Lisbon is one hilly, coastal capital of Portugal. It is one very beautiful city, making it into my top 10 European cities to visit. The city contains 7 hills, 3 funiculars, a castle, a monastery, Europe’s longest bridge, Europe’s longest suspension bridge, and much more.
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel
We stayed at the Jupiter Lisboa Hotel. A very beautiful hotel, with a rooftop bar and pool. A perfect place to go and relax in the evening, after a day of sightseeing. They have an indoor pool, however, they charge extra to use it.
The hotel is located north of Lisbon, next to a Metro station, making it very accessible to the centre. If you prefer to walk, it will take you around 30 minutes to walk into the centre. It is a great location if you have a car. They have a parking garage at the hotel, costing just âŦ10 per day.
For more information about the hotel, please check out their website:
https://www.jupiterlisboahotel.com/en/
Getting Around Lisbon
Public Transport is fantastic in Lisbon. There are Metroâs (underground trains), trams, buses, funiculars, and boats. You can buy a 24-hour transport card, called a Carris Pass, costing just âŦ6.30. This will get you on all transport, expect the boats. You can pay slightly more for a transport card, which gives you unlimited travel on the boats.
If public transport isnât for you, you can always hire bikes or electric scooters. They are dotted all around the city. All you have to do is download the app and you can use them whenever you want. There are a few different companies. We used Lime Scooters. You download the app, sign up with them. Then find a lime scooter, scan the barcode with your app. Then off you go. Itâs a great way to explore the city and give your feet a rest. Just be careful, the cost of using them can soon add up. We used them for roughly, 30 minutes a time. It was costing us around ÂŖ4, each time.
Two modes of transport I highly recommend you do take; one of the funiculars up one of Lisbonâs 7 hills and ride Tram 28. More about them both, below under the heading, âMust Seeâs and Doâs in Lisbonâ.
Food
You cannot take a trip to Lisbon without trying one of their famous Egg Tarts. They are absolutely delicious! They are called Pastel de Nata in Portuguese and they are sold everywhere.
If you enjoy trying local food when visiting places, I recommend trying a Francesinha. It is a Portuguesas sandwich, made with bread, ham, pork, beef, or sausage. The sandwich is covered with melted cheese. A tomato and beer sauce is poured over the top. Some restaurants/cafes sell it with a fried egg on top.
If you do not fancy a Francesinha, you could always try a Pao com chourico. It is a bread roll filled with chorizo. My favourite on-the-go food.
Something else that I highly recommend trying, is a Bolas de Berlim. Translated into English, a Portuguese doughnut. They are delicious. They are filled with an egg filling similar to the filling in their egg tarts.
If you are a fish eater, then Lisbon is the place to be. I do not eat fish, however, I have read they are known for their great fish dishes.
Here are some more photos of some great food we ate while in Lisbon:
Must Seeâs and Doâs in Lisbon
When planning a trip to Lisbon, I recommend spending at least 2 days exploring the city. There is a lot to see and do and can become very tiring climbing up and down the hills in warm, sunny temperatures.
Here is what I recommend you see and do when visiting the beautiful city and the order we did them in:
Day 1:
We had a full day exploring Lisbon. With an early start, here’s the order we did them in:
Tram 28
Tram 28 is Lisbon’s most popular tram. To enjoy the tram ride and not be squished in the tram like a pack of sardines, try catching the tram before 10 am or after 6 pm. For the best chance of getting a seat, it is best to catch the tram at the beginning of the line. Catch it from Martim Moniz or Campo Ourique. We caught the tram just after 8 am from Campo Ourique. We got a seat no problem at all. For best views pick a seat at the right-hand side of the tram. The tram route goes through some picturesque areas in Lisbon. Definitely worth traveling the full route. The route takes around 40 minutes to travel, passing through some of Lisbon’s old neighbourhoods; Graça, Alfama, and Baixa.
