PORTUGAL

Location - South west Europe; Capital - Lisbon; Population - 10.2 million; Currency - Euro MORE PORTUGAL

Lisbon ended up being my favourite capital city in western Europe, mixing waterfront life with al fresco drinking & dining, atmospheric cobbled streets, and superb hilltop views - October 2020.

A recent version of the 10 Euro note

Near my good value for money hotel was Praca Dom Pedro IV in the district of Rossio - Lisbon

On the square is what feels like entering a colurful vintage sweet shop, but is actually a sardine shop with wonderfully bright tin can designs - Lisbon

Next to the square is Praca da Figueira, with St George Castle perched above - Lisbon

The pedestrian streets linking the various squares of Rossio - Lisbon

Like Porto, the capital has lots n lots of street art and graffiti - Lisbon

Rua Augusta is the main pedestrian shopping street in Rossio, which also has many cafes and restaurants with outdoor tables along the centre - Lisbon

Of course Cristiano Ronaldo has a hotel chain! CR7 is his familiar sign off - Lisbon

Street art next to the Santa Justa lift - Lisbon

The top of the Santa Justa lift (elevador in Portuguese) - Lisbon

There's great views of Lisbon from the viewing platform, the castle again pictured here - Lisbon

The 11th century Castelo de Sao Jorge, or St George Castle - Lisbon

Looking towards the River Tejo (Tagus in Spanish) and the towers of Lisbon Cathedral - Lisbon

A zoom on Praca Dom Pedro IV in Rossio - Lisbon

The middle tower standing over the Tejo River belong to the Rua Augusta Arch - Lisbon

The Rua Augusta Arch opens out into Praca do Comercio - Lisbon

The square and arch look good at night - Lisbon

More arches, this time of the arched walkway of buildings lining Praca do Comercio - Lisbon

The castle appears again, this time it's above Praca do Comercio - Lisbon

At the end of the square a small beach overlooks the Tejo River - Lisbon

It's a bit smelly around here but that doesn't put off the birds - Lisbon

There's a cool outdoor bar further along the waterfront, complete with deckchairs, pictured with the 25 April Bridge in the background - Lisbon

The impressive frontage of Rossio train station - Lisbon

Walking the steep climb up to Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint - Lisbon

George Floyd messages appear in various locations around Portugal - Lisbon

The tram up this hill was out of order but at least there was plenty of street art to distract - Lisbon

The Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint has plenty of benches on which to take in the views of Lisbon

Of course it's the castle again.. I took several photos from Sao Pedro de Alcantara but the Santa Justa viewpoint ones are all better - Lisbon

The money shot of a tram working its way up Rua de Bica de Duarte Belo in Bairro Alto - Lisbon

Some whopping trees in Jardim da Estrela - Lisbon

Beneath the 25 April Bridge is the Alcantara dock - Lisbon

The Lisbon tram is a staple Portuguese tourist sight, and a ride on one feels almost mandatory. I took one to the top of Alfama, not realising we'd passed it and ended up on the far side of the city, miles away. Time for another tram ride then! - Lisbon

I eventually reached upper Alfama, another location with great views - Lisbon

Sao Vincente de Fora Monastery and the dome of the National Pantheon can be made out on the skyline - Lisbon

A tram passes Lisbon Cathedral in Alfama - Lisbon

A few metres from the cathedral is Aljube Museum - Resistance and Freedom, dedicated to those who fought against dictatorship - Lisbon

The museum held political prisoners during Portugal's dictatorship of 1926-1974 - Lisbon

A propaganda poster from the time: 'The wheat of our land is the border that protects us best' - Lisbon

The walk from Alfama up to the castle passes more street art - Lisbon

I really like these swirling ribbons, which are very familiar as there's a couple in London by Otto Schade - Lisbon

The entrance to Sao Jorge Castle - Lisbon

A bridge crosses a former moat to the heart of the castle - Lisbon

Peacocks enjoy a free reign in the grounds - Lisbon

It's possible to walk sections of the castle walls - Lisbon

The terraced area affords brilliant views of much of Lisbon

On the left is the Santa Justa lift while to the right is the Carmo Convent - Lisbon

As usual the 25 April Bridge gets in on the act, crossing the River Tejo. On the left you can just make out Praca do Comercio - Lisbon

A closer look at Praca do Comercio - Lisbon

Bird cages hang outside homes, to me the definition of winding up imprisoned animals, but probably better than staring at the kitchen walls - Lisbon

I love these decaying, winding, tram-lined streets - Lisbon

Sao Vincente de Fora Monastery in the Alfama district - Lisbon

17th century Santa Engracia Church is now the National Pantheon, which honours notable Portuguese figures including various presidents as well as footballer Eusebio - Lisbon

Looking inland, Miradouro da Graca provides yet more panoramic views of the city - Lisbon

'The most important person is you'. In other words, look after yourself - Lisbon

Another good place for street art are the steps leading down from the Graca viewpoint - Lisbon

This mural honours the artist's grandmother - Lisbon

Grand buildings tower above the restaurants - Lisbon

In lower Alfama, close to the riverfront, is the studded 16th century Casa dos Bicos - Lisbon

I'm sure al fresco dining is commonplace but probably more so during coronavirus - Lisbon

The lower levels of Alfama are linked to the upper section by lots and lots of steps - Lisbon

Much of lower Alfama comprises cobbled streets, inclines, steps and residential homes - Lisbon

My favourite part of Lisbon is around here, where bars and restaurants provide a lively yet family atmosphere to the narrow streets

Behind the tourist areas are quiet, sleepy residential quarters - Lisbon

Drying laundry usually draws attention to the local homes - Lisbon

Xanana? This mural seems to be dedicated to love and music - Lisbon

An Alfama ginjinha bar serving the sugary-sweet cherry liqueur, with or without a real cherry in it - Lisbon

When I was in Lisbon in October 2020 there was a 21:00 curfew for bars and restaurants in the capital and surrounding area, so nightlife was quieter and more subdued than the norm

More outside dining, this time on Rua Nova do Carvalho - Lisbon

The Parque das Nacoes area lies next to the Tejo River in the north east of the city, close to the Gare do Oriente train station - Lisbon

An inquisitive-looking cat made from plastic and other cast-offs, reminding me very much of the rabbit scultpure in Porto - Lisbon

The Vasco de Gama Bridge over the Tejo River at Parque das Nacoes - Lisbon

At 12.3km it's the second longest bridge in Europe (after the Crimean Bridge) - Lisbon

A clutch of cafes, bars and restaurants line the river near the station and shopping centre - Lisbon

Resembling Dubai's Burj al Arab Hotel, the sail-shaped, 145m Vasco da Gama Tower also houses a hotel, plus a viewing gallery - Lisbon

Next to the Oceanarium (extremely popular with families) is the water garden - Lisbon

A great lakeside setting for a cafe-restaurant at Amalia Rodrigues Garden, near Praca de Espanha metro station - Lisbon

Looking south from Eduardo VII Park to the river - Lisbon

The Mae d'Agua (Mother of Water) was the city's huge 19th century reservoir, and supplied the population with water via the Aguas Livres Aqueduct, completed the previous century - Lisbon

The train to the Algarve leaves Sete Rios station, passing through Monsanto Forest Park and underneath the 18th century Aguas Livres Aqueduct - Lisbon

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LINKS

www.cp.pt - Portuguese trains, buy tickets online

Rede Expressos is a nationwide bus company, though as I write their website's not working. Google it

www.visitportugal.com - Portugal tourism website

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