If I had one word to describe Lisbon it would be charming.
It’s hard to overstate the unbelievable charm that flows from Portugal’s capital city. It feels very different to other capital cities in Europe.
You won’t experience busy, hectic, crowded streets like you do in most capital cities. Instead, it feels surprisingly relaxed and slow-paced most of time.
If you’ve never experienced Lisbon for yourself, it’s about time you put it on your travel wish-list.
I’ve come away from my visit to Lisbon believing it’s definitely one of the best cities in Europe, and one of the most underrated too.
I’m not saying it’s an undiscovered jewel of Europe, of course it’s not. Lots of people have been and continue to go, but until last year I’d barely read anything about the city or knew anyone who had been.
So what piqued my interest in Lisbon?
Well, the first thing that really planted the seed was after I read 5 Things You Should Really Do in Lisbon by Julika from Sateless Suitcase. She managed to capture Lisbon like a local; after all she did live there for five months:
Do yourself a favor and discover the relaxed Portuguese in you! Maybe you can’t see every museum in town in three days, but that’s not the point: Take it slow. Find yourself a little pastelaria on a pretty street. Sit in the sun. Order a coffee. Watch the people. Enjoy life. You won’t manage everything in time anyways. So, why hurry?
I was curious about exploring a capital city described as having such a small-town feel. Could a capital city really escape the often busy and hectic pace that often plagues so many other major cities?
The answer is yes. Everything about Lisbon has the charm of a quaint coastal town, but with the sights and sounds of a big capital city. It’s no exaggeration when I say Lisbon has a museum on every corner, and as Julika pointed out, ‘you can’t see every museum in town in three days’. I tried, and failed.
Experience the local atmosphere
Everything about it feels local. Whether it’s the macro-restaurants and bars, that are little more than a hole in the wall to the cobbled streets of Alfama; or from the dog-walking locals to our very relaxed Airbnb host.
Once we landed we got a text from our host to say he had to leave town for a few days unexpectedly, so he had sent his mother to meet us with the keys.
His mother greeted us with a wide, friendly smile and warm laugh. She proceeded to show me and my friend into the apartment where we would be staying for a few nights.
Although we spoke different languages, we just about managed to understand each other with the help of some heavy pointing and over-exaggerated head moments.
Before leaving, she pointed to a large, cylinder jug filled with Port wine. That alone ensured a 5* review on Airbnb, but she also generously left us two pastel de natas, Portugal’s favourite treat.
From the moment we started exploring, I think I fell in love with Lisbon after the first 5 minutes. Seeing the minutiae of daily life, where locals sit around watching football, catching up over coffee, gossiping, relaxing, and hanging out the washing.
A capital city by the sea
Where was the chaos of a capital centre I asked myself? It was nowhere to be found.
A city by the sea is always going to give a city a different vibe – sun, sea, and sand will forever make us long to sit down and relax, and that’s why Lisbon doesn’t feel like a capital city.
To feel the sun on my face in February, after months of rain and cold in England made it feel extra wonderful. It was also the first bit of sun I had in months and I won’t forget it anytime soon.
It’s a capital city that doesn’t feel like a capital city. It makes you slow down, and that’s when all the quirky details of the city start to beautifully unfold.
Whether it’s a little a piece of street art, or a huge wall mural, a broken tile, or a defaced sculpture that you would ordinarily have walked past if you were racing to see all the major sights.
As soon as you walk up the steps from Picoas metro station in Lisbon, you’re greeted by a row of buildings covered in street art. It was cool to see these two by BLU (right) and Os Gêmeos (left).
Lisbon is one of those places where you can feel its heartbeat immediately, it’s not blocked by city dwellers in stiff suits, too busy to say hello or forge a smile to a stranger.
Instead, the people go out of their way to tell you about the best bits of their city, they will help you locate a place which you’re having trouble finding on your map, and most importantly, they make you feel welcomed.
Another point I should mention is Lisbon is big, much bigger than I thought it would be, use the buses, the trams, the Metro – even the underground is enjoyable to use, and a great chance to spot interesting tiles.
