Portugal Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/portugal/ Blog of a Traveling Coffee Addict Wed, 01 May 2024 02:19:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://i0.wp.com/caffeinatedexcursions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wp-1555570621336.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Portugal Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/portugal/ 32 32 141833777 How Long Should You Spend In Lisbon? A Few Itineraries For Portugal’s Capital https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/how-long-should-you-spend-in-lisbon-a-few-itineraries-for-portugals-capital/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/how-long-should-you-spend-in-lisbon-a-few-itineraries-for-portugals-capital/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=24601 Lisbon is one of Europe’s most charming and iconic urban destinations. The capital of Portugal offers stunning natural beauty and an incredible cityscape made up of pastel colors and ornate tiles. Should you visit Lisbon? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. But how long should you spend there? Read on to find out...

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How Long Should You Spend In Lisbon? A Few Itineraries For Portugal’s Capital

Published November 3, 2022

Lisbon is one of Europe’s most charming and iconic urban destinations. The capital of Portugal offers stunning natural beauty and an incredible cityscape made up of pastel colors, ornate tiles, and striking red clay rooftops as far as the eye can see. Should you visit Lisbon? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. But how long should you spend there? Read on to find out!

Lisbon was actually one of my very first cities I blogged about back in spring of 2018. Caffeinated Excursions has come a long way since then, but if you’d like to see what I thought of Lisbon years ago, be sure to check out that separate blog post!

This post will briefly introduce neighborhoods of Lisbon you can’t miss, then present a few different itineraries for visiting the capital city of Portugal. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Neighborhoods of Lisbon

Whether you stay in Lisbon for three days or multiple weeks, you’ll almost certainly be visiting the following five neighborhoods. They’re all centrally located except for one (Belém), and it’s easy to walk between them.

1. Baixa de Lisboa

Downtown Lisbon, known as Baixa de Lisboa, is the historic heart of the city. Its two main focal points are the wide and open Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and Rua Augusta, a pedestrian street that connects the waterfront and the rest of the city further inland.

Praça do Comércio, Baixa de Lisboa

2. Alfama

The neighborhood of Alfama is directly east of Baixa de Lisboa. However, the vibe here is completely different. Unlike the grand avenues and plazas of downtown, Alfama’s streets are steep and narrow. Get lost in a hillside labyrinth of cobblestone alleys that make up the oldest part of the city.

Alfama, Lisbon

3. Graça

Graça is a quaint area north of Alfama and one of my favorite parts of Lisbon. That’s because it has two panoramic lookout spots that are open to the public! Graça is artsy and trendy, but it feels a little more local than Alfama.

Dusk view from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Graça, Lisbon

4. Belém

This is the one neighborhood all visitors to Lisbon should check out that isn’t within walking distance to downtown. Take a train or Uber to see the famous Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, both on the waterfront.

Torre de Belém

5. Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is a densely packed part of town west of Baixa de Lisboa. Prepare to climb quite a few flights of stairs or steep streets to get from downtown to this area known for its nightlife! Of all the popular areas of Lisbon I visited, this is the one that impressed me the least. If you are only staying for three days and don’t have time, I’d say it’s fine to skip Bairro Alto.

Bairro Alto, Lisbon

Lisbon Food & Drink

One of the main highlights of Lisbon is undoubtedly the food! Portuguese cuisine intrigues me because it is defined by relatively simple recipes that don’t use a ton of spice or garnish, yet still manage to be so tasty and satisfying.

If you’re going to spend more than three or four days in Lisbon, use the extra time to try as many local restaurants and bars as you can! To learn more about Lisbon’s food scene and my favorite restaurants there, check out my Lisbon Food Guide [coming soon].

Three or Four Day Itinerary

In my honest opinion, I recommend that travelers plan four full days in Lisbon, especially for a first visit. The city may look vast on a map, but because it’s so old, it’s very walkable. Attractions further away from the city center can be reached via affordable, generally straightforward public transport. Here are some Lisbon essentials for a three or four day itinerary!

Praça do Comércio & Rua Augusta

Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) is a great place to start any Lisbon itinerary because it’s the geographic center of the city. Located right on the waterfront in Baixa de Lisboa, all major streets radiate out from this point.

