Having a friend to travel with.. who is equally lazy.. or let me say, relaxed ;) is really a blessing!
We went to Lisbon, Portugal without anything planned, and took the easiest way to see most of the city. We got on a Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, and sat on the roof deck the whole afternoon, only hopping off once, and finishing the 2 bus routes twice!
It was a very long, relaxing ride, on a cool, windy summer day.. which led to sunburn!!
So don't get fooled by that cool breeze and wear your sunscreen! :)
Here are some of the sights from that EUR 20 tour...
Marques de Pombal Square / Praca Marques de Pombal
A large roundabout that has a monument of Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, the prime minister who was responsible for rebuilding the city of Lisbon after the Great Earthquake in 1755.
Campo Pequeno Bullring
Aside from bullfights, this bullring is occasionally used for concerts, circuses, and other shows. It also has a shopping mall, restaurants, cinemas, and a supermarket.
Eduardo VII Park / Parque Eduardo VII
Named after Britain's Edward VII who visited Portugal in 1902 to strengthen ties between the two countries, and where the Lisbon Book Fair is held annually.
Estrela Basilica / Basilica da Estrela
Built in 1790 to fulfill a vow made by Queen Maria I for giving birth to a son and heir.
Tiles / Azulejos
These tile artworks are everywhere in Portugal - On the walls, streets, palaces, churches, ordinary houses, schools, park benches, railway stations...
25 de Abril Bridge / Ponte 25 de Abril
The 23rd largest suspension bridge in the world, and resembles the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, USA.
Named after the date of the carnation revolution of 1974, which led to the fall of the country's authoritarian dictatorship, and to the withdrawal from its African colonies and East Timor.
Discoveries Monument / Padrao dos Descobrimentos
Located along the Tagus River, the monument celebrates the achievements of the explorers and navigators during the Age of Discovery (15th-16th Century).
Where we hopped off...
Belem Tower / Torre de Belem
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress was built in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbour.
It was the starting point for many of the voyages during the Age of Discovery.
At the terrace, a statue of St. Mary and Child meant to protect the seafarers
From one of the windows of the tower...
The Jardim (Garden) and Avenida (Avenue) Torre de Belem
At the bastion cave with a canon
Hopping back to the bus..
Empire Square Gardens / Jardim da Praca do Imperio
Located in the centre of the Empire Square, where the Belem Cultural Center and Jeronimos Monastery are.
Jeronimos Monastery / Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery, the great monastery was built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for the success of explorer Vasco de Gama's voyage to India.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery, the great monastery was built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for the success of explorer Vasco de Gama's voyage to India.
Berardo Collection Museum / Museu Coleccao Berardo
A museum of modern and contemporary art, it houses a part of Portuguese magnate Joe Berardo's art collection which includes works by Picasso, Dali, Magritte, Jeff Koons, and others.
MEO Arena
Named after its main sponsor, MEO (a commercial brand from Portugal Telecom), this venue for major concerts, sports events, and shows, is the country's largest indoor arena with a capacity of 20,000 people.
Outside the MEO Arena
Lisbon Oceanarium / Oceanario de Lisboa
The largest indoor aquarium in Europe, with tanks housing different habitats separated by invisible sheets of acrylic giving the illusion that the creatures are all swimming in the same space.
Vasco de Gama Tower / Torre Vasco de Gama
Named after one of the country's greatest explorers, the sail-shaped building is the tallest in Lisbon. It has a viewing platform at the top, and has been recently converted into a hotel.
The cable cars connect the Vasco de Gama Tower and the Lisbon Oceanarium.
Did you feel like you were also on the roof deck of the tour bus? Hehe ;)
Before we hop off, I just want to share these Jacaranda Trees that were in full bloom!
It was in June, and these purple flowers were just beautifully everywhere :)
Also check out: Streets of Lisbon ;)
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References:
Tour Bus - www.city-sightseeing.com
Research - www.golisbon.com
Oceanarium - www.oceanario.pt