Lisbon is special, not just because of the incredible food, beautiful scenery, vast museums, sun-bleached monuments, narrow alleyways and friendly people; but how it makes you feel. It’s a place where you want to return, and when you do, I bet it’s just like returning home.
32 responses
I love Lisbon! I was there a couple of years ago and, you’re right, it doesn’t feel like your typical capital city in Europe. It’s very charming and laid-back; the food is amazing.
The food in Lisbon is unbelievably amazing, and surprisingly affordable isn’t it?!
Beautiful pics, Shing! Love the shot of a man and his dog by the sea. And you too look awesome in both photos.
Thanks! I loved the man and his dog too, it appears it’s not only humans that appreciate the beauty of Lisbon 😀
I’ve never been to Portugal, but the way you describe it makes me wanna go there this summer. Charming? That’s, by far, my favourite word to describe a wonderful and cozy place I love to explore. Fishy? I’m a bit fan of seafood and salmon so I guess I would love the city! It’s also so colorful. How expensive have you found Lisbon? What was your daily budget?
Good point Agness, I should included how affordable Lisbon is for the average person (I think I’m going to add more info to this post). It’s a city which offers really good value for food and accommodation. You can enjoy a really good dish which includes fresh fish and vegetables for 6 Euros. And you can grab a tasty lunch for 4 Euros but obviously depending on your appetite you might spend less or more. In terms of accommodation, my friend and I paid 15 Euros each a night for a whole apartment on Airbnb, but you can find cheaper ones too!
On a whole it’s considerably cheaper than most Western European cities, but slightly more expensive than somewhere like Poland. I hope you go this summer!
By the way, I have not been here for a while so it’s my first time to see your new design. WICKED! Love the colors – peppermint is my fav! x
Ahhh thank you! I’ve seen you wear peppermint, it suits you 😉
You know what my favorite picture was 🙂 !! (the man and dog of course…and your’s too, our friend) I like how you described the small town feel for the big city. I’m into small, cozy towns and no crowds! Port wine, pastel de natas, fish? Yes, yes, yes please! Probably the best part was you emphasizing slowing down then really being able to take it all in.
10 words to describe?? Argh, the pressure! Ok here goes: A very inviting destination from a dazzling blogger named, Shing! 🙂
Great post as always and thank you for including the dogs. That seriously made my day! 🙂
I have to admit Mike, when I’m in a city I’m not very good at ‘taking it slow’ but Lisbon makes you want to sit back and relax too. It’s such a wonderful city and I hope to return back in the not so distant future.
Haha, love your 10 word description 😉 Oh, and the dog photo was for you!
Your post has done what no on else has been able to and that is to convince me to go to Lisbon. My husband has been trying to get me to go for ages and I something stops me but I think the time has come! Beautifully written as usual Shing and oh so inviting!
Yey! I’m honoured! I know you’ll love it Jenny, it’s impossible not to and the food is incredible! This’ll make the husband pleased 🙂
I’m so glad you had a wonderful (and sunny!!) time in Lisbon! I love that you ended up loving it just as much as I do! Beautiful post and amazing photos, Shing!
Thanks Julika, I’ve got to say, I doubt I would have gone to Lisbon as soon as I had were it not for your posts! Now I understand why you love it so much! It completely exceeded my expectations, and I can’t wait to go back!
I love the fact there are very few chain restaurants/shops (at least that was the case when I went in 2007).
Incidentally, when I went that yellow street elevator was shiny and clean – it seems it has taken a while for it to be covered in ‘street art’.
There are still very few chain stores Rich! I was really surprised by this. Haha, it’s definitely a city with prevalent street art 🙂
I have been eagerly anticipating this post, Shing! I can’t wait to visit in June now… It sounds exactly like the sort of city I love 🙂 The perfect mix of relaxation and sightseeing!
You’re going to love Lisbon Lizzie! (I really enjoyed the alliteration that just went on there). I’ll be happy to give you more suggestions closer to the time. There are so many amazing things to do there that it’s hard choosing between them all if you only have a few days!
