It was the capital city of Portugal from 1131 to 1255
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210830_161003-1024x602.jpg)
The university was established in 1290 making it the oldest university in Portugal
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210830_160248-1024x607.jpg)
I made some new friends
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DSC_0782_2-683x1024.jpg)
We went out for lunch, explored and ended up having dinner together too
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG-20210830-WA0024-1024x768.jpg)
Some of the streets have these beautiful handmade lace shades
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210830_160600-1-683x1024.jpg)
The next day I visited the botanic gardens
![](https://adventuresintransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210830_160929-1024x683.jpg)
It was a lovely place to spend a very hot day