Lisbon - TAT (The Away Today) Score
| Lisbon, Portugal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost Per Day (including transportation, lodging, food, activities, etc.) | $83.00 | ||||
| Architecture | 5 | ||||
| Food | 5 | ||||
| Walkability | 4 | ||||
| Public Transportation | 5 | ||||
| Activities | 5 | ||||
| Vibe | 5 | ||||
| All Around | 5 | ||||
Four Days in Lisbon
I’ve always heard really amazing things about Lisbon, so before going there, I had high expectations. And they were met! I loved Lisbon, it has such a great vibe. The weather was absolute shit while I was there (cold and rainy in June!) and I still adored the city. It’s cheap (especially considering it’s western Europe), the streets are all picturesque, the language is beautiful, and the food is delicious!
Airport and Transportation
Lisbon’s public transportation is excellent. For the four to five days I was there, I never once got in a car or took a cab. I only use metros and trains – better for the environment, much better for my wallet. The airport is close to downtown, and right on a metro line. It was about a 20 minute metro ride (and just a few euros) to get to my hostel downtown.
The trains run to all the major tourist destinations – including Sintra, Belem, and . There are plenty of metro stops all over the city, and usually one within a 15 minute walk to wherever you want to go.
I opted for walking most of the time, partly because of my wallet, and partly because Lisbon is one of the most picturesque cities I’ve ever been to. Seriously, every alleyway, street, building, etc. provided stunning views. The buildings are colorful with flower covered balconies. Cobble stoned streets lined the alleyways, and beautiful storefronts and cafes provide a relaxed atmosphere.
Where to Stay
-Bairro Alto – If you want to go out and/or be close to popular bars and restaurants. The hostel I stayed at, Lost Inn Lisbon, was close to here and Cais do Sodré, it was the perfect location!
-Baixa & Chiado – If you want to be right downtown
-Cais do Sodré – If you want to be close to the water, a big train & metro station, and Time Out Market
-Belém – If you want to be somewhere cultural and a little quieter
-Alfama – If you’re traveling as a couple
Things to do
-Go spend a day or two in Sintra. This was the highlight of my trip to Lisbon. Every corner and hilltop is picturesque, and there are so many castles you don’t even know where to begin. Touring most of the castles felt like I was touring a movie set. Every building was beautiful and the atmosphere was so quaint.
-Tour Belém, the home of the infamous Pastéis de Belém. Once you’ve scarfed down a few pastel de natas, go see the monestary and Belém tower. You can easily spend an entire day in this cute neighborhood.
-Take (at least one) a walking tour. I did the Wild Walkers walking tour and really loved it. My guide was the perfect combination of knowledgeable and personable. There are a few different tours you can do, you can probably do one a day if you’re a big history buff!
-Explore by foot. As always, this is my favorite thing to do in a new city. It’s good for your physique, wallet, and helps you actually familiarize yourself with the orientation of the city. As stated, there’s not an ugly street in Lisbon – go see for yourself!
-Take the street car for some good views. Similar to San Francisco, Lisbon is very hilly so you’ll probably get a little sick of walking. Explore down hill, and take the street car back up!
-Go to a street party. I stumbled upon one almost every night that I was there. It’s usually just in an alleyway, with tons of people drinking and dancing. Usually very crowded, and verryyy fun.
What to Eat & Drink
-Pastels de nada – Creamy, crunchy, buttery, delicious egg custard pastries. I thought it’d be overrated, but the best (by far) that I had were at the infamous Pastéis de Belém. Go here! And also order them everywhere, as I didn’t have a bad one the whole time I was there.
-Ginjinha – The famous cherry liquor in Lisbon. It’s actually pretty good, and I don’t even like cherries! It’s a must try.
-Vinho verde (or green wine) – I unfortunately didn’t try this while I was there, but I really wanted to! Especially as an avid wine lover.
-Time out Market – It’s pretty touristy, but it’s a cool atmosphere with a lot of different options. Right off the Cais de Sobre metro station, it’s also really conveniently located. Stop by here before a day trip to Belém.
-Have some drinks at Park Bar. Also super touristy, but reaaaally fun. It’s a cool bar located on top of a parking garage, good luck finding it! Be sure to ask some locals if you’re feeling a little lost.
Tips & Tricks
-Similar to what I realized in Brazil, Portuguese is very different than Spanish. Even further than that, Portugal Portuguese sounds different than Brazil Portuguese. Learn a few key phrase before you head over there!
-There’s good, cheap shopping in Lisbon. I was on a major budget, but still picked up a dress, shorts, romper, sunglasses, and top for less than $100. Take advantage of the cute, local boutiques and pick up a souvenir!
Be sure to check out my tips and guides for other European cities!