Take a good look at the Dom José I Equestrian Statue at the center of the square, which includes a beautiful sculpture of an elephant on its eastern side. Then, check out the regal white Arco da Rua Augusta (Augusta Street Arch) on the north side of the plaza.

After you’re done admiring Praça do Comércio, head north on Rua Augusta. This bustling street only allows pedestrians. However, cars and trams still cross Rua Augusta perpendicularly, so pay attention at the crosswalks that intersect it.

Elevador de Santa Justa

If you happen to walk by this outdoor elevator while exploring Baixa de Lisboa on foot, it’ll almost certainly capture your attention. Its gray iron structure with gothic elements and a top-heavy design is eye-catching, and it stands out amongst the surrounding buildings.

The Elevador de Santa Justa connects Baixa de Lisboa with Bairro Alto directly to the west. Although the two neighborhoods are right next to each other, Bairro Alto sits at a much higher elevation.

In all honesty, I’d recommend visiting the Santa Just Lift but not riding it. That’s because the line for tickets moves slowly, plus the upper platform is accessible as long as you’re willing to walk up a few steep city blocks to get there.

What’s more, you can even enter part of the upper deck and enjoy the panoramic view without buying a ticket and waiting in line. The skyline looking east is especially awesome! Be sure to also face north to spot the amazing black and white tiles on Praça Dom Pedro IV.

Museu Arqueológico do Carmo

Since the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo, or Carmo Convent, is located right next to the Santa Justa Elevator, you can visit both attractions on the same day. Although this cathedral-turned-museum is missing its roof, the arches are still intact. The result is a stunning open-air structure that is absolutely worth seeing.

The back side of Carmo Convent

On the far end of the church is a section that still has its roof. Inside this portion of the museum, you’ll find ornately carved tombs, azulejos (Portuguese tiles), and other artifacts.

Rossio

If you walk north on Rua Augusta, you’ll eventually find yourself at Rossio. This part of Baixa de Lisboa is home to two beautiful public squares: Praça da Figueira (Fig Tree Plaza, although it currently houses no fig tree) and Praça Dom Pedro IV. Both are pretty, but I really love the fountain and the calçada portuguesa (Portuguese black-and-white pavement) in the latter.

Praça da Figueira
Praça Dom Pedro IV

Castelo de São Jorge

I can’t believe I missed this attraction on my first visit to Lisbon! This stone castle overlooks the entire city from the highest point in Alfama. In addition to offering amazing views of the city, the São Jorge Castle is an architectural marvel in and of itself. Dating back to the 11th century, the Moorish design is incredible to see in person.

I actually visited Castelo de São Jorge twice during this trip and never experienced an unreasonably long wait time to get in. However, I found that the physical barriers on the castle walls were pretty low – they only came up to knee-level in many places. Needless to say, exercise caution!

Miradouros of Graça

“Miradouro” is the Portuguese word for “panoramic lookout,” and the neighborhood of Graça has two of the best in the city. The first is the Miradouro da Graça, and the second is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

Miradouro da Graça

This panoramic balcony looks to the west and offers views of Lisbon’s rooftops and the bay. Miradouro da Graça is located next to a church (Igreja Paroquial da Graça), which is worth visiting if it happens to be open while you’re there.

The interior of Igreja Paroquial da Graça

Be sure to also check out graffiti in the Caracol da Graça, a zigzag outdoor staircase and alleyway that connects Miradouro da Graça with Rua dos Lagares below. There is also a cozy plaza nearby the lookout called Jardim da Graça.

Jardim da Graça

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Since Lisbon is incredibly hilly, there are dozens of amazing places to see the cityscape. Fortunately, almost none of them involve a touristy observation deck. However, I think Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is my favorite. Even though it’s only a short walk uphill from Miradouro da Graça, this open-air lookout point offers a much wider field of vision, including unobstructed views looking north. The Senhora do Monte lookout is also larger and feels less crowded.

The neighborhood of Graça has much more to offer than these two miradouros, such as street art and a cool bar scene. However, if you are pressed for time, the viewpoints should not be missed. I found myself coming back to them day after day just to enjoy the amazing views!

