Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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.



39 comments:

  1. It is one of my favourite cities and you have caught the atmosphere perfectly.

    If you ever visit again then the Maritime museum is not to be missed.

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    1. I will mark it down. Thanks Adrian, glad you enjoyed the images.

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  2. Fantastic travel post, Mersad! Your words and images make me want to get there rather sooner than later.

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  3. Your photos certainly do the city justice. Wonderful varied scenes.

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  4. Lisbon looks like a fabulous destination, Mersad. You certainly have gone to many wonderful places!

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  5. Lisbon is my dream city to visit...someday...

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    1. Seeing as you are a world traveler, I'm sure your travels will lead you to it one day.

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  6. I´ve never been to Lisbon, so its a great pleasure for me to take a view on this fantastic city. I think I have to put a visit on my Bucketlist ;-)!

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    1. You definitely should. Thank you for visiting.

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  7. You really made me want to travel to such a fascinating city Lisbon by your charms of photography. I like the narrow street with eco-friendly tram running since the 19th century.

    Yoko

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  8. my eyes went right to those red shoes in the first shot. i love red shoes... and the walkway in the sky between the two tall buildings.. trying to decide if I would walk across it... as always your photos are wonderful and have taken me on my chair travels once again.

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  9. Looks like a beautiful city, and you've captured it well.

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  10. you have really showed us Lisbon beautifully. I have only visited twice (2 days in total) however I did not see much of it as I was birding. But the birding was brilliant.

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    1. Then I hope you will enjoy this travel series.

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  11. Thank you for a wonderful visit to Lisbon, Mersad!! Terrific captures as always and such a beautiful place! I wish I could have visited there when I lived in Europe, but maybe one day! I hope!! And I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Beautiful pics! Interesting city.
      I love your first pic :)

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  13. What a wonderful, cultural beauty this city must be! Thanks for sharing...looking forward to part two.

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  14. I really love the architecture!! I can't wait to visit there someday :)

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  15. With your photos Mersad you drive me back to a beautiful trip to Lisbon of a lot of years ago, a very beautiful city.
    Thanks
    Stefano

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  16. Wooow! You made great pictures Mersad. Lisbon indeed looks to be a very nice town, and your photos are so inviting.
    greetings, Hilde

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  17. What a contrast between the old and the new architecture! I like the details on the older buildings.

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  18. This does look like a beautiful city to visit. Your photos certainly make it appealing.

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  19. Excellent introduction to Lisbon, a city that I have not yet visited. (It is high on my bucket list.) Your photos -- and JM's regular photos -- make my mouth water.

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  20. Your photographs make me want to visit Lisbon for sure! It looks enchanting.
    Thanks for sharing at http://www.image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/12/summer-memories.html

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  21. I haven't been there. Your water shots are fantastic!

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  22. Deine Fotos und der Post machen richtig Lust auf Lissabon. Noch nie da gewesen würde es mich auch mal reizen.

    Viele Grüsse

    N☼va

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  23. Your pictures are 100% better than the ones I took in Lisbon. You are right, it is a beautiful city, although I didn't visit the Aquarium. I am waiting impatiently to see your pictures of Albufeira.

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  24. This post and the second both make me want to go! Thanks!

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  25. There are so many wonderful places to visit. Thanks for showing how beautiful Lisbon is!

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  26. I knew very little about Lisbon, but now I know more. It looks like a good place to visit although Americans are being warned to be careful all over, even in our own country..but I am off the track on that. Low crime, charming and not too cold sounds perfect for a place to visit...Michelle

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  27. Your trips are always fascinating to one who will never travel. Thanks for bringing us along. Look forward to the next part. :)

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  28. I had no idea that Lisbon was such an old city! The history that I know is so interesting but I am sure there is a LOT I need to know, and would love to learn about its past. Lovely looking city, and I enjoyed your lost of reasons to visit. The Oceanarium looks incredible! A sunfish is a rare aquarium resident, and they have one. That's pretty cool too.

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  29. Beautiful looking city. I would love to visit there.

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  30. Nós estamos Serviços profissionais de fotografia em Lisboa e Encontre-nos para melhor Serviços de Fotografia em Portugal. Se você está procurando um Procuro Fotógrafo Profissional em Lisboa então visite-nos para verificar os nossos serviços.

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