Those 5 days in Lisbon were so awesome, the poetry floating in the air of this city is without parallel.
Palacio da Pena
We spent our stay in Lisbon in mid-November and let me tell you we haven't seen one cloud in 5 days. Can't describe how pleasant it was to walk under the sun shining all day long in Autumn, only wearing a pullover.
We chose to sleep in Tivoli Oriente Hotel; the service, the spa, the rooms, the bar on the last floor, everything was perfect except from its location. Quite far from the center but not even 1 minute walking distance from the metro/ train station (and very close to the airport as well).
The absolute positive point (not for my boyfriend haha) was the giaaant Vasco de Gama shopping mall opened until MIDNIGHT right in front the hotel !
Spa of the Tivoli Oriente Hotel
Panoramic Bar in the hotel
I' am going to start with Belem. It is so easy to reach it (taxis are very un-expensive an public transportation functions perfectly well in Lisbon) and yet you arrive in a completely different area.
We visited the Jardim Botanico first, which is so vaste and charming, this walk is just so quiet and relaxing and doesn't take long !
You apparently have to try the Pasteis pastries from Pasteis de Nata bakery but we didn't as I am not such a cream lover and the queue was too long anyway.
On our way to Belem Tower, we crossed the monument Padrao dos Descobrimentos that we decided to visit. You climb a dozen floors until you reach the open air roof that offers a view over the Ponte de 25 abril (the bridge that drastically looks like the SF's one), and over the sea, over Belem and over all the rest of the city.
We arrived in front of the Belem Tower at sunset time (my fave time of the day) and I immediately fell in love with this tower which is small yet massive, located on the water, that makes it so epical.
Jardim Botanico in Belem
Padrao dos Descobrimentos's view of the 25 Abril Bridge
Belem Tower at sunset hour
Alfama and Graça are very cute and authentic districts with coloured houses everywhere. Everything is so simple and pure inside. People are innocently hanging their laundry in front of their door and neighbours are communicating with each other from one window another ! haha
If you pass by Graça, have a stop at the Miradouro da Graça, a lookout point that is one of the prettiest of the city to my opinion.
We discovered one of the most famous monument in Lisbon called Castelo Sao Jorge. The garden (and the peacocks everywhere!), the panoramic view, the old castle, everything is so worthy paying visit.
Alfama's poetry
Wandering in Alfama
Miradouro da Graça
Peacocks walking freely in Castelo Sao Jorge's garden
The castle's garden
Panoramic view in Castelo Sao Jorge
LX Factory is a whole world on its own. In the district of Alcantara, you'll find this mini village which is a full adventure. Shopping clothes, getting gourmet souvenirs, seeing an exhibition, having lunch or having a drink, all of that is possible in LX.
Young, cool and arty are the three adjectives I'd use to describe the atmosphere there.
We had lunch in the healthy The Therapist restaurant and had a drink on the rooftop of Rio Maravilha bar.
LX Factory's buildings
LX's bathrooms
Rio Maravilha's rooftop
The Bairro Alto is the old central and historical district of Lisbon. Not only that almost all the buildings are covered with magnificent typical Portuguese mosaic, but you can find any art gallery, cute cafés and super nice garment boutiques.
Before getting to Time Out Market in which you can literally grab any type of delicious food, you'll pass by Rua da Rosa, a complete pink street, so gorgeous and unexpected.
Bairro Alto and its ceramic tiles everywhere
Rua da Rosa
Time Out Market
VISITING SINTRA :
Sintra is an UNMISSABLE city in the mountains reachable in more or less an hour by train from Lisbon.
This city is full of treasures and I'm about to tell you all about our journey there.
We took a direct train to Sintra early in the morning from Oriente station (in front of our hotel!)
Before everything, we had breakfast in Saudade Café, the cutest and most delicious handmade food café ever, literally one minute from Sintra's train station. We entered the city by foot, completely amazed by its beauty.
Before getting on the main place (Praça Republica) of the burghal, a motorised tuk tuk (mini opened car) driver told us he could take us on the top of the mountain (where the castles are) for 5 euros. I absolutely recommend you to accept.
Arriving in Sintra
1. Parque e Palacio Nacional da Pena
This is the most surprising/ breathe taking monument I have ever visited in my whole (short) life - the pictures definitely don't do it justce. This mixes so much architectural styles and colours, you just end up pinching yourself to make sure you're not in a dream.
On top of that, the preserved park is several hectares big and allows you to make a huuuudge walk in a fairy world.
Palacio da Pena's garden
2. Castelo Dos Mouros
Don't miss this visit. Climbing up and down this ancient fortress is so much fun as its overhanging the land and the ocean : you do sport while being completely amazed by a stunning view !
Castelo Dos Mouros
3. Quinta da Regaleira
Once you're done with Palacio da Pena and Castelo Dos Mouros, take this tuk tuk to go back to the bottom of the city (except if you have time and want to dedicate it to a nice and long return walk).
Quinta da Regaleira is a wonderful mansion/museum surrounded by a super big, rich and charming park (another one, I know!)
Living my princess dream in Quinta da Regaleira
We ended the day in a very empty but tasty Indian restaurant (Restaurante Pic Nic) before heading back around 10pm in Lisbon. What a flawless last day <3
SUMMARY :
Where I slept :
- Tivoli Oriente Hotel
Where to eat :
- Pois Café (cool, central and healthy)
- Time Out Market or Mercado da Ribeira
- The Therapist LX Factory (healthy, bio, housemade food)
- Pasteis de Nata in Belem
- Topo (amazing view and design but order meat)
- Bellalisa Elevador Restaurante (the lookout point is so pretty. You don’t have to reach with the lift, you can just get there from the backstreet named Dom Pedro de Menezes)
- Butchers in Oriente station (if you like meat, this restaurant is excellent)
Where to have a drink :
- Rio Maravilha in LX factory (view over Ponte 25 abril bridge)
- Park Bar (beautiful belvedere)
Where to wander :
- Alfama (charming with coloured and authentic houses)
- Bairro Alto (with Time Out Market)
- Belem (with Belem Tower)
- Sintra (1 hour away from Lisbon but more than worthy)
- Baixa
- Graça
- Mouraria (street art district)
- Alcantara (where is located LX Factory)
- Rua da Rosa (pretty pink street)
Where to do shopping :
- Vasco de Gama shopping center in Oriente
- Chiado district (Rua Garrett)
- Bairro Alto
What to visit :
- Castelo sao Jorge in Alfama
- Jardim Botanico in Belem
- LX Factory in Alcantara
- Padrao dos Descobrimentos in Belem
- Ponte 25 abril
The most impressive panoramic views :
- Miradouro da Graca
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol
- Miradouro De Sao Pedro De Alcantara
- Miradouro Do Castelo De Sao Jorge
- Miradouro Da Graça
- Elevador da Santa Justa
- Padrao dos Descobrimentos
When in Sintra :
- Castelo dos Mouros
- Palacio + Parque nacional da Pena
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Saudade Café for breakfast or lunch
- Pic Nic Restaurant (indian food) for dinner
Comments