Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
out before you. Retrace your steps and head east to admire the exquisitely tiled cloisters of
Igreja de São Vi-
cente de Fora
(
Click here
), and the cool, echoing
Panteão Nacional
(
Click here
). If it's Tuesday or
Saturday, make a detour to the buzzy
Feira da Ladra
(Thieves Market;
Click here
) to hunt for buried treas-
ure. Otherwise, go west along Arco Grande da Cima until you reach Largo de Rodrigues de Freitas. Take the
Costa do Castelo fork, continuing west to skirt the castle battlements along narrow cobbled streets affording stun-
ning views. Pass in front of
Solar dos Mouros
(
Click here
), then turn left up to the
Castelo de São
Jorge
(
Click here
) and its
viewpoint
. Next, head down the steep lanes to Largo das Portas do Sol, and an-
other fine vista from bougainvillea-clad
Miradourode Santa Luzia
. From here wander northward, past
whitewashed
Igreja de Santa Luzia
and turn right into the atmospheric lane of Beco de Santa Helena,
threading through labyrinthine Alfama to Largo das Alcaçarias. Take Rua de São João da Praça westwards, paus-
ing for a bite or a drink at
Cruzes Credo Cafe
(
Click here
), before continuing on to the fortresslike
sé
(
Click here
)
and
Igreja de Santo António
. Continue downhill, stopping for a look at the intricate Manueline
facade of
Igreja da Conceição Velha
, before ending at
Praça do Comércio
, Europe's largest square.
Activities
ViniPortugal
WINE TASTING
(
www.viniportugal.pt
; Praça do Comércio; 11am-7pm Tue-Sat)
A few doors down from the
tourist office, this viticultural organisation offers free wine tastings four or five times a
day (stop in or check the schedule posted out front). Each tasting features three different
wines, which range from good to rather undrinkable - depending on what's being opened
for the day.
DON'T MISS
HITCH A RIDE ON TRAM 28
Vintage tram 28 offers the ultimate spin around Lisbon's blockbuster sights - from Basílica da Estrela to the
backstreets of
Baixa
- for the price of a €2.85 ticket. The route from Campo Ourique to Martim Moniz is 45
minutes of astonishing views and absurdly steep climbs. The most exciting bit is when the tram commences its
rattling climb to Alfama, where passengers lean perilously out of the window for an in-motion shot of the
sé
or
stretch negotiates impossibly narrow streets and hairpin bends up to Graça, where most folk get out to explore
Igreja de São Vicente de Fora (
Click here
)
. Keep in mind that many locals use this as their only transport; be kind
and offer a seat, and avoid riding at peak hours. Beat the heavy crowds by going early in the morning or in the
evening.
