How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Lisbon
Seemingly endless travel destinations make for a great vacation around the holiday season. But there’s something particularly magical about visiting European cities at this time of year and exploring the charming Christmas markets.
I had the opportunity to spend a long December weekend in Lisbon, Portugal, and got my fill of holiday cheer, delicious food and cultural enrichment. While Lisbon is the country’s capital and largest city, it exudes an authentic old-world quality that feels like walking through a storybook.
To inspire your future travels to Lisbon, I’ve compiled some favorite dishes, attractions and other highlights from the so-called City of Seven Hills.
Where To Stay
For my inaugural trip to Lisbon, I stayed at the Sofitel, which was nicely situated on the posh Avenida da Liberdade.
The location was ideal for walking down to the Baixa and Chiado districts, which are the historic and commercial centers of the city, and over to the picturesque Alfama neighborhood. I appreciated the hotel’s excellent service and chic lobby bar, and my room was spacious and stylish.
As a major European city, Lisbon of course boasts a wide variety of hotels with different vibes. I’ve also heard great things about the Palacio Ludovice, AlmaLusa, LX Boutique Hotel, Palácio Príncipe Real, Hotel 1908, Olissippo Lapa Palace, and both the Memmo Príncipe Real and Memmo Alfama.
What To Eat
Naturally, I had to begin my Lisbon experience with the city’s most famous snack ― the pastel de nata. This egg custard tart is delightfully sweet and comes in a perfectly flaky pastry.
After sampling one (or two) from Manteigaria, I knew I wanted check out the legendary Pastéis de Belém where the delicacy supposedly originated in 1837, and it did not disappoint. The rich hot chocolate they served complemented the pastry well.
As my trip took place during the holiday season, the traditional Christmas cake from Confeitaria Nacional (founded in 1829) was another must-try. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you might also enjoy coffee and pastries at Pastelaria Alcôa.
Lisbon has plenty to offer on the savory side of things as well. I had a prego ― a simple but delicious Portuguese steak sandwich ― at the fittingly named O Prego. And the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means the seafood is unmissable.
Cervejaria Ramiro is a beloved institution where I indulged in lots of garlicky shrimp and clams and even tried percebes, aka goose barnacles, for the first time. Other famous Portuguese seafood dishes include bacalhau à Brás (salted cod with potatoes, onions and eggs), sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines) and amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams in an herby white wine sauce).
I enjoyed a dinner at renowned chef José Avillez’s multi-restaurant concept Bairro do Avillez and sampled some of the offerings at the touristy-but-tasty Time Out Market.
Don’t leave Lisbon without dining at a traditional tasca like Imperial de Campo de Ourique, Das Flores and Zé da Mouraria. You also seemingly can’t walk more than a few blocks in the city without encountering masses of tinned fish for sale, so I picked up a few souvenirs at the family-owned Conserveira de Lisboa.
What To Drink
Portugal is famous for its wine, and although I sadly didn’t have a chance to visit the vineyards of the Douro Valley, Alentejo or Madeira, I still had the chance to drink the final product around Lisbon.
Vinho Verde paired nicely with my seafood meals, and of course, I had to order some port wine for dessert as often as possible.
Another local drinking tradition on my Lisbon bucket list was stopping by A Ginjinha, conveniently located just off Rossio Christmas Market. It’s one of the city’s oldest spots to try ginjnha, a traditional sour cherry liqueur.
I was also impressed by the cocktail scene, especially the creative offerings at an unassuming bar called Toca da Raposa. For libations with a view, Babylon 360 was a cool spot at the top of the Vasco da Gama Tower, which is the tallest building in the city.
As for my morning beverages, I grabbed coffee to-go at the Fábrica Coffee Roasters chain or sat down at the historic A Brasileira cafe, which boasts stunning interiors and delicious cake.
What To Do
Although Lisbon is a major capital city with modern vibrancy, it still maintains a strong sense of old-world charm. Simply strolling the historic streets (in comfortable shoes ― those hills are no joke) and taking in the fusion of architectural styles is an enriching experience.
I kicked off my visit with a stop at the Lisboa Story Centre ― an interactive museum that provided a quick overview of the history of the city.
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo, also known as the National Tile Museum, was absolutely stunning. Located in a 16th century convent, the galleries showcased the history of Portuguese ceramic tiles through different design movements up to the present. I appreciated the tranquil garden cafe as well.
Other unique museum experiences included the National Coach Museum, which houses a collection of historical carriages, and the Royal Treasure Museum, which is located inside a three-story vault and contains an abundance of valuables like crown jewels, gold nuggets, tableware and more.
The Jerónimos Monastery was another breathtaking place. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features elaborate stone carvings with intricate motifs, exemplifying the late Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of architecture.
Getting into the more contemporary side of Lisbon, I took a tuk-tuk tour of the Marvila neighborhood to see the street art around the area. My trip also included a visit to the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), which features impressive contemporary collections.
Lisbon’s Christmas markets were a real treat, with plenty of mulled wine, tasty bites and handmade holiday souvenirs to bring home to loved ones.
Although I loved visiting the various attractions around Lisbon, my favorite part of the experience was walking around neighborhoods like Alfama and enjoying the fado music. I believe I benefited from visiting outside peak tourist season because the streets felt rather peaceful. Even when I encountered busy holiday shoppers, it was easy to find a refuge.
And admittedly, I don’t mind braving a few crowds when there’s a European Christmas market involved.
