Previously we have already listed the 6 reasons to love Lisbon, from the steep and mysterious streets of Alfama to the beautiful museums of Pastéis that you absolutely can not miss, from the UNESCO Heritage monuments to the crazy nights of Barrio Alto, perhaps to the rhythm of Fado. A city of writers and sailors, but also with a great impulse towards the future, in this wonderful Portuguese pearl there is absolutely nothing missing! Put your comfortable shoes and surf suit in your luggage and leave the watch home ... in Lisbon you will lose the knowledge of the time!
If you only have one weekend available, so today we advise you the things that you should not miss at all when you are in town for only two or three days.
Castle of St. George
The true guardian of Lisbon, this imposing and old fortified castle, dominates the city from the top of a hill, and does not go unnoticed. Being there for about 2000 years it has seen everything! In the interior there is an archaeological museum and from the towers you will enjoy a beautiful view of the whole city, so: prepare the camera and ... shoot!
Open every day from 9am to 6pm and in high season (March-October) until 9pm. Admission costs € 7.50.
Monastery of San Girolamo
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in this enormous monastery of the 1500 you will find the tomb of Vasco de Gama, immense vaulted corridors and columns that never finish, decoration that seems made with sand and the most beautiful cloisters in the world. A visit you cannot miss at all!
Open every day, admission costs €7, but on Sundays and public holidays is free until 2pm.
The Tower of Belem
The symbol of Lisbon, a must see. Built on the 1500s on the banks of the Tagus, as a defense structure but also, or above all, as a gateway to the city for travelers returning from exploring the world. Admire this imposing architectural pearl, not for nothing declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. Symbol of Portugal at the time of the great discoveries, the tower, also called Torre de Belén or Torre de San Vicente, is actually a 30 meter wall with four small towers.
It is possible to visit it every day and the ticket costs € 5. Free Sundays and public holidays until 14.00.
The Commerce Square
It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe: surrounded by harmonious and elegant buildings, connected with the Baixa by a monumental arch of triumph and equipped with a floating platform on the river of the city. The whole square was restored after the earthquake of 1755, which destroyed many neighborhoods of the city. Praça do Comércio or Commerce Square, is located on the banks of the River Tagus, in the center of Lisbon, and can easily be reached on foot or by public transport.
The square is open 24 hours a day.
Santa Justa Elevator
Lisbon is famous for its elevators, really unique citizen transportation methods, born of the ingenuity of Lisbon in front of the "ups and downs" of its city. Most are funicular, but the one of Santa Justa is a true vertical art-work. Opened in 1902 as a marvel of steam engineering, and then electric, today is the ideal place to admire the spectacular views - perhaps sipping wine from the splendid rooftop bar.
The ticket costs €5.
Baixa and Alfama
The neighborhoods of Baixa and Alfama are the most famous in Lisbon. While the first one is considered the central area of Lisbon, the second one is Lisbon's oldest neighborhood and a delightful tangle of alleys leading from the Tagus estuary to the Castle.
Afama has become a young, trendy and elegant Lisbon area but, fortunately, it has not lost any of its old charm. Baixa, on the other hand, offers a wide selection of restaurants, shops and bars.
The best attraction of Baixa is the splendid panorama that can be admired from the top of the Rua Augusta Arch. This imposing arch connects Augusta Street with Commerce Square.
Nightlife in Bario Alto
Bairro Alto of Lisbon is the old popular district of the city, also famous for being the center of fun during the Lisbon long nights. If you visit the neighborhood during the day, it may be hard recognizing it at night: when the sun goes down the many locals raise the blinds, take out the tables, and people from all over Lisbon come to spend the night from bar to bar.
The main streets of the local night life are Rua do Diario de Noticias and the alleys that lead to Chiado, in particular Rua da Misericordia and Rua da Rosa, Rua Dom Pedro V and Praça dos Camoes.
Did you know that in Lisbon you can find hostels where sleep for less than € 16 a night? Do not wait any longer, a weekend in Lisbon is a great idea, either for not spending too much money to visit one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe!
Cover photo by Lili Popper
