10 places to visit in Lisbon's neighbourhoods, #2nd Part !!

In the follow of my last post, today, in order to complete my list, I'm going to tell you the other 5 place that you must visit in Lisbon's neighborhoods. This are places that deserve a visit, no matter if you're just a few days in the city, or if you're going to stay for a all semester, doing Erasmus. I had to do a selection, because there are too many places that could fit here easily, however, these were the first ten that pop out my head, when I was thinking about the neighborhoods of my beautiful city: Lisbon! So, here you have the last five places:

6 - Historical Village of Óbidos, in Óbidos:

Besides, Óbidos, being a place not so close to Lisbon, I still decided to mentioned it, because is a place that you can't skip! Apart from having a different style, Óbidos is a village that it's charm will make you falling in love (just like Sintra, that I mentioned on the first part of this posts).

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Because of its cultural heritage, you see the village always with people, (here you have one of biggest hotels, in the entirely world, that has a library, and sometimes they have conferences and literary sessions - The Literary Man), this is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.

It's a village that has more than 700 years of history; and it used to belong to different Portuguese Queens, as a dowry, and they would always end up falling in love for this place. The Queen Santa Isabel, D. Dinis' wife, is still really known for the "roses miracle". She was in love for this place, and Óbidos used to be the place were she spend long period of time. You can climb the castle, and even walk through the wall.

Exist two events that deserve to be talk, and they always cheer up the city on specific times during the year. Around Christmas time, the village becomes the "Vila Natal", taking advantage of the medieval scenario, you have activities like carousels, ice rink and other attractions that amuse the youngest ones. Also there are a lot of aperitifs that you can try, but during this time of the year, you have to pay the entrance.

The second event, that I really need to talk about, it's the "Folio" - Literary Festival, that besides just had become a few years ago, already bring a lot of different people to the village, people that are interested in their conferences, lectures, reading sessions and a lot of other sharing activities.

When to visit? I would recommend you to visit during a day that there is good weather, since the Village has more charm and the colours are brighter in a good weather day. As almost the entire event happens outside, it's better if you go on a non raining day. Other good option is for you to visit just one of these events, because maybe one of them can be a bit more expensive.

The price? If I still remember well, climb the Castle is for free. Inside the castle a lodging still exists, but they still allow visits to the ones that have curiosity to see the village.

7 - Christ the King, in Almada:

Christ the King, it's a huge statue, which is about 57 meters high, it's made of rocks and you can see it through different spots in the city. It's like a youngest cousin of the Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, but still has it's charm and beauty.

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Build during the dictatorial period, Christ is looking over Lisbon's city - since the statue is in Almada - with open arms, as a sign of protection. It's construction took place in 1949, and it took about 10 years until be done.

Since it's high is colossal, because it's 100 meters above the Tejo's River. It's considered one of the most awesome viewpoints, because you have a view of the entire city of Lisbon, and a special view to the 25th Bridge. Without no doubt, this is the most important touristic site in Almada, that is one of the busiest cities on the southern shore of the Tejo's river, never having lost it's original character: Sanctuary and Place of Worship.

You can climb the Christ, provided that the safety conditions are met for this purpose and it is not recommended for people with extreme difficulties of locomotion, serious health issues or extremely sensitive to vertigo. At the top spot, it will make a be a bit windy, but it's something you don't even realise when you have the city literally at your feet!

When to visit? You can visit, Christ the King, during the Winter, it's open from 9 am. until 6h15 pm., but the last entrance it's at 6pm., and in the Summer until a little later, and on weekdays, the opening hours are from 09h30 am. to 1830 pm., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 09h30 am. to 7 pm..

The price? A single ticket costs 4€!

8 - Torres Vedras' Castle, in Torres Vedras:

Link to the Castle's Website.

Torres Vedras it's located in the district of Lisbon, and it's already a really well developed self sufficient city. It's a city with a notable history, and it has a special place in Portuguese History, more precisely about the Napoleon invasion.

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During this three invasions of Napoleon, in the begging of the 19th century (1807, 1809 and 1810, respectively), the Linhas de Torres Vedras - defensive fortifications - they were fundamental to prevent Lisbon from being taken over by the French. Before arriving here the Napoleon tropes were getting in Portugal throw the northern borders, because these borders were less protected, and then they would arrive to Lisbon, and they were confronted with this big military challenge, impossible to get in, because they had different watch-points, and attacked from various strategic points.

