Travelling to Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal is a beautiful city, with a great Mediterranean climate, not to mention that its unique mix of a modern culture and traditional architecture makes it a great travel destination. However, if you are looking to travel there, don’t forget to take travel insurance so as to protect yourself from any unforeseen medical expenses. That said, the city has lots of attractions to see as well as things to do, some of which include:
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a great destination if you love a bit of history with a sprinkling of religion. The monastery, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is a manifestation of Diogo de Boitaca’s eclectic visual creativity and was commissioned by Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s ‘sea route to India’ discovery in 1498. It was originally a spiritual nourishment base for sailors, with a huge monk population of the Order of St. Jerome to comfort them and pray for the king.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a beautiful museum and is the place to be if you love the enthralling elements of art and history. It houses an enormous collection of Islamic, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, European, and Egyptian art pieces, and was renovated in 2001 to give it a more contemporary aesthetic appeal, with most its masterpieces being put on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in the intermediate period. The museum hosts one of the world’s most outstanding private collections collected over a forty year period by Calouste Gulbenkian, an oil tycoon who was one of the world’s wealthiest individuals in the 20th Century. Some of the most popular pieces in the museum include the haunting Egyptian mummy mask, bronze cats, Hellenic coins, and rare Chinese porcelain pieces.
The Botanical Garden
The enchanting Botanical Garden in Lisbon is almost hidden from the surrounding streets. Created in the mid 18th Century, it is said to be the most beautiful botanical garden in the region. Although a few signs of neglect may be evident today, it is still one of the most naturally tranquil spots in Lisbon ideal for relaxation. It boasts over 18,000 plant species from different parts of the world, each neatly labelled. Some of the species include ancient ferns that have been in existence since the era of the dinosaurs, cycads and Australian trees with twisted trunks.
Shopping in Lisbon
While Lisbon is known to be the least expensive city in Europe, you will find the same luxury brands present in Milan and Paris in this city. That said, if you have a refined taste for high-end fashion items, you can go to Chiado district, where alongside shaded mansions, cafés and fountains; you will find a host of luxury designer stores. If you need more of the regular stuff, the stores at Bairro Alto won’t disappoint.