I traveled around Portugal and fell in love with the colorful buildings, hilltop views, sloping cobblestone streets, and fado music that played throughout. (Fado means fate: While melancholic, the music is also beautiful and poetic.)
While you’re lounging in a leafy plaza and sipping the world-class local wine as you overlook the Atlantic, you’ll decide that you never want to leave. With a rich history and fascinating culture, you could spend a lifetime discovering the wonders of this unique, red-roofed city.
Portugal’s top things I found interesting:
Stroll through the maze-like Alfama
The neighborhood of Alfama is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, sprinkled with amazing tile work and cozy squares shaded by orange trees. It feels like a village inside a city. You can also take the famous Tram28 around, but I prefer walking!
Visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
This former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river is one of the must-see places in Lisbon. The architecture is stunning with intricately detailed columns and arches. (For those of you new to reading my blogs, I am a sucker for beautiful arches) I would suggest going early in the morning when it's at its most peaceful and quiet.
Shop at Embaixada
This shopping gallery is located inside the Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, hosting all sorts of boutique and concept stores, restaurants, and a trendy gin bar. The Gin bar was absolutely perfect! I loved the decor and all of the gin is local to Portugal! This building is easy to miss if you’re just walking past, so be sure to step inside to see the beautiful building and browse all the interesting independent stores.
Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar
What better way to enjoy Lisbon than with a cocktail in hand and an amazing city view? Well, you can do just that at all of the rooftop bars. The two I liked and visited were Topo Chiado and Java Rooftop Bar. The sunset was quite beautiful from both of these bars as well!
Party on Pink Street!
This street is pretty quiet during the day, but turns alive once darkness falls. It was once the city's red-light district, but it's a regular nightlife area today. Some of the bars still retain some of the original decors from when they were brothels. Many bars and clubs along Pink Street stay open until early morning. This street is also great for a photo opp!