Even after three tries, the French never could pass through this big three walls, (that still nowadays are standing, and they still can be visited) and conquer the capital! Thank God! The walls were build with the effort and the sweat of the local Portuguese, under the instructions of the English general, called Wellington, that was in charge of the country, when our King, frightened, escaped with the court to Brasil.

Torres Vedras' Castel it's an old fortification, dating back the 12th century, and the period of the Christian Reconquest. It's a castle really similar to the other medieval castles of this period, but I really recommend the visit, because of the gorgeous view, that you have to the city, since the castle really stands out, because of how high it is.

In the days with blue sky, you can almost see the sea, really far, place that I also recommend to visit, besides the cold water and the tendency to be windy. The beach of Santa Cruz, it's maybe one of the most known in this area, and during the Summer, you have a music festival here, that can also be of your concerned - Santa Cruz Ocean Spirit - related to Surf.

To leave the city with a sugary mouth, there's nothing like trying the famous traditional Bean Pastel that can be bought at the main pastry shops in the city centre, and eat every day until you die! Ask to the local people and they will help you finding out the places.

When to visit? You should visit it in a good weather day, in order to enjoy the beautiful view! The castle is opening from Tuesday until Sunday, from 10 am. until 6 pm.

The price? The Entrance and climbing to the Torres Vedras Castle is for free!

9 - Ribeira d'Ilhas Beach, in Ericeira:

Ericeira is another small village of fishermans, that belongs to Mafra's county, that also has a special place in my heart, because it was the place were I spent a lot of days during my childhood. It's a really traditional village, because here you don't find such a big tourism culture, besides it is starting to be known, because of the International Surf's Competition.

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The short white houses, with the traditional dark blue stripes, which goal is to, the houses, can be seen even during the days with a lot of fog, it still remains nowadays. During the Summer the beach is full of animation, you can see a lot of aquatic sports fans, from everywhere in the world, and they all get together in there. You also can find some small traditional bars, with live music, and were you can go out to dance.

The Ericeira's beach as a really rough sea, but it's also a place of peace, where you fell in contact with the nature, and where you can relax a bit.

During the Summer months, the beach is more crowded, because a lot of people love to go to the beach, but of course, nothing can be compared to the South of Portugal, Algarve! In this specific case, of Ribeira d'Ilhas, the the beach is really long, so you will never feel to tight or without space. You also have the creek area - foz do rio Lizandro - where the high of the water is lower, and it's the place where you can go for a quieter dip.

Recently, it open in this place a "Support Centre for Surf", where different teams and athletes come to practice, just like in the others five beaches of the country, that are also known for the sports tradition, for example: Peniche and Viana do Castelo.

When to visit? I would suggest you to go during the Summer, because during the Winter can be really unpleasant, because it's so windy.

The price? It's for free! You only have to pay to get there :)

10 - Hell's Mouth, Cascais:

I can't finish this article, without mention the old and charm village of Cascais. A few miles from the capital city, and close to the beautiful beaches, Cascais is the village of the "blue blood". It has always been the home of big movie stars, but it used to be also the place of some Kings and Queens, here was the place where they found the ideal rest for their exile.

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Nowadays, the village is still populated with small palaces, whimsical, in their forms and decoration, which are very representative of the glamour of the fifties and sixties. Cascais it's also, during the summer, a place to go to the beach, but it was already been "invaded" by the tourism, so, usually the beaches are completely full. The centre of the village deserves a sunset walk, and you can also go to one of the many little coffee shops or historical restaurants, and try Portuguese food.

Close by, you can visit different defensive structures and lighthouses, that are also interesting sites, but I would say that the two main places that are a must, are: the Garden Marechal Carmona and Museum Paula Rego House of Stories - that was designed by the architect Eduardo Souto Moura - where you can admire the estate of the plastic artist Paula Rego, known for her obese surrealistic figures.

The Hell's Mouth, is a stately rock in the Cascais's bay, and because of it's shape, creates a whirlwind of water that causes a loud and scary sound, accentuated by the force with which the waves hit it. You need to be really carefully, but besides that it's a place of amazing natural beauty, where you can admire "nature at it's best".

This place has a bit of bad reputation, because occurred some tragic suicides, but don't worry, because it's completely save. You just need to be lucky with the day and the hour of your tour, to catch the tide-full and see the show at 100%.

When to visit? On a good weather day and with tide-full, it would be perfect!

The price? Completely nothing!

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