Atlantic coast

Óbidos, surrounded by walls and white houses.

Óbidos It's one of those cities where time seems to have forgotten to pass. Located between... walkable walls on a journey that allows you to observe everyday life from a privileged vantage point, the locals are now accustomed to this invasion of privacy and continue as if they were actors in a movie. The white houses The edges, painted a brilliant blue, provide a beautiful backdrop to the flowers, giving the facades a special charm. The narrow streets wind and twist. learning little by little on a square where one of many churches is located. The whole scene creates a feeling of harmony, and the spring and its colors complete the picture.

Peniche, Sintra and Cape of Rock

From there to the peninsula of Peniche There will be about twenty kilometers. The landscape changes: the gentle hills give way to the Atlantic, with its restless waves, always seeking to conquer and erode the cliffs that plunge into it. However, first we see the Fortaleza, a fortress, built to defend the Portuguese coast but also an unfortunate detention center for opponents of Salazar's regime, whose fall is marked by its forty-year anniversary this week. Cabo Carvoeiro presents the usual splendid lighthouse and waves dividing the mainland from the Berlengas archipelago. In between, fishing boats reveal their cargo, pursued by hungry seagulls. This land also tells of shipwrecks and accidents caused by stormy seas, a sad common denominator originating in northern Galicia. However, it is certain that the view will only delight tourists. Leaving the coast, we return to the green cultivated areas and agricultural villages. One of these sites, in particular, holds an important role due to its past and architecture: we are at Sintra, now just a few kilometers from Lisbon. A place where lush vegetation and the wealth of its inhabitants represent the dominant combination. Along with these, there are also the wonderful views of the hills, history and art. In truth, we should also add the sweets, especially the "travessiros," which means "pillow," filled and served warm. The challenge, lost from the start, is to only eat one. We climb the arid path leading to the castle, but we don't enter, just seeking panoramic views. The many visitors make it chaotic, but this doesn't reduce its charm infused with 19th-century romanticism.

At this point, instead of heading towards Lisbon, we continue west to reach the westernmost location in Europe, the place where the sun has always greeted the old continent before going on to illuminate America.

Cascais and first arrival in Lisbon.

Cabo da Roca it's wild, a large lighthouse Camp on the cliffs that rise over 140 meters and plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. The wind never stops, and the succulent plants are quite interesting. with their flowers right at the edge of the cliff almost as if to admire the scenery. Walking along the edge offers the thrill of being on a border with no end in sight, no matter which direction you look. Since going west is only possible by water, we can only return on foot towards the east. A short stop at Cascais, where life flows at the slow pace of wealthy vacationers from all over Europe who come to spend the winter or tan. Our attraction, however, is disappointing: it's the fish market, which takes place in a nearby location. Instead of the expected hustle and bustle of fishermen and merchants, we find ourselves witnessing the buying and selling of some crates of fish, and after five minutes the negotiations are already over. They will explain to us that the fish is scarce and that the negotiations follow customary agreements. Now all that's left is to head to our final destination: Lisbon. We park the suitcases at the hotel and buy tickets that allow us to travel on all urban means for the next 24 hours, and we dive into the metro to emerge in the luxurious Praça do Comércio We start our tour from the historic and tourist center of the capital. On one side is the historical center nestled on the hills, and on the other is the Tagus River. The connection between them is... historic stopover point which somehow witnessed the transition from the medieval European world to one open to the world, and the discovery and conquest of new territories. Passing under the monumental Arc de Triomphe and while traveling along the Rua Augusta It feels like strolling through a living room. The gleaming white porphyry cubes stand out and create an elegant image, as if they had been polished with wax.

Santa Justa, Rossio and Lisbon at night

Next, we will see The Elevador de Santa Justa, the Rossio Station, Rossio Square and Figueira Square. We end the day at a restaurant where, as always, we can't miss the caught fish with a specialty cod dish. In the meantime, along with the bottle of white wine, the night falls and we take advantage of it for a ride on the tram to see something of Lisbon at night, getting lost in the maze of Moorish alleys that lead to... São Jorge Castle, in the Alfama district. Under the light of the street lamps, the paved road seems to shine. adding a unique character to the capital.