LISBON : 10 THINGS TO DO

10 THINGS TO DO IN LISBON

We really loved Lisbon – amazing architecture and landscapes with a relaxed atmosphere and welcoming people. We also recommend our hotel, Selina, for its good value, nice décor, and great location.

1. Go to the Praça do Comércio. With its colorful and charming architecture, this square is an icon of the city. Next to it, you have the Cais das Colunas, which was the entrance for the nobles. And on the other side, you'll find the Arco da Rua Augusta. If you walk up this street, you will see the famous Elevador de Santa Justa on your left, where you can enjoy a nice view. However, the queue was huge, so we couldn't go up.

2. Visit Alfama. Alfama is the old town of Lisbon. From there, most visitors visit the Castelo de São Jorge (entrance €10), but because we had visited many castles in the city of Sintra, we didn't. However, when we got lost in the streets of Alfama, we found the Torre da Igreja do Castelo (entrance €2.50), a bell tower offering one of the highest views. Moreover, your ticket includes access to the exhibition in the church next door, which explains the history of the Alfama area and how it maintains its identity today.

3. Take the tramway. In Lisbon, you can still find old tramways – a great way to discover the city in a charming mode of transport. You can't be in a rush, though, because cars and tramways sometimes share the same route. But it's perfect for resting your legs, because Lisbon is full of hills, so you will have to walk up and down. Wear good shoes and be ready to work out your legs!

4. Go to a mirador to enjoy the view. Lisbon's center is surrounded by viewpoints where you can enjoy amazing views. Our personal favorite was the Mirador de Santa Luzia; the view was amazing, but the place itself was also lovely, like a little park full of charm with its traditional tiles.

5. Listen to Fado. Fado is the traditional music genre of Portugal – really impressive and full of emotion. We highly recommend you go to Tasca do Chico; the place is authentic and offers the best deal. You have to go there the same day at 7 pm to book your seats. Don't be late because it's a cozy and small place, so it will fill up quickly. And you have to spend at least €10 per person on food and drinks; the show is free. The food is good and typical, so it's also a good time to try Portuguese specialties. Ask for a table in the entrance room for a better view. The show starts at 8 pm, but on the street, you'll find many cheap bars where you can enjoy a drink beforehand.

6. Go to Belém. Belém is a town next to the sea where Lisbon's shipyards and docks were located. It was from here that the 15th-century voyages departed, discovering the sea routes to India, East Africa, and Brazil. You can see the Belém Tower, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, and the Gothic Jerónimos Monastery there. From Lisbon, you just need to take a tramway, and in 20 minutes, you're there. You can also find many seafood restaurants there.

7. Eat the famous Pastéis de Belém. Pastéis de nata is the traditional pastry in Portugal, and every place has a slightly different recipe. We really advise you to eat the ones in Belém; they were simply delicious. There is always a queue in front, but it moves quickly, and it's quite cheap – it will cost only €1.15 for one.

8. Eat Portuguese specialties. You have to eat codfish (bacalhau) in Lisbon; it's the typical fish. You can find it in pastries (Pastel de Bacalhau), in salads with lots of onions, or cooked, usually served with potatoes. You also have to try the typical Caldo Verde, a vegetable soup with kale, sometimes served with grilled chorizo. In Portuguese cuisine, you can find a lot of seafood: grilled sardines, fried fish, octopus, squid, etc. For street food we recommend you Casa Das Bifanas, the bifana sandwish is made with pork, it's good and cheap. For a nice restaurant we liked Taberna Da Rua Das Flores, it's a creative cuisine with sharing dishes made with fresh products.

9. See the view at the Cristo Rei. In Lisbon, they also have a huge Christ statue on the other side of the Tagus River. It's not that easy to get there, but the view from the other side is truly incredible.

10. Go to Sintra. Sintra is a city a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon. Sintra is a unique city where the architecture and monuments could inspire many fairytales. There are many places to see in Sintra, but you should choose at least three of them. When you arrive in Sintra, we advise you to take a bus pass for the bus N434, which costs €6. The first stop was the Castelo dos Mouros, a medieval castle with an amazing view. The second stop was Palácio da Pena, an incredible palace with unique and colorful architecture – our favorite place! Unfortunately, it was really crowded, and we didn't have time to explore the palace grounds fully. The last stop was Quinta da Regaleira; this palace has a unique garden with caves, initiation wells, tunnels, waterfalls, fountains, lakes, etc. We really felt like we were in a fairytale. Sintra is something I would advise you to do if you are in Lisbon because it's just unique. You can find more information in the post: One day in Sintra.