10 of my favourite spots in Lisbon
For eating and drinking, views and shopping and the best solo dining table in the city. Plus a Lisbon airport hack. Lots of pics.
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Hello friends. I’ve just returned from my fourth visit to Lisbon and I’ve already planned a return in November. I really do love it. This hilly coastal capital casts a spell over me each time I visit, with its edge-of-the-world aura and laid back charm - even in the height of summer - that I find difficult to locate in other European capitals.
And the light. Oh, the light… Lisbon is known as ‘The City of Light’ because the sun reflects off the River Tagus onto whitewashed and yellow walls, shiny cobblestones and brightly painted tiles. It is famed for that light, saturating the terracotta rooftops and a watery horizon.
It’s only a 2hr 15min flight from the UK, it’s on the same time zone and it’s one of the sunniest capital cities in Europe. I’ve previously been in early January where I exclusively wore short sleeves under cloudless skies. And because it’s so close to the Atlantic, it never gets unbearably hot like it can in Spain or Greece, for example.
It can be rough around the edges, sometimes a bit worn. But this only adds to its beauty for me, it reminds me a little of Naples. And the food and people are wonderful. Plus it’s a lot cheaper than many popular destinations on the continent.
When I travel I like to seek out the places the locals visit. And so here are 10 of my favourite spots to visit in Lisbon, covering food and drink, shopping, views, books, where to stay and what is probably the best solo dining spot in the city. Plus a bonus Lisbon airport hack.
WARNING: Do not read this post on an empty stomach.