Monthly Archives: October 2017

Lisbon’s free tourist attractions

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Sometimes we travel low cost. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and a lot of people do this simply because they need a vacation, so here are some of Lisbon’s free tourist attractions, in case you needed to be convinced that you can definitely enjoy traveling even when your pocket is modest.

Here are a few of the attractions with free entry that you can enjoy. Of course, a lot of such attractions are gardens and outdoors facilities.

Strolls in the Alfama neighbourhood: here is number one attraction in Lisbon you can enjoy – and I mean really, really enjoy – free of charge. Alfama is one of the most colorful neighbourhoods in Lisbon and the place to get lost in the maze of winding narrow, abrupt cobblestone streets that make up the fascinating maze of this part of the city. Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon and has an endless choice of restaurants, bistros and bars. The highest point in the district is the Sao Jorge Castle. You can roam around it for free, but the entry cost some 10 Euros. The lowest point is the Tagus river board. Again you have there a series of restaurants and bars to choose from, you can walk down the promenade or get a river cruise.

Belem is a great tourist place. You can take pictures at the Belem Tower and enjoy the Centro Cultural de Belem. This cultural center is a good place to chill out and enjoy the nice weather.

The gardens of the Palacio do Beau Sejour and the palace itself actually are a treat for all people who enjoy gardens, old houses with a story and being outside.

And as you save money this way, there are some facilities you really should look into acquiring. Lisbon car hire options and/ or a Lisbon taxi transfer are things that need to stay on your travel list.

 

The Azulejos Museum, a trip into the heart of Portugal

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Following a trip to Lisbon, you really feel you want to share so much about what you have seen there. So in this train of thought, I suggest we take a walk through The Azulejos Museum, a trip into the heart of Portugal.

One of the most important cultural constituents of a country is the architecture. But what about those adornments that decorate and enrich the buildings? The azulejos are a part of Lisbon and Portuguese architecture and we warmly invite you to admire and appreciate this during your trip. And you will see it is in fact not at all hard to find them, because the azulejos are virtually everywhere on the streets of Portugal, one out of three houses in Lisbon displays intricate and beautiful exterior azulejos.

Which begs the question: what are azulejos? They are painted tin-glazed ceramic tiles that were initially used both as ornaments and as temperature control methods. The word comes from the Arabic “az-zulayj”, which actually means “polished stone”. These are found in Morocco and throughout the Arab world as well, though the Portuguese have raised the azulejos to a state of true art and inprinted them into the cultural identity of the country.

Nevertheless, it was the Romans who first used these tiles, not the Arabs or the Portuguese. At any rate, you will find no azulejos as the Portuguese ones anywhere in the world. Brazil also displays some fine examples of the blue azulejos, as they used to be a Portuguese colony.

But the azulejos in Portugal and different and the best place to see some of the greatest samples from the 13th century up until today is the National Azulejos Museum in Lisbon. You can get a Lisbon transfer to take you there and the entry ticket is just 5 Euro. It is very accessible and worth spending a few great hours learning about this art and how the azulejos became part of the Portuguese identity.

 

One unforgettable day in Sintra – Part 2

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Dear friends, if you have prepared for one unforgettable day in Sintra, you already know one article hasn’t been enough to cover all the great stuff you can do and you can see in this beautiful Portuguese town.

So here are some more points to stop by on our trip to Sintra and during our tour of the city. But before we embark on this new quest, here’s another piece of advice: rent a car with Lisbon car rental if you want to enjoy all the mobility you desire.

If you’ve visited the Sintra National Palace, the center town and the Moorish Castle, it’s time to see the main attraction in town, the greatest castle in Sintra and one of the most outstanding in all of Portugal: Pena Palace. Built in the 19th century by the artistic and in love King Consort Ferdinand II for his beloved wife, the Pena Palace is one of the last romantic palaces in Europe. It has the most special colorful towers and sculpted carvings. You may think the spectacular and romantic exterior is the main attraction – and it is – but the interior, made to fit all the exquisite requirements of royal life, is equally impressive.

A visit to Sintra will not entail mere stuffy museum visits. You can spend as much time outdoors as you want. One option is to explore the amazing Sintra Forest, the luxuriant environment that surrounds and embraces the fairytale castle. There are hiking trails and horseback riding experiences available as well – all it takes is a bit of upfront exploration.

If you want to see more in town, the Quinta da Regaleira is an amazing place as well, where you can take in the gothic atmosphere and take a stroll around the equally extravagant garden, with its secret passageways and caves.

Sintra is a wonder you simply cannot miss!

 

 

One unforgettable day in Sintra – Part 1

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Are you preparing for your trip to Portugal? Then book one unforgettable day in Sintra.

Sintra is a must destination in Portugal. It has it all for a happy and successful trip: it is conveniently located from Lisbon – less than an hour’s drive by Lisbon transfer to Sintra – it is also extremely beautiful and it probably has the highest density of castles in Europe.

So what’s in store for somebody seeking to enjoy the most of the Sintra Portuguese experience? Here are some of the points well worth taking into account:

Sintra is easily accessible, like we said, and quite compact. You can enjoy a city break here easily, but a day trip is also acceptable.

Once you get to town, the first step worth making is the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, which governs the central side of town. This can easily be the starting point for your adventure here. You can also stop for a coffee or a snack and amp up your energy before carrying on with your tour.

Next stop: the beautiful ruins of the Moorish Castle. The joined history of Moors and Europeans has left important traces around Portugal and Sintra makes no exception. The Moorish Castle is one of the greatest constructions to have stood the test of time. It used to be a fort built by the Moors in the 9th century, then it was conquered by the Crusaders and ultimately abandoned to decay around the 12th century. Luckily, in the mid-18th century, King Fernando II fell in love with the beautiful ruins of the castle and set about to restore it to (some sort of) glory. It basically gave it the fantastic ruin allure and promoted the forests that surround it and the wonderful landscapes over the town that you can enjoy from uphill.