I was born and raised in Lisbon and lucky enough to have friends from all over the world visiting. I am glad to show them around. It is a city full of history and I always seam to discover new things. If you would come to visit me, this is what we would probably do:

 

What to do in Lisbon over a weekend for a first time visitor?

Friday

Lisbon has a vibrant night life. If your flight lands on a Friday after noon I suggest going to Park or Topo. Two rooftops located in the center of Lisbon, with easy going vibe and ideal to watch the sunset colors while having a drink before diner.

Feeling hungry? Try the Restaurante Pharmacia or Bairro do Avilez for some Wine and “Petiscos” (small plates to share). They are both walking distance, have delicious food and the interior design is very pretty.

For some drinks after diner, head to Rua Cor de Rosa (The Pink Street), a pedestrian street full of bars and young people drinking outside and chatting. You might want to try Pensão do Amor. And don’t forget to screen all the rooms and floors, they are full of surprises!

If you are still up for a little dancing, Incognito has good underground music, and K Urban Beach used to be nice for commercial music.

 

Saturday

On Saturday, I suggest a stroll around the center. Forget your high heels, there is a lot of walking today.

Start the day by having a “bica” (Lisbon’s coffee), a fresh orange juice and a croissant with Fernando Pessoa, a famous Portuguese writer at Café A Brasileira.

Then explore the narrow streets, original stores, and colored houses of Bairro Alto and the beautiful view of the São Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint. Make sure to spot the castel, we will be going there after lunch. Go down the street and stop at the São Roque Church, the gold interior is impressive, you would not imagine that from the outside. If you are not interested in churches, you might still want to check the Convento do Carmo, which has lost its ceiling during the great earthquake of 1755. By a door on the right you can access the Elevador de Santa Justa, an innovative public transport inspired on the Eiffel Tower techniques.

Time to charge the batteries. Head to Mercado da Ribeira for lunch. Time Out restored the former market and created a sort of food court of famous restaurants in Lisbon. The choice of restaurant is difficult as they all look delicious. Make sure to leave a little space for a Santini ice cream, I have been going there since I was a kid, and for me they still are the best in the World.

Walk next to the river until you reach a large square filled with yellow houses, you arrived to Terreiro do Paço! This area was part of the big plan to rebuilt Lisbon after the famous earthquake and hosts a 200 years old café on #3. I believe you can go up the arch to see the view. Next to this square, you will find Casa dos Bicos, one of the oldest buildings in Lisbon, it dates back from the 16th century and is one of the few to survive the 1755 event. Today it is a museum in honor of Portuguese Literature Noble Prize Saramago.

Take 3rd right on Rua Augusta and start going up the hill to the Sé. (In this area please make sure you take care of your belongings. The sudden increase of tourism has unfortunately raise the number of pickpockets) Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol have beautiful view and are perfect for a pit stop and a snack before or after the Castle visit. The Castelo de São Jorge is the proof of Islamic influence in Portugal. It was built in the 11th century by the muslims that occupied the peninsula for 500 years. You will find a similar one in Sintra.

Time to go look for a restaurant for diner. Walk down the narrow roads of Alfama, the most picturesque neighborhood in Lisbon and the home of our typical music : Fado. I tried O Carvoeiro a long time ago and I heard good things about Mesa de Frades. But just follow the sound and the smell and I am sure you will find a nice place to diner.

For a drink after diner or dancing you might try Clube Ferroviario or Lux, the best club in town.

 

Sunday

For Sunday I suggest starting with a brunch at Nicolau and then take the yellow tram to Belém.

Take a look at Jerónimos, a monastery built in the 16th century to celebrate the arrival to Brazil. You will notice that it is covered by many symbols related to the ocean and boats.

On the other side of the train line you will also find a monument celebrating man and woman that participated in the so called Portuguese Age of Discovery : Padrão dos Descobrimentos. Portuguese are very proud of that time where brave man and woman left the country in search for something new and Portugal was one of the most powerful countries in the world.

If you keep walking next to the river you will find Torre de Belém. This was part of the defense system protecting Lisbon entrance by sea. You will notice that the style is close to Jerónimos.

Belém is famous for Jerónimos, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Torre de Belém but my favorite is still the Pasteis de Belém! A secret family recipe of the best pasteis de nata in the world. Make sure to stop there either at the beginning or at the end of the tour. Eat them warm with sugar and cinnamon and take a look at the busy factory in the back of the store!

Several nice stops for a quick lunch before going back to the city center to get your plane. I would try A Margem next to the river or the Centro Cultural de Belém where you also have a very good modern art museum.

If you still stay in Lisbon for a night, stop at LX Factory on your way back to the center. It is an old factory that was transformed into restaurants, stores and artists ateliers. You have several good restaurants and an amazing rooftop Rio Maravilha with the perfect view to say goodbye to Lisbon, over the illuminated bridge and Cristo Rei.

 

What to do if you have an extra day in Lisbon?

Lisbon is an incredible city, and you might want to extend your stay or visit again. Here are some options 1 hour away or less:

• Magical Sintra and Cascais for the picturesque fisherman boats and magnificent holiday houses
• Beach, fresh fish and a beautiful view of Lisbon in Almada
• Historical Obidos and Ericeira for a sea food lunch

 

What to eat in Lisbon?

• Fish : Sardinhas, bacalhau à Bras, pataniscas de bacalhau
• Seafood : ameijoas à bulhão pato, casquinha de sapateira
• Meat : bitoque, bife à café
• Petiscos : ovos mexidos com farinheira, linguiça / chouriço assado, peixinhos da horta, pica pau
• Salty snack : croquete de carne, rissol de camarão, pastel de bacalhau
• Sweet snack : pastel de nata

 

What to drink in Lisbon?

If you are looking for a typical drink in Lisbon, I would take you to a very special place in the Rossio square. A small store that has been selling only “Ginginha“, a sweet cherry liquor, for years and years. You can ask with or without the cherry. My suggestion? Taste both!

For a refreshing drink in a rooftop, order “Sangria” made out of red berries and champagne or white wine. You won’t be disappointed.

“Bica” is a very common word used in Lisbon for a short coffee or an Italian expresso. The word comes from Beba Isto Com Açucar meaning Drink This With Sugar, and it comes from an advertisement used at A Brasileira back in the days.

If you like soft drinks, the national one is called Sumol and has original flavors such as Pineapple and Passion Fruit.

 

Where to stay in Lisbon?

As a local I never had to look for an hotel, if I had friends over I would recommend staying in the Baixa-Chiado area. It is conveniently located near the train to Cascais / Sintra or the tram to Belém,  walking distance from most restaurants and touristic attractions and reasonably safe.

 

What to say in Lisbon?

• Bom dia : Good Morning
• Olá : Hi
• Adeus : Goodbye
• Obrigado : Thank you (if you are a man)
• Obrigada : Thank you (if you are a woman)
• Por favor : Please
• Desculpe : Sorry

 

What apps to use in Lisbon?

1. Zomato is the reference for all foodie lovers visiting the Portuguese capital
2. To getting around by car you can use : My taxi, uber, taxify, cabify
3. For public transports time table and itineraries use the Carris app : Lisboa move-me
4. For smart mobility options try a tour in electrical bike using Gira or electrical scooter using Lime

 

How to get to Lisbon to/from the airport?

• Metro : 1,45€ (15 minutes from Saldanha)
• Local Bus 705, 722, 744 and 783 : 1,85€
• Airport express Bus : 4€
• Taxi : 20€ on average, no fixed price (15 minutes)

 

Enjoy your weekend getaway in Lisbon!

M.