Lisbon General Tips by HORSCHECK

Favorite Thing: Due to Lisbon's excellent location on 7 hills, it offers many magnificent viewpoints called "Miradouros". The most popular one is the Miradouro do Castelo at the castle, from where almost the entire city can be seen.
To admire superb views of the castle itself and parts of the city you should visit the Miradouro da Graca at the Largo da Graca (tram #12 or #28).
The Miradouro da Santa Luzia overlooks the Alfama district and the mouth of the river Tejo. It is situated on a terrace near the Church of Santa Luzia (tram #12 or #28).
Other popular viewpoints are the Elevador de Santa Justa and the Cristo Rei Statue. Please read my "Things to do" and my "Off the beaten path" tips for more information about these two viewpoints.


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Favorite Thing: Lisbon is full of beautiful squares. I have listed a few worth seeing squares in my "Things to do" tips, but there are many more to discover:
Praca da Figueria: Located just east from Rossio square, Praca da Figueira is home to a bronze statue of King Joao I. It is lined with shops and cafes and offers a nice view to the castle.
Praca do Municipio: With the neo-classical city hall, the small Praca do Municipio is one of the finest squares in Lisbon. It is situated just west of the huge Praca do Comercio.
Praca Marques de Pombal: One of the busiest roundabouts in Lisbon. It is marked by a central statue of Marquis de Pombal who was in charge of Lisbon's reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. Praca Marques de Pombal can be found at the end of the Avenida da Liberdade.


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Favorite Thing: Although Lisbon was devasted by an earthquake in 1755, it is still rich in architecture. Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque or Post-Modern constructions can be found all over the city. A special Portuguese architectural style is the Manueline which represents Portugal's discovery years (15th/16th century).
So just keep your eyes open when wandering around Lisbon, there is loads to see.


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Favorite Thing: Lisbon's oldest quarter is the steep Alfama district which almost wasn't damaged during the 1755 earthquake. It is still home to some Roman and Arab remains. The Alfama consists of an interesting mixture of cobbled alleys with drying laundry, tiny squares with chatting locals, wrought-iron balconies with caged birds and hole-in-the-wall stores with all sorts of local specialities.

Directions:
The Alfama district is situated east of the Baixa, just in between the castle and the Tejo river banks.


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Favorite Thing: Lisbon by night is well worth seeing, because most squares, churches and historic buildings in the Baixa district are beautifully illuminated. Among them are: Praca Dom Pedro IV (Rossio), Praca da Figueira and the Praca do Comercio.
Another great area for fantastic nightviews is the Doca da Santo Amaro from where you can enjoy the views of the illuminated Ponte 25 de Abril and the Cristo Rei Statue. Please read my "Nightlife" tip for more details.


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