Plazas, Arches, and the Tagus River

Yesterday we all set out for a morning walk to the Tagus river. We didn’t really have anything planned, just that we wanted to walk along the river. Four hours, 14,000 steps, and some sun-kissed cheeks later, we made it back to our Airbnb. We visited the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), the Rua Augusta Arch, Time Out Market, and enjoyed the cool breeze as we walked along the Tagus River. This really is a city you could walk around for days and constantly see new things.

Praça do Comércio

The Praça do Comércio is a popular spot for locals and tourists, and hosts cultural events and festivals throughout the year. It was once the main hub for maritime trade and is often referred to by the locals as the Terreiro do Paço  — Palace Square. This is a nod to the royal palace that once stood there before the 1755 earthquake destroyed it. It is truly stunning as you walk up on it!

Rua Augusta Arch

On the north side of the Praça do Comércio sits the Rua Augusta Arch. This is said to be one of the most photographed places in Lisbon and was built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake.

It stands just over 98 feet tall and sits at the entrance to the Baixa district. This is the historic downtown area of Lisbon and is full of shops, cafes, and so many beautiful buildings. It also had SO many people. As we made our way through the arch Alexis said “Whoa, this feels Japan crowded”. I can’t imagine what it’s like in the thick of tourist season.

We walked along the crowded streets for a little while, but didn’t stay long. There were beautiful fountains in an open courtyard area, and this beautiful clock as you exit back through the arch.

Time Out Market and the Tagus River

As we continued our walk down the river, we decided to check out Time Out Market since we were so close. We had heard about this place prior to coming to Lisbon and it was on our list of places to see. It’s supposed to be a great spot to try a variety of local foods. It was beyond crowded though, so we didn’t stay and eat. We plan to go back a different day, preferably not on the weekend.

There was a beautiful view of Cristo Rei (Christ the King) and the Ponte 25 de Abril (April 25th Bridge) as we walked. These are both on our list of places to see while we are here.

This was our first big outing here since being sick and it pretty much happened by accident. We only intended to go for a morning walk, but we kept seeing more and more things we wanted to explore. I love just walking around and saying “Oh, that looks interesting let’s check that out”. Sometimes the best days start with zero plans.