PORTUGAL : Lisbon - Sightseeing

size="2 Lisbon , the dazzling city that stretches along the banks of the Tagus , is an enchanting capital. There is the fortress around which the city originally sprang up, and which is now circled by neighborhoods drenched with medieval charm. Everywhere are fine monuments that bring to mind the great Age of Discoveries, and picturesque houses whose facades are decked with ornate ceramic tiles.

The heart of the city is the Baixa or lower town, this area of the city is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Baixa is organized in a grid-system and a network of squares built after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The São Jorge Castle and the Santa Maria Maior Cathedral are located on one of the seven hills of Lisbon, to the east of the Baixa. The oldest district of the city is Alfama, close to the Tagus, which has made it relatively unscathed through the various earthquakes.

Near by the Tagus river, there are monuments and leisure areas. The Torre de Belém is where the departure of many caravels took place, in search of new worlds in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos or the Padrão dos Descobrimentos are just three examples of beautiful places, worth a visit. Close by, you will find the Docas, a place with a little bit of everything. A simple walk, a meal, sampling the best Portuguese cuisine available. The bars and discos are also countless, all housed within a fantastic atmosphere.

Marquis of Pombal Square is the intersection of some of Lisbon's main avenues. Parque Eduardo VII in the backgroundThe city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Traditional Portuguese, Modern and Post-Modern constructions can be found all over the city. The city is also crossed by great boulevards and monuments along these main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts; notable among these are the Avenida da Liberdade, Avenida Fontes Pereira de Mello, Avenida Almirante Reis and Avenida da República.

The centre of the city, apart from being the privileged area in terms of business, also has a wide variety of places, including shopping centres and tourist attractions. Places like the Atrium Saldanha or the Monumental are perfect if you want to buy a gift from the best brands available in the world.