5 Reasons To Go To Lisbon
Set amidst a labyrinth of ancient, winding streets, Lisbon is a waterfront city of spectacular beauty. As we will soon be launching our new Lisbon City Guide, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of some of our favourite local places. Here is our list of the Top 5 Reasons why you should be heading to Lisbon right now:
1. Exploring The City One of our favourite local experiences is to wander through the maze of narrow, winding streets in the city’s center, which can easily be explored on foot. The up-and-coming Bairro Alto and Chiado districts are a great place to start, where you’ll find a wealth of interesting shops, cool boutiques and cafes to explore along the way. While fairly sleepy during the day, these areas really come alive during the nights with many lively bars, cafes and nightclubs. The historic districts of Alfama and Graca which are situated along the city walls are also lively and atmospheric places to explore, with beautiful churches and picturesque old houses with a mix of yellow, pink and blue-tiled walls and terracotta roofs. Another fun local experience is to take a ride on the Electrico 28 Tram. As one of the last remaining ancient trams in Lisbon, the No. 28 tram will take you on a journey throughout the city, where the most scenic section is to travel from Largo do Camoes in Chiado to Largo da Graca. Another popular way to explore the city is by boat, which depart from the Praca area and will take you on a scenic journey of some of the city’s best sights.
2. Late Night Music Scene Fado is the national music of Portugal, the deeply nostalgic retelling of stories of doomed love affairs, suffering and melancholy. Seeing a live fado performance is a quintessential local experience, where locals and visitors alike can be found crowded into the city’s intimate fado clubs and bars to watch a performance unfold. Some of the most celebrated fado singers in Portugal include the likes of Carlos do Camo, Marisa, Misia and Camane, so take any opportunity to see them performing live. The spectacle generally begins after 11pm, where some of the most popular places to go include the Casa de Linhares (Beco dos Armazens do Linho, 2 Alfama, Lisbon), Parreirinha de Alfama (1 Beco do Espìrito Santo, Lisbon), Clube do Fado (Rua Sao Joao da Praca, 94, Lisbon) and Mesa de Frade (Rua dos Remedios, 139a, Lisbon). The Alfama and the Bairro Alto districts in Lisbon tend to be the best neighborhoods for live fado venues.
3. Panoramic Rooftop Bars Lisbon is a surprisingly undulating city, where you can enjoy aerial views and panoramic vistas from many soaring vantage points throughout the city. One of the best places in Lisbon to enjoy late-night panoramic views is the exclusive Silk Club, which attracts Lisbon’s jet-set crowd. Occupying a building rooftop in Libon’s historical centre of Chiado, Silk Club is set over two floors with an outdoor terrace that boasts 270 degree views over the cityscape and the Tagus River. Another popular nightlife spot is the chic Bairro Alto Hotel rooftop bar, an intimate hotel that offers a great central location, a historic setting and a stylish contemporary design. Tucked away at the top of the 6th floor, this rooftop bar is one of the most beautiful and intimate rooftop bars in the city. Spend the afternoon or an evening lounging in their comfortable sofas while sipping on a refreshing cocktail, staring out at the views overlooking the city and the Tagus River below.
4. Unmissable Landmarks Lisbon boasts many fantastic landmarks and sights to visit during your time in the city. Some of our favourite Lisbon landmarks include the following places:
a. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos - This early 16th-century masterpiece of Manueline architecture comprises the buildings of the Jeronimos monastery which surround Lisbon’s Santa Maria church.
b. Teleferico Lisboa - Take a trip on the scenic cable cars which are located by the riverside Parque das Narcoes, offering the best aerial views in Lisbon.
c. Torre de Belem - A defensive tower with Moorish spires that is an icon of the city designed in a Manueline architectural style, now a UNESCO world heritage site.
d. Palacio Nacional de Queluz - A museum displaying 18th century Portugese art that was formerly a royal residence.
5. The Food Scene Lisbon’s dining scene is characterised by a mix of contemporary gastronomy restaurants, old world restaurants, trendy eateries and many charming outdoor cafes. One of our favourite dining experiences is at the iconic Mar do Inferno seafood restaurant located by the Boca do Inferno (or “hell’s mouth,” named after the formation of jagged rocks down below against which high waves are buffeted). This is where you’ll find Lisbon’s discerning foodie crowd indulging in a long, lazy lunch on weekends in the 19th century seaside resort town of Cascais, 30 km west of Lisbon. Renowned for its wide assortment of superb fresh shellfish, sampling a taste of their exotic percebes (“goose barnacle”) is a rare treat that shouldn’t be missed. Pap’Acorda restaurant (rua da Atalaia 57, 1200 Lisbon) is another favourite Lisbon dining institution set within the heart of the city. Come here for no-nonsense traditional Portuguese dishes such as their signature cilantro-heavy Portugese bread and shellfish stew or roasted cod fish. No trip to Lisbon would be complete without trying the city’s famous pastéis, an egg-based pastry tart first created in the 18th century by Catholic nuns at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem. The Casa Pasteis de Belem is widely regarded as the first place which sold these tasty, creamy treats since 1837. Locals flock to this veritable institution to taste them hot out of the oven, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, however don’t be surprised to see a winding line of tourists waiting hours to indulge in a freshly baked pastéis straight from the oven.
