Hi there,
It’s almost a week since I left for Lisbon and I thought it was finally time to share my top tips for visiting. I know whenever I visit a city I do my research, I scour the internet looking for the best places to eat, the most picturesque places to get a snap and the most worthwhile sightseeing to do. So I thought I would put together my own little Lisbon Travel Guide. Lisbon is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe after our visit, it’s so stunning in the most simplest of ways. The footpaths are paved, the buildings are pastel and the sky is blue (290 days of the year!) It’s also over a third cheaper than Dublin – which makes enjoying yourself that little bit easier
Where to stay:
We stayed in the gorgeous Eurostars Das Letras which was very near Principe Real the main shopping district. Lisbon is very much a walking city so I was delighted we were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. If you’re looking for places to stay, research around and look at some of the Best hotels in Lisbon and find a suitable accommodation that meets your traveling wants. If you don’t want to stay in a hotel, don’t worry, there are lots of other options. For example, you may consider using holiday villas or apartments whilst you’re in the city. These can work out much cheaper than hotels and you generally get more privacy too.
Where to eat:
- Rua das Portas de Santo Antão
This street of restaurant after restaurant is a good place to start if you’re hungry and don’t quite know what you want. As with all touristy restaurant streets, I’m not sure there is a major difference between each one, and I’m sure it’s not the finest dining in the world, but there’s lovely outdoor seating, a great selection and a good vibe. What more could you ask for? - Park Rooftop Bar
This rooftop bar on the top of a car park had been recommended to me several times before I traveled and I wish we had got the weather to go here. Unfortunately we didn’t, but I hear the view and the drinks are amazing. A must do if a nice sunset is on the cards! - Tagide Tapas and Wine BarTapas with a view. And wine. Literally what more could you want?
- Sky Bar (Open from April)This gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant we attempted to visit on Saturday night, only to find out it’s not open until April. It looks FAB though, so if you are visiting from April on, definitely add it to your list.
- Café A Brasileira This place is very authentic Lisbon, unfortunately we didn’t make it here but I’ve heard its a lovely spot for a coffee break and to people watch.
- Guilty by Oliver This place was just around the corner from our hotel, and where we ended up going on Saturday night when Sky Bar was closed. It was packed with young people, great music and a cool vibe. The food was delicious too. This bar was very New Yorky, a nice spot for some drinks!
- Rua Nova do Carvalho – The “Pink Street”
The Pink Street a.k.a. the Party Street. This street is literally pink and is where all the nightclubs and good bars are located – if you’re up for a late night, here is where you should head.
Where to get the best views of the city:
- Miraduoro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara
This was our first stop of the trip and wow – what a view. It’s a small park with a little market and this fabulous viewing point.
- Castelo de Sao Jorge
Get ready for a steep climb, but the view is worth every step. Even the walk up to the Castle is so interesting, it’s so authentic and untouched. We did some of our best exploring on our way to and from the castle. There is an €8.50 entrance fee to the castle and there are literally no words for the view. We got the best weather of our trip on arrival to the castle, so got clear views of the whole of Lisbon! It was amazing.
- Elevador de Santa Justa
Located just off the main pedestrian street in the city, this view point we didn’t make it to. It was raining when we passed it unfortunately. It is quite similar to the views of the other two spots I mentioned but look at the Instagram check-ins, it’s pretty cool!
Where to explore:
- Walk to top of Elevador da Bica
This is a must-do. This yellow tram was the second thing we visited in Lisbon and is iconic to the city.
- Rua Augusta
Another MUST SEE! This is the main pedestrian street in Lisbon, it’s great for high street shopping and has the stunning Rue Augusta Arch at the end with a gorgeous square to laze in on a sunny day. There are some fab bars and restaurants around here too, although they are a little more on the pricey side!
- Principe Real
This is the main shopping district, it boasts beautiful buildings and a lovely park to relax in when you get tired of shopping. - Bairro Alto
My top tip for Lisbon is to explore it’s cultural heart – Bairro Alto. It’s endearing narrow streets, and tiled houses had me at hello. I could spend all day wandering around this neighbourhood just taking it all in and wondering what the lives of those who live here are like. It feels very authentic Lisbon in this area. There are lots of nice restaurants and bars to be found in this neighbourhood too, if you can find them among all the streets
- Get a Tuk Tuk
Ok my last piece of advice for visiting Lisbon is, get a tuk tuk to show you around. You’ll see them everywhere from the second you arrive in Lisbon. I’ve never seen these in any other city in the world, and it’s a great way to get a quick, real tour of Lisbon from a local. It’s a lot of fun
Anyway that’s it for my guide to Lisbon, I hope you have found it helpful if you are planning a trip, and I hope you’re inspired to visit if not,
It should 100% be on your bucket list – it’s beautiful,
I’ll be back next week with my travel blog post on my trip to Monte Carlo this week – so keep an eye out for that,
Have a great weekend,
Lou x
