albufiera for 6.55 and the coach was only 5 minutes late but we were virtually the last people to be picked up before heading for Lisbon. We made a stop about an hour away for coffee and the toilet. This was at a motorway service station so functional rather than interesting. We stopped at the same place on the return journey too. Initially our guide introduced herself and explained what we would see on the way going across the Serra do Caldeirao and which regions we would pass through and then as it was early she said she would be quiet until nearer Lisbon.

We drove over the bridge and then under it to the area of Belem which is along the river bank and harbour area of Lisbon. We made our way along to our first stop which was the Belem Tower. The is a very ornate tower built in the Manueline style of Architecture – so called after Manuel II as this was the style of design during his reign. The tower is not large and sits in the water and served to guard the entrance to the port of Lisbon. It is marble coloured and ornately carved rather similar to the carved architecture seen in India so may have been inspired by Indian influences. The tower and dates back to the early 16th Century.

After the Belem tower we visited the Monastery of Jeronimos which is built in the same style as the Belem Tower and is very picturesque. We went into the church of Jeronimos or Our Lady or Belem which was quite plain inside compared to a lot of the South American and Spanish catholic churches but architecturally very beautiful. The ceilings were very high with tall carved pillars for support. The ceilings were decorated with carvings but not coloured at all. The altar area was not original as the original was destroyed in the earthquake 1755 and it was more decorated than the rest of the church.

Just on the River front in this same area as Jeronimo’s Monastery there is the Monument of the Discoveries built to honour Portuguese heroes of discovery in the past; these include, Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus. It is a very impressive monument built in the shape of a stylised caravel with the heroes in relief on either side. In front of the monument is a huge marble wind rose donated to Portugal by the South African Republic and the map of the world depicted is of the era of Portuguese navigational prime showing their colonies such as Goa, Malacca, the Moluccas ( Indonesia) and others in Africa and South America. Australia was only mapped roughly in shape with the bottom very indistinct.

We ordered Bacalhau (My husband) and hake (for me) with iced tea. I am sorry to say that service was extremely slow but the food was okay. Not sure that salt fish is really that great, we have both had it before (salt fish and ackee is the Jamaican National dish) but my husband always likes to try whatever is the dish of the area and he hadn’t tried salt fish in Portugal. It is quite strong and very bony so I didn’t bother. My hake was very nice and the atmosphere in the area was lovely unfortunately our waiter was rather slack and we had to ask for everything twice and then wait some considerable time – he didn’t get a tip!

Once you get to the top you have an excellent view up to the Castel de Sao Jorge and fortified walls, down to the river Tagus and also over Rossio square. You then walk out over a metal walkway under a church buttress into the area of Alfama with its old fashioned narrow tram lines, hilly cobbled narrow streets and balconied houses. In the square there was a wonderful display of blooming Jacarandas set against a pink building in the sunshine – a real photo opportunity.

We spent only one day in Lisbon but I felt we got a good idea of the city and we were able to explore a little by ourselves. Obviously if you spend more time you will have the opportunity to see more but this trip was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable, her English was perfect and the trip covered most of the sights of Lisbon and gave a good idea of what Lisbon offers the tourist.

I would thoroughly recommend this day trip if you are staying in the Algarve. You get to visit the capital city and learn a little about the history and culture of the country.