Is it common knowledge that Lisbon is extremely hilly? Granted, I barely researched the city before arriving, but I had absolutely no idea that skinny sidewalk staircases were in my future. Nonetheless, after a few days of huffing and puffing my way between Intendente and Cais do Sodre, I got used to it.
While my step count and flights climbed soared, my Portuguese practice effectively ground to a halt because everyone in Lisbon speaks English. In fact, most of the people I met (through Outsite) were French, Canadian, British, or American.
I worked a lot and did most of my wandering and eating alone, but here were some highlights:
Javá - we went here at night so there was no view, but the food was spectacular
Ao 26 Vegan Food Project - really good food in a beautiful space
Comadre - an old friend/colleague who now lives in Lisbon took me to this delicious & hip restaurant
Cafe Janis - very cute, very delicious cafe. When I tried to come here a second time, their kitchen was having maintenance issues :(
Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Alfama location) - cavernous yet cozy coffee shop with a breezy back patio and scrumptious baked goods.
Taberna Tosca - DELICIOUS and affordable Portuguese food. Go here multiple times and order the prawns.
The Mill - Australian-inspired cafe with excellent coffee and food.
Lupita Pizzaria - the best pizza I’ve had outside of New York.
A Ginjinha - touristy but also quintessential. 1,50EUR for a little shot of cherry liquor with sour cherries to munch on.
Photo Dump
Sunrise at Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Moonrise at Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Late afternoon lounging at Jardim do Torel
Miscellaneous Beauty
The Big Questions
Do I want to settle down here? Probably not. Lisbon is gorgeous and has a lot of great restaurants, but I think it would feel just as unfulfilling and isolating as living in NYC—or any big city for that matter. Also, it’s been really hard to find quality produce.
Would I visit again? Definitely! There’s soooo much more to see and I would come back in a heartbeat.
Where am I now? Cascais for 2.5 weeks!
And it already feels waaaaaay more in line with where I want to end up ;)
Loooving the pics, keep 'em coming!