Professional photographer and travel writer, Marga, lets us in on how amazing it is in Lisbon, Portugal, and why she loves where she lives.
If I only had 24 hours to visit Lisbon, Portugal, describe what I should do?
Lisbon has many famous sights, such as the Santa Justa Elevator, the Azulejo Museum, the LX Factory and the district of Belém. All these places can be visited in one day, although it would be pretty rushed. I started loving slow travel, and if I only had one day, I’d probably discover all the windy roads in Alfama, pick an excellent viewpoint to see the sun go down, and enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal with some Fado music.
What is your favourite restaurant / cafe / eating / drinking place, there?
Traditional Portuguese meals consist primarily of fish and meat. Thankfully there are more and more vegan and vegetarian options available, albeit this is far from the traditional cuisine. For breakfast, I’d recommend Fauna & Flora or Zenith
The best (no lie, they just won the award!) vegan ice cream in the world can be discovered at Scoop n Dough. Besides ice cream, their handcrafted vegan doughnuts are to die for. At night the neighbourhood of Alfama is perfect for a traditional meal. There are so many restaurants to choose from! But many don’t take reservations, and especially in the summer, it can be fully booked. If you like to combine your dinner with Fado, I’d recommend Bohemia Lx.
If you could suggest for me to just do ONE thing in Lisbon, what would it be and why?
Take a day trip to Sintra! Sintra is a fabulous place full of mystical palaces, surrounded by nature. Most tourists visit Palacio da Pena, and Quinta da Regaleira. But there are beautiful hiking trails and other palaces to discover.
What is one thing Lisbon, Portugal should be known for and why?
Most people travel to Portugal and visit Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve. But the eastern and northern parts of Portugal are equally stunning, and the nature is highly diverse. The people are extremely friendly, and you can easily spend a month discovering tiny towns with cobbled streets. Award-winning wines are produced throughout the country, and pastel de nata is found on every corner.
Tell me about your favourite outdoor activity in Lisbon?
As a Dutchie, I can only recommend going cycling! Lisbon never had great cycle lanes, but this is slowly changing. There is a lovely route between Oriente and Belém. And also, around Cascais and Costa de Caprica are plenty of cycling opportunities. The best thing is? These roads are flat!
Tell me about your favourite indoor activity?
I love visiting museums, and slowly I’m discovering all of them. My favourite ones so far are the MAAT in a former power station, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, and Museu Coleção Berardo.
Imagine I am blind. If I come to visit Lisbon, Portugal, how would you describe it to me?
Lisbon is a very colourful city. Mostly thanks to the many flowers and trees that produce different flowers all year round and the famous azulejo tiles on the buildings. Besides, you have stunning views over the river Tagus from many places, and the Atlantic Ocean is always near. It makes Lisbon the perfect spot for a city trip and nature lovers.
What makes Lisbon stand out compared to nearby places?
Lisbon is very diverse and has fun activities and sights for all ages. The public transport is easy to use, and day trips to Sintra, Almada, Obidós, and Setubal are easily achieved. If you like to surf? You can! If you want to visit historical sights? You can! Lisbon is great for foodies and wine-lovers, there are plenty of museums, and it’s mostly sunny all year round.
What is the best thing to do with children there and why?
Children love going to the palaces in Sintra! But also surfing is a highlight for many kids. You can take surf lessons, and by the sea, it’s always fun of course. Lisbon also has a lot of street art, and you can easily create a fun scavenger hunt for them to follow. And another highlight for many kids is a visit to the castle of São Jorge. Aside from the enormous castle walls, plenty of peacocks take their attention. Dinner tip: World of Heroes, where you can dine with your favourite superhero
What is the best thing to do as a solo traveller in Lisbon and why?
Lisbon is very friendly towards solo travellers and digital nomads. Whether you want to join a yoga class, join a co-working office for a day or do sightseeing tours. If you like to meet up with others, I’d recommend joining a MeetUp or booking a group tour. And if you enjoy going out, Bairro Alto is the place to be. If you love some time alone, you can visit many parks and museums, or just walk around town. Lisbon is a very walkable city with beautiful places to discover around every corner.
What is the best thing to do as a couple and why?
Lisbon has plenty of romantic spots! You can enjoy a boat tour on the river Tagus when the sun goes down, have a lovely meal along the riverside, or simply enjoy the view at one of the viewpoints. Trips to Setubal, Azenhos do Mar, Cascais and Sintra are also loved by couples. Many photographers can also capture travellers during a photo shoot in these stunning places.
Is there anything else I should know about why you love where you live?
Depending on the type of traveller, Lisbon can be very busy and hot in the summer. Many restaurants and some shops are closed in August, and sometimes the palaces in Sintra close due to the risk of forest fires. Personally, I think the best time to visit Lisbon is during spring and autumn. It’s not so hot, the trees have the most beautiful colours, and the waiting lines are short. If you’re into surfing? The waves are at their highest in winter. If you want to enjoy a beach holiday? Then the summer in the Algarve is fantastic. And nature-lovers should not skip a trip to Madeira or the Azores.
If this post hasn’t already convinced you to head to Lisbon, Portugal, then head over to Marga’s blog, Discover Portugal for more inspiration.
Would you like to share why you love where YOU live? Send an email to happylifesafari.com to be included!
