{"id":2888,"date":"2023-04-27T15:08:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T15:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/?p=2888"},"modified":"2023-04-27T18:54:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-27T18:54:05","slug":"sunday-manifest-lisbon-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/sunday-manifest-lisbon-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Manifest: Lisbon, Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Lisbon, a city of colorful, sun-kissed streets, fabulous cuisine, and captivating architecture located on the western coast of Portugal, where the Tagus River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home to medieval castles and World Heritage sites; beautifully preserved neighborhoods and bustling, new shopping districts; laid-back resorts and contemporary hotels, it\u2019s a unique destination that offers activities and attractions for every age and interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whether you\u2019re a history buff, foodie, art lover, or an adventurer excited to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Portugal\u2019s capital, Lisbon\u2019s friendly charm, culinary delights, and coastal big city ambiance are sure to leave you enchanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Europe\u2019s oldest and most beautiful cities, Lisbon has a rich and complex history that spans more than two millennia. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century, it\u2019s actually older than Rome, Paris, and London. And though it was devastated by a major earthquake<\/a><\/strong> in 1755 (followed by a tsunami and fires), the city underwent a massive reconstruction soon after and emerged modernized and better than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Lisbon boasts wide boulevards, impressive public squares, and grand buildings<\/a> <\/strong>in a diverse mix of styles\u2014including Pombaline, Manueline, neoclassical, Baroque, and Contemporary\u2014alongside its much-older, still-standing landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Alfama<\/a><\/strong> neighborhood is an excellent example of old Lisbon, with winding, cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, traditional houses, and lovely public parks. Here you can wander through side streets and open plazas, soaking up authentic local culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a tour of the famed Castelo de S\u00e3o Jorge<\/a><\/strong>, a medieval castle dating back to the 11th century, still standing atop Lisbon\u2019s highest hill. With fantastic views of the city below, onsite archaeological ruins, a cool camera obscura, shaded gardens with roaming peacocks, a museum and gift shop, and special guest programs and workshops, it\u2019s a definite, must-visit attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also enjoy river and rooftop views from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol<\/a><\/strong>. Stroll through the Feira da Ladra<\/a><\/strong> for handmade crafts and vintage goods. Visit museums and historic sites, including the National Tile Museum<\/a><\/strong>, Lisbon Cathedral<\/a><\/strong>, Roman Theater Museum<\/a><\/strong>, and the National Pantheon<\/a><\/strong>. Learn more about the history of Lisbon\u2019s traditional folk music at the Fado Museum<\/a><\/strong>. And relax and refuel with a lovely lunch at one of the neighborhood\u2019s local restaurants\u2014the elegant Audrey\u2019s<\/a><\/strong>, in the heart of Alfama, and the tucked-away Quase Caf\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> are both excellent options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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West of Alfama, you\u2019ll find the city-center neighborhood of Baixa<\/a><\/strong>, an eclectic mix of old and new, where many of Lisbon\u2019s landmarks, shops, and restaurants can be found. It\u2019s the main retail and banking district of the city, completely rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755. Here, you can visit the riverside Comercio Square<\/a><\/strong>, the bustling Rossio Square<\/a><\/strong>, and the quieter Municipal Square<\/a><\/strong> (home to Lisbon\u2019s City Hall). Take a walk or do some high-end shopping along the upscale Avenida da Liberdade<\/a><\/strong>. Ride the Santa Justa Lift<\/strong> <\/a>up to a beautifully ornate metal observation deck at the top. Or head to the lively Rua Augusta, Lisbon\u2019s busiest pedestrian street, to enjoy street artists and performers, outdoor caf\u00e9s, and the triumphal Rua Augusta Arch<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In nearby Bairro Alto<\/a><\/strong>, the vibe is cool bohemian with a bar and restaurant scene that comes alive after dark. It\u2019s a great place to gather with friends over drinks while listening to live music, or enjoy a self-guided culinary tour, sampling traditional Portuguese dishes such as grilled sardines, salt cod, and custard tarts alongside international dishes such as Korean-style BBQ, Middle Eastern falafel, and Neapolitan pizzas. For a real treat, try the small plates and famous cheese tart at Of\u00edcio<\/a><\/strong> or the fabulous seafood at Tabern\u00e1rio do Bairro<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, the neighborhood of Bel\u00e9m<\/a><\/strong> is a quieter part of the city and features tree-lined plazas, parks, and riverside walking paths, as well as the Gothic-style Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery<\/a><\/strong> and the iconic 16th-century Bel\u00e9m Tower<\/a><\/strong>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Portugal\u2019s \u201cAge of Discovery.\u201d It\u2019s also home to Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/a><\/strong>, a landmark bakery renowned for its original (and delicious) version of Lisbon\u2019s popular Pastel de Nata tart. It\u2019s the perfect place to sit down, enjoy the sunshine, and take a break from sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other not-to-be-missed attractions in and around the city include the family-friendly Lisbon Aquarium and Oceanarium<\/a><\/strong> in the Parque das Na\u00e7\u00f5es district; the tree-lined Jardim da Estrela<\/a><\/strong> (one of the most beautiful parks in Lisbon); the fashionable Pr\u00edncipe Real<\/a><\/strong> social district; the Bertrand Bookstore<\/a><\/strong> (the oldest bookstore in the world!); the National Museum of Contemporary Art<\/a><\/strong> in Chiado; and for an unforgettable, Michelin-starred dining experience, the chic Belcanto<\/a><\/strong> restaurant\u2014named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On water, you can enjoy daytime party boat or dolphin-watching cruises or relax in the evening with a sunset sail on the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just outside of Lisbon there\u2019s even more to explore, with the heritage town of Sintra<\/a><\/strong>, the resort town of Cascais<\/a><\/strong>, and the golden-sand beaches of Praia de Caxias<\/a><\/strong>, Praia da Adraga<\/a><\/strong>, and  Praia de Carcavelos<\/a><\/strong> just a short train or car ride away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in most European cities, exploring Lisbon on foot<\/a><\/strong> is one of the best ways to see the sights. Despite its hilly terrain, the streets are designed for pedestrians with wide, stone mosaic sidewalks<\/a><\/strong> (that are as much a work of art as they are a way to get around) and several lifts and funiculars<\/a><\/strong> to help get you up and down the steepest hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, most attractions are easily walkable from the center of the city or convenient to public transit stops. But when you need a break from walking or if you want to explore neighborhoods outside of the city, there are plenty of buses<\/a><\/strong>, taxis<\/a><\/strong>, subway trains<\/a><\/strong>, and vintage yellow trams<\/a><\/strong> to help you get around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We currently have two trips to Portugal that include time in Lisbon on our Experiences<\/a><\/strong> page: an Unforgettable Family-Friendly Getaway<\/strong><\/a> and a Luxury Food and Culture Adventure<\/strong><\/a>. But if these trips aren\u2019t exactly what you\u2019re looking for, our Manifest team is always happy to curate a custom trip for you to Lisbon or anyplace else you\u2019d like to go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Lisbon, a city of colorful, sun-kissed streets, fabulous cuisine, and captivating architecture located on the western coast of Portugal, where the Tagus River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Home to medieval castles and World Heritage sites; beautifully preserved neighborhoods and bustling, new shopping districts; laid-back resorts and contemporary hotels, it\u2019s a unique destination…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":2903,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,131,93,162,47,143,94,54,46,16,116],"tags":[140,163,38,172,130,35,173,13,15,36,12],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/LisbonYellowTram-Olga-GavrilovaShutterstock.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2888"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2888"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2920,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2888\/revisions\/2920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manifestescapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}