24 Hours: Lisbon

City of Explorers
Defined by a Moorish castle and built over seven hills, Lisbon is a romantic city thats often overlooked in favour of other European capitals. With a culture steeped in seafaring history, the city that launched a thousand ships remains a destination to be discovered.
by Jennifer Patterson
CAtCh trAM 28 (one of five MAKe YoUr BAse At the

Palcio Belmonte, a boutique hotel tucked into the ramparts of the Alfama district (palaciobelmonte. com), or Bairro Alto Hotel, at the junction of the Chiado and Bairro Alto districts (bairroaltohotel.com).

Admire the Manueline architecture of Belm Tower, built to commemorate explorer Vasco da Gamas 1498 expedition to India, and the Monastery of the Hieronymites (together a UNESCO World Heritage Site: worldheritagesite.org/ sites/belem.html). Explore Portugals maritime history at the Maritime Museum (351-213-620-019; museu.marinha.pt) and gaze out to sea alongside a statue of Prince Henry the Navigator, known for launching the countrys golden age of seafaring exploration, at the Monument to the Discoveries.
dine With the loCAls at Joo do Gro, where the grilled cod melts in your mouth, on Rua dos Correeiros in Baixa, the lower town (351213-424-757) or head to O Mastro (351-213-543-167) off Avenida da Liberdade for Brazilian-style barbecue. Rub elbows with the intelligentsia at Caf Nicola at Praa Dom Pedro IV, a cobblestoned square.

tramlines crisscrossing downtown Lisbon) and climb to the splendid Castelo de Sao Jorge in Alfama to explore the 11thcentury castles ramparts and panoramic vistas (351-21-800-620; castelodesaojorge.pt). Drink in the view from the terrace of Largo das Portas do Sol, one of the gateways to the old city, and people-watch to the infectious rhythms of Cape Verdean street musicians. Descend on foot to the lower town with a stop at S de Lisboa, the beloved Romanesque cathedral of Lisbon. Take the Elevador da Glria, a cabled railcar, from Praa dos Restauradores up to Bairro Alto for the most romantic views of the city from Miradouro de So Pedro de Alcntara, a stately garden overlooking the city. Head to Pavilho Chins Bar (351-213424-729) for a cocktail before catching some fado, Portuguese folk music, at A Tasca do Chico (351-213-431-040).
(centre) the Monument to the discoveries and nearby compass mosaic (far left), which illustrates the routes of the discoverers; (below) Caf nicola; (above) s de lisboa cathedral.

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Before you go: Book a private sightseeing tour of Lisbon and tour its seven hills in a luxury vehicle, accompanied by an englishspeaking guide. uS$89 per person. 1-866-667-4777; AMATravel.ca While youre there: Tour Lisbons sights with Carristur Sightseeing and save 25% on tickets for adults, as well as for children 12 and under. arceurope.com

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June 2011

(mosaic) George Doyle/GettyImages, (caf) Guido Alberto Rossi/MaxxImages, Tourism Portugal/Lisbon