The Franco-Iberian Royals Message Board: Royal Lisbon

--Previous Message--
: I'll spent five days in Lisbon at the
: beginning of March, and I hope to be lucky
: with the weather, even though I don't
: despise gray days.

We have a say:
Março, Marçagão
Manhãs de Inverno,
Tardes de Verão.

Meaning on March you should expect Winter mornings and Summer afternoons

:
: It is my second visit and I'm looking
: forward to seeing dear Lisbon again, and
: this time I want to concentrate on
: "Royas" sightseeing
:
: Any tip about no touristic restaurants and
: hidden treasure of the city will be really
: appreciated.
:
: Regards,
:
: Andrea
:

The royal tour compreehends the obvious royal palaces of Ajuda, and, from the outside, Belém (presidential palace) and Necessidades (Foreign Office).

There are also Palácio da Bemposta (where lived Queen Catherine of Bragança after returning from England) or Palácio Palhavã (with royal connections, today the spanish embassy). You can't miss it if you visit Gulbenkian Museum.

São Vicente de Fora is the Pantheon of (most) of the Braganças; if you want to "visit" Q.Maria I then go to Estrela Basilic.
The Aviz-Beja pantheon is at the Jerónimos Church (Hyeronimites) and several royals from the 1st dynasty lay at the Lisbon Cathedral - known as the Sé.

Near the Jerónimos you must visit the Tower of Belém, ordered by K.Manuel I

On the surroundings of Belém Palace, the national Carriage Museum, created by Q.Amélia.
Shame on me, I have not yet visited the new museum.
Finish the visit to Belém District with a "pastel de nata" the famous custard tart.

Hidden treasures could be St.Jorge castle or Senhora do Monte Belvedere with fantastic panoramas over Lisbon.

Foundation Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva is among the less touristic crowded places to visit, just like Madre de Deus Convent - the world renown Azulejo museum with the royal connection to Queen Leonor of Lancastre (D.João II's wife).

A trip on a tuk-tuk could be an unforgettable experience, but beware if you decide to take touristic tram 28, a favourite among pick-pocketeers

Staying 5 days in Lisbon, you can probably take a day to visit Sintra and its palaces Queluz, Vila and Pena or the Moorish castle.

Palace of Seteais (nowadays a hotel) and Quinta da Regaleira are a must, together with all the Quintas and Manor Houses scattered alongside Sintra hillside.

Extending the trip a bit north, Mafra Palace-Convent is "our" Escurial, founded by King D.João V.
The Hunting Grounds are amazing with deers, boars, wolves and foxes, etc., and all sorts of trees and plants.

Or go to nearby Cascais and be sure not to miss the Cidadela Palace, the former residence of kings D.Luis and D.Carlos.

And the nearby Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimarães and Casa de Santa Maria (a chalet former belonging to the Espírito Santo family)

On the road to Guincho, you can see another of the Espírito Santo houses that first became famous because Edward VIII spent some time there and that was the place where the german authorities planned to kidnap him.

Not one of our royals, but a kind of royal connection