Taking the train to Cascais getting off in Belem. Easy station to transfer from the metro to the…read moretrain. Shops, kiosks & snack machines. Tracks, trains& metros are well marked.

When Jamie W and I arrived in Lisbon, the first thing we did was take a long walk on the…read morecobblestone streets to Alfama, the city's historic center. This spot was the destination I had in mind as I knew the sunset view from here would provide the ideal introduction to Lisbon for Jamie. Alfama's rustic cityscape is full of red rooftops and whitewashed buildings, which provides ripe Instagram material. As you'd expect, the wide terrace gets crowded during magic hour when selfie-itis reaches epidemic proportions. There's an open-air cafe, but we didn't bother trying it since we realized edible temptations awaited us after our obligatory stop here. The adjacent Miradouro de Santa Luzia is just a few steps below and offers a terrace colonnade where buskers play their music for tips. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/6UdREADBcP

The viewpoint is steps away from the more popular Santa Luzia viewpoint. The big balcony above…read moreAlfama gives you views of the red tiled rooftops. Honestly, you can find this view in many locations around Lisbon so I didn't feel as if it's a must stop.

Avenida da Liberdade is a tree-lined boulevard that was built in the late 1800s and is modeled…read moreafter Paris's Champs-Elysees. It is famous for its luxury hotels, designer stores, upscale restaurants, fountains, and statues. When my husband and I were on vacation, we passed through these blocks. I enjoyed looking at the tree-filled park and cobblestone pavement. We saw stores such as Burberry, Cartier, Furla, and Gucci. In addition, I read that some countries' embassies are located here.

The Avenida da Liberdade where Lisbon pretends she's Paris and mostly pulls it off. Think wide…read moreboulevards, designer stores no one's actually buying from, overpriced cafés with excellent people-watching potential, and tourists loudly mispronouncing bacalhau or miradouro. Come here to stroll like you have generational wealth, grab a €6 espresso, and silently judge other Americans for wearing flip flops or 5 inch heels.

The arch leads to Praça do Comércio. There are six columns with statues of various historical…read morefigures. The figures at the top represent Glory rewarding Valor and Genius. People can also visit the top for views of the city and the river.

"To the winch, wench." ("Neverending Story")…read more The Arco da Rua Augusta/Arch of Triumph is a stone memorial arch at the end of Rua Augusta street that majestically connects Lisbon to the Tagus River. Passing through the arch gateway from Rua Augusta street, one can confidently enter Praça do Comercio square without fear of being annihilated by lasers shot from giant, angry sphinxes. The arch was built to commemorate the reconstruction of Lisbon following the 1755 earthquake and tsunami that leveled the city and took the lives of an estimated 70,000 people. As per "The Neverending Story", "Nothing is lost...Everything is transformed." Lisbon was thereafter beautifully transformed and rebuilt with the world's first anti-seismic architecture, perhaps aided by a little boy's magical wishes. The arch is beautifully crowned by three sculptures that symbolize Glory, Genius, and Valor. The remaining statues are historical figures that include the Marquis of Pombal and Vasco da Gama. Visitors can reach the top of the arch via spiral staircase or elevator for stunning 360° views of the city, including Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River. No need for wenches to be winched up! This arch is a must see landmark when visiting Lisbon--I give it five flying Falkors! *Entrance is free with the Lisbon Card

1 of 2 Yelp reviews…read more Cut and pasted from the internet: "The monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (or "Age of Exploration") during the 15th and 16th centuries." Quality/Quantity - A must visit, but we have been here so often and only stopped by because we had an all day train pass; see other reviews. So much history, just "Google" it and read. Kid friendly, so many field trips. Ambiance - Beautiful monument. Beautiful surroundings. Other tourist sites to visit. An easy train ride and a short walk. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1939.