Alfama: Alleys and Miradouro de Santa Luzia

The oldest part of Lisbon might very well be the area with the most character. Alfama’s steep streets and narrow alleyways set it apart from other neighborhoods. Explore Alfama in depth, then try a restaurant or bar here. In all honesty, it seems like dining options here offer a cozier experience than the crowded avenues and noisy patios of Baixa de Lisboa.

In addition, Alfama’s Miradouro de Santa Luzia offers a unique view of the Tagus River. That’s because it faces east, unlike the miradouros in Graça that look west. From Santa Luzia Lookout, you’ll be able to see any cruise ships that are docked in Lisbon during your visit.

Belém

To get to the neighborhood of Belém, you’ll have to take a train or an Uber, but it is worth the short journey out here. That’s because this area is home to two landmarks you won’t want to miss: the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument).

Torre de Belém

This waterfront castle is an iconic symbol of Lisbon. Its unique design consists of a wide lower base and a tall tower, and its rounded domes give it a nautical vibe. Built in the early 1500s, the Torre de Belém functioned as a defensive fort and a place from which Portuguese explorers would set sail.

You can actually visit the interior of the castle, and I highly recommend doing so if it’s open. The rooms inside the main tower have beautiful checkerboard floors and stunning arched ceilings. The view looking out across the river is also pretty incredible.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This massive monument was built in the 1960s to commemorate Portuguese explorers. A smaller version was originally built in the 1940s as a temporary exhibit. It was destroyed after three years, but rebuilt on a larger scale two decades later.

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos also offers entry to visitors. If you look closely at the top of the monument, you’ll see people walking around. I skipped this one since it’s basically next to the Torre de Belém and would offer a similar view looking out over the river. However, Discoveries Monument is significantly taller than Belém Tower, so you’ll probably be able to see a lot further if you decide to go to the viewing deck here.

Other Attractions in Belém

The one thing I skipped in Belém was the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery). That’s because the line to get in was so long: by far the longest line I saw on this entire trip. Reviews online claimed that it moves quickly, but that just didn’t appear to be the case. The monastery is one of Lisbon’s famous sites, but it didn’t look like it was worth waiting an hour or more in line.

Lots of tourists waiting in line to purchase tickets to visit the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Another famous place to stop by is Pastéis de Belém. Founded in 1837, this bakery is known for its Portuguese egg tarts. This is another place where you’re likely to encounter a line out the door, but it does move quickly since the pastries are cooked in huge batches and are easy to serve.

I visited Pastéis de Belém on my previous trip to Lisbon four years ago, and I had already had my fill of egg tarts by the time I made it over to Belém, so I skipped it this trip.

Go on a Day Trip

The main difference between a three-day and four-day trip to Lisbon would be leaving the city on one of the four days. There are many day trip options from Lisbon, and the most common one by far is Sintra. This village to the west of Lisbon is easy to get to by train, and it’s home to Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena), a gorgeous red, yellow, and purple castle built in the Romantic style.

I visited Sintra on my last trip to Lisbon in 2018, but didn’t return on this trip in part because the weather wasn’t amazing. Sintra offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the Atlantic Ocean. These are most impressive on a clear, sunny day.

I also remember that I didn’t have to wait very long to get into Palácio da Pena, but things may have changed since then. To read more specific and recent tips on visiting Sintra, check out one of the following blog posts:

Five or Six Day Itinerary

Although I think four days is ideal for a visit to Lisbon, the main benefit to staying longer is additional time to explore the city’s food scene. However, the following three attractions can be included on a five or six day trip to the city.

Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)

Head to Alfama if you’d like to visit Lisbon’s oldest church with twin bell towers. Entrance tickets will allow you to see the sanctuary, the loft, and some additional rooms on the upper floors that house relics and artifacts.

Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon)

The National Pantheon was originally built as a church, but now functions as a mausoleum for famous Portuguese explorers and other influential historical figures. Both the interior and exterior of this building are incredible, and the Panteão’s dome stands out among the red clay rooftops that most buildings in Lisbon have.

A visit to the Panteão Nacional will allow you to explore the various levels of the building, including the roof. I wouldn’t say the Pantheon is a must-see in Lisbon, but it is a good option if you find yourself with an extra hour or two and happen to be near the eastern end of Alfama.

