.png)
Let’s chat about….Lisbon, Portugal
Hi all!
I’d like to introduce myself since I’m a newbie to the CruisePlus blog. My name is Chantal and I hope to entertain you with my facts on Lisbon as well as maybe teach you a few survival tips. Alright, here it goes…
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and largest city. It is known as the ‘cidade das sete colina’ (or, for those of you who do not currently have their Portuguese for Dummies book in front of you like I do…) ‘the city of seven hills’.
First and foremost, if you are thinking of going to Portugal, you may want to learn a couple survival phrases before you go. Being married to a man with a large Portuguese family, I share these phrases with you:
Hello – Olá
Please - Se faz favour
Thank you very much - Muito obrigado
And the most important of all…
Where is the public washroom? - Onde é o banheiro público?
…Because there is nothing worst than being stuck in a foreign country trying to charade your way into finding that oh so needed washroom.
Now that the washroom emergency is over, you’ll want to visit some of the neighbourhoods to really appreciate the character of this beautiful city. Make sure to spend some time in the Baxia neighbourhood on the Rua de Prata and the Praça do Comercio, which is truly the heart of the city. Within those streets lies a great pedestrian thoroughfare that includes tonnes of shops, banks and cafés. However, be aware that most shops will close down between 1 pm and 3 pm for an extended lunch and siesta. If you’re like me, you’ll take that opportunity to do as the locals do and enjoy a lovely break.
Once you’ve woken up refreshed, it’s time to hit a new neighbourhood.
Feeling sophisticated? Head on over to the Chiado area, where you can enjoy
theatres, bookshops, and designer boutiques (Cartier or Hermes anyone?). If you
are looking for nightlife with a pulse, you won’t have to walk very far. The
working class neighbourhood of Bairo Alto is but a few streets over and is host
to some of Lisbon’s
best restaurants, bars and nightclubs! 
This area is also home to the Ancient Art Museum,
São Roque Church (the world’s most
expensive chapel!), Carmo Church.
Some traditions always remain. Just as people have been gathering in town squares as a meeting place for centuries, they still do in Lisbon. The spirit of the city is best experienced at one of the numerous squares. There, you will have the chance to interact with the locals while you enjoy your afternoon coffee and do some shopping.
After you’ve met up with your friends at one of the squares, you’re ready to go to Alfama – Lisbon’s oldest area. The best part about Alfama is by far the view. Visit the Castelo de São Jorge, a medieval castle at the top of Lisbon’s largest hill overlooking the entire city and the Rio Tejo (Tagus River).
By now, you’re probably noticing that most of the architecture you’ve
witnessed is mostly reminiscent of 18th century; however, Lisbon is significantly
older. The reason is that most of the neighbourhoods were rebuilt in the late
18th century after an earthquake, along with a tsunami and fires
that were a product of the earthquake, devastated the city in 1755.
The outlying neighbourhood of Belém (approximately 5 miles from the city centre) remained relatively untouched by the disaster and still displays its 16th century monuments to Portugal’s explorers. One of these special sites is Jeronimo’s Monastery, built in 1502 to commemorate Vasco de Gama’s successful voyage to India.
While in Belém, if you don’t mind a line-up, you will need to try a Pasteis de Belém. The original pastry comes from a closely guarded recipe that was developed by the nuns of Jeronimo’s Monastery in a last attempt of survival after the monastery had been shut down in 1837. I would say it was a success since the Casa dos Pasteis de Belém sells some 10,000 tarts every day! I’m pretty sure I was lured into marrying Portuguese after being fed this delicious custard tart. JYou can also get these pastries in pastry shops across most of Portugal under the name Pasteis de Nata. Why the different name? It’s the same reason you call it sparkling wine instead of champagne if your bubbly is not from Champagne, France. There can only be one Pasteis de Belém.
Leave it to me to write the longest paragraph about a dessert! But on a serious note, try it. I want to know your thoughts. It changed my life…I now look forward to all family functions in quiet desperation for my next chance to savour yet another pasteis!
If you have any tips of things to do or see in Lisbon, please post a comment because we’d love to share your knowledge with the world!
- Chantal
