Lisbon bucket list part – 2 (All accomplished *in some way…)
Here I am again, continuing where I left off last time. Incoming paragraphs will focus on museums, sights, and beaches.
Calouste Gulbenkian museum – DONE and on top of my list. Why? It’s for FREE :DDD every Sunday after 14:00. It has the all expositions available for you to explore. The whole aesthetics of it are just top notch. Google the pictures, mine wouldn’t do it a favor… there is only one tiny, tiny minus – you can’t take photos inside, however, I feel like it will make you really immerse into the experience. Of course, people don’t give a shit anyways (there was one couple, who took pics at every stop, even using flash, they also didn’t bother to hide it from security, who naturally gave a flying F about it). So I guess do whatever you want 😉 There is a wonderful park all around it, so you will have a great time just wandering around before or after the visit. Maybe just one small note: if you share similar viewpoints as I do towards the majority of experimental modern art, you can skip Centro de Arte Moderna. But if you don’t believe me, see for yourself; after all, it’s free.
Now to another backstabs: One that I already knew about – National museum of archaeology (Jeronimos Monastery) – CLOSED till 2026.
The other was a sad surprise – Berardo collection museum – Main exhibition is closed (for some reason…) + temporary didn’t look particularly appealing, so what’s the point.
On the other hand, what I can definitely recommend for you as a nice walk combined with sightseeing is a visit to the promenade from the bridge – Ponte 25 de Abril to the Tower of Belém. What can you see there?
Museum of Architecture and Technology – DONE. Seeing it from outside, when I was walking towards the Tower of Belém, was enough. It’s a very interesting building from architectural POV.
Where I spent the majority of the time was Monument of the Discoveries, which I would describe as a great place for street photography. One can see a lot of tourists as an obstacle; however, I see them as models, who can add necessary spark to otherwise boring compositions. There are numerous sights which I don’t find to be particularly interesting material for photos. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate the art and beauty of the architecture… but many times it seems a bit lifeless to me, and people are what give it life. What I would recommend is to become an innocent stalker, find a cozy place to sit or stand, and observe. Opportunities for interesting pictures will come if you are patient enough. DONE
Same thing can be said about the Tower of Belém itself, which is located in the western part of Lisbon on a lovely beach. If you overlook the trash flooded from the river, it’s indeed a picturesque scenery. The park next to it – (mostly just the grass), but here and there are absolutely gorgeous twisted trees looking like big bonsais. DONE
What I saved for last is something that has always had an enormous effect on me: sea/ocean. I love its vastness, power, noise, smell… I could continue forever. Through Google Maps, I found several beaches in shorter distance to Lisbon, so the travel wouldn’t use up like half of my day and I could enjoy just being there as much as I wanted, not feeling the pressure to go home. Praia de Carcavelos and Praia de Cova do Vapor. Summarizing both experiences, I just want to write that: I lost track of time, submerged myself in the sounds of waves, my face was basking in the sun… what a day…
To conclude this second part, I have to say: I’m just here one month (midpoint) of this adventure, and I have already accomplished everything from the list. Some things didn’t go as expected, and some developed into even bigger memories than I would have anticipated. Let’s see what next month brings…
