I was surprised by how much I loved Lisbon. Lisbon is a colorful city, full of delicious food, and great places to visit. My travel guide highlights the must-sees of Lisbon, and provides great tips for anyone planning to visit!
Places to Visit:
Belém Tower
Belém Tower is a popular destination for tourists and it is a beautiful spot right along the river. Belém Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Lisbon and Portugal in general. This can be a beautiful place for sunsets!
Pena Palace
I LOVED PENA PALACE. This might have been one of my favorite places I went in Europe. When you walk up to the Pena Palace, you will literally feel like you are in a Disney movie. Pena is colorful, beautiful, and unlike anything else. Pena Palace is an Instagram heaven. There are great picture spots everywhere! Although it is a short bus ride out of Lisbon, in a town called Sintra, it is completely worth the day trip.
Moorish Castle
Located in Sintra, this castle, is an incredible fortress, with beautiful views. I would highly suggest starting out at the Moorish Castle and purchasing tickets for both Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. The line at the Pena Palace can be incredibly long even during the offseason. This way you save time and can spend more time wandering around both castles. The “Castle of the Moors” or Moorish Castle is a medieval castle on a hill. It is so much fun to walk around, and you kind of feel like you are visiting the Great Wall or China at some points!
Carmo Convent
The Carmo Convent is a super interesting place. The reason for its popularity is because the roof of the convent is missing. After an earthquake, the roof collapsed, but the building structure remained. This place has a small entry fee, but it is worth it to walk around in the convent!
Rossio Square
Rossio Square is one of the most popular squares in Lisbon. It features the traditional patterned streets, a tower, and a water fountain!
Pink Street
The pink street is one of Lisbon’s “famous spots”. I would agree it is fun to see, but my advice would be to lower your expectations. The pink street is located on a street known for night drinking and partying and because of this- it is dirtier than I expected! It can still be a great experience- just know that some of the photos you might see on Instagram are photoshopped!
Things to Do:
Ride the Tram
The Lisbon Trolley is one of the staples of Portugal. It is adorable and so much fun to ride. It is also a great way to see the city!
Go to a Fado Music performance
Fado is one of the best ways to experience the culture of Lisbon. You can find shows most nights in local bars, or restaurants. I do not have a specific location that I went to because I simply wandered around the downtown area until I found a show! The music is unlike anything you have ever heard before and it is almost operatic!
See the birds-eye view of the city at the St. George Castle Viewpoint
This viewpoint is a great way to see some of the best views of Lisbon. Getting to this viewpoint can be quite the (steep) climb but it is definitely worth it!
Food Tips:
Pastel de Nata from Pastéis de Belém
WOW. Pastel de Nata might just be my favorite pastry from Europe. I ate over 10 in my three days there. The original Pastel de Nata is from Pastéis de Belém. This little treat is filled with a creamy custard, and almost tastes like a creme brûlée. I would highly suggest eating (at least) one ;).
Time Out Market
The Time Out Market is an awesome spot for Foodies. There are a bunch of restaurants, with a huge variety of food. There is really something for everybody, and it is a great spot for lunch but because it is so popular, it can be very busy!
Pop Cereal Bar
Although this is not necessarily a Portuguese dessert, cereal cafe’s are a super fun dessert option. This shop is super quirky, and there is even a bunk bed you can sit and eat your food on. The hardest part is deciding what kind of cereal you will eat because there are hundreds of options! I got “whipped cream” ice cream with lucky charm cereal, fruit loop cereal, and other toppings. YUM!
Sorbettino Gelato
This gelato is really amazing. I always crave gelato, and Sorbettino had some of the freshest flavors. If a cereal bar is not your thing, and you have already eaten too many Pastel de Nata’s then this gelato will be sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Hope you all enjoyed this Lisbon, Portugal Travel Guide!
Comment below if you have been to Lisbon, or hope to travel there someday!
Sincerely, Kylee Marie
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