Bairro Alto - Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I don’t find Bairro Alto as charming as the other centrally-located neighborhoods of Lisbon. However, if you’re going to be spending more than three or four days in the city, you might as well go check it out, at least for a little while. There are restaurants and bars here, but nothing stood out to me as I was walking along the main roads here.

One interesting thing to check out in Bairro Alto if you do head over this way is the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara. This lookout is a little different from the ones mentioned earlier because it faces east (the ones in Alfama and Graça face west).

Longer than Five or Six Days

I personally don’t recommend staying longer than six days in Lisbon. If you’re spending more than one week in Portugal, you should definitely split your time between Lisbon and another part of the country. With that said, the main thing to do on an extended stay in the capital would be exploring some of the city’s museums. Below are two options to consider.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

This museum explains the historical significance of azulejos, or Portuguese tiles. These glazed ceramic tiles are typically (but not always) white and blue and are extremely prevalent throughout Lisbon. The museum is very impressive, especially its cathedral (it’s housed in a converted convent). The one thing I didn’t love about the museum is that it’s not very close to anything else featured on this post, and it’s not that easy to get to on foot.

MAAT

The acronym MAAT stands for “Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia,” which happens to also match the English translation (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology). Located in Belém, the MAAT is housed in a stunning white structure that resembles a wave about to crash into Tagus River. Small panels form a sort of hexagonal pattern on the building’s exterior that compliments the calçada portuguesa (tile pavement) on the adjacent sidewalk.

The roof of the MAAT is also a balcony that is open to the public. It offers a nice view of the Ponte 25 de Abril (April 25th Bridge), which resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Inside the museum are modern exhibits that I think most people will find thought-provoking and engaging. The MAAT is not a huge museum, so it won’t take hours and hours to explore.

Additional Day Trips

The last thing I’d recommend for a long visit to Lisbon is going on additional day trips. There are many great options beyond Sintra, including the seaside town of Cascais, which can be reached by train via Cais do Sodré Train Station. Another town to consider is Évora, inland from Lisbon about halfway between the coast and the border with Spain.

In Conclusion

Having been to Lisbon twice and having spent a week there this second time, I can say with confidence that I’ve seen more of the city than the average tourist. I think four days is perfect for most visitors. That can be extended to five or possibly six days for travelers who love food, museums, or simply want to take things a little slower.

Would I visit Lisbon a third time? Maybe in a decade or so. But after two visits, I would much rather check out another part of the country, such as Porto in the north, Albufeira in the south, or the Açores off the coast. In fact, I probably want to prioritize a trip to Spain before returning to Portugal for a third time, seeing as I’ve still never been!

Have you spent time in Lisbon before? Are you headed there soon? Leave a comment and let me know! I hope this guide was helpful if you’re planning a trip, and thanks for reading!

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This post was published on Nov 3, 2022

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

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The post How Long Should You Spend In Lisbon? A Few Itineraries For Portugal’s Capital appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

]]> https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/how-long-should-you-spend-in-lisbon-a-few-itineraries-for-portugals-capital/feed/ 0 24601 Why Lisbon, Portugal Feels So Magical https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/why-lisbon-portugal-feels-magical/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/why-lisbon-portugal-feels-magical/#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2018 17:00:00 +0000 http://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=932 Last month I traveled to Milan for work, so I decided to take the following week off to explore two very different countries on two continents: Portugal and Morocco! While in Portugal, I stayed in Lisbon for four nights...

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Why Lisbon, Portugal Feels So Magical

Published April 8, 2018

Last month I traveled to Milan for work, so I decided to take the following week off to explore two very different countries on two continents: Portugal and Morocco! While in Portugal, I stayed in Lisbon for four nights, which was enough time to get a good sense of the city but not enough to see everything I wanted to. After that, I flew from Lisbon to Marrakech, where I spent three nights before heading back to the US. (If you’re curious about Morocco, you can read about my adventures in Marrakech here.)

There’s something about Lisbon that makes it feel like the backdrop of a fairy tale or a fantasy movie. Castles and churches sit on hilltops overlooking the city. Street trams zoom through narrow winding alleys. Public squares are filled with tourists and vendors at all hours of the day. It’s no wonder that J.K. Rowling drew some inspiration for Harry Potter during her time in Portugal (at least according to one local bartender).