What can you do with a group of 33 people who are stuck together? If you were on the Titanic, you…read morecould put them in the last lifeboat and hope the floating door will fit you and Rose. Or if you're architect José Ângelo Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, you bring them together in a monument dedicated to Portugal's pivotal role in the Age of Discovery. It looks a bit like a conga line on an incline. Regardless, that's what they did in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death. It's an awesome work of art designed to resemble a ship's prow. At 170 feet, the monument features 33 prominent historical figures with Henry the Navigator leading the way as they at the Tagus River. On the eastern profile are the seafaring explorers including Magellan and Vasco de Gama. On the western profile are the key royalty, scientists, and missionaries who supported the explorers. It's free to walk around it like we did, and there's an option to pay 8,5€ to enter the museum and observation deck inside. You should also know you can get a free panoramic view from the curved rooftop of the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology just a short stroll up the riverfront. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/SVKOeoChtd

You'll find many shops and restaurants on this street. It starts from the arc Praça do Comércio. A…read morebit touristy but a nice experience. Once a historical commercial hub of Lisbon giving it a great vibe even today.

Rue Augusta was my favorite street in Lisbon. This famous street is a bustling shopping area where…read moreshops and restaurants abound on either side. The street itself is beautiful with intricate tiled patterns throughout. It's also a popular spot for street entertainment. If you walk to the end of the street, you'll end up at the Praca de Comercio. The Rue Augusta makes for a lovely stroll and the site of several attractions. It's a can't miss in Lisbon!

Although I wouldn't characterize Lisbon as a symmetrical city due to its hilly terrain, the one…read moretruly symmetrical area in the city is this waterfront plaza, a model of balance between land and sea in its clean layout and openness to the Tagus River. It defined my first impression of Lisbon on my first visit, and enhanced my awareness of the city's rich maritime history on my most recent visit with Jamie W. Built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed the Royal Palace that stood on the grounds, this public square is anchored by the majestic Augusta Street Arch, the stone gateway through which people enter from downtown (Photo 2). In front at the center of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King José I (Photo 8). Surrounding us were bright yellow arcades framing three sides of the plaza in a U shape. The arcades were lit up in appropriately dramatic fashion at night. We eventually made our way to the waterfront where we looked back on the panoramic view of the square from the Cais das Colunas columns and marble steps (Photo 6). You can picture how visiting dignitaries must have arrived by boat and got their first impression of the city. If there's a single snapshot that defines Lisbon, it's this one. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd

This is a popular site in Lisbon. It's a big plaza with lots of little shops and restaurants…read morenearby. Three sides of the square are surrounded with bright yellow walls/buildings, while the fourth side of the square is made up by the water! I think that's a cool feature! You enter it through a big, pretty stone arch, and in the very center of the plaza is a statue. When I went, I enjoyed hearing a man sing opera under the arch. It contributed to a nice atmosphere. It felt fitting. I came across this location more than once so it's relatively easy to get to depending on where you are/where you're going. I had sardines for the first time at a restaurant in the plaza, and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant! They were so good!!! They had a nicer flavor than I expected- mild and salty with maybe a bit of sweetness too. Crispy thin texture on the outside, too. And much larger sized fish than I expected. I was lucky to be there during sardine season/festival, so I'm sure that helped.

I am SO glad someone from our hostel took us here! Not only is the view absolutely amazing, but…read moreit's a perfect place to hang out with a couple of beers and enjoy the live music. Even though it was packed, everyone seemed to find a place to sit, perch, or dance, and there were just generally good vibes all the way around. Don't be surprised if you run into familiar faces! Sunset seems to be the most popular time to be there, so if you're looking to get a bit more space to sit or are with a larger group, definitely get there early. It got cooler at night, also, so you could always just layer up and bring a sweater with you. I would also recommend a mini stash of toilet paper/tissue and some hand sanitizer, as the washrooms are pretty gnarly if you plan on squatting :)

You won't get the most spectacular city landscape views here, but this miradouro does provide…read morepanoramic views over the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge (Video). With a wide open concrete platform, it's a lot more laid back than the more crowded vista points at Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama. I presume tourists are less inclined to scale the hillside streets that lead here because it definitely feels more like a locals' spot. Fortunately there's an adjacent kiosk cafe (Quiosque do Adamastor) should you need nourishment for your trekking efforts. It'll help make your climb down easier. CORRESPONDING REVIEWS Miradouro das Portas do Sol: https://yelp.to/pdn6dAdjN5 Miradouro de Santa Luzia: https://yelp.to/tEeimT9V6H RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/5pEUTw6es1