Where to start? Maybe with a quote of our city guide: ‘Portuguese are the worst promoters of themselves and we have an inferiority complex’
Well, they don’t have to. It’s true they once ruled the world and had numerous setbacks but without the Portuguese world’s history would be different.

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Lisbon is one of a kind. History, spacious avenues, small and steep alleys (becos), great food, sea, Santa Justa elevator, azulejos,…. and not to forget, the red & yellow trams or ‘Remodelados’.
We actually visited the city walking and didn’t use any of those touristic trams. As a passenger you would basically feel like a haring in a box with a camera. And to be honest, walking gives you much more freedom and time to discover and enjoy the city to its full potential.

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We stayed in boutique hotel Memmo Alfama.
A cosy place with a rooftop bar, the only one in town, on the edge of the Alfama district. It is doped with a panoramic view of the river Taag and the shingles of Alfama. By the way, our guide was included in the hotel price.
Once a wealthy area, home to the upper class and Jewish quarter, the district is now home to a fishing community and gives a somewhat dilapidated impression. But it has loads of panache and looks like a maze with alleys as narrow as 60cm.

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The pavements in Lisbon are beautiful. No brutal grey tiles but little stone nuggets, sometimes laid in mosaic form. They actually blend very well with the beautiful and colourful azulejo facades. Originated in Spain, the Portuguese embraced enthusiastically the glazed tiles for their interior and exterior. Before they started to produce their own they were imported from Spain, Antwerp (!) and Delft.

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It is true that a picture says more than a thousands words and the same goes for a melody. It can capture very elegant a feeling and energy. That’s why i gladly share the following: “Pedro Moutinho & Mayra Andrade – Alfama“
Saudade!