The Great Escape: my city guide to Lisbon (part 1)

maaikeout
Jul 9, 2014
3 min read

Last week I went on a mini holiday, visiting my friends in the Portuguese Algarve. We stayed at their place in Cabanas, eastern Algarve. Cabanas is situated some 7km east of Tavira, at the beginning of the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. Cabanas gets it's name from the huts (cabanas) that were put up during the early 18th century by the tuna fishermen to store their fishing gear in, they then eventually built houses for themselves as well and the fishing village of 'Cabanas de Tavira' was born. My friends promised loads of sun, but as you can see there were some clouds as well. Perfect for me, because it was warm though not insanely hot.

Then I went on to Lisbon, on my own. I booked an apartment which was right next to the city centre and the hot spot that's Bairro Alto. The city has many great views, beautiful buildings and nice area's, so I walked all over town. Up hill and down hill 'till my feet hurts so much I could hardly stay on my feet. Every now and then I took a tram or bus, to go to out-of-the-way palces. Here are my tips and impressions!

The owner of the apartment I stayed in, Marta, used to have her vintage shop in this building that used to be an old coal factory. You can still see the oven, right behind the bed. I've paid about €45 a night if I remember correctly, and it beats a hotel in my opinion.

This is restaurant Pharmacia. Located in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, in an old pharmacy museum, the place offers medicine for your eyes and tastebuds. Lounge on the grass with some Paracetamol (cocktail of honey, melon and ginger beer) or munch on some petiscos (Portuguese tapas) on either the terrace or inside the vintage pharmacy restaurant. (Restaurante Pharmacia | Rua Marechal Saldanha | Tue – Sun 13:00 – 01:00)

Take the ferry behind Cais do Sodre towards Cacilhas to take in this view of Lisbon.

Before I went to Portugal, I decided against going to Pasteis de Belem. The bakery is very famous for its pasteis, the best in town, but I read everywhere that the queue is endless. And I did not want to waste my time waiting in it. However, my Portuguese friend told me to bypass the line and go straight inside because behind the bakery and small seating area is much more space to sit down. Once you sit, you can order their treats and also anything to go. It was perfect, there was loads of space and within a few minutes I got everything I ordered. Obrigada my friend! (Rua Belem 84-92 | Mon - Sun 8:00 - 24:00)

I cannot be in a city and not visit the local flea market. Feira da Ladra is the market in Lisbon, and a huge one at that (it covers many streets and squares like Campo de Santa Clara). The market is in the Alfama district, take the famous Tram 28 to get there.

A small but busy place, Hamburgueria do Bairro. Obviously they serve burgers, also veggie ones. I went to the one near my apartment (Rua dos Industriais 9, take tram 28 towards the west), but they have more establishments in other parts of the city.

Market Mercado da Ribeira near Cais do Sodré train station. Lisbon's main food market also includes a food court, filled with top portuguese restaurants and Petiscos. (Avenida 24 de Julho, right opposite the station)

But there's more! Take a look at part 2 of my city guide to Lisbon.