Furthermore, Lisbon is relatively easy to navigate, the locals are friendly, and the food is amazing. I’ll let you know where to stay, what local delicacies to try, and how to find the most scenic spots around. Read on to see find out exactly what makes Lisbon feel so magical!

Where to Stay

First of all, this was a great city for Airbnb. Four nights in a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment only cost $137 in the trendy and centrally located neighborhood of Graça. I only booked this about a week in advance, so you probably won’t have to worry about running out of options even if you wait until the last minute.

The center of Graça, a great Lisbon neighborhood to stay in.

Graça was great because it was close to the historic district of Alfama, which is the oldest part of the city. It’s a fun area to explore on foot, but it’s also located on the side of a steep hill, so prepare for a leg workout if you want to explore here (many other parts of the city are very hilly as well). If you stay in Graça, you’ll also be within walking distance of the Avenida Almirante Reis, a major street that runs north to south that will eventually bring you to a huge public square (the Praça do Comércio, or Commercial Plaza) next to the waterfront.

A typical street in the historic neighborhood of Alfama.
Praça do Comércio.

If you’d rather stay near bars and nightlife as opposed to the old town of Alfama, you might also consider Bairro Alto. This area is located on the other side of Avenida Almirante Reis, but is still within walking distance of Praça do Comércio and all of the surrounding restaurants and shops.

Getting Around

Even though Lisbon has a subway system, I never ended up using it even once. Taxis were surprisingly affordable, but for the vast majority of my trip I ended up walking. The city is relatively compact, and it really gets your heart pumping to walk up and down all the hills! In contrast to my previous trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands where the only way around was via rental cars, I enjoyed being able to walk to most places in Lisbon. Especially in Alfama, many alleys are too narrow for even a single car to fit in, and there are a ton of hidden stairways and shortcuts between the streets that can only be explored on foot.

Another option for transportation that I didn't try.

If you go to the nearby small town of Sintra to see the castle and palace there (which you should), you’ll take a train. It’s easy to figure out and you can read more about that here.

In the City

Whether you stay in Graça or not, there are two really cool lookouts in this neighborhood located here and here. The first one is next to a church that has an interesting courtyard that’s open to the public as well as a little espresso and snack stand. You’ll find a small pathway heading down the hill that has some interesting graffiti art.

The second lookout is situated at the very top of the hill and offers slightly better views in my opinion. I never made it to the Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George Castle), which can be seen from both of these scenic spots, but it’s located at the top of the hill and reportedly offers some equally nice views of the bay.

As I mention above, the Praça do Comércio is worth a visit. A similar public square a few blocks north is the Praça da Figueira (Fig Tree Plaza), which has a bunch of vendors in and around it. A few streets over is the Elevador de Santa Justa, which is free-standing elevator that brings you to a platform overlooking this part of the city. It looked like a really cool thing to visit, but the line was long and didn’t seem to be moving so I didn’t purchase tickets.

Building Tiles and Street Pavement

One thing you’ll notice right away are the tiles on so many buildings in Lisbon. As far as I can tell, they are all distinct and appear to be handmade. Take some time to check them out, because they really do give the city its own unique character.

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You may also notice the unique way that streets and sidewalks are paved with small, white square tiles. According to one source online, this style is so distinct that it has its own name (calçada portuguesa, or Portuguese pavement) and has even been implemented in the streets of former Portuguese colonies such as Brazil. It’s especially beautiful in the Praça Rossio, pictured below.

Belém

The neighborhood of Belém is about 6 or 7 miles west of the center of Lisbon. Even though you’ll need to get a ride over here from downtown, Belém has a unique atmosphere as well as a bunch of interesting monuments. My favorite is the Belém Tower, which looks like a castle that was built right on the beach. Walk along the shore about 15 minutes to the east to check out the massive Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a monument celebrating maritime exploration.

