This was one of my most requested posts, so I am excited to share my Lisbon travel guide with you all! Incase you missed it, I already did two posts from our “tour de Kremer”, Marrakech and Sintra (a day trip we took while in Lisbon). This trip in a whole was filled with so much culture, history and the most beautiful architecture and design that I have seen in awhile.
From my travels thus far, I would compare Lisbon a little bit to San Francisco with all the hill and the quintessential trams. Although we ended up not taking a tram (the famous one is the Tram 28 and the lines were very long and we were told to be careful of the pickpocketers, so we opted to walk around instead).
Matt and I stayed at Pousada de Lisbon, which was located in a great area, walkable to pretty much everywhere. They had a smaller rooftop with lounge chairs if you wanted to get some sun or enjoy a glass of wine outside. What I also loved about this hotel was the yummy complimentary breakfast that was served each morning. When traveling, these breakfasts are great because you can grab a bite to eat without wasting a ton of time.
WHAT WE DID:
Time Out Market – If you haven’t heard about the Time Out Market already, it is something that you do not want to miss when in Lisbon. Their mission is to get the best food from around the city and bring it under one roof. Whether you are looking for fine dining or something more casual, your taste buds will explode with all the deliciousness that is served in here. Come hungry and leave very full!
Sao Jorge Castle – This is one of the stops that many will take a tram up to, but Matt and I enjoyed the walk through the charming neighborhood of Alfama. This is one of the oldest and most historic parts of the city, filled with cute little streets and restaurants, and whole lot of character (I was obsessed with all of the tile buildings). At the very top is the Sao Jorge Castle, one of Lisbon’s most visited attractions. Walking around here was fun and informative, but the real reason to get up here is the view that awaits perched on top of the city!
Portas Do Soi – After we wrapped up checking out the castle we made our way back down towards our hotel. On the way we stopped at this outdoor spot/viewpoint to grab some coffee and a snack. It was a relaxing pit stop to enjoy the view and plan out the rest of our day.
LX Factory – This hidden gem is something you do not want to miss. While it may not be for everyone, there is still something for everyone there (we stocked up on future birthday and other holiday gifts for our family here). Known as Lisbon’s creative corner and a bit of organized chaos, the LX Factory is filled with street art, shops and the most adorable cafes and restaurants. You can spend hours walking around, shopping and grabbing a bite to eat.
Pasteis de Belem – Home of the most incredible custard tart you will ever taste. What I would do to have a box of these right now! While you can find the custard tart all over Portugal, you have to make your way here to the birthplace of this delicious treat. Don’t let the line overwhelm you, it moves extremely fast. And do yourself a favorite and get more then one!
Belem Tower – To be honest when we arrived here we had already spent time the day before at Sao Jorge Castle so when we saw the line (that was not moving) to get in we decided to just walk around the grounds and take in our view from the ground. Next time I’ll know to make our way over to Belem super early to see the inside.
WHERE WE ATE/DRANK:
Lost In Esplanaba Bar – We came here for a nightcap and desert and what a fun and funky place! Jet lag did me in, so we didn’t last long, but such a fun spot to head to at night. A quirky, colorful restaurant/bar with AMAZING deserts!
Independent Hostel (The Insolito) – We heard great things about this place and to be honest it was a bit of a let down. The view of the city at night was great, but the service was terrible and food was quite honestly not good. I would highly recommended coming here for a cocktail and the view, but don’t eat dinner here. They were very busy, however, do maybe it was just an off night, but definitely not our favoirte!
Hotel Bario Alto – A drink on the rooftop here is a must! Situated in the vibrant Bario Alto district, this is the perfect place to start a night out.
Gin House – We quickly learned that Lisbon is known for their gin and stumbled upon this place while out and about. The cocktails were so fresh and delicious and the bar was nestled in the cutest building with small shops and comfy seats.
OTHER THINGS TO DO/SEE
A Night Out in Bario Alto – Bario Alto is one of the most active neighborhoods of lisbon, particularly after sunset! The narrow streets are filled with bar after bar. Most people don’t actually enjoy a cocktail in the bars, but stake out a spot on the street. While it certainly has a bit of a college feel, it was fun to bar hop (and relive our glory days) and listen to some live music (my favorite).
Shopping in the Principe Real Neighborhood – Situated just North of Bario Alto, this neighborhood has some really unique shops and quaint cafes.
