A place of unique beauty, symmetrically laid Portuguese pavements, brightly painted buildings, and viewpoints that reveal layers of terracotta roofs and white church steeples.
You would be forgiven for losing your heart in this European city that effortlessly blends traditional heritage with modern design and progressive thinking. Long drawn to visit, on each occasion I bought a ticket with TAAG Angola Airlines, booked an apartment with Airbnb in a well-located area, and arrived with no plans other than to immerse myself in local living.
As Portugal’s hilly capital, Lisbon sits on the Tagus River with the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge linking its banks. Its beauty takes on all shades of wonder, intrigue, architecture, and history, and it is famed for its many viewpoints, the most impressive being from São Jorge Castle.
Highlight attractions include historic Alfama, the National Azulejo Museum which displays five centuries of decorative ceramic tiles, Sé Cathedral and the National Pantheon. From the Fado Museum and restaurants, melancholic Fado music filters onto the cobbled streets. Nearby is Cadeia do Aljube, a former prison now serving as a museum which offers much insight into that chapter of the city’s history.
For expansive panoramas, visit the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint or Santa Justa Lift.
In Belem, you’ll find the impressive Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument of the Discoveries, the National Coach and Maritime Museums. Also, Pastéis de Belém where the pasteis de nata was first born. Walk from there along the Tagus River towards the city centre and past MAAT – The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (currently closed) and the marina and working harbour for an immersive experience.
Another recommendation is to walk between Baixa from Alfama, which takes you to the heart of the city. It all comes together at the impressive Praça do Comércio and Arco da Rua Augusto which leads to the river, and is where the people of Lisbon gather in deck chairs and parks soaking up the sun, demonstrating an enviable lifestyle enhanced by buskers, cafes, bicycles for rent and Pino colada and coffee kiosks.
Art enthusiasts will want to visit Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Berardo Collection Museum, the Museum of the Orient and the National Museum of Ancient Art. Spend time at the LX Factory, a regenerated creative island that is home to fashion, food, music, and one of the best bookshops I’ve seen. The Thieves’ Market (Feira da Ladra) and Time Out Market Lisbon are other highlights. My favourite place for healthy meals and remote working is Honest Greens.
The Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge connects you with Almada and the Cristo Rei monument. A Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River is a wonderful way to round off your time there, either on https://bluecruises.pt/ or one of the yachts.
Read my article, Living like a Local in Lisbon.
