Activity Review - Sandeman's Lisbon Walking Tour
In every city, we love to go on free walking tours! Whilst not completely free, these tours depend on our tips so it usually costs at least 10 euros a person (at least that is how much we tip!). Our preferred operator is Sandeman as they are in a lot of major cities and have a loyalty program.
Lisbon Meeting Point
In Lisbon, the main walking tour meeting point is the Camoe plaza. Not only does Sandeman meet in the plaza, there are plenty of other tours here! While I reserved online because I knew we would be here, one could just appear.
History of Portugal
While I munched on my delicious chocolate pastry, our guide Eduardo told us about the history of Portugal and Lisbon. Little fun fact that Lisbon is the second oldest capital behind Athens. Some of the streets and buildings certainly look really old!
While Lisbon dates back to the ancient times, the modern history is very interesting. In the 700s, there were huge battles between Christians and Moors. These battles started in the north and ended in the south towards Faro. Finally, in 1200, Portugal finally became a complete and independent kingdom.
Fine Portugese Literature
Similar to the great English poets, Portugal also has their literary giants. Beginning in his square, Camoe is probably the most famous Portugese writer! Our guide said he is the perfect combination of Homer, Shakespeare, and Indiana Jones. To summarize the writer, he wrote epic tales about his travels around the world. Essentially, he kept getting thrown out because he would get drunk and start a fight in each country…
While the most famous writer is similar to Indiana Jones, the other ones are more like just crazy. One was a guy named Chiluva who helped transform Lisbon literature and language. There was another one who became famous because he was on opium and absythne and wrote some crazy stories. It was interesting!
The Famous Church with no Roof
In the infamous 1755 earthquake, the beautiful church overlooking Lisbon had its roof destroyed. In the famous church, there is now a memorial and a museum. Right next to the museum, there is a sad reminder of the 1974 struggle.
Unbeknownst to me, Portugal had a dictator as recently as 1974. It was next to the church where the last stand took place! He hid in former military headquarters and waited for the protesters to kick him out!
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Famous Church -
Look, no roof!
To flash back, Eduardo then told us why Portugal had a dictator in the first place… Once Brazil declared its independence in 7 September 1822, Portugal’s economy collapsed for over 100 years. They were not prepared for the world and in the early 1920s needed help. That help came from their finance minister - Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. He revived the economy and helped get Portugal through its dark side. Including keeping them neutral in WW2, Salazar played both sides and Portugal became very wealthy! In the end, not a great story!
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
In all the guidebooks, they all recommend visiting the famous elevator and viewpoint. It costs about 2 hours and at least €15, to just go up 10 feet! It also didn’t include the €1.5 to go to the very top! However, if you go to the Miradouro, you skip the awful long line, the ridiculous fee, and just have to pay €1.5.
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Viewpoint -
Viewpoint -
Viewpoint -
Viewpoint
From this viewpoint, it was very beautiful. Combined with the ocean, red roofs, and beautiful weather, the viewpoint is fantastic! We even had a lovely 7 minutes here so we didnt have time to go to the very top! I would highly recommend this spot!
The Devastating Earthquake
In 1755, devastation hit the city! Still holding the record, the Lisbon earthquake of 9.0 is still the strongest ever in Europe. On one of the most religious days of the All Saints Day, the earthquake caught everyone still in church! When the earthquake struck, they say the lucky people were those who were killed instantly from collapsed roofs or buildings…
By far, the survivors of the initial quake were the unlucky ones. The next week was literally hell from the descriptions! First, at least three tsunami struck the city. This caused the river to cede into the ocean and then rage onto the mainland that destroyed the seaside.
Then, probably the worst natural disaster - a raging fire that burned for six days. Sadly, the fire could be seen from Sintra - over 60 miles away! By the end of the six days, only 1 neighborhood survived the destruction. They say over 90% of the city was destroyed.
The Arch
In Portugal, near the main square of Praca do Comercio, there is a magnificent arch that reminded me of famous Arc de Triumph in Paris. However, unlike Napoleon’s arches, this one was built to commerate the survival of the city after the 1755 earthquake. Rather than depicting images of glory and war, it shines as a beacon of survival! Plus, we crossed it under the perfect light!
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Arch -
Arch -
Main arch -
Crowds and arch
Carnation Revolution
Once we arrived in the main square, we were concluding our walking tour. However, Eduardo saved the best story for last - the story of Portuguese Independence! In the early 1960s, Portugal was fighting many colony wars in every corner of the globe. Unlike other former European colonial powers, Portugal was not ready to give up their terrority in Africa and Asia. Through these wars, Portugal was losing priceless young men and increasing bad morale and costs.
Eventually, the army intervened in 1974. Fed up with the bad morale, the army began to march on the dictator hiding in the military headquarters. As they were marching through the streets, the Lisbon women handed them carnations. Eventually, these carnations adorned the rifles holes instead of bullets. By the time they reached the corned dictator, it was a very peaceful takeover! Hence, it became known as the Carnation Revolution!
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Lisbon streets -
Sandeman hangout spot -
Ended by the river -
Lisbon streets
The UnChartered Summary:
- While some walking tours are a little dry, we really enjoyed Eduardo! He kept us thoroughly entertained for two hours!
- Rather than get trapped in a tourist trap, go to Miradouro das Portas do Sol and only spend 2 minutes waiting in line to the top of the famous viewpoint! That is, unless you love crowds and elevators...