Lisbon- Elegant and Feisty
Lotsa hills and beautiful views- get the e-bike
✈️ First Impressions
I love Lisbon. ❤️
We drove in from the Douro Valley, watching the scenery shift from sun-baked countryside to a hilly, tree-lined city shimmering on the Atlantic. About three miles out, the traffic hit — a preview of what was ahead.
Lisbon is packed — over 500,000 people stuffed into a romantic, bustling, ridiculously photogenic city built on hills. Lots. Of. Hills. 🏔️
Since we were on summer holiday and had rented a car in Porto, we could have used it around town — but we parked it and didn’t touch it for three days. Public transport here is the way to go. The city (Lisboa, same thing) is extremely walkable… if your calves are up for it.
Terraces everywhere, small plates at fair prices, great Portuguese wine, and a laid-back energy. Several friends told me Lisbon is their favorite European city — and I get it. It’s the perfect blend of yesterday and today: beautiful, relaxed, and full of heart.
This one’s special. I’ll be back.
Local poet
🏨 Where We Stayed
Hotel Britania Art Deco – Lisbon Heritage Collection (Avenida) → total steal. Perfectly located on the edge of everything but just far enough from the chaos.
One street over → the café-filled Rua Augusta, with terraces, shade trees, and an old-school Lisbon vibe. Big rooms, warm service, and real charm. Highly recommend this one.
⚡ Buzz Factor
Smooth and easygoing → tree-lined avenues, good wine, clean streets, and friendly faces.
Lisbon may have half a million people, but it feels like a small town. If the city had a facial expression, it would be The Dude — calm, confident, and just rolling with it.
Family-run restaurants, open-air markets, and that southern Iberian warmth.
Compared to Barcelona, Lisbon feels more subtle — a little more rural even in the city. Portugal’s slower rhythm hasn’t disappeared, and I like it. A lot.
🎨 Fun Stuff to Do
AWESOME Bike Tour → top-tier. You’ll see far more than on foot, cover serious ground, and catch jaw-dropping views from multiple hilltops. Our guide was excellent — one of the best tours we’ve taken anywhere.
Alfama → the city’s oldest neighborhood, full of narrow lanes, tiled facades, and the sound of Fado music drifting from cafés. Take public transport or join a guided walking tour to get the most out of it.
🍴 Bite Test
Portuguese food → lots of fish, beef, and comfort dishes with a twist.
We stuck to small, local spots — simple, fresh, and delicious.
Lunch – Zé da Mouraria → as authentic as it gets. Feels like you’re eating in someone’s house. Chaotic, loud, wonderful.
Dinner – Grelha do Carmo → authentic, tucked away, and easy to miss if you’re not looking. Big portions, great flavors.
Dinner – Cervejaria Liberdade → pricier pick, but excellent seafood. If you want something upscale, this one delivers.
Drinks – SEEN Sky Bar → amazing skyline views and stylish vibes. Grab a drink, take in the sunset, and soak up the city. Just a three-minute walk from our hotel.
Sweet Note → don’t leave without eating Pastel de Nata. You’ll see them everywhere — stop at a bakery and get one warm. It’s a Portuguese national treasure.
🚋 The Getting-Around Bit
Keep it simple → walk or take public transport.
Lisbon’s tap-in/tap-out system (phone or card) is easy, and the metro runs right through the historic districts.
We had a car since Lisbon was a stop on our three-week Portugal road trip, but once we arrived, we parked it and left it. Didn’t touch it for three days.
☀️ Trip Tips
Heat Management → Lisbon in summer is hot. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and light clothes. You’ll do 10k steps before noon — and yes, it somehow feels uphill both ways.
Shoes → your most comfortable pair, no exceptions. Between the cobblestones and the hills, this city will test your footwear.
💎 Hidden Gems – My Favs
Bike Tour → really can’t recommend it enough. You’ll see sides of Lisbon you’d never find otherwise.
SEEN Sky Bar → that view, those vibes — the perfect nightcap.
🏁 Final Take
Lisbon is one of those rare cities that hits every note — beauty, food, wine, culture, and calm. It feels alive yet unhurried, elegant but unpretentious.
If Europe were a mixtape, Lisbon would be that track you didn’t know you’d love — and can’t stop replaying. 🎶
