We arrived in Lisbon early Tuesday morning after a reasonably comfortable sleep on the train from Madrid. Lisbon has been the least spectacular capital city so far - just looking a little tired with no really outstanding features. On the other hand, it is quieter and more ordered than the madness of Rome or Athens for instance. We enjoyed a bus tour of the city that included a 90 minute stroll through the Alfama quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. As Lisbon is based on seven hills, naturally our walk was up and down steep, narrow, cobbled streets. We stopped along the way to sample some Portugese port then took a tram up to the highest point, where the ruins of an old castle and fortress remain. Here we took in panoramic views of the city and the port (shipping, not liquid). We could see down to the old town square, which was packed with locals watching their home team play in the World Cup, on a huge wide screen. We also found time to take our own quiet walk through the main city park, seeing swans and ducks and merchants selling their wares on the side of the road. Next stop - a day out of Lisbon to visit a local village.
No comments:
Post a Comment