Travel: Lisbon City Guide

Rua Nova do Carvalho

Lisbon has got to be one of my favourite European cities. I'm completely taken by the pastel coloured and tiled buildings, the beautiful climate and the delicious food. No matter how many times I visit this beautiful city, I'm always sad to leave. So now that I've been back from my European vacation for over a month it's high time that I share some of my favourite Lisbon activities with you, from where to eat, how to get around and - most importantly - where to get some great Instagram photos (#doitforthegram.)

How to Get Around

The legend of Lisbon is that it was founded and built on seven hills and, while I'm no historian, I can definitely agree that Lisbon is full of hills. Why is this important, you ask? Well, the many hills of Lisbon makes getting around a bit of a challenge, particularly if you have any problems with walking. Don't get me wrong I still think that Lisbon is a completely walkable city, just know that you may climb up and down a number hills and staircases while doing so. If stairs aren't your thing, there are a number of different ways to get around the city.

Taxis

Our last visit to Lisbon, I found that we relied on taxis fairly regularly to get around. Taxis are actually quite inexpensive, and are a great way to quickly get from point a to point b. Most of the taxi drivers we encountered spoke English, however if you're facing a language barrier, just pull up your destination's address on Google and show it to your driver.

Tram

Part transportation, part tourist experience, the tram system in Lisbon is a great option - especially if it is your first time visiting the city. Definitely take Tram 28, a very scenic route of the city and exciting since the tram goes up and down some pretty steep hills, and takes some very tight corners! If you opt for the tram system, be very careful to keep a close eye on your purse and valuables on account of pickpockets.

Subway

While I've personally never taken the subway in Lisbon, I've heard great things about the system being modern, clean and efficient. You can even take the metro right into the city from the airport, which is a huge bonus!

Pharmacia

Where To Eat

While I absolutely love Lisbon, I'll admit - it's not my number one choice when it comes to trendy restaurants and cute cafés. That being said, I did manage to find a few cute spots for dinner or drinks that were not only delicious, but also beautifully decorated.

Pharmacia

Pharmacia is hands down my favourite restaurant for drinks, a light dinner, and to relax in Lisbon. The space itself is in an actual Pharmaceutical museum, in a large beautiful building. There's a sprawling lawn in the front of the building set for a patio, and the inside is absolutely beautiful. While the menu is more modern, a take on Portuguese cuisine served tapas-style, it's a refreshing change for at lest one of your meals. I also have a special spot in my heart for anywhere that takes cocktails as seriously as I do, and the drinks here do not disappoint. The restaurant itself itself very close to the Santa Catarina lookout terrace, which offers some incredible views of the city.

The Decadente

Another standout restaurant in Lisbon for me is The Decadente, another place that mixes a mean cocktail and has more of a modern take on Portuguese cuisine. The space itself is absolutely stunning, as it's housed in the Swiss Ambassador's former residence. Make sure to book ahead to secure a reservation; there's a limited number of seating times, and tables go quick!

Bakeries

To be completely honest, I spend the majority of my time in Lisbon stuffing my face with Portuguese pastries from bakeries all throughout the city. Some of my favourite indulgences are the famed Pastel De Natas, a Portuguese custard tart, and savoury Pan Con Chorizo which is a fresh bun stuffed with Chorizo sausage. So, so good.

O Trevo

O Trevo is not fancy - not in the least. This seemingly bare-bones bar does however serve up some of the best bifanas in Lisbon! A Bifana is a sandwich made of seasoned pork that's been cooked in oil, served on a bun. Simple, but so delicious. Walk up to the bar, order a couple of bifanas and eat them right at the bar.

Alfama

Some Note-Worthy Photo Spots

Lisbon in itself is so beautiful and colourful, that it's hard to take a bad photo! There are a few places that I always stop by while in Lisboa to get the perfect shot - hey, gotta do it for the 'gram!

Alfama

Alfama is one of the oldest districts in Lisbon, and certainly one of the most beautiful. I love wandering the narrow, picturesque streets and also looking out to the ocean over top of all the rooftops. Alfama is at the top of a particularly steep hill, so I would recommend either taking a taxi or Tram 28 to get to the top.

Rua Nova do Carvalho

Rua Nova do Carvalho, or "The Pink Street" is a street painted pink and is definitely something to see!

Alfama

So there you have it, a quick round up of one of my favourite cities in Europe: Lisbon. Have you ever been to Lisbon? What are some of your favourite things to do there? Let me know!

xo Joëlle


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