Lisbon; Thursday, 17 August, 2006

After getting in from the airport and dropping my stuff off at the hotel I went for a wander.

Just around from the hotel is the Gloria lift (more a funicular than a lift) which takes you up to the park at São Pedro de Alcântara. Unfortunately, the neighbouring Rossio station is currently closed whilst they carry out repair works on the tunnel that leads into it, and as the lift goes over the top of it, it has been closed until the work is done, so instead I had to climb up. The park is also closed for renovation so this wasn't the greatest of starts, though the views across the city from the street are well worth it in themselves.

The park is in the upper town and I had a wander through here until I reached the Elevador de Santa Justa. This is a proper elevator and was built by a pupil of Gustav Eiffel (and it shows). On the top of the lift is a two storey platform, from where you can get more stunning views over the city.

I caught the lift back down and wandered back to Rossio and caught the tram out to Belém. The town is packed with sights, but at this time of night they were all closed, but that didn't matter as I took pictures of them, with the river and the sun setting into it.

After spending the best part of an hour wandering around Belém I caught the tram back into Lisbon, grabbed a bite to eat and turned in for the night.