Private Lisbon Full-Day Tour with Local Expert Guide - Alfama, Baixa and Belem

Just 15 days after the end of World Expo-98, the “Parque das Nações” was found in the place of the exhibition. With a help of an urban rehabilitation this dirty and rough area became the noblest one of Lisbon. It takes pride in modern architecture, including cultural and business spaces of the Expo: the Vasco da Gama Tower, the Meo Arena (former Atlantic Pavilion), the Camoes Theater, the Oceanarium and the Lisbon pavilions and the Lisbon International Fair (FIL). The area has a direct connection to the center of the city by Metro and by train. Today this new neighborhood in the eastern part of the city has the youngest population mostly of the upper-middle class with good widespread schooling. A great success, isn’t it?

It’s the oldest Lisbon historical neighborhood, an ancient Medina with narrow streets small rows. Durung the Arabah period from the 8th to the 12th century it was a perfect defensive system. After the Christian reconquest the Morisco population of Alfama moved to the “Mouraria” quarter. Explore mysterious Alfama – the place fulfilled of Portuguese history and authenticity. Thr most specific and charismatic Portuguese music called Fado appeared here, in this pour quarter. It is instinct with this Portuguese melancholy called “saudade».

We must also visit Baixa - Lisbon’s downtown. The architecture if this area allows to understand the influence of the terrible earthquake of 1755. The catastrophe changed the Portuguese set of mind and the way of city planning. Marquis de Pombal is the statesman responsible for the reconstruction of Lisbon. Predecing that a catastrophe can happen again new streets and squares were built wider. Some economic and social changes born after the earthquake too.

The Saint Antony’s church was built in the 12th century by the order of D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. It is situated near the Lisbon Cathedral at St. Antony’s birthplace. An ancient mosque existed here before the city was conqued by Christians. The church has been endamaged by earthquakes felt in Lisbon and remodeled over the years in order to show itself as it is now.

Belem or Bethlehem pleasant area to the west of central Lisbon. It’s a key landmark with historic monuments, amazing museums and lovely gardens. All of this is boarded by the cooling waves of the Tejo river. The place of Lisbon’s harbors and shipyards. Exactly from here Portuguese seamen 15-16th centuries left to explore the sea routes all over the world. This was Portuguese glorious Golden Age, wealth flowed to Lisbon from the colonies. As for the modern traveler, he must visit the “Jerominos” Monastery built in the 16th century. Another famous landmark is Belem tower – an excellent fortress, a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture. And of course we’ll look over the explorers monument on the Tejo Estuary.

The Pasteis de Belem factory is the century-old pastry, keeping the tradition of cooking wonderful Portuguese sweets. We can’t miss chance, we’ll visit and degust this remarkable culinary delight.

At the top of “Parque Eduardo VII” called in honor of English king we can enjoy a wonderful view of the city. The perfect place to understand why Lisbon is called the city of the seven hills and as well as the reason for the name “Baixa” of Lisbon. We’ll stay here to speak about the Portugal / England relationship with all their treaties and alliances, about English influence on the transformation of the Portuguese colony Brazil into a new independent state.

We’ll finish our tour on another Lisbon hill. We’ve got a date with two districts so similar and also so different. Chiado neighborhood is the place of Muses, of art and culture, where the great majority of theaters in Lisbon are concentrated, as well as the eldest bookstores of the modern world. Bairro Alto is known as the most bohemian quarter of the city. During the weekends its crossroads fill with hundreds of young people coming to enjoy the holiday.