Whilst Paris is my favourite city in the world, the best holiday I've ever been been on was to Lisbon, the glorious capital city of Portugal. When anyone asks me 'What's the best place you've been?', my answer is always Lisbon.
Debs and I spent five days there back in May 2022 as a bit of a random, last minute trip. We'd already had several holidays planned that year but for some reason, Lisbon was calling out to me. I started doing a little research and discovered that the prices were unbelievably reasonable. We ended up booking a gorgeous penthouse style airbnb in the centre of the city for less that £100 per night, and I'd say over-all the trip probably cost us just over £1k for a two person, almost week long break.
(Please excuse the shoes and lack of quality of this photo. This was taken before we realised we'd be heading down the road of content creation. ;))
So what is it we loved so much about this lesser known European city? For me, it was the way it reminded me of so many places at once. It's home to a bridge that looks so much like the Golden Gate Bridge you'd think you've teleported to the states. It has its very own monument inspired by the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro and much like San Francisco, it has its own tram transportation system that you can use to take you around the whole city.
Lisbon is a magical place. The sun shines there over 300 days per year. The locals are friendly and welcoming. The architecture is unique in many ways and you could spend entire days on tile hunt's around the city. There's so much to see and do here that I think it would appeal to almost anyone.
So, if you're thinking about booking your own trip to this beautiful place, here are my top tips, advice and things to see whilst you're there.
For those interested in architecture and/or history:
- Carmo Convent
This church is a little different to other's you'll see in Lisbon, as part of it is without a roof. In 1755 there was a huge earthquake that devastated the city, and as such the roof of this building was totally destroyed. Now, it's a unique location to visit in Lisboa, and the fact that it's partially open-air is all part of the charm.
- Sé de Lisbon
Also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major or simply, Lisbon Cathedral, this stunning church is a must see for historians and architecture fanatics. It is the oldest church in the city and has somehow managed to survive a number of major earthquakes in the area. Not interested in churches? I'd still urge you to visit. During the tour of this Cathedral, you'll be able to take in some spectacular views of the coast and the surrounding city. You can also head outside onto the front balcony between the towers which allows for more striking views of the skyline.
- Jerónimos Monastery
Another UNESCO site, this deceivingly large building is home to some of the most intricate architectural design in Lisbon. This place opened way back in the 14th century and is filled with centuries of history. Again, not a fan of this type of sightseeing? The courtyard alone is probably the most instagrammable spot in the city, so I'd recommend it to almost anyone.
Places to take in the view:
- Santa Justa Lift
Or 'Elevador do Carmo' is one of Lisbon's most beloved landmarks. The walkways and observation deck here will allow you to take in some incredible views of the city. We didn't end up taking this lift during our trip as I unfortunately caught a bug and missed a whole day of sightseeing, but I've heard it's worth the trip.
*Tip: get there as early as possible to beat the queues.
- The Lookout Points
There are so many amazing view points throughout the city. Before you go, simply type 'Lisbon lookout points' into google to find a vast list of where you can catch an amazing view. We went to:
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Miradouro das Portas do So
Miradouro da Graça
For the foodies:
- Time Out Market
If you're into food and have a tendency to plan your whole trip around it like me, don't miss a long morning or afternoon at the Time Out Market, and be sure to bring your appetite. This huge indoor market was brought together by the Time Out team and features some of the best food and restaurants in Lisbon.
- LX Factory
Not just for the foodies, this area is also great for shopping with almost 50 separate bars, restaurants, shops and stalls. We spent an entire afternoon here, having lunch in one of the restaurants and buying random things in the cute indie shops along the main strip.
For those looking to see everything all in one:
- Book a tuk tuk tour
As previously mentioned, I somehow managed to pick up a 24 hour bug on our penultimate day in Lisbon. I was wiped out for an entire day and of course, the last day left me feeling exhausted from pretty much emptying my entire stomach contents the day before. (Sorry for the visual, but at least you didn't have to live it, or sleep next to me - poor Debs!) Anyway, as we had a late afternoon flight home, we decide to book a tuk tuk tour with a guy we'd met earlier on in the week, hoping to squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible before our return home. Ricardo was a local, and incredible knowledgable about the history of Lisbon. He took us around all of the sights worth seeing, or that we missed and I honestly am SO glad we ended up booking this.
*We stay in contact with Ricardo and have actually helped family set up a tour with him so if you'd like his details, drop us a message on IG or email us here.
Going slightly outside of Lisbon:
- Belém tower
One of the most recognised spots in Lisbon. Built during the Portuguese renaissance, this four story tower was used as a point of coming and going for explorers in the 16th century. Today, it is a UNESCO world heritage sight, which you can tour for free during your trip.
- Sintra
If you're going to take a trip outside of Lisbon, please add this beautiful city to your list. We didn't manage to get there this time, but we're planning on heading back to Portugal soon to tick this one off our list. Sintra is a gorgeous, mountain town filled with pretty buildings and incredible view points. I've often heard people describe this village as a fairytale landscape. Do a quick google image search and you'll see exactly why!
So there it is, my favourite spots in this glorious city. We can't wait to plan our next trip to Lisbon and hope that you enjoyed reading about our time there.
If you're planning your own holiday in Lisbon and want a little extra advice, reach out on IG or drop us a line at: hello@prideescapes.com
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