Lissabon, 7.3-10.3.2016

Sunday morning, early wake-up at 4.15, a big and long tour in front of me:

5.32-6.01 Bonn-Köln hbf, 6.44-10.05 Köln-Paris, 12.28-18.20 Paris-Irun (Spain), and finally 18.50-7.30 Irun-Lissabon!!

Route by train

Travelling-day, 6.3

The trip went fine, a lot of sitting in the train, but it was not that bad. Two hours of waiting time in Paris I spent by walking from Paris Nord to Paris Montparnasse, having a quick sightseeing tour at the same time

Quick sighseeing in Paris

During the travel: Thays to Paris from Bonn, TGV to Irun

I had pretty luck in changing the trains, almost no spare time and no delays this time, fortunately. Some small trubles on the way: One 1. klass ticket booking had to be changed to 2nd klass, which kosted me 9€ extra. The bed/seat reservation for the night train from Irun to Lissabon couldn't be booked in andvance and the train was unfortunately so full, that at that time I got to Irun and wanted to buy for my bed, all the beds were sold out and I had to take a normal seat, which of course was cheaper but not that confortable to sleep on. You couldn't even fold it down! Fortunately I was so tired and with the help of my sleeping bag I slept during the trip :)

Seats to sleep on in the Night train

So in the end everything went fine and I arrived in Lissabon Santa apolonia train station at 7.30 local time, with a time difference of -1 hour compaired to Hamburg.

As the cheick-in to my AirBnb appartment wasn't until 13.00 o'clock, I decided to get to know Lissabon. Had breakfast at a café with wifi and there looked up what to do in Lissabon and checking them up on the map. The Sightseeing for today (Monday 7.3):

The castle Castelo de S. Jorge, situated on top of the hill in Lissabon, in Alfama region. In this same area is my flat also situated. This castle was founded by the Arabs in the 11th century during the Moorish period. Still, some remnants from the Iron age from the 7th century BC has been found in the area. For example potteries from this time can be seen in the Exhibition building. The archaeological ruins show evidence from all these important periods: a kitchen from the iron age,  remnants of two residental areas with gardens in the middle from the 11th century and finally from the last palatine residence, which was, so as a lot of other constructions, destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. The fort was not used as a residence, only for housing military troops and also separated the elite people from the suburbs. 

The archaelogical site. Here I happend to be in the right place at the right time: I got a private guided tour in these ruins! The white building covers the remnants from the Arabic residental area.

The castle is one of the most popular attractions in Lisbon due to its majestetic sights.

The map of the castle area

Taking one of the old trams in Lisbon is also wery popular (d.l.), there are lots of steep stairs in the city due to its topography (u.l). Resting in Jardim do Torel park with a fantastic view to the city (u.r., d.r.)

Chiado, the trend area of the city (up), took ice cream at Santini, really worth every cent! (Down): downtown square.

Fantastic view from thectop of the hill

Lissabon is famous of their ceramic tiles on the walls (u.l.). Lisbon Patriarchal Cathedral: Church of Santa Maria Maior. Here is also a closter (u.r.). The view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia, right above my flat (d.l.). The nice view to the brigde and Christ the King Statue (d.r.).

Tuesday (8.3):
Today I have been walking a lot, 15-25 km in total. But for that I have seen a lot and enjoyed the warm and sunny weather!

First stop today: the Closter/church Kloster São Vicente De Fora, situated close to my flat, in Graca.

The church from inside. I also lit 2 candles (u.r.).

Visiting the Santa Clara flee market, in Graca, situated close to the National Pantheon Church of Santa Engrácia (next photo). I was lucky, cause this market is open only on Tuesdays and Sundays. I bought me a ring from here (u.l.).

National Pantheon

On my way to a new city area, Parque das Nacōes, by foot, along the Tejo river. Got to see part of the harbour and containers. After these you had a lovely view to the water, also partly sandbeaches (only small ones, as on the picture).

In the middle of my walk I stopped by in Lidl. Was surpriced what all kind of food they are selling here, compaired to ex. Finland! Look at all the fresh fish or the fried ones!! (Right): an icon/piece of art on the way, when I am getting closer to the new city area, situated east of central Lissabon.

New city area, it is really obvious how this part of Lissabon is different from the old Lissabon. 

 

One of the parks in the new city area.

The harbour (up). Oceanarium- museum (d.l.). At the centre of Nations park, outside MEO Arena. I also spotted the flag of Finland among all these different flags!

Taking a break at one of the parks in the area. It was so warm that I could enjoy the sun in just a T-shirt! 

