Saturday 28 March 2020

3 Days in Portugal (Day 1 - Lisbon)

3 Days in Portugal (Day 1)

2 Oct - 5 Oct 2016 From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Transit in London, England Arrived in Lisbon, Portugal on 3rd Oct 2016

Flight: British Airways Accommodation: Lisbon Destination Hostel, Rossio Station Day 1 (3rd Oct 2016) 1- Rossio Square 2- Belem area (President Residence, Pasteis de Belem, Starbucks, National Museum, Padro Dos Descrobimentos, Windrose compass, Tagus River, 25 April Bridge) 3- Praca do Comercio 4- Santa Justa Lift End day 1. Check in. Dinner. Rest. Sleep. instagram and fb page: bookworm.travel



Actually, my flight arrived in Lisbon airport early in the  morning but i cannot check in yet. So i just left my luggage in the store and start my adventure alone in Lisboa. 

Didn't plan to cover everything on my 1st day. My hostel is located in the strategic area with train and subway connection. And also the touristic area is just a few minutes walk and they got tram everywhere. 

So, i went to Rossio Square 1st. take picture and from there, i ride a tram to Belem. A bit far from the main city but must visit. Cause they got the best Egg Tart in Portugal. At least, i thought they were before i found out another brand selling egg tart in another part of the city which i visited them on my 3rd day. 

Also, you can find a UNESCO site in Belem which is the Belem Tower. Seriously missed this place on my 1st day, so i end up went to this place for 2nd time on my 3rd day. 

But there are plenty of things to do in BELEM. Besides Egg Tart from Pasteis de Belem    https://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/ , Belem is the main place for all type of museums. So many museums to visit. 

Then, on the riverside of Tagus River, there is some monument built to remember their glory time. You can see the world map, places that Portugese has conqured during their glory day. 

The monument is opposite of the museum / egg tart shop. so you have to use underground to cross. 

From the monument https://padraodosdescobrimentos.pt/ , you can see the red bridge which look like the Golden Bridge in San Francisco but this one is called 25 Abril Bridge after the Portugese Carnation Revolution 1974. This is the longest suspension bridge in Europe. 

Cause, i still feel jetlag and i dont want to sleep early, so i decided to continue my journey. Take a tram back to https://www.lisbon.net/commerce-square Praca do Comercio. The famous square with yellow building opposite the Tagus River. btw, the river is huge and clean. 

I just stroll around the area and walk towards Rossio Square. In between, i found the famous lift Elevador de Santa Justa  http://www.carris.pt/pt/ascensores-e-elevador/ . it was late afternoon, crowd is still manageable. Once i reach the observation deck, i can see the magnificent view of Baixa, the Tagus River and the San Jose fortress. And late afternoon towards sunset was the best time, other then sunrise. It was a perfect place for sightseeing without too much effort. 

After spending less than an hour, i take a lift down and went back to hostel. Ready to check in, clean up myself, take shower and have a simple dinner. Since i have stock of food from Malaysia and it is heavy, i try to finish out all the food and reduce the weight asap. 

At 7pm, i am ready to go to my bed. still too early but i am extremely tired and my roommate still not coming in. I only notice them in the morning which most of them wake up late. Since it is shared bathroom, i decided to wake up a bit early, shower, perform my prayer and ready for breakfast and next adventure. 

So, where's next? 

2nd >>> Sintra, another UNESCO site in Portugal. 

See ya.