Love for Lisbon
Although I am fairly well versed in geography, I always had the idea that Lisbon was the southernmost tip of Portugal. So that is not the case. This city is located in western Portugal, at the mouth of the Tagus River. This river flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the salty air of which reaches the city with cooling breezes. One of the nicest things about Lisbon was strolling along the water. In addition, you will find a good balance in Lisbon between authentic streets with Portuguese tiles on the one hand, and modern, futuristic buildings on the other. Do you want to experience a typical Lisbon party? Then visit the city in June because then it is the entire month of Festas de Lisboa, culminating in the feast of patron saint Santo António on June 12-13. What else can be found? I’ll list it for you.
▸ Tip: Buy a Lisbon Card online before departure via Get Your Guide for free unlimited public transport and discounts on attractions and sights.
1. Take tram 28 through Lisbon
In Lisbon, the first thing you probably have in mind is the image of a yellow tram. Tram 28 is usually packed, but you really want to be here for a while. For example, plan that as early in the day as possible, or at another quieter time. Tram line 28 departs from Martin Moniz in the Baixa, the lower town. In 50 minutes (you don’t have to spend that long of course) he drives towards the picturesque streets of the working-class neighborhood of Alfama. Which brings me straight to tip number two…
2. Dine with fado in Alfama
A case of ‘you have to love it’, but if you’re in Lisbon, you can’t really ignore the fado. Fado is the life song of the Portuguese and is usually performed with great emotion. The Alfama district is the ideal district to listen to fado. Take a seat in one of the many simpler restaurants where fado is often sung by (non-professional) artists from the area.
On the way to Alfama, be sure to visit Castelo de São Jorge and Sé de Lisboa.
3. Eating pastel de nata
In Lisbon they love sweets, and you will find them everywhere pastelarias come across. Here you can enjoy a bica (epresso) and a sweet snack or sandwich. The most famous place is the pastry shop Pastéis de Belém (Rua Belém 84-92). This is because you can eat the original Pastel de nata (also known as Pastéis de Nata) here. One of the most famous sweets in Portuguese cuisine. Don’t feel like joining the queue for a custard tart? You can basically order them anywhere.
4. Sleep or stroll in Bairro Alto
Our apartment (the LxWay Apartments are highly recommended) was in the Bairro Alto area, Rua Diário de Notícias, which I honestly found to be the perfect base. Within walking distance of, for example, the center (Baixa/Chiado), the train station and the banks of the Tagus River. It is also a working-class area, which means that you catch a glimpse of the ‘real’ Lisbon. The neighborhood is there forthcoming, so you will find many cozy restaurants of this time. The nightlife mainly takes place on the street, especially in the summer period. Try the nice one tapas barwhere you can drink delicious sangria on a staircase in the open air.
5. Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Because this city is built on seven hills, there is quite a difference in height. But that also has an advantage: Lisbon has a lot of beautiful vantage points. The prettiest? For that you have to go to Miradouro de Santa Luzia in the Alfama district. Not a hidden spot, certainly not, but a very nice vantage point. You look out over the lower part of the city – hello white houses with orange roofs! – and across the Tagus. On a sunny day, this is a wonderful place to recover from all that climbing and descending in the city. A little further on is a terrace to relax with a cold drink.
6. Visit Torre de Belém and other highlights
As for tapping those highlights: Lisbon of course has them. Those highlights. Such as Torre de Belém, an old defense tower in the Belém district. The neighborhood where you can get that original Pastel de nata. Combine a visit to Torre de Belém with a walk past other beautiful buildings.
▸ Tip: if you want to visit Torre de Belém, buy a ticket online before departure so that you do not have to queue when you get there.
For example, start on the hill at Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, you can get there very easily with a bus. From there, descend through the Belém district, passing by:
- Igreja da Memoria
- Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
- Museum of Combatente
- Centro Cultural de Belem
- Fundacao Champalimaud
- Torre de Belem
- Padrao dos Descobrimentos
7. The port of Santo Amarano
Walk from Padrão dos Descobrimentos along the water to under the bridge Ponte 25 de Abrilthen you come to the port of Santo Amarano. Here you will find many nice eateries in a super cozy setting on the water. You have a fantastic view of the bridge and the statue of Christ, Cristo Rei. It is also the place where you can board the Hippotrip, the bus that allows you to sightsee by road and from the water.
8. LxFactory: the Strijp-S of Lisbon
Near the port of Santo Amarano you can cross the road to the hip factory area LX Factory. This is Eindhoven’s Strijp-S in Lisbon style. Many fine restaurants, trendy boutiques and Ler Devagar: undoubtedly one of the most impressive bookstores you will ever see. Take plenty of time here because LX Factory is so surprisingly fun that you really want to linger.
9. Visit Cascais
Do you fancy a day of sun, sea and beach? By train from Cais do Sodre you are in 40 minutes in the seaside resort of Cascais. You can get there a lot faster by car.
You can relax there on the beach. There are a number of beautiful sandy beaches (with sunbeds!). And Cascais is also a beautiful village with nice shops, restaurants and bars. Incidentally, there is also a nice (short) walking route along the coast Boca do Infero (mouth of hell) waiting. So it is definitely a good plan to stay in Cascais for a few days. And so you can also turn a city trip in Lisbon into the perfect sun holiday in Portugal.
10. Chilling out on the Tagus
As mentioned, I find Lisbon particularly relaxed. You have everything for a nice city trip, but not too much. This allows you to follow the wonderful pace of the Iberian Peninsula. For example, if you have enjoyed shopping at Zara and H&M in the streets of the Baixa (don’t miss the Santa Justa elevator there), you can relax at the Tagus. Bee Praca do Commerce you will find the Cais das Colunas where you can enjoy paddling. You also have a good view of the Ponte 25 de Abril and Cristo Rei. If you stand here with your feet in the water, you already know: I will come back again!
