Hey Steemers! Back in February, the wife and I took our annual vacation abroad and decided to go to Lisbon. Coincidentally, it just so happens that this years Steemfest will happen at the very same location! Since probably many of you will have never been to Lisbon, I decided to jot down some quick notes for you in case you may need help navigating one of the worlds oldest and most quaint cities around. Hope you enjoy it!
cool steep tram that travels almost vertically from one level of Portugal to another.
Getting Around
Lisbon is a very pedestrian friendly city. It is packed full of walking space, bus, and train transportation.
I found that walking to the metro train station was a very reasonable option. The Metro hits just about every major attraction in Lisbon. I stayed just out of the major tourist section of the city, kind of like the business section, and had no problems walking the half mile to the Metro and then shooting around the city. I recommend getting the 24 hours pass which allows you use of the Metro for a full 24 hours if you are going to be using it often. That will run you 6.15 Euro. But if you don't think you're going to utilize it that often, then a single fare will only be 1.45 Euro. For more information on the Metro, check the official Lisbon Metro website HERE
Eating
I can't say enough about the food in Lisbon. I previous was unknown to Portuguese food, living in the United States, but hot dang! They know how to eat! One of the places you have to go to is Oh Lacerda. I have to admit, I thought this place was a hole in the wall and kinda spooked me out because it was in a quiet part of town, off the beaten path.
Once inside, I was put at immediate ease. It had the feel of an old grandmother's kitchen and cozily decorated. I was blown away though. The staff was very friendly, all the ingredients were hand made and the food was amazing. Their wine list was off the charts as well, reasonably priced too! I found it on Tripadvisor which gave it wonderful reviews. Here, you can see my wife super happy we chose this place, it was a true gem. Definitely NOT a tourist place and a MUST try!
Sightseeing
There are dozens of things to do in Lisbon. From several museums, city squares, or shopping, Lisbon has it all! We started our journey in the Praca do Comercio which is one of the largest squares in Europe. Here, you can find shops, sculptures, and sit and look at the bay by the water. It is truly a sight to be seen.
Terreiro do Paco just outside Praca do Comercio
Just up the street from Praca do Comerico is one of the most iconic sights in Lisbon, the Santa Justa Lift. It's not the most interesting thing about Lisbon but is something you must do if you are ever in the area. I guess it would be like going to the Eiffel Tower if you were in Paris, you just gotta do it. Basically, it is a huge elevator which gives you birds eye view of the city and access to the Bairro Alto district.
Santa Justa Lift
From just about anywhere in the city you can see an old Medieval Castle hovering over the city. It is an amazing, 11th Century piece of history called Castelo de S. Jorge. It is one of the highest points of the city and once inside you won't be disappointed. I found myself, as I wondered through the old castle, lost in thought about how life was back thousands of years ago. Some of the first fortifications here go as far back as the 2nd Century. It is mind blowing just being here in this space as someone from the Roman era.
Castelo de S. Jorge
Farewell
I could go on for days about how much fun and exciting Lisbon is. We discovered just about every nook and cranny in the four days we were there. I can't spoil every site for you so it will be up to you to take it from here. This is a very easy city to navigate and explore. At no time did we ever feel unsafe or scared to venture anywhere the city had to offer (and we ended up in some sketchy areas). We were left with a true love of the city and of the kind citizens who inhabited it. If you do find yourself in Lisbon for Steemfest or any other time I hope you fall in love with it and have as an exciting time as we did.