Before my trip to Lisbon, Portugal I honestly didn’t know much about the country. I knew that it bordered Spain and that was about it.
*I might not have even known that until I did some research. Geography isn’t my strong suit, another reason why I want and need to travel more.*
It wasn’t until I visited that I realized Portugal is underrated.
Why Portugal?
The main reason for our trip was so my cousin Kendra could visit her friend, Francisco, from high school. Francisco was an exchange student and graduated with my cousin in America. He had always welcomed Kendra to visit his family in Lisbon, Portugal so that’s what we did.
We visited Portugal in February of 2020, right before Europe began to shut down from COVID.
*Great timing if you ask us! My boyfriend, Kyle, flew from Italy to meet us in Lisbon. Just a few days after he returned home, Italy closed their borders.*
According to Francisco and his family, the best time to visit Portugal is during the summer because of the hot weather and beaches. Portugal has beautiful beaches - at least according to all of the blogs I’ve read. The weather wasn’t very warm during our trip - it stayed in low to mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so we didn’t visit any beaches. If I make it back to Portugal, a beach trip is next on my check list!
The Food
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a country is to try their food. What’s a better way to get to know a culture than to eat the food they eat on a daily basis? I mean, why travel if you’re not going to immerse yourself in a different culture?
Per Francisco’s recommendation, Kendra, Kyle and I met him at a restaurant called Portugália - after showing up nearly an hour late because I put the wrong address in Uber… oops!
*Uber can get expensive so try other methods of transportation. Kendra and I didn’t use the metro until the day before we left, but it was cheap and easy to navigate. Just head to a metro station and follow the maps provided to your location. Each subway line is color coded which makes it much easier to understand.*
I can’t stop thinking about the delicious steak dinner we had at Portugália. The three of us followed in Francisco’s footsteps and ordered what he did - one of the most flavorful steaks I’ve ever eaten.
The steak sat in a special sauce called portugália sauce. Along with the steak came a choice of french fries or rice and you could get it with an egg on top or without. I chose fries and to forgo the egg. From my understanding of the dish, they were meant to be eaten together - dipping the fries/rice in the sauce and eating it with the steak. My mouth is watering just thinking about this meal. If you eat meat, this is a Portuguese dish you absolutely MUST TRY!
We also ate our fair share of seafood. Due to its location on the ocean, Portugal has plenty of fresh seafood. I had salmon for dinner our first night. It tasted different than salmon from the U.S., obviously, but it was just as delicious.
Kendra and I also had authentic sopa de mariscos (seafood soup) at a small cafe outside of Francisco's house, Casa De Pasto Anna’s. By the lack of English translated menus, and the fact that no one could understand Kendra and I, it was easy to tell that very few travelers visited the cafe. This is often how you know you’ve found a truly local place. After Francisco explained the menu, we opted for the sopa de mariscos, containing a wide variety of different seafood items. The soup is nothing like a chowder or bisque you’d find in America. To be honest, the idea of not knowing exactly what type of seafood I was eating put me a little out of my comfort zone - but that’s what travel is for, to open your mind to new experiences!
*Coming from a small town, it’s easy for me to get caught up in daily life and become close minded. That’s why I like to travel, because it opens my mind to other ways of thinking. I’ve learned how important it is to learn from and appreciate other cultures.*
The country, with its very diverse terrains, happens to have many wineries and olive farms. We received olives before just about every meal. We also indulged in our fair share of wine during the trip. After arriving in Portugal, one of the first things Kendra, Kyle and I did was stop at a wine tasting shop - Vinhos de Portugal. The three of us had never seen anything like it before. Inside the store were various wines set up on electronic taps. In order to test the wines you had to load money onto a card, given to you at the counter. You would then insert your card into the wine of your choice and it would electronically pour into your glass. It was a neat way to taste Portuguese wine.
We also discovered that some of Francisco's family members own an olive and grape farm. Kendra and I went to have dinner with Francisco’s family the night before we were supposed to be leaving for home. During dinner we used olive oil from their farm on our salads. Kendra and I were able to experience a little of our own home as well. Francisco’s family opened a bottle of wine from a local winery in New York, near where Francisco and Kendra graduated - Johnson Estate. Francisco’s family had visited the winery when they traveled to the United States for their graduation. It was neat to be able to have a taste of our home with their own.
The Night Life
The party doesn’t stop in Lisbon. We may have traveled to Portugal during their winter and off season, but that didn’t stop the nightlife. Bars and clubs stay open until the early hours of the morning. Kendra, Kyle and I went out and stayed out until four or five in the morning each night. Yes, we did get a little late start to our second day in Lisbon, but it was totally worth it!
