Lisbon and the 5 Senses
Ah, Lisbon, Portugal. To me, this place is extremely underrated and was actually my favorite stop during my Europe trip last summer. It was a last-minute addition to the trip, and the last stop, but oh my goodness was it worth it!
Not only was it the cheapest city (that uses the Euro) that I visited, but there was SO much to do there and it was absolutely gorgeous! I wish we could’ve spent about a week more there, but it just gives me an excuse to go back.
I’ve decided instead of doing a typical “5 things to do in (insert city name here)” list, I would make my list a little different by breaking it up into the 5 senses. Lisbon is definitely a lively, beautiful, bustling, unique place, and really is a feast for all of the senses!
1. SEE the amazing views from the Castelo de São Jorge
Not only is this 11th century Moorish castle so cool to wander through on the inside, but it also offers amazing views of Lisbon’s red rooftops! During my visit, we spent hours wandering through the castle’s gardens and towers, and basically went into every nook and cranny we could find. We even stopped by the cafe for a coffee afterwards and there were peacocks roaming the grounds!
2. TASTE amazing food at Time Out Mercado da Ribeira
This food market in Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre area was seriously amazing. It’s a fantastic place to explore! Did I eat there two days in a row? Um, duh. It took me SO long to decide what to eat because there are so many vendors with various offerings. I’m so indecisive and wanted everything. The market is indoors and offers tons of seating as well! You really can’t go wrong here. I highly doubt that when you do FINALLY decide what food you want to try, it’ll be anything less than delicious!
3. FEEL around for some great finds at the Feira da Ladra
Ok so basically, Lisbon’s market game is super strong. Not only is the food market amazing, but this “Thieves’ Market” was such a cool flea market to explore! The market is held every Tuesday and Sunday, from dawn until dusk, on Campo de Santa Clara street in the Alfama district. Some vendors are jewelry makers, artisans, or craftsmen selling handmade items, and others are students selling old clothes and knick-knacks for extra pocket change. There’s a wide range of goodies, and the winding aisles become a labyrinth of treasures! I picked up some great finds here!
4. HEAR the sweet sound of silence at the Quinta da Regaleira
A 45-minute train ride out of Lisbon will take you to the beautiful town of Sintra, which seriously looks like a fairy tale. You could spend an entire day wandering it’s picturesque streets. We, however, only had an afternoon, and decided to visit the Quinta da Regaleira. This estate is complete with a palace, chapel, lakes, gardens, grottoes, etc. It’s seriously so easy to get lost here, it’s absolutely magical! There’s such a peaceful air to it, and if you get lucky and go when it’s not too busy, you’ll be mesmerized by the silence and tranquility. (View my full, in-depth post on the Quinta da Regaleira here)
5. SMELL the sea water at the amazing seasides
Whether it’s the nearby area of Cascais or you trek out to the Azores Islands, Portugal has some incredible seaside areas. Cascais is conveniently only a 30-minute train outside of Lisbon! The wind in your hair, the sand in your toes, the saltwater smell…ugh, I’m drooling just thinking about it! I mean, who doesn’t love a good beach? Or even amazing views of the cliffs?
