After our exploration of southern Portugal, we continued north and arrived in the capital city of Lisbon, eager to delve deeper into the history and culture of this ancient and vibrant metropolis. With its hilltop vistas, winding cobbled streets, and rich maritime heritage, Lisbon promised countless discoveries. We were especially excited to visit the beautiful nearby town of Sintra, with its fairy-tale palaces and misty forests, as well as several fascinating sites in the surrounding region that reveal the depth and diversity of Portugal’s past.
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and one of Europe’s oldest cities, rises over seven hills along the wide estuary of the Tagus River. With origins tracing back to Phoenician and Roman settlements, the city later flourished under Moorish rule, leaving a legacy of winding streets, fortified quarters, and distinctive tilework. After the Christian reconquest in the 12th century, Lisbon grew 
into a major maritime power, and during the Age of Discovery it became the launching point for expeditions that reshaped world history.
We took the Elevator Santa Justa, an elegant wrought-iron lift built in 1902, rises dramatically from the Baixa district, connecting the lower city to the Carmo Square above. Designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Eiffel’s circle, it offers sweeping views over Lisbon’s rooftops, the Tagus River, and the castle-topped hills that define the city’s skyline.
Just a short walk away stands the hauntingly beautiful Carmo Convent, whose roofless Gothic arches remain as a powerful reminder of the 1755 earthquake that devastated Lisbon. Once one of the city’s grandest religious complexes, its open sky vaults create an unforgettable fusion of ruin and tranquility.
Nearby, the Cathedral of Lisbon—known as the Sé—anchors the Alfama district with its sturdy Romanesque façade and fortress-like towers. Founded in the 12th century after the Christian reconquest, it is the city’s oldest church, preserving layers of history through its cloister, treasury, and chapels that trace Lisbon’s spiritual and cultural evolution over nearly nine centuries.
To the west lies Rossio Square, one of Lisbon’s most vibrant public spaces. Surrounded by cafés, theaters, and grand 19th-century buildings, the square is instantly recognizable for its striking black-and-white ceramic wave tiles—a pattern inspired by the movement of the sea. These undulating mosaics give the plaza a dynamic, almost optical quality as they ripple beneath the flow of daily life, symbolizing Lisbon’s deep connection to the ocean and its seafaring heritage.
With its bright light, maritime heritage, and blend of ancient and modern influences, Lisbon remains one of Europe’s most atmospheric and historically rich capital cities. Click on thumbnail to view images
High above the town, the 
Praia da Ursa, Praia da Aroeira, and Cabo da Roca form one of Portugal’s most dramatic coastal landscapes. 
