Lisbon is Well Worth a Visit

Location: Lisbon, Portugal
NP: Chris Rea - Looking for the Summer
Mood: Wistful

What a wonderful time we've had in this run-down, easy-going and utterly charming city that is the capital of Portugal. There's plenty to see, the people are friendly, the food is tasty and it's warm for most of the year. What's not to like?

Belém Tower has served as a fort and later as a lighthouse that used to be the last sight of Lisbon the Portuguese sailors of old saw as they sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean

Pickpockets, perhaps. We've heard there are some around but nothing of our's has been stolen so far. Out and about we've been careful.

The sights here are plentiful. To name a few, we've visited MAAT, Standard of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery.

Standard of the Discoveries

Jerónimos Monastery

We've also visited São Roque Church with (possibly) the world's most expensive chapel (Chapel of St. John the Baptist), the Santa Justa Elevator and the Lisbon Aquarium.

In addition to the sights, Lisbon offers surprises as the age of the city reminds you of itself. You walk around a corner and are suddenly faced with an incredibly ornate and old-looking building. Next to a cafe. Next to a residential building. Next to a restaurant.

Yes, the tourism shows in parts of the city but overall it's still a wonderful mix of new and old and authentic. And getting around with the metro is incredibly easy and convenient.

I will miss Lisbon. It's a city one might consider living in.