Lisbon seems so alluring now. Uncrowded, local and located by the sea. Sounds like a perfect destination. I think you managed to encourage quite a few people to visit it, Shing 🙂 And I love the photo of the yellow tram. I always see refined photos of it and you showed it from different perspective. It is a very little thing but I love it!
Hi Ola! Hopefully this post will manage to lure you over to Lisbon… you won’t regret it. Besides, I know you feel at home by the sea so how can you resist? 🙂
As a Portuguese who spent most of his last decade in Lisbon, let me just tell you how dear this post was to me, and no doubt it made me homesick. I hope people follow your advise and visit the city more than once! And like you said, don’t be stressed if you don’t see every museum.. Lisbon is a city to spend time outdoors! (Even to have a meal! There’s nothing better than having dinner in an esplanada!)
Wonderful post! Thank you for this wonderful Saudade you brought. x
Hello Fabio! I want to say thank you for passing on so many brilliant recommendations, it’s just a shame I could only manage to see and do a handful – but on the plus side, the things I missed give me a huge incentive to return! I could keep raving on about Lisbon but I don’t want you to be any more homesick than you already are 😉 x
Althouth I’m Portuguese, I live in Lisboa and I agree with every single word you wrote. I’ve traveled the World, I’ve visited all European capitals and the I Travel the more I love Lisboa. To understand this feeling you have to come here and feel / live it. Great article!
Hi Carla, it’s lovely to read a response from someone who lives in Lisbon, and I’m really happy you enjoyed reading my thoughts about your city. It doesn’t surprise me that the more you travel the world, the more you love Lisbon. I hope more people visit because it has so much to offer in all facets of culture, and as we both noted – you have to experience Lisbon for yourself to understand the ‘feeling’ it possesses.
Hello Shing! I’m from Lisboa and I’m so happy that you enjoyed your visit to our city so much! 😀 It’s indeed a very unique and special place isn’t it? But Portugal is not only Lisboa, so I would like to send you a link about our castles and fortresses. I don’t know if you are into that kind of stuff but we have a lot of historical heritage all around the country and I hope more people start to notice it too. Here it goes:
http://www.lisbonlux.com/magazine/the-20-most-beautiful-castles-in-portugal/
Ola Pedro! ‘Unique’ and ‘special’ are two words as well as many others in which I would describe Lisbon! I completely agree, Lisbon is only a fraction of what Portugal offers I’m sure, but my oh my, what a beautiful fraction it is! My first time in Portugal certainly won’t be my last! Thank you for the link, I love heritage and cultural sites so I will have a good read through Lisbon Lux, it looks like a great resource.
Thanks for an outstanding article on a great city. As a native of Portugal I always enjoy seeing other people ‘discover’ what a wonderful, and underrated, city Lisbon really is.
I will be going back to visit in the very near future.
Hello Nelson! I haven’t heard a single negative comment about Lisbon, which is unusual for any destination, and therefore a testimony to how much this city has to offer. It’s got something for everyone, hasn’t it? Culture vultures, sun seekers, foodies – there’s so much to discover no matter your preference! Now I’m just deciding where I should go for my next visit to Portugal! It’s so nice to hear how much you love your capital city, and it’s not difficult to see why 🙂
Hi Shing: Have you had the chance to check out Sintra and Cascais?
I went to Sintra and thought it was stunning! (blog post to follow). However, I didn’t have enough time there so I missed quite a lot of areas – so I will have to return! No I didn’t go to Cascais but thank you for putting it on my radar!
As someone who was born and raised in Lisbon but currently living abroad, this post brought me Saudade. Lisbon is a city with depth and personality where everything there is about feeling rather than sightseeing. Lisbon is special! Lisbon is food! Lisbon is sun! Lisbon is ocean! Lisbon is warm-hearted people! Lisbon is saudade! Lisbon is culture! Lisbon is coffee! Lisbon is street art! Lisbon is night life! Lisbon is all about feelings! Thanks for posting such a nice article! 🙂
I brought you saudade? Ahh that makes me so happy Nuno! It’s a beautiful word too, and one with no direct translation in English.
You’re very lucky to call this place home no matter where you are in the world.