Tram 28 route:
Campo Ourique – Estrela – Sao Bento – Chiado – Rua ConceiçÃŖo (southern Baixa) – Se Cathedral – Portas de Sol – Graca – Martim Moniz
To pay for the tram, you will need to have a 24-hour travel pass (a Carris Pass). You can buy one of these at any Metro station. A travel pass will cost you around âŦ6.40 and it can used on all trams, buses, metros, trains, and funiculars.
Trams run from 6 am to 10.30 pm. Between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm, they run at least every 15 minutes.
Please note: there are a lot of pickpockets on the trams, so please keep an eye on your valuables at all times.
Elevador da Gloria
Just a 10 minute walk away from Martim Moniz, is Elevador da Gloria. A funicular that takes you up the hills in Lisbon. Funiculars are always fun to ride and save your legs from climbing the steep hills.
Funicular Gloria connects Pombaline downtown (at the Restauradores Square) with the Bairro Alto (Garden/Overlook of Sao Pedro de Alcantara).
To ride the funicular, you will need a 24 travel card (a Carris Pass), which you can purchase from any Metro stations.
Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara
If you choose to ride the Funicular Gloria up the hillside (which I recommend, over walking up the steep hill), you will see Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint, on your right-hand side. The free to visit viewpoint, offers you panoramic views, across Lisbon. Unfortunately, when we visited there was scaffolding in the way.
Rossio Square
The Rossio is the popular name of King Pedro IV Square. The beautiful tiled square is located in the Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon, just a 12 minute walk away from Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara’s viewpoint.
Convento do Carmo
Convent do Carmo, a 7-minute walk away from Rossio Square, is a former Catholic convent. Sadly, in 1755, Lisbon was hit by an earthquake, destroying parts of the beautiful, medieval convent. Today, you can pay, just âŦ3.50 each, to see the reminds on the Catholic convent.
Elevador de Santa Justa
Just a short walk away from Convent do Carmo, is Elevador de Santa Justa. A 45-metres high lift that takes you vertically up, one of Lisbon’s 7 hills. It connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square). To ride the lift you can either use your 24 hours transport card or pay âŦ5 each.
The queues going up the elevator can be very long. If you are wanting to visit the viewpoint, located at the top of the Elevator de Santa Justa, there is an easier way to beat the queues. Take the entrance from higher Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square).
It doesn’t matter if you are using the elevator or not, there is still a small entry fee to pay to go up to the viewpoint. It will cost you âŦ1.50 each to visit the viewpoint. The viewpoint provides one of the best views of the city and is one of my favourite spots in Lisbon.
Rua Augusta
Just a short walk away from Elevador de Santa Justa is Run Augusta. Run Augusta is a lively pedestrian street with mosaic pavements, outdoor cafes, shops, and street artists. At the end of the square, there is a large, beautiful arch with a viewing point on the terrace at the top. This can be accessed through an elevator. Unfortunately, on my visit, I did not get a chance to go to the terrace.
Parc do Comercio
As you walk through the arch from Run Augusta, you will arrive at Lisbon’s main square, Parc do Comercio. The square consists of 3 sides of beautiful, yellow-coloured buildings and 1 side opening up to the Tagus River. Originally, when the square was first built, the commercial ships would unload their goods directly onto this square. Parc do Comercio was called, ‘the door to Lisbon’.
Ribeira das Naus
Ribeira das Naus, located next to Parc do Comercio, is what the locals call, ‘the river beach’. There is a small strip of sand, which runs along the side of the Tagus River. We saw some good beach sculptures.
Time Out Market
If you are feeling hungry, then this is the place to go. Time Out Market is an open, airy food court with a large selection of global restaurants, with a massive seating area in the centre. The only problem we found, when we arrived at 2 pm, it was packed with people. There was know where to seat and eat.
Pink Street
What was once Lisbon’s Red Light District, has now become one of most Instagrammable spots in Lisbon, Pink Street. The street went a facelift back in 2011. Today, it is one of the most popular places to go for nightlife in Lisbon.
