Despite not lying on the river itself, Lisbon is still one of the more popular cities visited on many Douro River Cruises. As the capital of Portugal, the city is a hive of activity and a cultural hub that has a wealth of things to see and do, which is why many cruise lines add a visit to Lisbon to their packages on the river either at the start of the end of the voyage.
Lisbon has ties dating back to the Neolithic period, or possibly even earlier with some findings suggesting civilisations in the area around 1200 BC. Throughout Roman times and then the Middle Ages it became a prominent city, designated as the capital of Portugal in 1255. It’s continued to play an integral role in world politics and history through the modern ages.
Whenever your river cruise includes a visit to Lisbon it will usually involve a hotel stay, to give you plenty of time to get to know the city and its highlights. One of the most popular places to visit is Jeronimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive structures, both architecturally and visually, in the city and indeed across much of Europe. Along with the Tower of Belem, it’s a fascinating part of the city and well worth visiting on a guided tour.
Another popular district with tourists is the Old Town, which reflects the varied cultures and peoples that have crafted the city over the course of hundreds of years. It’s also the ideal time to shop for souvenirs with many local traders offering intricate items perfect as gifts for others or as mementos of your trip.
Fado is a type of music that’s popular in the region, characterised by sadness with either a sense of loss or longing in history but now defined as a song on any subject that follows an established structure. Some river cruise lines will offer evening excursions to Fado clubs, where you can enjoy a live performance alongside dinner.
You could also choose to see some of the museums in the city. There’s the usual subjects that you would expect to be covered such as great art galleries housing works from Portuguese and other artists, and history museums. There are also more focused museums such as the Electricity Museum and the Pavilion of Knowledge – an interactive science and technology museum.
There’s plenty to see in Lisbon and it’s not even a part of the actual cruise section of your holiday! But it’s a worthwhile addition to any package that you could book, so keep an eye out for itineraries that include the city.
By Ian Lewis
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