Grace and I have spent the past year and a half eating, drinking, making friends, and exploring the city of seven hills. Along the way, we’ve found some great spots that we wanted to share, along with a few tips to help you make the most of your time here.
This list definitely isn’t for everyone, so here’s the vibe*:* We love good food - unique and tasty over fancy and prestigious, and definitely not the "tiny bite tasting menu that costs $500" kind of stuff. We spend a lot of time hanging outdoors and exploring parks. We don’t do a lot of history stuff, but we will go to the occasional museum or historical monument. Most of our weekends are filled hanging with friends in a combination of wine bars, coffee shops, and the occasional late night club visit. We don’t buy a lot of things, but enjoy shopping around looking for interesting local shops. Most of all, we like finding places where it feels like you’re a part of normal life in the city - not in a show for foreigners.
If that sounds like you, read on! I think you’ll really enjoy this list. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Grace or I anytime.
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Don’t let the traffic fool you, Lisbon is often most beautiful when enjoyed slowly. If you want an “authentic” Lisbon morning, bounce around a couple coffee shops, enjoy the sun and a pastry, and watch the world go by. Lisbon isn’t Paris or London and doesn’t have a million must-see destinations. Don’t forget to wander and explore, there’s no rush.
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Lisbon is hilly, but isn’t that big. You can walk almost everywhere if your calves can get you there. If not, Ubers are shockingly cheap (40 minutes across the bridge to a beach from Lisbon is $20). If you want to take the tram/metro/bus- go for it, but just know it will be slower and just as expensive as an Uber.
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There’s almost always something interesting going on in Lisbon. Gallery openings, palace parties, food exhibitions, festivals, and much more. Check out some of the resources below, but Instagram and Reddit are always a good bet for finding what’s going on.
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Because restaurants are so small, they fill up. Get a reservation - if you can’t find where to make it, message them on Instagram. When you’re at dinner, always opt for sharing small plates. Most Lisbon menus are built to share.
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Unless you’re Spanish, the Portuguese schedule will probably feel very late for you. Many coffee shops don’t open until 9, and a 10:30 family dinner reservations are very normal. My advice: stay up late, sleep late, and maybe sneak in a nap here and there.
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It’s an unwritten rule in Portugal that a single espresso shot should never cost more a Euro. The same doesn’t apply to 5 pumps of vanilla in a cold brew. Besides losing the respect of the barista, it’ll cost 5 times as much for a Starbucks inspired drink. All espresso drinks are on the table. </aside>
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For a city that is open for business well into the late hours of the night, the markets all close at 10. It’s almost impossible to find a market open past ten. On the other hand, clubs do not open until LATE. We rarely go, but when do you, they’re empty until 3 or 4am. </aside>
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Pick and Airbnb or hotel you like, but the neighborhood is what matters the most. As a general rule, the middle of the city is drunker and more full of classic American and British tourists. Recommend looking at some of our neighborhoods if you need inspiration.
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Hungry in the morning? Kiosk, coffee, pastry. Got time to kill before dinner? Kiosk, beer, music. They open at 8am and close at 2am. They are a true staple of the city. Most parks in the city will have a kiosk. Highly reccomend.
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