Dogs are allowed on the train in Portugal, so I got to come to Lisbon with the humans. The train from the Cascais to Lisbon is 4,60 euros return, dogs ride free, and it follows the coast right into the centre of town.
It was a still and misty morning, so we had no view on the way out, but the sea mist had cleared by the time we headed home and we finally got to see all the castles, fortifications, monuments and bridges that line the route up river into Lisbon.
Our first stop was the Praca do Comercio. This 18th century arcade would have greeted all who arrived by sea to Lisbon.
The cobbled city streets behind the arcade are lined with umbrella covered tables outside cafes and restaurants.
Just off of this we found the odd looking Elevador de Santa Justa. Built by the apprentice to the Eiffel tower, they share many similarities.
Rather then paying for the ride up we hiked up to the hill and enjoyed a commanding view from it’s platform.
Church ruins beside the elevator
A reminder that the city was almost destroyed by a major earth quake in 1755
Looking straight down from elevator
We explored the winding narrow streets and were charmed by the fountain filled squares.
Lisbon Cathedral
We then headed to the eastern end of and town and up to the castle and hill top fortifications.
We were a little taken aback that they wanted 7,50 euros each to enter the area, but I understand that includes a museum and commanding views of the city.
If you are not up to the walking and hill climbing the city has trams you can ride. No dogs allowed though.
We were a little surprised by how much graffiti and litter covered the homes and streets. It did smell a bit too, maybe we have been in the clean ocean air too long. We are glad now we stayed in the clean and free anchorage in Cascais and just visited by train.
In closing notes, not all the graffiti in Lisbon was ugly. Some of it was quite artistic.
We have only given our opinion of Lisbon on a misty damp day. Our neighbours loved Lisbon and went back by train to explore it everyday for 6 days. Maybe we were a bit spoilt by other towns and cities that we liked better.
We spoke to another boat that stayed in the Marina in the town centre. They felt the Marina was noisey, dirty, smelly, expensive and had rubbish facilities.
