Travelling to Lisbon – What To Do And Visit4 min read
Lisbon
marcel nahtigal

At 28 years old, I have never gone to Portugal. However, in these past two months, I have visited this country twice, going from Lisbon to Algarve. Portugal is a country that is worth discovering every single corner. Lisbon is the place you can’t miss for anything.

The Portuguese capital has a rich and a hundred-years-culture. In a nation that once made history, waking up in Lisbon will take you back in history and allow you the experience it at its fullest.

5 places you need to visit in Lisbon

  • Miradouro is an incredible viewpoint of the city. While having a perfect overview of the city, you can eat sushi for less than 4 euro at the budda sushi place;
  • BelĂ©m is a district in Lisbon. Located at the mouth of the River Tagus, it is situated in the Western part of the city centre and 2 kilometres west of the 25th of April Bridge. Many of Portugal’s distinctive buildings and landmarks are located in this area, including the JerĂłnimos Monastery and the Tower of BelĂ©m.Lisbon
  • The Alfama neighbourhood is the perfect place to hear the sound of Lisbon Fado;
  • Bairro Alto is the central district of Lisbon, where there are many bars and restaurants. You can walk up from Restauradores, Rossio, Rua Augusta to Praça do ComĂ©rcio;
  • Castelo de SĂŁo Jorge is another beautiful landmark worth visiting. The entrance is free for students.

Lisbon

Make sure you’ll use your best photography skills to preserve every moment.

4 things you have to try and maybe take home with you

  • PastĂ©is de BelĂ©m (original ones are in BelĂ©m district). These are the famous Portuguese tarts that once you try it, you will never forget it. Bear in mind that there is always a huge queue in front of the original cafĂ©. It’s better for you to just go inside and order them as a client;
  • Vinho Verde – “green wine” comes from Minho. It is worth trying, even if you are not a wine lover;
  • Bifana is a pork sandwich. The recipe is very simple, but still very delicious;
  • Bacalhau or Cod Fish is the iconic ingredient of Portuguese cuisine and one of the most popular dishes in Portugal. that you need to try. Portugues people say that there are +1000 ways to cook codfish. Some of the most popular recipes are “Bacalhau Ă  BrĂĄs”, “bacalhau com Natas” and “Bacalhau no Forno”.
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Things that you will never find in a travel guide

  • Illegal Chinese Restaurant (Martim Moniz station) is a restaurant with an unknown address. You can get there by asking people around;
  • Santini Ice Cream – a very good and tasty Italian ice cream shop;
  • Bairro Alto – Here there is Cheap Beer and an Erasmus Corner – 1L of beer for 1,90 Euro (with ESNcard);
  • Arco do Cego – a park where all students go to chill and drink some beers before going to a party;
  • Don’t pay 50 euro for Fado – there are a lot of great places where Fado is included in the price of dinner or drinks (5 euro/10 euro);
  • Tram 28 – when going from Martim Moniz on this little tram, sit on the LEFT side to see all the great views. On the right side, you will see only walls. Be careful: a very touristic place translates into pickpocketing.

Lisbon

  • If you have time left, visit Sintra, a municipality in the Lisbon region with many great buildings to see;
  • If you want to go to the beach, take the bus no. 161 from Praçaa de Espanha (TST) to Caparica. Buy tickets in the kiosk at the station where you can get 3 tickets for 5 EURO. Avoid buying them on the bus, because they will cost you more than 6-7 EUR for both ways;
  • Santa Justa Elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa) is a famous attraction. You could have the same view if you go around Igreja do Carmo, the burned church. This way, you could get a similar view, but for free.

Something to Remember: “Saudade”

This is a famous Portuguese word which can’t be translated into any other language. It refers to a deep emotional state of Nostalgia or profound Melancholia, longing for something or someone who is absent. This is the feeling anyone would have as soon as one leaves this beautiful city.

Besides, you can discover all the things to do in the city with our short video guide below. Do not hesitate to visit our Youtube channel for more destinations!

Follow me on my business trips around Europe. Check out some tips for travelling to Greece.

Are you moving to Lisbon?

Check our relocation guides for more information.