Miradouro das Portas do Sol

At the Plaza de Figueira (Praca da Figueira on the map), I get on the old tram number 12 (tram routes map), which runs on a circular route around the fortress of Saint George (Castelo de São Jorge). A ticket can be purchased from a car driver for 2.80 euros, but it is better to buy a daily ticket for 5.80 (in 2012) at the vending machine at any metro station, which allows you to travel as much as you want on the metro, trams and buses of Lisbon. A single ticket is valid for an hour, and you can get out of the tram at an interesting place and continue on the next one with the same ticket.

Lisbon, Lisboa

The tram slowly winds through the narrow and steep streets of the old quarters of the Alfama district, and in 15 minutes you can reach the Miradouro de Santa Luzia stop (Miradouro de Santa Luzia on the map).

Lisbon, Alfama

Miradoro is Portuguese for "viewing platform", and there are two of them at once: Santa Luzia (Miradouro de Santa Luzia), bearing the name of a nearby Church, andPortas do Sol (Miradouro das Portas do Sol, at the sun gate). From ad platforms, you can see: Monastery of San Vicente de fora (Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora-Monastery of San Vicente outside the walls ).

Lisbon. Monastery of San Vicente outside the walls, San Vicente de fora (Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora)

Church of Santo estevão ( Igreja de Santo Estêvão).

Lisbon. Church of Santo estevão (Igreja de Santo Estêvão)

And a wonderful panorama of the Alfama district and the Tagus river.

Lisbon, Alfama. panorama

At the cruise pier is the liner Saga Ruby, which has now finished its cruise career.

Saga Ruby liner in Lisbon Lisbon, Alfama. Alfama