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Your Lisbon Guide [Updated]

Ive been to Lisbon more than once! The first time I went on Emirates Airlines Kuwait – DXB – Lisbon. 

The second time I went on Qatar Airlines, Kuwait Doha Lisbon (It flies to Porto as well from what I heard

The first visit, I stayed at Hotel Memmo Alfama back in July 2014. Its a super cute boutique hotel (Small rooms!) in Alfama area!

I loved loved the hotel we stayed at: Memmo Alfama, however it’s a small boutique hotel and you might either not find a room or find it too small for your taste. My parents for example, would hate to stay in this hotel mainly because they like spaciousness. The hotel is located in an neighbourhood called ‘Alfama’ which is an area with narrow streets, stairways and viewpoints. Most genuine and authentic neighborhood in the city.

The second visit, was a three time Lisbon stay so I stayed in three different hotels. Casa Balthazar in Bairro Alto, Four Seasons Ritz Libson, and finally, hotel H10 Duque de Loule

There are a few touristy areas worth staying at if your visit to Lisbon is short such as Bairro Alto and Alfama areas! you’ll be able to walk around to most places or else Uber is always a good idea.

Other than the hotel names I mentioned that I stayed at, here are some other options I looked at online:

Things to do:

> Walk around old town: Start your tour by visiting São Jorge Castle, stop over the cathedral (“Sé) and finish at the Comércio Square, overlooking the river

> Tuk Tuk ride: A funny way to explore Lisbon. Even if the Tuk Tuk is becoming like a taxi idea (an expensive taxi though), its also fun to be on it. Tuk Tuk’s usually offer a city tour to explore Lisbon.

> Tram 28: The tram is the perfect way to explore interesting aspects of Lisbon’s historical and architectural heritage. The tram goes through Alfama, Lisbon downtown, Chiado and Bairro Alto

> Discover Fado, UNESCO’s Immaterial Cultural Heritage. Fado is a part of Lisbon and Alfama is the heart of Fado. Visit Fado museum and for dinner choose between “Baiuca” if you look for amateur singers in a more authentic atmosphere or “Clube do Fado” to listen to the traditional fado in a more romantic atmosphere

> Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (HUGE monastery classified as Unesco World Heritage Site from 1500) and close by you have the Tower of Belém (amazing also, a late-gothic monument that marks the beginning of the Age of Discoveries, like Brazil etc)

> On Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM don’t miss the flea market called LX Market

> Check out Baixa Area (coolest place in lisbon, full of hills, a lot of shops and restaurants) – have icecream at Santini Icecream Shop – delicious – in the Baixa area

> Checkout Rossio Square – and while you’re there see Teatro Nacional (thanks Fulla!)

> If you’re into parks, Parque Eduardo VII is a nice park with nice views of Lisbon, you will also see the biggest Portuguese flag in this park

> Cristo Rei – huge Christ statue on the other shore of the river (famous)

> Go to the beach! I recommend you rent a car to reach those beaches: 1) Sao Joao da Caparica and 2) Praia do Guincho|

> Santa Just a Lift is also a nice place to look at the houses and get amazing picture of the city.

Places to visit near Lisbon – a must!

  • Sintra – it’s a really cool village near Lisbon. Very cool!! Full of palaces, castles, mystic houses, and a forest. The best way to get there is to rent a car. Go to Palacio da Pena,  Palacio de Monserrat and Palacio da Regaleira (Palacio means palace). These are the coolest palaces of all.
  • On your way to Sintra go to Cabo (means cape) da Roca. It’s the the most western point in Europe and its a very cool place. Nearby the is a restaurant really cool called – O Moinho – with a fire place inside where u can crash and have a meal or just a drink or a coffee.
  • If you want to go to other places in Portugal, I recommend you check-out Algarve (south of Portugal), we will be posting about it sometime soon. Also, Porto is a road trip away (3 hours) which is also a cool place to checkout for a couple of nights.

Food Options:

In this trip, I’ve checked out some really cool places that I liked. Amongst which:

  • Bao Boa (Asian, small place but super yummy! suitable for lunch)
  • KOB by Oliver – steakhouse, reserve ahead!
  • Sud – an awesome Italian restaurant, huge place, has a bar/pool/lounge on the upper floor and the restaurant is in the lower floor. They have a patio overlooking the water and the bridge, really nice!
  • A Cevicheria – Ceviche Peruvian bar! super small place, we had to wait for lunch for around 30 minutes but really yummy food for ceviche lovers!
  • Jncqoui – Asian food really cool place and gets super busy in weekends.
  • BouBou (International, European, Mediterranean)
  • Belcanto (Portuguese Restaurant)
  • Comoba (Cafe)

Food Markets:

  •  Mercado Da Ribeira

Ahh, missing Lisbon already!!!!!

Would I visit Lisbon Again? Y-E-S.

Cheers,

Hello965

5 comments

  1. Hello there, I was thinking of Portugal and Spain as destinations for our summer vacation. I’ll be traveling with my family consisting of both my parents and my little brother. any recommendations regarding where to stay and where to go? *places that are suited for families.

  2. Thanks ! Very excited coming across your lovely blog. Keep the great efforts and blow-mind insights coming.
    Again, thanks for sharing and you deserve the best

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