A genuinely charming city

destroyed by the 1755 earthquake

and rebuilt largely according to the plans of Marquess of Pombal

equally striking at dusk...

...and in day light

located where the Tagus River joins the Atlantic Ocean

sunny colourful and relaxed

with historic and quaint neighbourhoods like Alfama, Bairro Alto and Chiado

churches and houses of different architectural styles

Santa Justa Elevator built by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel to connect Baixa (downtown) to Bairro Alto

you can either love it or adore it at first sight

hoping that one day you'll be back to get to know it better

Cascais

a former fishing village with a cosmopolitan air close to Lisbon

with dolphins hanging from windows

happy and colourful facades

the Town Hall Square

with a facade of azulejos (portuguese tiles) depicting various catholic saints

a marina with lovely yachts

And a tip for all the seafood lovers out there: Restaurant "Nortada" in Colares-Sintra offers the most delicious crab you've ever tasted...

...as well as spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean

Praça do Comércio

Former Palace Square rebuilt after the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake

King Jose I reigned but Marquess of Pombal ruled

The King on his horse is symbolically crushing snakes on his path

groundfloor arcades

detail

Rua Augusta Arch

and its impressive clock

Rua Augusta is the bustling main pedestrianised street of Lisbon running from the grand arch to central Rossio Square

gossip...

warm colours and...

...magic tricks in Rua Augusta finally leads you to...

the Rossio Square with the National Theatre of Neoclassical design

Strolling at an easy pace

sweet pink

travessa dos teatros

in Chiado

 

Like Ella Fitzgerald would say...nothing but blue skies smiling at me

Sao Luiz Theatre: lots of backstairs

in the elegant and sophisticated district of Chiado

seen in front of Lisbon Town Hall

interesting buildings in Praca do Municipio

Praça da Figueira

in Baixa

King John I

a square full of cafes and shops

Belem District

The Belem Tower, built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor

there's no doubt that Portuguese are very proud of their discoveries

there's no doubt that they know when to stop and relax either

The Discoveries Monument representing a ship ready to depart with sculptures of important historical figures, famous Portuguese explorers, crusaders, monks, cartographers, and cosmographers...

...following Prince Henry the Navigator

a cross? a sword? both perhaps?

medieval reflections

another terrific monument in Belem is the Jeronimos Monastery

Though Cafe Pasteis de Belem is not a monument, it's very popular around the area because it serves the best Pastéis de Nata (traditional custard tarts) in Lisbon

when the sun goes down in Belem it looks as if a great artist has painted the sky with a thousand colours