At the river Tejo

Finding another way back home

The view to the river (up). Lemon trees! (d.l.). I found just the best park ever in Lissabon, and just happend to pass by it at sunset! I really recommend everyone to have a look at Parque da Fonte Luminosa! The view is just amazing!

Sunset :)

Almost home, this is the tourist tram nr. 28.

In the evening I went to Bairro Alto to eat and listen to Faro music, famous in Portugal, in a bar called Tasca do Chico (u.r.). On the left: Arco da Rua Augusta. Before going home I decided to have a look on Lissabon in the night and walked up to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. It is so beautiful! (d.r)

Wednesday (9.3):
Today I did a daytrip with the train to Sintra, which Cultural Landscape, consisting of imoprtant parks and monuments, was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.

The train route from Lissabon to Sintra

Arriving to Sintra at 12.25. Today was not a sunny day, but instead we had low lying stratus clouds up in the Sintra mountains. The highest point of the mountains lies around 500 meters above sea level. On the upper photo you can see the National Palace of Sintra.

The Sintra mountains. On the top of the hill are two important buildings: the Moorish Castle on the left and the Palace of Pena to the right.

The first park I wisited in Sintra was the Parque da Liberdade. This was, apart from other areas in Sintra, without an entrance fee. Already here you can see the magical, fairytale-alike features of the nature and man-made features.

Had a break in the Historic Centre of Sintra. (right): a big three in the first park.

One must-to-visit when coming to Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira, one of the most surprising and breathtaking monuments in Sintra. (u.l.): The summer residence of the Carvalho Monteiro family, who also did a lot during 1898 till 1912 to transform this place to what it is alike today. (d.l): the Chapel. (d.r.): the Portal of the Guardians. One of the entrances to the initiatic well (see next pictures) is hidden underneath this building.

Lake of the waterfall, situated in the middle of the area, also connected with the well via underneath tunnels.

My favorite place in this area: Labyrinthic Grotto. Without a flashlight it is almost impossible to find your way out. It is so amacing inside, with all the water dropping from the ceiling of the cave, making it feel so unrealistic!

The initiatic well, from above. From here it is possible to walk down along the walls by the spiral stairways, leading you to the bottom of the well and then via underground tunnels/caves you can find your way out at another place in this area. This tower is 27 meter deep and the way it is build makes you feel the relation between heaven and earth.

Bottom of the well

In the late afternoon the moisture of the air could be felt, it started to drizzle every now and then. But I still wanted to hike/climb up to the hill. With the best equipments I decided to take the Sintra hiking trail, Vila Sassetti, which takes you all the way up to the top (red dotted line on the map, starting from the building in the lower left corner). This route was pretty steep, with stairs, curvy trails leading your way into the drizzle cloud and all the way up!

Hiking route

Finally I reached the top and decided to have a look on the military fort, Moorish Castle, which was build in the 10th century by the Muslims. I did not buy the entrance ticket to the castle area, but walked around it. (d.r.): Entrance into the castle. (u.l.): ruins of old islamic houses. The holes in the ground, granaries, were used to store cereals and legumes, a method of preserving food. 

When I was going down the hill, this time following the car road, it started to rain a lot! Before I got to the trainstation I was all wet, but at this point it was okay. I was so dead/tired after this trip and decided to stay at home for the evening, spending time with my German flatmates :) During the evening, the electricity went off twice! So this is Portugal ;)

Thursday (10.3):
The last day in Lissabon! And the Weather was amazing! The program for today: a day-trip to Belem with my friend :)

This is a common view in every country in the south, drying the clothes outside. Even I got to try this out!

Before meeting up with my friend, I took a walk to the river. On the picture is Praca do Comércio, Commerce Square (eng.) and the Rua Augusta Arch.

Same place as above, but taken in the direction of the river. Soo beautiful!

Having a break in Pastéis de Belém and enjoying the best Pastel de Nata (the round pastry in the right corner) in the whole city! This is worth a visit! Delicious!

                                   

Belem, in the background the Jerónimos Monastery (Igreja dos Jerónimos) and in front the beautiful park Praca do Império.

The red Bridge, called 25th of April Bridge, 2 277.64 meters long, resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, but this one stretches over the River Tagus in Lisbon!

The Cristo Rei, Sanctuary of Christ the King, can be found when travelling south along the bridge.

In the evening I was just walking around in Lisbon and trying to find a place to eat. Tried something very portuguese food, but it was not in my taste.
4 days in Lisbon and I love the city!

My favourites in Lisbon: the Castle, all the nice parks, especially Parque da Fonte Luminosa, the Riverside for a nice jogging-tour and of course Sintra!