After fog delays in London, we arrived late in Lisbon and were glad to be warmly welcomed at the charming Hotel Britania, a small boutique hotel just off the Avenida da Liberdade, sort of the 5th Avenue of Lisbon, and conveniently located to the city highlights.
We came here several years ago and explored many of the sights from an apartment we rented in the heart of the city. So, this time, we had some ideas of what to do and see, without the urgency and unknown of a first visit .
But, before you explore Lisbon, you better be in shape. It’s most iconic features are the unique, chunky, cobblestone streets and sidewalks everywhere, their stone surfaces worn smooth and wavy from centuries of weather and walking. This infrastructure is steadfastly preserved, as it is common to see any loose stones carefully placed at the edge of the sidewalk, until they are properly put back in place. And, it is known as the City of Seven Hills for a reason. The city is criss-crossed with winding, narrow vertical lanes and streets and steep cobbled stairways that reward the walker with a surprise around every corner and magnificent views at the top.
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and the oldest in western Europe, predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris, and Rome by centuries. It is an appealing blend of ancient walled castles, monasteries, and monuments, mixed with Moorish and Art Deco influence, all combined in a sort of rustic, symbiotic blend that is uniquely Lisbon.
It is also a cosmopolitan city with high end shopping, restaurants with fresh-caught seafood from the waterfront, a very vibrant nightlife, and friendly people. Our only day here was chilly and damp, but not enough to dampen my memories of this place. And our last dinner, after a thrilling taxi ride, was at a lovely, lively restaurant called Sacramento, in the chic Chiado district, high on one of those seven hills, on top of something like San Francisco’s Lombard Street without the hairpin turns. But this visit to Lisbon was comfortable and more familiar and, while I wouldn’t say it was like being at home, the designer “ruby slippers” I spotted in the swanky store window on Avenida da Liberdade reminded me that “There’s no place like home”, means something different to everyone.
I am so envious of your journey! I wish I was there, but I will enjoy this journey through your blog, Kristy.
Wish you were here, too! Miss you.