Lisbon, the capital of Portugal is known for many amazing things. I was lucky enough to visit this city and experience some of them. Four days was just enough to taste the delicious pastéis de nata, see the main sites, amongst many other things! So if you’re planning on making the trip check out the below to help you plan your stay.
HOW TO GET THERE:
As we were on a budget we opted for a hostel (four single bunk bed room) in the centre of the city. Perfect if you are wanting to cut costs and if solo travelling, want to get to know others. Breakfast was also included which meant we were saving a little each day. Through Hostelworld you can browse and book different hostels online (they also have an app to make things simple). So if you’re travelling on your own or even with friends, it’s a cheap and easy way to get good accomodation at an affordable price.
WHERE TO STAY:
As we were on a budget we opted for a hostel (four single bunk bed room) in the centre of the city. Perfect if you are wanting to cut costs and if solo travelling, want to get to know others. Breakfast was also included which meant we were saving a little each day. Through Hostelworld you can browse and book different hostels online (they also have an app to make things simple). So if you’re travelling on your own or even with friends, it’s a cheap and easy way to get good accomodation at an affordable price.
HOW TO TRAVEL WITHIN LISBON:
Walking, metro, buses and trams were our main forms of transportation. When exploring the city centre most of the time we relied on using our legs. Trams are also a great way to get around the city. Some of them are quite famous as you may have seen through social media too! If you’re wanting to get outside of Lisbon, to Sintra for example, a train or bus is definitely necessary if you don’t have a car. If taking public transportation when you first arrive into Lisbon make sure you invest in a Lisbon card. This is a card that you can use on a range of Lisbon’s transportation services and gives you discounts. Best place to buy it? Airports, metro stations and you can also buy them online if you want to have it sorted prior to your arrival.
TO DO’S:
– A day trip to Sintra! Definitely a must do while staying in Lisbon. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains beautiful palaces, architecture and gardens. We saw Pena Palace, Castelo dos Mouros and Quinta da Regaleira but there are many more to choose from! You can also stay in the town if you’re wanting to spend longer than a day exploring all that it has to offer.
– Tower of Belém, also known as the Tower of St Vincent. Located right on the water this building was used as a fortress and a gateway to the city. If wanting to explore the interior, make sure to get there early and allow roughly an hour to explore the inside. There are narrow walkways to get up and down to each floor so only one way at a time. Also make sure you check out the great view from the terrace.
– Praça do Camércio: It would be hard to miss this landmark. The plaza is stunning so is definitely worth looking around.
– Padrão dos Descobrimentos or the Monument to the Discoveries: The size of this monument alone is something to marvel at. It stands here to celebrate the Portuguese Age of Discovery, showing different figures, each known for their explorations.
– LX Factory, where you can find everything arty. From bookstores to jewellers to amazing restaurants and cafes this is definitely somewhere you want to visit when in Lisbon. We spent a good couple of hours here exploring, eating and admiring the street art so definitely stick this one in your to do’s!
– Village Underground Lisboa. Can’t even put into words how cool this place is! There are buses piled on top of shipping containers! It’s such a crazy, quirky concept showcasing a co-working creative community. There’s a bar and small kitchen so if you fancy a drink, snack or just a cool place to hang out don’t look any further. Also located not far from LX Factory.
– Wander around old town Alfama District: We unknowingly did this and how glad we were that we did! The small alleyways lead you to the most adorable shops and the yummiest bakeries. It is known to have a few stairs but the views were stunning.
– Check out Amoreiras 360° Panoramic View: Located more inland from my other to do’s is the Amoreiras Shopping centre. If you feel like doing a bit of shopping or going to cinema, it’s a great place. However, I would suggest to head to the second floor and buy a ticket that takes you to the top of the building. Such a beautiful view of the city and beyond.
– Pink Street, previously known as Lisbon’s red light district. Pink Street is now famous for its alty conversion to cute, quirky cafes in the day. Or if you want to go for a different vibe, it also has a reputation for it’s great nightlife too. Either way, you won’t regret roaming this memorable street.
PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK:
– Wish Slow Coffee House: Just YUM! Located in LX Factory we went here for breakfast. Such an array of delicious, fresh foods to choose from and the staff were also super friendly!
– Village Underground Lisboa: As mentioned in the ‘to do’s’, this is a place where you want to have a drink. It’s got some amazing vibes!
– Hidden bakeries / cafes in Alfama District: When getting lost in Alfama District and you come across any bakery that sells ‘pastéis de nata’, do not hesitate. Order as many as you can carry and you can thank me later. But on a serious note, the one we went into happened to be by chance. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name but the owner was extremely lovely! Even with us not being able to speak much Portugese she knew exactly what we wanted and the pastéis de nata were amazing.
– Sol e Pesca: A seafood restaurant located along the famous Pink Street. We just stopped in here for snack and drink and it was pretty top notch! Staff were really nice and the cafe is well-known for its canned seafood so if that’s what you’re into it’s worth the stop.
HINTS AND TIPS:
– Expect to pay a couple euro extra if you eat the bread or breadsticks (in a packet) when eating out. Majority of the time this is not included in the price of your meal.
– Buy the Lisbon card. This will give you free access to certain museums, discounts and save on public transport. You can buy them online or at the airport and they come with a free map and small travel guide. For more information click here.
– Make sure to go to the main monuments early if you don’t want to be waiting in line or want to avoid the crowds. I find earlier the better but that’s only because I love soaking in the views and atmosphere without hoards of people around.
– Take the essentials. Especially on any day trips even while in the city take a hat, water and sunblock. It can get hot in Lisbon, especially during summer!
– Avoid tourist traps: Tram 28, Santa Justa Lift, Pastéis de Belém are just the main ones that come to mind. Tram 28 is the most famous in the city as it takes you past all of the main attractions however it gets extremely packed. Santa Justa Lift is one of the quickest ways to get from Baixa to Bairro Alto but is also more well known for the lookout and views over the city. Save your time and go through Largo do Carmo instead or as mentioned above head to Amoreiras 360° Panoramic View. And lastly Pastéis de Belém are apparently where the pastéis de nata’s original recipe comes from but I found that little shops, locally owned had nicer pastéis de nata and they were delicious!
Because we spent four days in Lisbon there was plenty of time to explore all of its highlights. And there are so many! Spending more time in one place and not having to rush experiences, making trips more in depth is how I like to travel so it was perfect. Lisbon left a lasting impression so I can only imagine how amazing the rest of Portugal is. So for anyone thinking about visiting Lisbon or Portugal, hopefully this has steered you towards the right direction.