Here’s a recap of our few days in Lisbon, along with some great spots we discovered!
Arrival and Getting Settled
Airport to City Center
We left on April 17th from Luxembourg Airport, which is a 2.5-hour drive from home. We landed at Lisbon Airport at 12:20 PM. Public transport is super easy to use; we planned all our routes using the "Maps" app, which was always up to date.
The metro (or bus) takes you from the airport to the city center, and there are plenty of taxis available as well. After a 30-minute metro ride, we arrived in the city center at the Cais do Sodré stop. Right in front of us was the amazing Time Out Market. It’s essentially a food hall with about twenty small restaurants serving their own specialties (fresh fish, Asian dishes, Italian, traditional Portuguese food, excellent ice cream, and more).
Our Airbnb
We grabbed some shrimp hot dogs and then headed to our Airbnb. The self-check-in and check-out process was very convenient. The location was incredibly central for reaching all the main sights, I highly recommend this neighborhood.
The bathroom was quite small and we were a bit worried about its condition, but the place was very well-maintained. The only downside we found was the noise from the building and the street.
Visiting Lisbon’s Monuments and Landmarks
One very important tip: bring comfortable shoes to Lisbon! The streets are steep.
Here are a few places we checked out:
- Pink Street: We saw it from above; we were planning to take some nice photos, but the street was actually quite dirty, so we didn't bother going down.
- Rossio Square: A large square that served as a strategic landmark whenever we left our apartment.
- Rua Augusta Arch: A beautiful monument overlooking a large square by the Tagus River, offering a great view of Lisbon's hills and the famous bridge.
- Miradouro Sao Pedro: Viewpoints (miradouros) are everywhere in the city, offering stunning vistas of Lisbon. The one at Sao Pedro was right next to our apartment, and we spent our evenings there. Street musicians often gather there at night, and the atmosphere is lovely (it's also accessible via a funicular).
- Miradouro da Graça: Also very pretty.
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia: Probably the most famous one, thanks to its traditional blue tile work (azulejos). It’s a shame that cruise ships dock right in front of it.
- Largo da Madalena: A great spot to photograph the famous trams, but don't go out of your way, you'll run into them on every street in the city center.
- Santa Justa Lift: Heads up, I have a great hack! You get a fantastic view of the city from the top of the Santa Justa Lift. However, the line to ride it is often VERY long and it costs money. Here is an alternative to get to the top for free without waiting: When you're at the base of the lift, walk up the stairs behind it. In front of you, there’s a small shop selling cork souvenirs (Rua do Carmo). This shop has a completely free elevator that takes you halfway up, then just a few stairs later, ta-da! You’re at the top, having skipped the line for free! Plus, this elevator brings you right to the "Topo" rooftop mentioned below.
- Belém District: We went because it's a "must-see" in Lisbon, but honestly, I didn't find it that interesting. The Monument of Discoveries and the Belém Tower aren't all that impressive in my opinion. The only thing that might be worth the detour is the Jerónimos Monastery, but it was way too crowded when we were there, so we didn't wait.
What to See Around Lisbon
Almada and the Cristo Rei
On the other side of the 25 de Abril Bridge, we visited Almada. We took the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (€3.60 round trip) to cross the Tagus. I wouldn't recommend this trip. Almada isn't very pretty, it feels like a 1970s town in Belarus, and it lacks the warm, charming atmosphere of Lisbon. If you decide to go anyway to see the Christ the King statue, you'll need to take tram 1 or 3 to the "Bento Gonçalves" stop and then walk up the streets and stairs for about 20 minutes. The view of Lisbon and the bridge from the statue is nice, but be prepared for some very strong winds!
Sintra
We took a day trip to Sintra during our stay. We caught the train from Rossio station (€5 round trip), and the ride takes about 40 minutes. Once you get out of the station, you have several choices: private taxis, tuk-tuks, or buses. It’s important to know that the roads up to the castles are one-way. You can't just take a bus to one single castle because the one-way loop forces you to pass all of them.