Prior to going out, we had a few drinks at our Airbnb. We weren’t sure the price of drinks, and didn’t want to spend a fortune at the bars. Drinks weren’t too expensive, but that also varies depending upon the bar and what night of the week it was. We made sure to keep cash on us in order to avoid using our cards as much as we could.
*Although foreign transaction fees don’t seem like much, they can add up quickly.*
Portuguese people sure know how to have fun and are very friendly. Kendra, Kyle and I got to know locals and followed them to a few different bars. As always, it’s good to be aware of your surroundings especially in a place completely foreign to you, but I never felt unsafe.
If you’re in Lisbon and you’re looking for a fun night out, the best place to go is Pink Street - yes the street is actually pink. The street is lined with bars and nightclubs each with a different vibe. Some are low key, others grunge and a few risqué. There’s definitely a bar/nightclub for everyone!
After Kyle flew back to Italy, Kendra and I only had one day left in Portugal, or so we thought - we actually stayed for another two days!
*Stay tuned for my standby travel blog*
On our last night in Portugal, Francisco invited us to go watch his friends band play at Tokyo, a bar located on Pink Street. Kendra and I had a flight to catch early the next morning, but we decided to go out for a little - naturally turning into another long night. Not knowing what to expect from a foreign band, CELSO, Kendra and I went with Francisco and met up with his friends from university. We had a really great time and enjoyed their music - however the mosh pit that happened out of the blue was something we weren’t prepared for. We were left smelling like stale beer and cigarettes for our flight home the next day.
*listen to some of CELSO’s songs HERE*
The Architecture/Scenery
Lisbon is absolutely breathtaking. From the red clay roof buildings, old stained glass window churches and the ceramic tiles scattered throughout the city, the architecture itself is worth the trip. I recommend getting lost in the streets of Portugal - not only because Kendra and I actually got lost trying to find Kyle, but because there’s something beautiful about it. We were able to see street artwork, created by nature and artists.
You’re sure to come across ceramic tiles, they’re around almost any corner you turn. Trams are also present on many streets in the old district of Lisbon. We did not ride any trams, although it was something I wish we would have had time for.
There were many things we wanted to do in Lisbon, but with the short amount of time we could only fit a handful in.
Here are some of the places we made it to that are worth checking out if you’re in Lisbon:
Belém Tower - A former watchtower built in the 16th century. This is a popular tourist destination so the wait can be long depending on the time of the year, but I think it’s totally worth it! Once inside, you can travel throughout the tower, and at the top there’s a wonderful view of Tagus River.
Castelo de São Jorge - A castle, open seven days a week, with a PHENOMENAL view! Even if you’re not interested in learning about the castle’s history, go here simply for the view. Looking down from the castle you can see the entire city of Lisbon. It’s actually pretty neat to see the transition from the older portion - located near the water - to the modern - located towards the airport.
*You can read more about it & purchase tickets HERE*
Lx Factory - Once home to old industrial buildings, it has since been turned into art shops, restaurants and cafes. There are flowers, paintings and modern art sculptures all over the property. Located in the center of the property is an elevator that takes you up to a rooftop bar. The bar has a beautiful view of the Tagus river and Ponte 25 de Abril - a Golden Gate bridge lookalike.
*Kendra and I grabbed a bite to eat at The Therapist*
Mosterio dos Jerónimos - A must see! The monastery is breathtaking. Aside from its size, the detail put into this building is simply indescribable. Kendra, Francisco and I only had time to go into one portion of the monastery - The Church of Santa Maria. From just what we were able to see inside of the church, the trip to the monastery is well worth it!
Paséis de Belém - Home of the original Pastéis de Belém pastry. Open every day, this bakery almost always has a long line out the door. Inside there are many different bakery items to choose from, so if an egg custard pastry with cinnamon sprinkled on top doesn’t sound appetizing, give another one of their deserts a try.
*See which pastry you want to give a try HERE*
Praça do Comércio - A beautiful plaza containing a statue of King Joseph I with restaurants and shops on three sides. On the one side of the plaza sits Arco da Rua Agusta and on the opposite is the Tagus river - the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. Just north, past the Arco da Rua Agusta are several shops and cafes.
The Park Rooftop - Try your absolute best to make it to Park Rooftop! Kendra and I came here on our last day in Lisbon. We enjoyed a drink and watched the sunset from the rooftop bar, located on top of a parking garage! Take the steps all the way to the top and you’ll find this neat getaway.
Time Out Market Lisbon - Filled with every type of food imaginable, DO NOT GO HERE ON A FULL STOMACH! Kendra and I had just eaten lunch and were on a walk when we stumbled upon the market. We were definitely bummed that we didn’t wait to eat here, however we did squeeze in some delicious gelato!
Fun Fact: Portugal is the worlds largest producer of cork.
If Portugal wasn't on your travel list before, I hope this post encourages you to give the country a visit!