Lisbon (Chiado and Bairro Alto)
Lisbon was our first stop -- and the place where we stayed the longest. Not long enough. Lisbon is a city that we fell in love with. We have been told that other cities may be more charming, or more picturesque, or with better wine and food. But Lisbon has everything -- the sights, the cuisine, the music ... One can spend a lifetime here and still has things to explore.
I took many pictures in Lisbon. Because of this, I decided to use separate pages to organize the photos, roughly by location -- Chiado and Bairro Alto (this page), Baixa, Alfama and Belem and Jerónimos Monastery.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
I think strictly speaking, Chiado is divided into two parts: Bairro Alto (literally meaning "Upper District") and Baixa (which means Lower Town), but I personally lump Chiado and Bairro Alto both into the "Upper District" category. Regardless, it is one of the busiest and most lively area in Lisbon.
The first place we stayed at, Hall Chiado (see my TripAdvisor review here), was in this area so this is where we began exploring the city.
One of the first pictures I took in Lisbon was at Praca de Dom Luis I, actually down the streets toward the Tagus River and probably not really within "Chiado", but hey, there is no need to be so strict.
Marquez Bandeira Statue at Praca de Dom Luis I
We were in fact on our way to TimeOut Market, a nice, if a bit pricey, place to sample a variety of different foods, and a place we would go back several times.
TimeOut Market
TimeOut Market
Cod Cakes and Rice
Fish and Sangria
One of our first introduction to Lisbon and its people was a protest at Praça Luís de Camões on that day. This was a protest against violence toward women as a result of some recent sexual assaults taking place in Lisbon.
Protest
A more serene scene is the statue of poet António Ribeiro Chiado.
António Ribeiro Chiado Statue
As mentioned, the Chiado area is one of the busiest and most lively in Lisbon, especially outside the Baixa-Chiado metro station -- there is always a band or some other performer performing there.
A band playing outside the Baixa-Chiado metro station
Many shops sell sweet treats here.
Pastries
Since this is the Upper District on the west side of the city, the geographic location gives one good views of Baixa or the Lower District. The following is a view of Praça Dom Pedro IV, or "Praca Rossio".
Praca Rossio
Being high on the west side, it also gives a superb views of the west side, where Alfama is and where Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle) stands.
Castelo de São Jorge
Castelo de São Jorge
And the best views are from the top of Santa Justa Lift (which itself is quite a prominent feature in the city of Lisbon) or the restaurant Bella Lisa Elevador next to it.
Santa Justa Lift
Now, finally, the Carmo Convent, the most beautiful and haunting feature in Chiado. This is the ruins of a convent destroyed in the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Today, it stands peacefully among flowering blue jacaranda trees (beautiful but non-native).
Carmo Convent
Today only the skeleton of the former churce and convent remains. This, in fact, gives it a simplicity and elegance, and perhaps even a little melancholy, not seen in other churches and cathedrals.
Carmo Convent
Carmo Convent
Carmo Convent
I "borrowed" my wife's fisheye lens to take the following pictures.
Carmo Convent
Carmo Convent
Convent
All the details of the former church are clearly visible under the sun, quite a departure from the usually dark and somber interior of churches.
Carmo Convent
Carmo Convent
Carmo Convent
On our last day in Lisbon, before we left for Porto, we took an early walk in the area again. I would linger here for days and days, and I am sure we will be back in Lisbon again, but time urged us on.
Lisbon Street
Arched Doorway
