What to visit in Lisbon in a few days, in which neighborhood to stay and how to get from the airport to the city center, all in the post.
Lisbon it has very ancient origins and a legend tells that it was founded by Ulysses. A pleasant sun, an intense blue sky as if to confuse it with the sea, the gaze that is lost among the wide and tidy spaces: these are the first emotions upon landing in Lisbon! We are between the end of August and the beginning of September, a warm but never unbearable temperature thanks to the cool Atlantic breeze.
THEairport Lisbon International Airport is located north of the city, is really well organized and is connected to the center by a service aerobus very frequent that, after a series of intermediate stops, lead up to Cais do Sodré station; optimal solution for those who want to stay close to the ocean, and my choice fell on the wonderful town of Estoril, also perfectly connected to the center of Lisbon through an efficient train service, a sort of metropolitan train that starts from Cais do Sodré and reaches its destination in about thirty minutes. It is a short but intense journey, a panoramic tour of the Atlantic coast that runs towards the horizon.
Estoril it is known for the Casino, for its golf courses and for the splendid villas; once off the train, you immediately feel a particular atmosphere of peace and tranquility, while your gaze is divided between the sea, which breaks along the coast, and the well-kept gardens, which announce the Casino building, famous for having inspired the novel by Fleming "Casino Royale"Of the 007 saga. I stayed in a delightful three-star hotel, in a favorable position with respect to all services, although I would like to clarify that I define myself as undemanding, or rather, I do not choose a three-star hotel by demanding the offer of a five star; I opt for simple solutions, well positioned especially with respect to means of transport, clean and comfortable in essential services.
La costa atlantica reserves suggestive landscapes, which can be pleasantly admired by taking a walk until you reach Cascais, a delightful center, very characteristic and very crowded in the summer months; the route can be traveled by train, by car, by bike, but also on foot: it is a healthy route of a couple of kilometers that offers refreshment points and gymnastic equipment for the more sporty. Cascais is best known for its beautiful beaches.
The city of Lisbon is crossed by the Tagus River, the longest of the Iberian Peninsula, which flows here into the Atlantic Ocean and on whose estuary rises the Bridge of 25 April which, almost two kilometers long, was built entirely of iron by the American Bridge Company, the same that designed the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which inspired it. On the banks of the river stands the Belém neighborhood: from here the most important Portuguese ships left to discover new worlds, remembered by the imposing Padrao do Doscombrimentos, precisely the Monument to the discoveries in the shape of a ship's prow. Equally significant is the Belém Tower, historical reference to the role that Portugal played in the era of great explorations: it is currently lying on the shore, but before the earthquake it stood on an islet in the middle of the river and, for a long time, represented the last memory of the homeland for many sailors.
Belém is also the neighborhood of the immense gardens, the place to stop and eat some typical dishes in the local bars, or to take a walk to admire the enchanting panorama at sunset, when it is really impossible to see the horizon. From here, for example, you are fascinated by the greatness of King Christ, copy of the Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro, located in front of the city, on the other side of the river. The statue is 113 meters high in total and from its terrace you can watch a breathtaking spectacle.
Lisbon is also famous for its tram which, among the oldest in the world, run through a large part of the city.
La Baixa is the central district, the heart of this capital, destroyed by the earthquake and rebuilt in a neoclassical style, full of bars, restaurants and shops. Unmissable is theElevador of Santa Justa, on top of which you can enjoy a good coffee.
Equally characteristic are the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto, an area of aristocratic families, artists, antique dealers; and Chiado full of pastry shops, bookstores and theaters, and here there is a bronze statue of the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa sitting at a bar table, where he spent his days immortalizing his creativity.
My stay in this beautiful capital has come to an end.
Nostalgia: this is the first feeling at the start! That very bright sky ... the last memory.
