Exploring Lisbon Portugal

	Search Amazon.com for Travel assistance
With its strategic location on the coast of Portugal, and its rich historical background, Lisbon remains one of the best destinations in this part of Europe. It offers diverse attractions that any tourist will find exciting and interesting. The warm waters of its beaches are a must during summer while it impressive towers, palaces and museums beckon tourists to explore all year round. Lisbon’s small quarters, locally known as barrios, are a delight to explore. Cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways offer visitors a glimpse of Lisbon’s history going backover 20 centuries. Although many of its buildings were destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755, there remain a few old structures that reflect Lisbon’s illustrious past. For a good historical look of Lisbon, start from the Alfama District. It is located in the oldest part of the city that sprawls down a side of a hill where Castelo de Sao Jorge stand. It still features the same winding streets of thousands of years ago. Colorful overhanging buildings and narrow alleyways are a picturesque delight straight from a postcard. Lisbon is home to the first church in Lisbon, the cathedral of Se de Lisboa, built during the 12th century. Another long standing location in Lisbon is the Bairro Alto district which dates back to 1513. It literally means the Upper City and is a favorite destination among many tourists. It has many stylish cafes and bars that feature traditional Portuguese music known locally as fado. Ancient buildings still line the stretch of its narrow and winding streets making it an idyllic place for a relaxing stroll. For a 360-degree view of the city, head to the Castelo de Sao Jorge or the Sao Jorge Castle. This ancient ruin was home to the Portuguese kings for over 300 years. Its history dates back to 10th century when Moors first occupied the city which has been standing sentry atop a hill for thousands of years as a fortress against marauders. The Tore de Belem is another impressive structure in Lisbon that has occupied the basalt island since 1521. It has continuously served as a lookout tower and fortress for Lisbon. Its architecture is truly impressive with its arcaded windows, Venetian inspired mezzanines and Gothic-style interiors. The view from its tower is breathtaking and should not be missed by any visitor. The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is another landmark structure important to the city of Lisbon. The construction, which started in 1502, took almost a century to complete. The people of Lisbon believed that a miracle spared the monastery from the massive destruction of the earthquake in 1755. Now, the monastery continues to serve as a sanctuary of prayer especially for seafarers who are about to embark on a long voyage. Lisbon also features many remarkable museums. One is the Museu da Marinha, established by King Louis  in 1863. It houses more than 17,000 exhibits and is considered  one of the most significant maritime museums in Europe. Another notable museum is the National Azulejo Museum or the National Tile Museum that features a delightful collection of decorative tiles, both religious and secular, dating from the 15th century.
Click here

to Travel Like the "Rich and Famous. . ." Discover How A Pauper Travels Like A King! Travel Cheap! Travel Well!