Lisbon has STEEEEP hills...but when you get to the top you are rewarded with beautiful views of the city. Visually, Lisbon is stunning to look at Multi colored houses and buildings with terra cotta roofs of different heights because of the hills. It looks like a painting, especially with the harbor in the background.
Down at street level, most of the sidewalks in the central areas are made of black and white small tiles called called Calcada Portuguesa or Portuguese tiles. They have different patterns and have all been laid by hand. There is no other way to do it.
They are in danger of disappearing because they are somewhat dangerous- slippery when wet and can be uneven and cause a tripping hazard. Also installing them, keeping them up, is labor intensive and few young people want to learn the trade.
What you find is that Lisbon streets are wavy. A lot of the time there is no consistent flat surface. In Lisbon, I feel like I am often walking at an angle up a hill or down a sidewalk that slants downward so you are walking on the side of it.
On narrow streets, there is barely a sidewalk on either side of the street. There is room for one person to get by.
It makes walking challenging, but the tile designs are charming and pretty.
Like all of Europe people live in row after row of apartment buildings with retail on the first level. Like Spain, the architecture is ornate and there are Juliet wrought iron balconies on most apartments.
When the sun came out today, the blanket men appeared! Selling scarves, fake purses on plazas. Restaurants have hawkers with menus trying to persuade you to come to their restaurants. There are "tuk-tums", 3 wheeled vehicles that offer a menu of tours around the city for a price. They are decorated with flowers and art.
The sun brings everybody out.
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November 17, 2022 at 08:00PM
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