Lisbon
Oh, Lisbon! When planning our trip to Portugal, we knew we had to start in Lisbon. With its tiled buildings, hilly cobblestone streets and thriving dining scene, this city has so much to offer.
Some things to prepare for when exploring Lisbon:
Pickpocketing - this is a very real threat in Lisbon, perhaps more so here than in other European cities, so always be on alert
The hills - there is no shortage of hilly streets so bring your walking shoes
Trams - There is so much activity with all of the trams, cars and tuk-tuk drivers, always be vigilant when out and about
We stayed in Lisbon for 2 nights and 3 days and barely scratched the surface. Although the city has so much character, it definitely was not the most cleanly. There was no shortage of pigeons and we often found that they would find their way into some of the in-door restaurants which was not the most appetizing. The charm is there, sometimes it took a little bit of work to seek it out.
Stay:
We decided to stay in Alfama, which is the old town in Lisbon. I would highly recommend staying in this area. Alfama is the heart of the city’s historic district and is much quieter than other neighborhoods. Many Portuguese families live in this area, making you feel less like a tourist and more like a local.
Memmo Alfama Hotel was the hotel we stayed at. Although it has a prime location and a rooftop with some of the best views of the city, the service could use some improvement. If we ever do make our way back to Lisbon, we would look for a different hotel in Alfama.
Eat:
The main reason we came to Lisbon, right? I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday in Lisbon and it was quite the treat. With so many dining options, here were some of our favorites:
Brunch - Nicolau Lisboa should be on the top of your list. With indoor and outdoor seating, this adorable restaurant boasts some delicious, and healthy, brunch items. No reservations, so try to get there early to beat the line.
Lunch/Dinner - one of the newer hotspots by Portugal’s famous Chef José Avillez is Bairro do Avillez. Right in the Chiado neighborhood, this restaurant has a few different dining options ranging from more casual to full sit-down. We ate at the Páteo section and enjoyed the codfish. This is the place to go to try some traditional Portuguese dishes with a modern spin. If we go back, we would try to check out one of Chef José Avillez’ other restaurants.
Drinks - located at the top of a parking garage, sits the ever trendy Park bar. With unbeatable sunset views and fancy cocktails, one night of your trip should be spent here. There is a lot of space with open seating, but be prepared as this place is popular and does get crowded. The bar is a little hard to find. The Address: Calçada do Combro 58, 1200-109 will take you to a real, working parking garage. Enter the parking garage and look for the stairs. Although a little sketchy, take the stairs all the way to the top and you will have arrived. Hopefully, you bump into others heading to Park along the way to make the journey easier.
Explore:
Lx Factory - you could spend a whole day in this little art center secluded from the rest of the city. With over 50 restaurants, stores, coffee shops, bars and galleries, there is something for everyone.
Belém - this Lisbon neighborhood is far from the city center, but home to two famous historical landmarks: Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. You can easily see the Belém Tower by walking along the water, but you will need tickets to enter the monastery and accompanying Church of Santa Maria. The former monastery building is a beautiful example of the Portuguese Late Gothic style and is well worth the price of the admission ticket.
Bairro Alto - this Lisbon neighborhood is home to the famous yellow cable cars. With plenty of street art and shops, the bohemian area is not to be missed! Your camera will thank you later.
