Belém, Alfama and Bairro da Graça in Lisbon

Hi everybody,
Last week we talked about central Lisbon and today I will be talking about some of the most visited neighbourhood in the city. I hope you like it…

BELÉM

Besides the famous bakery that makes the delicious (and memorable) Pastéis de Belém, in this district you will be able to visit the following tourist attractions:

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Catedral da Sé is where Luís de Camões and Vasco da Gama were buried, as well as being a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Hours: October to April: 10am to 5:30 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.) and from May to September: 10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last admission at 6 p.m.) and is closed on Mondays.
Admission costs €10, but there are different prices for children, students and such. Here is more information: http://www.mosteirojeronimos.gov.pt/en/index.php?s=white&pid=175&identificador=

Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument shaped like a caravel and was made to honour the Age of Exploration and its most famous navigators, such as Pedro Álvares Cabral, Luís de Camões and Vasco da Gama. You can go to the view platform on it, and it costs €6 or €3 for children.

Torre de Belém, which was built between 1514 and 1520, had as its function the defence of the city, but, over time, it began to be used as a dungeon, customs registration and a lighthouse.
Hours: October to April: 10am to 5:30 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.) and May to September: 10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last admission at 5 p.m.) and is closed on Mondays.
Values: adult €6 or you can buy the combined ticket with the Jerónimos Monastery and it costs €12.
More information: http://www.torrebelem.gov.pt/en/index.php?s=white&pid=193&identificador=

Palácio Nacional de Belém was built in 1559 and did not suffer much damage from the earthquake of 1755. At the time it was the residence of the royal family and is currently the official residence of the President of the Republic of Portugal.
It is also the Presidential Museum and it can be visited every day, except on Mondays because it is closed. To enter the Palace and Museum the value is €5 (adult).
More information: http://museu.presidencia.pt/index.php

Ponte 25 de Abril with a little more than 2km (1.6 miles), it is the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Since 2017 a museum and an observation deck have been introduced.

Docas is “below” the 25th April Bridge, on the banks of the Tagus River. Here is a great place to sit and enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants. You can walk from Torre de Belém to the Docks, but it takes approximately 50 minutes.

Berardo Collection Museum is a museum of modern and contemporary art, and it brings together more than 800 works owned by the millionaire José Berardo, such as Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Warhol, Dali, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Francis Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, etc. Admission costs €5 and on Saturdays is free.

Museu Nacional dos Coches is a National Car Museum and exposes carriages and cars used by the kings. The museum also gathers cavalry accessories and typical court dress.

ALFAMA

In Alfama, the cool thing to do is to walk around the alleys and enjoy the many bars and restaurants in the area. It is said that it is the neighbourhood that most accumulates Portuguese tapas bars per square meter and it’s here that you can listen to the famous fado music.

Castelo de São Jorge is a castle and it was erected to protect the city from the Romans around the 5th century and has undergone several renovations since then. The beautiful building is on Morro de São Jorge, and from there you have a spectacular view of the city. To get there, if you are in the Tram 28, get off at the Miradouro Santa Luzia stop.

Opening Hours: 1 November to 28 February from 9am to 6pm and from 1 March to 31 October from 9am to 9pm. The ticket costs €10, children under 12 years do not pay and in the age between 13 and 25 years, they pay €5.

Sé Cathedral or Santa Maria Maior was built in the 12th century and has undergone several renovations over the years, for different reasons. The cathedral has the sink where St. Anthony of Padua, the matchmaker saint, was baptised. Admission is free, however, if you want to go up and see the rooms that keep jewellery and such, you will have to pay about €3.
Curiosity: on June 12th, they make weddings for several couples.

Mirador de Santa Luzia and Miradouro Portas do Sol stand side by side, and both offer a breathtaking view. Some say that the sunset from it is one of the most beautiful in the city. We had no time to visit it.

Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva or Museum of Decorative Arts shows how aristocrats lived between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Miradouro da Graça is the highest point in the city, and some say the view is terrific. I did not have time to visit it either.

National Pantheon or Church of Santa Engrácia is a church where several famous people were buried, such as the Presidents of the Republic Manuel de Arriaga; the writers Almeida Garrett, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, among others; the artist Amália Rodrigues, the footballer Eusébio da Silva Ferreira and the Marshal Humberto Delgado. It is closed on Mondays and costs €4 to entry.

Feira da Ladra is the most popular street market in the city. Here you will find first and second-hand objects of an incredible variety. The fair is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Fado Museum as its name already tells, the museum explains the story of Fado, its authors, composers, musicians and all those who somehow contributed to the music being divulged and appreciated. The museum is closed on Mondays and costs € 5 to enter.

GRAÇA

Mirador da Senhora do Monte is in my opinion, this was the place with the most beautiful view of Lisbon. From it, you can see the Castle of St. George, the central squares, the Tagus River, etc.
Because it is not widely advertised, this lookout has fewer tourists, but it is still crowded, especially in the late afternoon when people go there to see the beautiful sunset.

It is delightful to sit and relax, drinking something and watching the view. And if you want to, you can visit the chapel that is there.
The miradouro is in the parish of São Vicente (Graça) and to get there, take the 28 Tram and get off at Rua da Graça. Or, if you like, you can go on foot, as my friends and I did.

I’m sure you will love Lisbon!
Do not forget to tell me what your experience was like, which was your favourite place and your tips, okay?
Enjoy your time!