Lisbon on the seven hills

First night in Lisbon, I joined AIESEC Alumni from around the world for a night of music at the Clube de Fado. 

It’s a very intense and melancholic music. Sole singers are accompanied by a Portuguese guitar and will evoke emotions even in the non-portuguese speakers. 

Clube de Fado

Love, destiny, death and saudade (health) are covered by the songs. 

Born in the working-class environment of Alfama - this is the place to go. Food often does not live up to the quality of the music and is highly priced as the Fado is included.

After the Fado club, we explored the neighborhood by night:

Sé by night

Igreja de Sao Vicente de Fora

Paróquia de Santo Condestável, Ourique

The next morning, I took again the famous historic Tram 28 that led from the place I stayed (Orique) all the way to the Sé, the Castello on the steep hill and further. I got off at the final stop in Martim Moniz.

From there, I climbed up the steep stairs leading to the Castello de Sao Jorge. Tiny streets cover the hill and turn at every angle.

The castle rewards for the effort. The fortifications have seen many different people over the centuries: Visigoths, Moors, Christians, Royals and now a collection of tourists from around the globe as well as peacocks.  

You can enjoy the banks in the park at the entrance, walk on the walls and of course indulge yourself in the fantastic views of Lisbon.

Walking down the hill you will meet a lot of souvenir and art shops selling the famous azuelo tiles and art.

Port theme azuelo

Azuelos to choose!

The other fix point of the hill is close to the bottom - the cathedral. In daylight, a lot of people flock outside - yet the inside is cool and serene.

Sé at day

Inside the Sé

The rose window gives light to the interior.

A bit further down the hill is the Rua Augusta - a pedestrian shopping street with every shop you need or not and with cafés and restaurants serving "al fresco".

Rua Augusta

As I walked with the camera, there are often buildings and scenes that I just needed to click - like the one below - a fantastic art deco building:

Rossio Train Station

If you are interested in Art Deco and other art periods, take the metro to Praca de Espanha and stop at the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. The private collector donated his art and it was turned into a museum showcasing art from Mesopotamia to Middle Ages to Art Deco jewelry by Rene Lalique.

Tiles from Turkey

statue of goddess Diana

A more exclusive area is the Avenida da Liberdade - here you will find all the top designers like Prada and lovely luxury hotels like the Valverde Hotel.

Prada

There I met my friends for another night out - we went to the Lautasco where we ordered a big variety of Portuguese dishes and then tried everything we liked. Very tasty!