Cue the fado tunes and the scent of fresh pastéis de nata – my second destination of the september trip brought me to the colorful streets of Lisbon! 🎉 As the capital of Portugal and the second stop on my ‘triple trip’ adventure (right after Paris), Lisbon was ready to charm me with its stunning architecture, steep hills, and endless ocean views. Now, just like with France the days before, this was my first time setting foot in Portugal, and I couldn’t wait to soak in the laid-back vibes, feast on some bacalhau, and of course, explore all the hidden corners this historic city had to offer! 🇵🇹 First time in Portugal? Oh yes, and I was ready to experience it all (or well, as much as possible)!
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Day 1 – Exploring the area
On my first day after arriving at my flat (which, by the way, was super spacious – a rare find for a city like Lisbon), I was eager to explore the area a bit. To my delight, the underground metro was just 50 meters from my new ‘home,’ and there was a nearby supermarket… where, fun fact, no one spoke a word of English. Adventure level: expert!
Determined to see the seaside – or should I say riverside, since technically it’s the Tagus River – I decided to navigate without my trusty “uncle” Google. What could go wrong? Well, I got lost. But hey, no worries! Because in true ‘accidental tourist’ fashion, getting lost led me to a stunning, unexpected view! 😍
Eventually, I gave in and pulled out my phone – Lisbon is quite the hilly city, you know? After some navigating, I finally made it to the riverside (not seaside, as I kept reminding myself!). By this point, my stomach was growling – loud. I needed food, and fast. So, my first meal in Portugal happened at Marina Parque das Nações, where I found a chill spot called Mau Mau Marina. The vibes were on point, and I ordered a beef sandwich with a refreshing lemonade. Hit the spot perfectly! With my hunger satisfied, it was time to head back and recharge. First day in Portugal done, and tomorrow? A whole day to explore!
Day 2 – Oceanario de Lisboa
Next day, I was feeling pretty lazy. Rolled out of bed after 10, but hey, it’s vacation, so no rush! My plan? Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium, something I had already “researched” (aka Googled in bed). It wasn’t too far from my Lisbon base—just a casual 1.5 km stroll. I had pre-booked my ticket on the GetYourGuide app (look at me, all organized).
I’ll save the words and just drop a video and some pics because, honestly, they say it all. The place is beyond beautiful. I spent about three hours there, but easily could’ve stayed the whole day. It was super chill, with exhibits that just made you want to relax and soak it all in. And, of course, the visit ended with a necessary souvenir shop stop to grab a magnet for the collection.
Day 3 – City sightseeing, Zoo visit and…
The plan for the day was to be productive, but… well, I woke up at 10. Oops. But hey, I’m on vacation, right (yes I know I’m repeating myself)? I hopped onto Lisbon’s fantastic metro system (pro tip: grab the reloadable card for just €0.50, and each ride is only €1.61—absolute bargain!). Off to the “somewhat” city center I go.
Emerging from the underground, I was once again reminded that Lisbon is well… hilly. Navigating my way down, I made my first stop at the iconic arch (you know the one). The weather? Foggy. But hey, the mist adds a certain charm, right? Strolling up the main street, I couldn’t resist stopping for some souvenir shopping and a little bite to eat. And oh, was it worth it! A brunch feast that could fuel a full day of sightseeing: tea, juice, soup, eggs with ham, bread, tuna spread, and pancakes—all for just €13.90. Yum!
And, as if brunch was magical, the fog lifted right after I finished. The sun broke through, and Lisbon was shining in all its glory! Perfect timing for some aimless wandering. No phone, no map, just letting the city guide me. It’s the best way to explore, don’t you think?
As I strolled through the sunny streets, I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted the famous Lisbon trams clattering along. And yes, I saw the Tram 28 in action, winding its way up the narrow streets and steep hills. There’s something iconic about those bright yellow trams—they give the city that timeless, postcard-perfect charm.
Next on the agenda: the Lisbon Zoo. And wow, this place is no joke. It’s massive, with all the animal kingdom you can imagine: big cats prowling around, tons of bird species fluttering about, and more monkeys than you can shake a banana at. The savannah animals were out in full force—lions (khm asleep), giraffes, elephants, zebras. But the coolest thing? Pheasants just wandering freely among the visitors! How’s that for interactive?
And my personal favorites? Definitely the red panda and the meerkats. Too cute.
I couldn’t skip the reptile section either. Snakes slithered in their enclosures, lizards posed majestically on their rocks, and yes, there was a Komodo dragon! Seeing one up close is a whole experience—massive and impressive, like something straight out of a prehistoric era. Honestly, I could’ve spent the whole day just taking it all in, but after three hours of wandering, I had to call it.
… Sporting Lisbon home match!
But wait, the day wasn’t done yet! I had something a little different planned for the evening—two days ago, I found out Sporting Lisbon had a match on, and I just had to go. Snagged a ticket immediately. So fast forward to Sunday night… another metro ride later, and I’m standing in front of the 50,000-seat stadium. Of course, I had to grab a scarf to blend in with the locals (and as a souvenir, naturally). As the match began the stadium was completely full. The atmosphere? Absolutely electric.
And the match? Well, if you want to know the result, you can find it here (*Click* 😉).
Day 4 – Sintra, Cascais whole day trip
Monday was my day for a full-blown adventure—Sintra and Cascais. Naturally, I booked it through my trusty sidekick, GetYourGuide (seriously, great app!). Our journey kicked off at 8:30 from the Rossio Fountain (did you see the picture of it above?), and soon we were whisked away by bus to the fairytale village of Sintra.
Now, Sintra… wow. It’s tiny and crammed with tourists, but it has this charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Our first stop? The iconic, oh-so-colorful Pena Palace. It’s not massive, but it’s hands down one of the most stunning palaces I’ve ever seen. Fun fact: it used to be the summer hangout for Portugal’s royal families—guess they knew how to vacation in style.
After descending into Sintra village, our guide gave us some tips on how to spend our free time before we headed to a nearby mansion. She recommended a nearby restaurant, which was so packed I could barely see inside. Lucky for me, I spotted two guys from our group (who clearly didn’t wait for the guide’s suggestions) already seated. I slid into their table and, voila, food situation solved! Check out the pic of my meal—tasty stuff, right? And yes, in case you’re wondering, that is a huge glass of lemonade. Hydration game on point!
Next up, we visited Quinta da Regaleira, and wow, where do I even start? It’s like stepping into some eccentric, Gothic dream. The mansion itself is surrounded by lush gardens filled with mysterious towers, hidden tunnels, and even an initiation well. Seriously, it feels like a playground for adventurers and secret societies. You could wander for hours and still discover something new at every turn.
After that dose of wonder, we finally hit the actual seaside, landing in the charming coastal town of Cascais. We had about an hour of free time, and our guide pointed us toward this unique local ice cream flavor—the “Cascais flavor.” Of course, I had to try it (you can’t not, right?). With my ice cream in hand, I wandered down to the beach, taking in the picturesque seaside views. Cue the awe-smiley moment here.
After snapping some photos, we wrapped things up and hopped on the bus back to Lisbon. A 1.5-hour ride later, and we were back. What a day!
Day 5 – Packing, leaving to Malta
Time to pack. Today is my last day in Lisbon and at 15.00 (local time) I’m off to the island nation of Malta! Até à próxima, Lisbon! 🇵🇹 Até à próxima, Portugal! 🇵🇹 Malta, here I come! 🌍✈️
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