Visiting Lisbon [Part 1/3]: Inner City and Oceanarium

It's the start of another month, and I have decided to kick things off with a new travel series. While all of these images have been previously unreleased, this trip to Lisbon occurred two years ago. Lisbon is the westernmost capital city in Europe, the capital city of Portugal and the only one along the Atlantic coast. It lies on the Atlantic Ocean and River Tagus.

This is a multi-part travel series. Other parts include:
Part One: The Inner City and Oceanarium
Part Two: A Trip to Albufeira
Part Three: Above the City

click on the images for a bigger view

Lisbon, the jewel of the European Atlantic

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and the oldest in Western Europe, predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris and Rome by centuries. The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon.

The mixture of history and modernity, of small town and metropolis, of the antiquated and the shining new is irresistible.

7 Reasons You Should Visit Lisbon

1. The varied Culture: It's one of the world's great historical cities, with characteristic and surprising sights, cultural treasures, and a beautiful setting that make it a paradise for walkers and photographers.

2. Low-Budget Travel: It's officially Western Europe's least expensive capital.

3. The Location: It's the closest European capital to the United States and just around a 2-hour flight from all the other major European cities.

4. Wonderful climate: Its mild climate makes it an ideal year-round destination. Even in winter, when most other European cities are freezing, in Lisbon high temperatures rarely go below 10C (50F).

5. Sidetrips: It makes a perfect base to explore many of Portugal's most outstanding towns and villages, from Evora to Obidos (and Albufeira which we visited in the next part).

6. It's very safe: It's one of the safest European capitals. Tourists are always automatic targets in all big cities and visitors should beware of pickpocketing in Lisbon, but serious random violent crime is practically unheard of in this city.

7. Welcoming (You will want to visit again): It's a friendly city with a cosmopolitan population, welcoming to all visitors and families with children, and open to minorities and alternative lifestyles.

 

Transportation in Lisbon 

A traditional form of public transport in Lisbon is the tram, which was introduced in the 19th century. Some narrow streets, like this one in the next shot, use the tram lines on the same path where the cars are driving.

Bridges in Lisbon

The 25 de Abril Bridge is a big suspension bridge connecting Lisbon to Almada which is on the south side of the Tejo river. The name "25 de Abril" commemorates the Carnation Revolution which overthrew the regime of the Estado Novo (an authoritarian regime in Portugal from 1933). Another way of crossing the river is by taking the ferry.

Lisbon Oceanarium

The Lisbon Oceanarium has a large collection of marine species. Four tanks around the large central tank house four different habitats with their native flora and fauna. The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the few aquariums in the world to house a sunfish due to their unique and demanding requirements for care.

It is located in the district Parque das Nacoes, and is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe.

The main exhibit is a huge tank with four large windows on its sides, and smaller focus windows strategically located around it to make sure it is a constant component throughout the exhibit space.

As the night sets over the city, the glow of the evening lights gets reflected in the River Tagus.

End of Part One

To be Continued...

In the next part we will visit a small town, called Albufeira, located south from Lisbon.