Travelogue: Lisbon, Portugal

View from Alfama

Last month, I visited Portugal for the first time! I had a lovely time. During my visit to Lisbon specifically, I enjoyed amazing weather, good food, and interesting sights. FYI: I’ll talk about my visit to Porto in a separate post. If you’re looking for a more affordable and smaller European country, it’s worth a visit. The only bummer was that I didn’t quite make it to all of the great places and sights that I had on my list or were recommended to me to visit. So there’s definitely a reason to go back. I have a list below of sights to see and places to eat (a * notates a recommendation I received but may not have had a chance to visit).

Trolley

Taking the Trolley around town

Pena Palace

Pena Palace

Sights to See + Things to Do

• Downtown Lisbon

  • Praca do Comercio

  • Igreja de Sao Domingos

  • A Vida Portuguesa Gift Shop*

• Sintra

  • Moorish Castle

  • Park and National Palace of Pena

  • National Palace of Sintra

• Alfama

  • Miradoro de Grace (viewpoint)

  • Castelo de Sao Jorge

  • Old Quarter

• Belem Tower

• LX Factory*

• Livraria Ler Devagar*

• Feira de Ladra (flea market)
  

Places to Eat

• Time Out Market

• Pasteis de Belem

• Pizzeria Romana al Tavolo*

• Barrio Avilez Taverna*

• Nicolau Lisboa*
  

General Travel Tips

• Keep a close watch on your belongings (I was warned numerous times of pickpockets). For day time sightseeing I used a small backpack that was designed to prohibit theft.

• Don’t even bother packing heels! Btw, I say this as a girl who loves my heels. Lisbon is quite hilly, wear comfy shoes (preferably sneakers!) and save yourself the foot pain or treacherous walking in heels on slippery tiled streets.

• A recommendation I received from a tour guide/Lisbon native: Don’t be afraid to try local restaurants you’ve never heard of. The more modest it looks, the likelier that the food will be fresh and delicious.

• Come with an appetite and sample wine, it’s very good and relatively inexpensive here. If you have dietary restrictions or are vegan or vegetarian, I suggest you do in depth research in advance of any places you plan to eat…call if necessary to confirm you can be accommodated.

View from Alfama

Belem Tower

Pasteis de Belem

Sampling of custard tart that you can’t leave Portugal without trying from Pasteis de Belem!