By Charlotte Ross 3rd year English
From breakfast to dinner, this is my guide to spending the perfect 24 hours in Lisbon, showcasing the best of Portugal’s cultural capital.
Start your day off in the historic riverside freguesia (parish) of Belém, the home of the much loved Pastel de Nata. There is no better start to the day than one of these piping hot pastries, which you can eat in the original factory dating back to 1837, Pastéis de Belém. Served warm with a bica (or espresso), these treats are best enjoyed with a sprinkling of cinnamon and icing sugar. Whilst you’re there, take a stroll round to Belém Tower, which is the perfect spot for a touristy Instagram.
If you are the cultural type, the Berardo Museum next door offers a showcase of Portuguese contemporary art which rivals London’s best galleries (in my humble opinion). Plus it’s a bargain at only €2.50 entrance fee for students! Whilst most websites will recommend you visit the Jerónimos Monastery next, the queue is usually excessively long, and it can be admired from the outside without wasting an hour standing in the sun.
Next, hop on the train into the centre of Lisbon, which will cost you only €1.45 (standard price for any journey on the Lisbon metro), and get off at Cais do Sodré Station. Spend the next few hours wandering around the historic highlights, including Praça do Comércio Square and Lisbon Cathedral. Lisbon is more hilly than Bristol (yes it is possible!), so make sure to bring your walking boots, especially as the streets are paved with calçada, traditional white cobblestones.
When the heat of the day gets too much, pop into one of Lisbon’s many museums. A personal favourite is Museu da Cerveija (Museum of Beer), which guides you through the history of Portuguese beer with a few tasters along the way. If this isn’t your scene, then the Botanical Gardens are a wonderful repose from the bustling city and the perfect place to take refuge from the sun.
For a late lunch (the Portuguese eat around 3 pm), wander down to the Alfama district, a maze of tiny intimate streets and ancient houses. Find a tiny café buried deep within the streets and sample the delicacy that is grilled sardines. The best places to eat are off the beaten track, usually under someone’s flat, and run by a little old Portuguese grandmother. On a Sunday, the whole of Lisbon smells of sardines, and they are best enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon and some boiled potatoes.
If you fancy some history, then the Castle of São Jorge is worth a visit, or if you would rather spend the time looking round the shops then the Chiado district is for you. Whichever way you go, make sure to steer clear of the red tourist busses, as they charge extortionate rates to drive you round the most crowded and expensive parts of the town. The best way to see Lisbon is on foot, as most of the streets are too narrow for traffic. If you want to take public transport, then catch a famous yellow tram, but beware of the pickpockets who haunt them.
To end the day, grab some dinner in Bairro Alto, known as the social capital of Lisbon and full of tiny restaurants serving great typical food. Bacalhau, or cod fish, is the country’s traditional dish, and can reputably be served over 100 different ways. Head back down to the river for my favourite way to end the day: watching the sun set over the Vasco da Gama Bridge with a Santini’s ice cream (rated one of the best in the world).
Featured image: Flickr
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