These views of the city are well worth it
The 600 kilometers that separate the capital from ** Lisbon ** are eternal, but there is no path for a walker, the path is made by walking, what separates the two capitals becomes a wonderful route to go by car, stopping whenever you can and should.
This route starts at Trujillo , Extremaduran medieval town and mainstream of the Iberian Peninsula. And Trujillo well deserves a few hours, and let's come with an empty stomach, because La Troya restaurant will literally eat up part of the visit.
Its square overwhelms the visitor who arrives for the first time and embraces those who visit when they pass through the TO 5 . your old Arab fortress, its palaces, its Church of Santa María la Mayor … Trujillo is the deserved starting point of this roadtrip that unites both countries.
at the starting point
After the binge, watch out for the road. It's time to get to Badajoz , which overlooks the Portuguese border.
Coquettish city with Andalusian airs bathed by the Guadiana that invites tranquility … And to have a good toast with tomato and Extremadura ham from the area . The time doesn't matter. Badajoz, which surprises with its coquettish downtown houses, It is to get lost in the Plaza Alta and its surroundings, The small Giralda, the imposing Puerta de Palmas, the Royal Monastery of Santa Ana... It is also a good place to rest.
The best option for a Badajoz dream? The Sercotel Gran Hotel Zurbarán, and sleep among its pillow menu!
We continue the route, with our batteries charged, and crossing the border by car, we put Salvador Sobral as we roll down the window and see the first signs in Portuguese.
high square
And leaving Spain behind, a short walk, 10 kilometers from Badajoz, through Elvas , World Heritage for its wonderful fortifications. Its impressive aqueduct, the Republic Square, its castle, the forts of Santa Lucía and Gracia … But we must remember that there are still 200 kilometers to Lisbon, the final point of the route, and time ahead.
Follow the Alentejo on both sides of the road, and on the signs, already flavored with healthy , we see that we are a few kilometers from Évora , one of the oldest cities in Europe.
The well-preserved Roman remains of the Temple of Diana prove it. Évora deserves a more leisurely stroll, because there is so much to see. The terrifying Chapel of Bones, the Palace of Don Manuel, its cathedral...
Elvas, an essential stop before arriving in Lisbon
Tourists will show you the way to the most relevant monuments. It has no loss. Sit back and enjoy with your eyes wide open and a good taste in your mouth with a vinho verde in hand at the Giraldo Square . The capital of the Alentejo invites you to stay more days due to the tranquility that can be seen in its streets… But we have to continue.
In Portugal you don't eat late, but we are going to make an exception to give Évora more time, let's take advantage of the hour of less than (or more) courtesy. And then, road and blanket to the decadent and beautiful Lisbon, which appears imposing, horizontally, on the other side of the 24th of July bridge. Crossing the Tagus River, Lisbon welcomes us placidly at our feet, welcoming us after almost 600 kilometers of road.
Fernando Pesso I was in love with his hometown, and it is not for less, the Portuguese capital deserves its 600 kilometers and many more.
"I love these solitary squares, interspersed between streets with little traffic, and with no more traffic, themselves, than the streets...".
The sunsets from Bar Park in Lisbon
Thus spoke the Portuguese author of the roads of the city of him in his Livro do Desassossego . After parking the car – watch out for the area vermelha - nothing like snacking at odd hours in your Ribeira Market , have a drink at Café A Brasileira , and imagine Pessoa around here, and watch the sunset on the banks of the Tagus…
Or in the curious and fun ** Bar Park **, with the best views. And don't miss out on a melancholy stroll through Alfama with fado in the background, browsing through the cool shops of Prince royal and curse the slopes of the Portuguese city.
If you can, by the way, book at Boubou's , the trendy Lisbon restaurant which opened in the summer **(tip: ask for a table on the patio)**.
Lisbon, end of the route and last port before the Atlantic. Its charm makes you fall in love from the first moment you step on it and it is well worth taking the car a thousand times. If this is the first time that Lisbon has won you over, you will want to stay longer.
If you have taken this alternative route to get to the city, enjoy and savor… The pastel de nata for dessert on the trip, for when you decide to come back . Of course, the final day of the route is up to you. Good trip!