Lisbon

 

 

Lisbon is Portugal's vibrant, hilly capital city. It's climate, affordability and scenic streets makes it one of the most visited cities in Europe. I went to Lisbon for the first time in June, and really enjoyed my stay. Here's my review from my 2-day trip to Lisbon, and why you need to book a flight and sample it (and it's pastel de natas) for yourself.

Accommodation

Our gorgeous Airbandb was located in the heart of Alfama, one of Lisbon's best neighbourhoods, and sat a stone's throw away from the famous Castelo de Sao Jorge. It cost £195 each for 3 nights - which for the location and the space's interior, was totally worth it.

Cultural Landmarks

There's so much to see in Lisbon - and the best way to do it all on a budget is to get a 24 hour "Visit Lisboa" card for 26 euros each via the Get Your Guide app. It covers entry up to 25 different Lisbon sites and all forms of public transport. We spent 2 days in Lisbon, so a 24 hour pass was perfect for us. But you can get 48 and 72 hour passes if you're staying longer. You pick your passes up from Praca de Comercio, which leads us to our first stop. 

Praca de Comercio

Praca de Comercio is Lisbon's main square and was built around 1755 after a devastating earthquake obliterated the city. The south side faces the Tagus River, and it's surrounded by shops and cafes. It also hosts free live music events in the summertime!

 

Jeronimos Monastery

Located in the Belem district, the Jeronimos Monastery is one of Lisbon's most exquisite architectural sites. The UNESCO World Heritage site featured a beautiful courtyard, stunning cloisters and impressive art. It's also the final resting place of world-famous explorer, Vasco de Gama, who lays in a tomb. Jeronimos is a must-see.

Castelo de Sao Jorge

Built in the Moorish period, Castelo de Sao Jorge sits atop one of Lisbon's mighty hills. The National Monument was restored in the 1940's and had an archeological centre, a museum, a lush courtyard, historic castle walls and outstanding views of the area.

Aquas Livres Aqueduct 

This National Monument stands over 65 metres above the Alcantara Valley and is a whopping 941 metres long. There was plaques along the bridge that detailed the site's rich history through the ages. It also offered a view of Lisbon from a completely different angle, and was a great place to walk with a coffee in hand.

Activities 

28 Tram

Anyone who's been will tell you that riding the 28 Tram is a great way to see Lisbon. Watch over beautiful neighbourhoods of Alfama, Chiado and Estrela through the old windows of the iconic tram.The wooden interiors and brass dials have been retained since the 1930's, so riding it makes you feel like you've gone back in time.

Estufa Fria

Estufa Fria is a living museum with a vast selection of flora and fauna from around the globe. The giant greenhouse slash botanical garden is nestled in Parque Eduardo VII, and features hundreds of plants, waterfalls, streams and even hidden caves!

Parque de Eduardo VII

Parque de Eduardo, aka Lisbon's Central Park, is the green heart of the city. The massive park spans 26 hectares and was actually named after British monarch, King Edward VII, who visited Lisbon in 1903. It's got a beautifully tiled Pavilion, a maze, gardens, and even hosts a free book fair every June. 

Java Rooftop 

Lisbon certainly isn't short on cool drinking establishments. We went to Java, a trendy rooftop bar that offers brunch and a range of Mediterranean dishes. It's circular design means you can enjoy panoramic views of both the Tagus River and city centre, making it a great spot to watch the world go by. They also made really good coffee.

Restaurants

Time Out Market 

Lisbon's Time Out Market is known as one of the best Time Out Markets on the planet. Converted from a historical market hall, the huge space boasts a dozen shops, 8 bars, a live music venue and a whopping 26 restaurants of every cuisine you desire. We couldn't decide what we wanted, so we got lamb chops, a sea bass, a large pepperoni pizza and 2 giant donuts - all of which were yummy. 

 

O Portugues Chiado 

Look, Time Out had great food - but O Portugues Chiado took the cake. Not only was it the best food we had in Lisbon - it was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The cozy, fusion restaurant was lit by candlelight and had a talented guitarist playing by the bar. We chose and Oxtail stew and braised pork, both of which were delectable.  

That's my recap on my first trip to Lisbon. One thing's for sure - I'll one hundred percent go again one day.