Our final day in Lisbon began with a little rain, but cleared up as we went. We decided to visit the hillside villages Bairro Alto and Chiado. We took the tram up to the top of the hill to tour the gritty, yet beautiful village of Bairro Alto, with views back over Lisbon.
After strolling through the neighborhood, we stopped at Sao Roque Church, one of Portugal’s first Jesuit churches. Built in the 16th century, St Roque with many side chapels, the Chapel of St John the Baptist was shipped right from Rome! Built at the Vatican and then disassemble, the chapel has lapis columns and is the costliest chapel is Portugal. Side displays on each side of the altar house bones, skulls and other relics from various saints. Yes, it is very creepy!!
Next stop was at Cervejaria da Trinidade, the oldest beer hall in Lisbon. Once a dining hall for monks, built in the Masonic tradition, the monastery became a brewery in 1834. We each had a beer and enjoyed the beer hall mosaics and vibe.
We continued our walk through the Largo do Carmo, a tree lined square filled with people and cafes. Now in the Chiado neighborhood, we stopped at Our Lady of the Martyrs. The beautiful basilica was named for all the soldiers who fought the Moors for the conquest of Christianity.
We stopped for lunch, then took a tram around the city for a last look. We did a little final shopping, stopping to try the ginjinha, the cherry liquor, a glass of wine at the Wine Hotel nearby, before returning to pack.
Our final dinner in Portugal was arranged by our friends, at a wonderful nearby restaurant. Rain had returned, so no roof top cocktails this time, but ended with after-dinner drinks at the Tivoli Hotel.
Lisbon is an easy and beautiful city, one which we would love to return to. Portugal is a wonderful country, and its capital shines in warm glow!!
