STUDIO 15

It wouldn't make sense to talk about Lisbon without mentioning the history of the neighborhood where we are located

This hilly medieval quarter is Lisbon’s most multicultural.

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Mouraria literally means “Moorish quarter.” It was where the Moors who weren’t slaughtered when King Afonso Henriques conquered the city in 1147 were allowed to live -- until 1497, when they and the Jews were expelled from Portugal.

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Mouraria was the birthplace of fado, Lisbon’s soulful musical genre.

Visiting Lisbon? It’s hard to miss Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle) high on a hill overlooking the city.

This seems to be the favorite vantage point for artists to paint the city. With a kiosk café and views of the castle, it's also a popular meeting point, mixing locals and tourists.

The National Pantheon, housing the tombs of Portugal’s major historic celebrities, is located on the original site of the church of Santa Engrácia.
 

http://www.panteaonacional.pt/

Found not far from the castle, this terrace offers the best postcard views (and photos) of Lisbon. It overlooks the domes and rooftops of the city's oldest historic neighborhood and the waterfront.

Great for a walk and enjoy the view over Lisbon. During various times of the year you can find various activities.

The port of Lisbon and the landmark 25 de Abril Bridge are seen from this terrace, where you may also sit and watch the cruise ships navigating by, or stay for the sunset.

Lisbon's most famous landmark looks like a small castle out of a fairy tale. It's a romantic architectural gem from the Age of Discovery that's classified as a World Heritage monument. The Tower of Belém was put up to guard the river entrance into Lisbon harbour. Built on the orders of Dom Manuel the Fortunate, it has stonework motifs recalling the Discoveries, among them twisted rope and the Catholic Crosses of Christ, as well as Lisbon's patron saint St Vincent and a rhinoceros.

Monument to the Discoveries. From the side, it takes the form of a tall oblong; at the base, sculpted figures of discoverers line a stylised prow jutting over the Tagus. They're led by Prince Henry the Navigator. Viewed head on, the monument appears as a giant sword-cum-cross, its point embedded in the riverbank, marking the entrance to the little exhibition space. Inside there's a lift to the top for fine views. As the sun follows its course, the shadow of the monument traces the progress of Portuguese explorers around a marble map of the world on the square below.

If you are staying in Lisbon for more than just 2 or 3 days, then Cascais also makes for an enjoyable day trip from Lisbon, by offering historic buildings, interesting museums and a pretty town centre.

It is not advisable to drive there because it can be very difficult to find a car parking space.

Old cafes and bookstores, elegant shops, theaters and historic buildings make Chiado in Lisbon one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon. Classic and modern at the same time, Chiado was home to many famous Portuguese artists in the early 20th century, so there are plenty of reasons to visit.
 

There are many reasons not to miss Chiado, such as:

• Convento do Carmo

• National Museum of Contemporary Art

• Ascensor da Bica

• Santa Catarina viewpoint

• Church of São Roque

• Garret street

• Luís de Camões square.

You can get a panorama of almost the entire city from here, but it was once a secret. Today it attracts young couples and tourists arriving on tuk tuks.

Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques, laid the foundation stone for the first church of St Vincent 'Outside' - that is, beyond the then city walls - hardly a month after taking Lisbon from the Moors in 1147. The big draw are the cloisters, richly decorated with early 18th-century tile panels, some illustrating La Fontaine fables. Inside there's the royal pantheon of the Braganza family, the last dynasty to rule Portugal. The figure of a weeping woman kneels before the twin tombs of Dom Carlos I and Crown Prince Luís Filipe, shot by assassins in 1908.

The Lisbon Cathedral (Portuguese: Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or Sé de Lisboa; Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major), often called simply the Sé, is a Roman Catholic church located in Lisbon, Portugal. The oldest church in the city is the see of the Archdiocese of Lisbon. Since the beginning of the construction of the cathedral, in the year 1147, the building has been modified several times and survived many earthquakes. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles. It has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

The Casa dos Bicos (Portuguese for House of the Beaks/Spikes) is a historical house, built in the early 16th century in the Alfama neighbourhood, has a curious façade of spikes, influenced by Italian Renaissance palaces and Portuguese Manueline styles. It survived the disastrous 1755 Lisbon earthquake that destroyed much of the city, but over time was abandoned as a residence and used as a warehouse. After a 20th-century renovation, it became the headquarters of the José Saramago (literature Nobel Prize) Foundation.

From the top of this monument are bird's-eye views of the city center. No visitor to Lisbon should miss it, except those who suffer from vertigo, as you'll feel like you're literally standing above the city.

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Santa Justa lift is open every day between 7:30 and 23:00h (7:30-21:00 winter).

A return ride cost €5.30 and included in the fare is the entrance to the viewing platform, which costs €1.50.

The top of the triumphal arch only opened for visits in 2013, but is already one of the city’s must-see attractions. On one side there’s a magnificent view over Comércio Square, and on the other, over Rua Augusta and all of downtown.

Jerónimos is the masterpiece of the Manueline style, the Portuguese twist to late Gothic. The monumental stonework of the cloisters of this monastery glorifies the period when West met East, and the man who brought those worlds together -- Vasco da Gama -- lies in the interior of the church.

If you are staying in Lisbon for more than just 2 or 3 days, then Sintra is a must go! Sintra is a delightful town just 45min away by train that you can catch at Rossio Train Station close to our apartment.

It is not advisable to drive there because it can be very difficult to find a car parking space.