Modern ruins that put the city in perspective.
Pátio de Dom Fradique
Alfama
On your way to the castle, take an alternative route through a still abandoned part of the city, called Pátio de Dom Fradique, also known as Portas do Castelo. It’s certainly not the beautifully-manicured miradouro you might expect; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. This “garden” is overgrown with green grass and weeds (with the occasional flower or two) and decked out with some pretty awesome graffiti, and remnants of parties from years past. While it’s great for an alternative photo-op, some Lisboetas are a touch embarrassed by this area of modern ruins so close to the beloved castle, but we think it’s the alternative kind of enjoyable. I mean, who doesn’t like ruins? This off-the beaten-path adventure before heading to the castle makes your dramatic entrance into Lisbon’s hilltop historical district all the more grand.
