Lisbon and the History of Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal is home to a number of interesting historic sites, and many are within walking distance of one another   . . . 

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Getting Around Lisbon

My favorite way to explore a new destination is on foot, and much Lisbon can be a fairly walk-able experience. The city is divided up of may neighborhoods, each providing a unique flavor to enjoy. While Chaido provides trendy eateries and bustling nightlife, Alfama acts as somewhat of a historic district, and Baixa serves as a main corridor connecting the northern areas down to the southern waterfront. 

​While there are a few geographical ups and downs, the city offers a variety of convenient transportation services that assist with some of the more difficult to reach areas. Many of these you have probably seen, as they have become tourist attraction all to their own. 

To begin, Lisbon has a very easy to use subway (metro) system. The Red Line runs to and from the airport, while the Blue, Yellow, and Green Lines cover most areas of interest. You definitely cannot go without noticing the iconic above-ground trams of Lisbon. Another Lisbon has is the Santa Justa Lift, which is basically an elevator device that takes you from the main tourist strip to the upper neighborhood Bairro Alto. 

The purchase of the Lisboa Card will allow you unlimited transportation on each of these starting at durations of 24 hours or even 72, which is perfect for most visitors. ​

There is even a BigBusTour you may enjoy!

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A Look at the History

There is evidence of settlement in this are dating back to the Stone Age and Iron Age, but around the 2nd century BC is when heavier fortifications began to appear. It was during this time that the Romans took control, but as that empire would begin to crumble people like the Visigoths and the Normans would have their opportunity to rise into power. Eventually the Moors would take control of the area until The Reconquista from the 1100s to the 1300s. It was this Crusade of the Iberian Peninsula that ushered in a Renaissance or "Golden Age" for Portugal. 

Castelo de Sao Jorge

One place you must visit is Castelo de Sao Jorge (St George's Castle). This enormous hilltop fortification is one of those that dates back to previous ages long before the Romans when Celts and Phoenicians ruled the landscape. It was occupied by many forces over the years, and even served as home to the king once Lisbon had been officially established as the seat of power in Portugal. 

It was in 1755 that a massive earthquake made a wreck of most of the city, and destroyed the Portuguese Royal Palace. A rebuilding effort soon began, leading to the more uniform city planning we now see throughout the central Baixa district. Constructed on the site of the former palace was a large town square called Praca do Comercio. 

Praca do Comercio

This area may seem a bit touristy, but it is lined with some pretty amazing restaurants. It is around here that you will also find many other interesting historic attractions such as the Cathedral of Lisbon, The Lisbon City Hall, and even some of those ancient archaeological sites I mentioned earlier.

Another casualty of that earthquake was the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as Carmo Convent. Over the next hundred years the shell would serve many purposes including being used by the military. By the late 1800s the property would be turned over to archaeologists to act as a museum. I highly recommend you pay a visit to this site, or you can see it all in my video down below.

Located on the hilltop across from the one where you will see Saint Georges Castle. the ruins of Carmo Convent is an absolute must for any history lover or archaeological enthusiast. 

If you take the train down to the Belem neighborhood, you will find two of the most photographed architectural attractions in all of Lisbon. This riverfront area is also home to a very ornate monastery, museums, and a spectacular garden park. 

Belem Tower and Monument of Discoveries

Constructed in the 1500s, Belem Tower was a defensive mechanism that was designed to guard the entranceway Tagus River. It succeeded in this task over the course of many battles, but now serves as a museum, while its architecture is representative of the Manueline style found throughout the region. 

Also in the area you will find the Monument of the Discoveries, which is a memorial to those explorers who helped Portugal gain its foothold throughout some of the furthest reaches of the planet. It is in this large sculpture of seafarers that you will see representations of over thirty historic figures including Ferdinand Magellan.

Jeronimos Monastery

Displaying the local Manueline style of architecture, the Jeronimos Monastery is an amazing sight to behold. This large religious structure was built in the 15th century will the enormous amounts of wealth brought in from those aforementioned seafaring expeditions. The interior is said to house the tomb of Vasco de Gama. 

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Day Trips from Lisbon

One of the best things about basing yourself in Lisbon is the access it gives you to explore other cities. Whether by train or tour company getting out there to other locations is actually pretty simple. Here is an example of two popular options:

Sintra Day Trip

Sintra is one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting the area. In this quaint town you can visit that picturesque red and yellow Pena Palace, or even take a look into the mysteries of the Knights Templar at the Quinta de Regaleira. 

Evora Day Trip

​Evora is another great day trip for those looking to further explore the Roman archaeology of the region. But one of the most visited attractions here is to a Franciscan church of morbid construction, the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones).

Excursions like this can be booked here!

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Experiencing Portuguese Cuisine

This region has long been a melting pot of culture, which has created some interesting combinations of dining options. It is no secret that seafood is a popular food item in Portugal, and and its long coastline seems to provide an endless amount of these tasty treats. All over he place you will find dishes comprised of fish, prawns, and even octopus. 

As you can see in the above photos, I have a love for those freshly caught inhabitants of the ocean. The first one is salmon with potatoes and broccoli. The second is bacalhau, which some consider to be a national favorite of the Portuguese. Number three is a tuna steak covered in stewed tomatoes. But if you're not crazy about all that fish, there is nothing wrong with grabbing a burger from one of those street cafes. 

My travels throughout Lisbon and the surrounding areas were an amazing experience. It was easy to get around, communicating was no problem (even with only basic language skills), and the people were extremely pleasant. Portugal was without a doubt one of my all time favorite adventures. One thing is for certain, it definitely left me with an amazing taste in my mouth and an incredible urge to one day return and explore the rest of the country.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave a comment down below!