Belém is also home to a famous bakery, which brings me to…

Foods to Try

Pastries

This is one thing you can’t miss in Lisbon! Wander the streets of the city for an hour and you’re bound to pass a dozen or more bakeries with fresh pastries sitting in the window displays. As mentioned above, a famous bakery is Pastéis de Belém. They are known for a particular kind of delicacy called a pastel de nata, or egg tart. (On a side note, if you’ve spent time in China, these might look familiar to you. That’s because the pastry was brought over from Portugal to Macau, where it eventually spread in popularity to all of the mainland and can now be purchased in Chinese pastry shops as well as fast food restaurants like KFC.) This bakery is supposed to be the original maker of egg tarts, and they really are amazing. The pastries, which only cost about one Euro, come with a brown packet of powdered cinnamon which makes them even more delicious. The line outside might look long, but it moves quickly and is worth the short wait.

There is also a chain of bakeries called “A Padaria Portuguesa” which has locations around Lisbon. This is a perfect place to have a quick but filling breakfast. They have a huge selection of both sweet and savory pastries; I really liked the one that has shrimp (camarão) inside. Once you’ve been here, branch out and try some family-owned bakeries as well.

Other Local Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine may look humble: it is served on simple dishes and without much embellishment or garnish. Before the meal, you’ll probably be served a loaf of bread with butter and olives. A surprisingly common side dish is french fries. But what it lacks in presentation, it makes up for in flavor. I really enjoyed every single meal I had here and found that they were all unique.

One classic dish here is cod (you’ll see “bacalhau” on the menu). It’s prepared in a number of different ways but since Lisbon is right on the water, any kind of seafood is going to be fresh here. Another dish I really liked was secretos de porco preto, or very tender cuts of kurobuta pork. A somewhat similar dish was bitoque, which was a steak with an egg cooked over it. In terms of drinks, local wines were very good but my favorite was ginja, a local cherry liqueur that is sometimes served in an edible chocolate cup (ask your waiter or bartender about it!).

If you’re looking for restaurant suggestions in Lisbon, I’m sorry to say I don’t have any. Whenever someone recommended a place, I’d go in only to be told by the host that it was fully booked for the night despite having almost no customers seated. But more importantly, I really loved the experience of searching the streets for smaller mom-and-pop restaurants and just popping in. I suggest you do the same and I think you won’t be disappointed with the food or the authenticity of the dining experience.

Day Trip to Sintra

If you ask a local what you should see on your trip, there’s a good chance they will tell you to go to Sintra. Located about 20 miles to the west of the Portuguese capital, this picturesque town in the mountains is definitely worth the hype. If Lisbon doesn’t feel mystical to you, Sintra definitely will. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a number of historic buildings, the oldest of which date back to the Middle Ages.

In order to get here, you’ll need to make your way to the Rossio railway station. At the ticket window on the upper floor, you can purchase a round-trip ticket for only five Euro. Trains run frequently (multiple times per hour), and once you board it will be about 45 minutes until you depart at the final stop. It’s a nice, scenic ride that will give you a glimpse of the suburbs of Lisbon, but the truly breathtaking sites are in the town of Sintra itself.

The biggest attractions here are the Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) and the Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace). Despite their close proximity to one another, the two landmarks are completely different in architectural style; after all, the castle was built in the 8th and 9th centuries while the palace was completed in 1854. You can purchase entrance tickets for both at a booth located between them. If you’re feeling up for it, you can hike up (or down) the mountain to this ticket kiosk from the town of Sintra. Otherwise, a one-way ride costs five Euro. The castle offers the most scenic views, but the hike will take you through some scenic parks and wooded paths.

Unlike the castle shown in the pictures above, the Pena Palace has an extensive and lavish interior that you can wander through. The distinctive red and yellow exterior are only a sneak preview of all the luxury and exquisite designs housed within the palace walls.

Before or after your journey, you can stop for a meal at one of the many restaurants in town. I found a place that had a delicious daily special of chicken stroganoff, but I saw everything from traditional Portuguese cuisine to Chinese food. When you’re ready to go back to Lisbon, just head over to the train station and swipe your ticket.

In Conclusion...

As you can see, there’s so much to explore in and around Lisbon. I wish I had time to see some of the things I missed, but I don’t regret splitting up my week of vacation between Portugal and Morocco. Whether you’ve been all over Europe or never left your home country, Lisbon is a city that is welcoming and accommodating to visitors. If you want to hike, eat some amazing food, or learn about the history and culture of Portugal, you have to come here to experience the magic for yourself!

 

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This post was published on Apr 8, 2018

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

Support the Blog!

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