The last rays of sunlight along the Tage river, in scenic Lisbon

Be sure to stop at the Tower of Belém during your visits in Lisbon. Positioned on the edge of the Atlantic, this dungeon from which departed caravels sailing towards the New World is an architectural gem. Its discovery will lead you to the National Museum of Carriages with its royal coaches, then to the Hieronymite Monastery, masterpiece of Manuélin art, showcasing inestimable wealth.

In the Lisbon sun, along the Tage embankments

Then hop onto one of the retro tramways to ride around the city, it will drop you off in front of the Sào Jorge castle. Its crenelated walls offer a unique panorama on the Portuguese capital. From there, move on to the outskirts of Sintra. At the foot of a hill covered with tropical flowers, the extravagant romanesque fantasy of the Pena palace seems to rise straight out of a fairy tale worthy of Walt Disney.

An open door on the Atlantic and bordered with arcades, the Door of Commerce is the hot spot for fiestas. © DR

To visit Lisbon, take the tramway, it passes in front of all the monuments to be visited. © DR

Venture forth in a cable car and take a Fado class

Next step, the Arc of Victory. Its surroundings are filled with baroque buildings whose facades are covered with azulejos, multi-colored tiles, alonside many grocery shops offering Baccalhau specialties and old ports. This is where you can take a cable car to reach the streets of the Bairro Alto higher up. This district is filled will cabarets and langorous demonstrations of the famous Fado…

Featuring winding streets lined with local bistros and boutiques, the Alfama district is typical and rustic. © DR

Address book

- Praça do Comércio. In the Baixa district, there is a wide array of boutiques along the Place of Commerce, for the greatest pleasure of all those who want to shop and buy souvenirs.

- Antiga Confeitaria de Belém. Gourmets queue up here to enjoy the succulent Pastéis de Nata, a flan inside a flaky crust, sprinkled with cinnamon. pasteisdebelem.pt/fr

- Casa do Leao, inside the grounds of the Sao Jorge castle. In a vaulted dining room, the refined cuisine of this restaurant features a great many Portuguese specialties, and the view overlooking Lisbon is splendid. www.facebook.com/RestauranteCasaDoLeao

Going there

Air France: www.airfrance.fr - TAP Air Portugal: www.flytap.com

Staying there

At the Pestana Palace, a national 19th century monument transformed into a deluxe 5 star. www.pestana.com

Far from the bedrooms of aseptic hotel chains, the Pestana Palace suites have preserved their historical cachet. © DR