If you want to visit all the castles, plan for a full day and take the bus; it’s more cost-effective (€30 total, including transport between the different sites). However, if you only want to visit one place, like we did with the Pena Palace, a tuk-tuk is a fun alternative. The rates are fixed: €10 to go up and €5 to come down per person.
We went up by tuk-tuk (very fast), and our driver took the time to explain all the monuments along the way. She advised us to walk back down because it’s a very nice stroll, and she was right. She also suggested we only pay for the palace park rather than the interior rooms (the line to get in is super long and it costs €7 extra). We hiked up to the castle for a great view, then continued to the "High Cross," a cross perched on top of a hill facing the castle. While the path is steep, it’s beautiful, like walking through an enchanted forest. Don't expect a clear view of the castle from there, though, the trees get in the way!
We then wandered through the palace's massive, well-maintained gardens; they’ve managed to keep the wild, natural feel, which makes the place very pretty. We exited by the lakes and started our walk down to the historic center, just as our driver suggested. Be careful, the path is steep (roots, log stairs, loose rocks), so watch your step, but it’s worth it! Going the other way, the climb is very strenuous; if that’s not your thing, I wouldn't recommend hiking up from the town center to the castles.
The historic town center is also very charming, with small, steep streets lined with little shops. We stopped for a meal at a restaurant, but I wouldn't recommend it. On our way back to the train station, we stopped for a chocolate cup filled with cherry liqueur, which you can find everywhere.
Cascais
We also spent a morning in Cascais, a small town further west. We took the train from "Cais do Sodré" (€5 round trip). The train runs along the ocean, making it a very pleasant 30-minute ride. Once there, we strolled through the streets and along the beaches, heading toward the Santa Maria Lighthouse.
Where to Eat and Drink in Lisbon
And now, here are my top picks for where to eat and grab a drink:
- Javà: A very cool rooftop right across from the 25 de Abril Bridge and smack in the center. Heads up: remember to book at least a day in advance if you want to eat there. If you're just going for a drink, it's easier to get in. The view is lovely and the terrace is beautifully decorated.
- Café Mila: A small café, perfect if you're coming back from Belém. The place is super quiet, and many people work there. The food is very good.
- TOPO: Another rooftop where you can eat and drink. We just went for a drink. The view is great, it’s right next to the Santa Justa Lift, and the servers are super friendly.
- Audrey's Café: Right next to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, this restaurant is super nice. The food is local and very good, as is the white sangria. The servers speak French and are delighted to welcome you.
- Valdo Gatti Pizza Bio: Yes, I know, you don't go to Portugal to eat Italian... But this restaurant is truly DELICIOUS. It’s the best Italian food I’ve ever had, even compared to Italy!
- Pastéis de Nata: This pastry is absolutely excellent. It was our breakfast for 5 days. We got them at Natas'n'Friends by Fullest. It was a small café not far from our apartment, right across from Rossio station (19 Calçada do Carmo), and they were EXCELLENT.
- Coyo Taco: Again, I know, you don't go to Lisbon for Mexican food... But we were hungry, and it looked good. They make traditional Mexican dishes (tacos, burritos, guacamole...) and it’s very tasty. It’s located just behind the Time Out Market.
- O Bom O Mau e O Vilão or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: This was the best bar we visited, jazz musicians in a lounge with different vibes in every room. It was really cool. And the beer is good.
That’s it for the spots we visited. The rest of the time, we ate at the Time Out Market, and on the last day, we left for the airport very early, so we grabbed lunch on our way back to France.
Lisbon is a super pleasant city. It’s easy to get around because it’s not that big. The Portuguese people are extremely kind. If you’re going over Easter like we did, don’t worry, everything is open! You’re bound to have great memories of your trip there.
Safe travels and see you soon!
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