Spain and Portugal (7) - Lisbon

It took about 2 hours to reach Lisbon's Santa Apolonia Train Station from Coimbra-B Train Station. Again the train was late, only 6 minutes this time though. Found our hotel located in the iconic Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square) pretty easy. Getting there was hard, because it is on the 3rd floor (4th in U.S.' term since they count the first floor as ground floor) of a 19th century building without elevator. We had to climb 72 steps with suitcases in hand :)

1. Our hotel room in Lisbon.


2. The keys to our hotel room. One for the building entrance, one for the hotel entrance (it is setup like a big apartment with multiple private rooms plus kitchen, bathrooms to share), and one (the biggest) for our room.


3. Words projected on the hotel building at night. I think it has something to do with the Carnation Revolution in 1974, a military coup that ended the dictatorship which ruled Portugal for almost 50 years.


4. Across from our hotel is the National Republican Guard headquarter.


5. Next to the National Republican Guard headquarter is the Carmo Church, which was mostly destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It is now used as an archaeological museum.


Behind the Carmo Church is the Santa Justa Lift, also called Carmo Lift, which connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo.

6. View of the Carmo Church from Santa Justa Lift lookout.


7. View of the Pedro IV Square from Santa Justa Lift lookout.


8. View of the Pedro IV Square and the Praça da Figueira (Square of the Fig Tree) from Santa Justa Lift lookout.


9. São Jorge Castle up on the hill from Santa Justa Lift lookout.


10. Pedro IV Square. There is an "Ask Me Lisboa" tourist kiosk here that sells "Lisboa Card" and gives free maps.


11. Just off the Pedro IV Square is the Rossio Train Station, trains to Sintra and Queluz depart from here.


12. Not far from Rossio Train Station is the Éden Cinema (now a hotel).


13. Restauradores Square in front of Éden Cinema. The square is dedicated to the restoration of the independence of Portugal in 1640, after 60 years of Spanish domination.


14. Further down the street from Eden Theatre is the Elevador da Glória, a funicular that links Baixa (Restauradores Square) with Bairro Alto.


15. The funicular was first opened to the public on October 24, 1885 as a water-powered system. Can you believe that?


16. Just off Pedro IV Square is Igreja de São Domingos, a church dedicated in 1241.


17. Inside Igreja de São Domingos. The church was damaged by the 1531 and 1755 Lisbon earthquakes.


18. Inside Igreja de São Domingos.


19. Walking towards Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square).


20. The other side of the archway.


21. Lisbon Cathedral built in 1147.


22. View from Miradouro (Viewpoint) Portas do Sol.


23. View from Miradouro (Viewpoint) Portas do Sol.


24. In operation since 1873, trams are not only used by tourists, but also used by locals.


25. Most of our tram rides were jam packed, only late at night we were lucky to have seats.


26. Basílica da Estrela, a pretty church we saw while riding tram 28.


27. The Church of the Holy Constable (Nuno Alvares Pereira, The Holy Constable, 1360-1431, Blessed, national hero of Portugal), another big church we saw while riding tram 28.


28. A pretty square we saw while riding tram 28. Later we found out this is Praça Luís de Camões (Camões Square), our hotel was only 2 blocks away.


29. Teatro da Trindade (Trinity Theatre), one block from Praça Luís de Camões, lots of good restaurants nearby.


30. Cervejaria da Trindade is one of it. The food is a bit pricy, but the setting is nice.


31. Cervejaria da Trindade used to be a 13th-century monastery.


32. Some staff still wear medieval monk clothing.


33. Just opposite Cervejaria da Trindade is a restaurant called "Oui, Moules & Huitres", which means "Yes, Mussels & Oysters". They had delicious mussels for €8 / 500g!!!


(To be continued)