Lisbon skyline - photo by yasminaraujophoto

“Any Portuguese town looks like bride’s finery – something old, something borrowed, and something blue. ”

— Mary McCarthy

Travel truly refreshes our soul and gives us a new perspective. I will admit, I am not a very good tourist. Seeing popular sights and herding along with the rest of the crowd doesn’t excite me. I prefer to wander the streets, get a feel of the place. Try new foods, have an experience or two. Just relax and be. I don’t have a set agenda but rather go where the day leads. An adventure!

We stayed in the Alfama neighborhood, famous for Fado music. Very central and very quaint. Narrow winding streets, brightly colored tiles, and hidden closes dot this part of town. Our Airbnb was next to a Fado café and we were serenaded nightly. Be warned, this is not a quiet area but the ambiance makes up for it.

Public transportation is very easy to use. Buy a Viva Viagem card from the ticket machine at any metro station for 50 euro cents. Choose the zapping option so you can add money to it in €5 increments. You can’t get back any unused money so start out small. We used every form of transport available: metro, tram, bus, funicular, and ferry. I advise skipping the historic trams – they are mainly for tourists and unreliable. Wave your hand at the bus and tram drivers to indicate you want to get on. Push the stop button on the tram and bus after you leave the stop just before the one you would like to get off. The drivers will not stop unless you signal. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

We booked a 90-minute photo session with a local photographer through Airbnb experiences. It was about €45 per person and worth every cent. Yasmin took candid shots of us in very scenic locales, some we would not have found on our own. She captured wonderful moments and gave us a fun memory of our time in Lisbon. Highly recommended.

Another wonderful experience was a river cruise on Lisboat. Brée, the captain, was very personable. He made a point to talk to the passengers and make sure everything was enjoyable. His crew member Herculano was very cheerful and friendly. They both made it an enjoyable experience.

I am an avid reader. The Little Prince is one of my favorite books. I try to get a copy of it in the language of each country I visit. It was recommended to me to visit Bertrand Bookstore, the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Built in 1732, this shop was easy to find in the heart of Lisbon. I was delighted that they stamped my book indicating it was bought at this Guinness record-holding place.

Do:

Try a pastel de nata – we got ours at the famous Manteigaria. These little egg tarts taste delicious and are the national pastry of Portugal.
Bring good walking shoes and be prepared for lots of hills.
Buy as souvenirs: sardines, cork products, and port.
See: Belem tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos – monument to Portuguese explorers & their discoveries, and the Jeronimos Monastery. All three of these remarkable places are in the same area. Beautiful feats of architecture, these shouldn’t be missed.
Notice the wonderful tile-covered buildings. I was obsessed!
Dine on a terrace overlooking the water! Such beautiful views should not be missed.

Lisbon was a much-needed getaway. I only wish I had more time there which just means I will have to go back. Next time I want to visit the beach and also other cities. I feel like I got a good snapshot of life there, but I definitely want to see more. Until next time, lovely Lisbon.