Lisbon Portugal Day 2

Day 1 Toronto to Lisbon

Day 2 April 20 Lisbon EASTER SUNDAY

Steps 22,500

Hotel internet was incredibly slow for the entire stay.

We are on our own for the day. We slept the whole night, getting up around 8:30.

Breakfast is included. Non-tour breakfast price is 15€ per person.

Not your North American breakfast included! There is everything, pastries, cold cuts, fruits and vegetables, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, fresh breads.

It was cool and a little rainy so we relaxed in our room until 1 PM when we headed out with a loose plan in mind. 

This map outlines the first part of our day, from the hotel to the bridge and dock area.

We walked to the Marques de Pombal subway station just behind our hotel.

D. Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal and 1st Count of Oeiras, known as the Marquis of Pombal, was a Portuguese statesman and diplomat who despotically ruled the Portuguese Empire from 1750 to 1777 as chief minister to King Joseph I.

We then changed our minds and walked down Liberdade to get our bearings.

On the axis of Baixa/Liberdade, between Marquês de Pombal Square and Restauradores Square, lies Liberdade Avenue – a leafy road with magnificent historic buildings, concert halls, hotels, terraces and shops of the most prestigious international brands.

Avenida da Liberdade is one of the most expensive streets in Europe. Originating in the Passeio Público, an 18th-century park built for the Portuguese nobility, the avenue was constructed between 1879 and 1886. 

There are many sculptures to famous men and war statues, that we did not photograph, surprise, surprise. 

The stretch all the way to Restauradores Square used to be the old Public Promenade, a fenced garden that was only frequented by the elites of Lisbon in the 1800s and that was closed in 1879 with the opening of the Liberdade Avenue.

Here you’ll find a serpentine pond with a waterfall on its north end. This waterfall features a stone sculpture of a long-bearded masculine figure holding a pot from where the water is flowing. This sculpture represents the Douro River, made by Alexandre Gomes (1772-1775).

Riding tram 28 has become one of Lisbon's most popular activities. It’s a journey back in time, over hills and medieval streets, in vintage trams from the 1930s that are still part of the city's public transportation network. These charming vehicles go past some major attractions, and guidebooks never fail to recommend the experience.

2025 Update: Due to road works in the neighborhood of Estrela, from late 2024 to early 2025, tram 28 is only operating between Martim Moniz and Praça Luís de Camões. The route from Praça Luís de Camões to Campo de Ourique/Prazeres is being operated by a small bus. If you wish to go to the neighborhoods of Estrela and Campo de Ourique, an alternative to this bus service is bus 709, which departs from the eastern side of Rossio Square.

Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon – Housed in a charming theatre space from 1888, the building later became the Condes Cinema from the 1950s to the 90s, then left unused for years until it was converted, the façade restored, and reopened as a Hard Rock Cafe in 2003.

Restauradores (Restorers) Square and Monument – Beautiful square in Portuguese mosaic, with an obelisk-shaped monument in the centre.

Rossio railway station (Estação do Rossio) – Beautiful and imponent central train station with ornate façade.

D. Maria II National Theatre (Teatro Nacional D. Maria II) – One of the most prestigious Portuguese venues.

Rossio Square or King Pedro IV Square (Praça de D. Pedro IV) – One of Lisbon’s main squares since the Middle Ages, with a fountain and monument, plus several traditional shops, restaurants and cafes surrounding it.

The Fantastic World of The Portuguese Sardine

Rua Augusta Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta) – Triumphal Arch and historical building with a viewing platform on the top (tickets available to visit), built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake.  

Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) – Also known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Yard),  this large, rectangular square surrounded by buildings in the shape of a “U”, sits across from the Augusta Arch and opens towards the Tagus river. Around the square, two of the most prominent spots are Baia do Peixe (seafood restaurant) and Museu da Cerveja (beer museum and restaurant).

Cais das Colunas (Columns Wharf) viewpoint, marked by the two white columns from the late 18th century, located at the water’s edge, stunning and expansive views over the Tagus river to the Almada side, the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) monument and the 25 de Abril bridge, and a small sandy beach where we often find children playing and artists making sand sculptures.

I have the bright idea to walk to the bridge, things always look closer than they are!! It was 4.3 KM!

However, we did find some interesting murals along an otherwise uninspiring trip. We stopped a few times wondering if we should go back or get an Uber, but we persevered and were rewarded.

At first sight, the 25 de Abril Bridge seems to have a curious resemblance to the Golden Gate, but it was actually inspired by another San Francisco bridge, the Bay Bridge. It was, however, built by the same company as the Golden Gate, and inaugurated in 1966. It links Lisbon to the south of Portugal, and especially to the beaches of Costa da Caparica. 

My photo as we flew in yesterday.

Docas de Santo Amaro

We headed to the dock below it. It’s home to a number of old warehouses that have been restored and turned into restaurants and bars, some of them serving drinks and meals throughout the day.

And found a spot for lupper (lunch and dinner).  It was crowded with families celebrating Easter.

Easter Sunday lunch and everywhere was packed but we were late in the afternoon so we got a table.

He is looking forward to that beer after that long, long walk.

Octopus for me with turnip greens and boiled potatoes.

John had the Thai shrimp curry.

After a delicious lunch we took a stroll along the dock, returning to the entrance to get an Uber back to Rossi Square. This map sort of outlines our second half of our day.

We walked back to Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and then found a seat in the sun for wine and beer.

The sign says "the sexiest WC on earth" by Renova. We meant to go back and visit but forgot!!

Renova is a Portuguese personal paper company, selling tissues and toilet paper. Apparently, their claim to fame is getting a French photographer to take sexy pictures and connect them to going to the bathroom. And so, they’re behind (ha ha) The Sexiest WC on Earth.

Creme brulee, a little pick us up!

We discovered Augusta Street (Rua Augusta) – Lisbon’s main pedestrian street, paved with traditional Portuguese cobblestone mosaics, offering a mix of beautifully restored buildings, restaurants and cafés, traditional shops, souvenir stores, street performers, tourists and locals.

Eventually we arrived back at the hotel and went to the bar for a porto, (1 "um/uma," 2 "dois/duas," 3 "três).

Great bartender who had the art of upselling his product down to an art, he encouraged us to try the late harvest vintage, of course, the priciest. We also got lessons in the Romance languages and the making of port.

A couple sat near us who happened to be from Quebec City so we had an enjoyable time chatting with them.