Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a city open to the sea and carefully planned with 18th-century elegance. Its founder is said to be the legendary Ulysses, but the theory of an original Phoenician settlement is probably more realistic. Known in Portugal as Lisboa, the city was inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and, beginning in the 8th century, the Moors. Much of the 16th century was a period of great prosperity and overseas expansion for Portugal. Tragedy struck on All Saints’ Day in 1755 with a devastating earthquake that killed about 40,000 people. The destruction of Lisbon shocked the continent. As a result, the Baixa (lower city) emerged in a single phase of building, carried out in less than a decade by the royal minister, the Marques de Pombal. His carefully planned layout of a perfect neo-classical grid survived to this day and remains the heart of the city. Evidence of pre-quake Lisbon can still be seen in the Belém suburb and the old Moorish section of the Alfama that sprawls below the Castle of St. George. Lisbon is a compact city on the banks of the Tagus River. Visitors find it easy to get around as many places of interest are in the vicinity of the central downtown area. There is a convenient bus and tram system and taxis are plentiful. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. After a fire destroyed parts of the historic neighborhood behind Rossio in 1988, many of the restored buildings emerged with modern interiors behind the original façades. The city boasts a good many monuments and museums, such as the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belém, the Royal Coach Museum and the Gulbenkian Museum. High above the Baixa is the Bairro Alto (upper city) with its teeming nightlife. The easiest way to connect between the two areas is via the public elevator designed by Gustave Eiffel. Cruising up the Tagus River to the ship’s berth, you can already spot three of Lisbon’s famous landmarks: the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and the Statue of Christ, which welcomes visitors from its hilltop location high above Europe’s longest suspension bridge.

Pier Information

The ship is scheduled to dock at Da Rocha Pier. It is about a 15-minute drive to the center of town. Taxis are generally available outside the terminal building.

Shopping

Handicrafts, ceramics and embroidered linens are popular buys. Look for gold filigree or silver jewelry, knitwear, leather articles, wickerwork, tiles and items made from cork. Many shops close from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30-3:00 p.m.; stores in the shopping centers are open throughout the day. The local currency is the euro.

Cuisine

Seafood has a favorite place in local cuisine. Prawns, crabs, oysters, mussels and fish are usually displayed in refrigerated showcases at seafood restaurants. Among other typical local dishes you will find ameijoas na cataplana, steamed clams with ham and sausages cooked in white wine, and açorda de marisco, a spicy seafood soup. Fine Portuguese wines will complement your meal nicely.

Other Sites

Madragoa, Bica and Bairro Alto Lisbon’s older sections offer a variety of sites worth visiting: the Church of Sao Roque with its beautiful tiles; St. George Castle for a splendid view over the city; the botanical gardens, with an unusual, cold greenhouse; and the cathedral of stunning Moorish design. The Gulbenkian Museum This renowned museum is the cultural center of Portugal. Its excellent collection of Persian, Egyptian and modern art was acquired by just one man, Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian. Housed in a superb complex, this museum should not be missed. (Please check opening hours.) Private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be requested through the Tour Office on board. Guests in transit to the following cruise may also check with the Tour Office for additional sightseeing options.