Elevador da Bica
Just a short walk away from Pink Street is Lisbon’s most photographer funicular, Elevador da Bica. The funicular connects the Rua de SÃŖo Paulo with Calçada do Combro/Rua do Loreto. To take a ride on it, you will need to use your 24 transport card (Carris Card). The funicular takes you up a very narrow street. If you try sticking your arm out of the window, you might be able to touch the house windows. It’s defiantly a great experience and a mode of transport not to be missed while in Lisbon.
For anyone who’s after a good photo of Elevador da Bica. Only one of the trams is covered in graffiti. If you want to take one of Lisbon’s most iconic photos, you may have to wait at the top of the hill for the next tram to come up. I promise you, it will be worth the weight!
Day 2:
Day 2 in Lisbon. Here is what we did:
Castelo da Sao Jorge
Visiting the castle in Lisbon is a ‘must-do’. We got up early, arriving at the castle grounds in time for opening. It’s the best time to go if you want some good photos without lots of people in them.
The castle opens at 9 am and costs âŦ8.50 each. If you plan to visit, later on, you might be waiting in long queues to buy your tickets.
The castle grounds provide great views across Lisbon. It’s worth visiting, just to see that alone! You can also walk right around the castle on top of the walls, seeing more great views of Lisbon. If you are feeling thirsty or hungry, there is a cafe. Watch out for the beautiful peacocks wandering around, while you sit enjoying your coffee and egg tart.
The walk up to the castle can be tiring as the castle is based on one of Lisbon’s 7 hills. There is no funicular up to it either, you have to use your legs or you could hop on a tuk tuck. Tuk tucks seem to be everywhere in Lisbon! If walking or a tuk tuck isn’t for you, you could always catch bus 737, which will take you right outside the castle entrance.
Alfama
Alfama is full of steep, medieval streets, superb views, and one of the oldest areas in Lisbon. If you choose to walk up to the castle, you will walk through Alfama to get there.
Amoreiras 360 Panoramic View
Amoreiras 360 Panoramic View is one of the highest spots in Lisbon. The open-air viewpoint is located inside Amoreiras shopping centre, costing just âŦ5 each to go up to the top. We visited at sunset and it was beautiful. Seeing the evening orange sun glow right across the whole of Lisbon, while watching planes come into land at Lisbon airport.
Day 3:
Day 3, we only had the morning in Lisbon, as we had a flight to catch in the afternoon. Here is how we spent our last morning is the beautiful city:
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is one very beautiful Monastery. The 500-year-old Monastery is a ‘must visit’ attraction in Lisbon. To visit, it will cost you âŦ10 each. If you do not want to be waiting in long queues, the best time to visit is when it opens, at 10 am. I’ve heard the queues can get very long, as the day goes on.
Belem Tower
Belem Tower is one of the most photographed sights in Lisbon. The tower is a 16th-century fortification, that served both as a fortress and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. You can pay to go inside. When we arrived, the queue was very long, so we decided to not bother.
PadrÃŖo dos Descobrimentos
PadrÃŖo dos Descobrimentos or the Monument to the Discoveries is a large monument, located on the northern bank of the Tagus River. The Monument to the Discoveries was originally built for the 1940 World Exhibition. It celebrated the achievements of the explorers during the Age of Discoveries and the creation of Portugal’s empire.
Ponte 25 de Abril
Ponte 25 de Abril bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Every time I see a photo of the bridge, it reminds me of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco. This is because the bridge was designed by the same architect who drew the Golden Gate bridge. The bridge got its name from the Carnation Revolution, which happens on the 25th of April. A day that is now a national holiday for the country.
You can drive across the bridge. We drove across one day, coming back from Arrabida National Park. The 2-mile bridge is a toll bridge, costing âŦ3.85 to cross it, oneway. The ticket booths are based on the south side of the bridge.
National Sanctuary of Christ the King
When you are in Lisbon, you may notice a tall statue on top of the hill, on the south bank. It’s the National Sanctuary of Christ the King. It reminds me of the statue in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.
The only capture I got of the statue, was this photo below, in the sun’s haze:
Visiting Lisbon and would like to know what else there is to do in the area? Check out some of my other blogs:
