Lisbon was an absolute dream. It's hard to find words to describe just how much I loved this city. I ended up going with two friends from my study abroad trip, and I think it's safe to say that by the end of the trip, each of us left with a deep appreciation for everything Portugal had to offer.
Each day we were there, we explored the city's cobblestone roads, soaked in the early summer sun and took photos at nearly every street corner, where there were the most colorful houses you could imagine. We explored street markets, took a trip to the beach and snacked on a few pasteis de nata along the way.
Lisbon quickly became one of my favorite cities, even though I was only there for about three days. It was the perfect end to a semester abroad and was a beautiful place to reminisce over the adventures I had over the past several months in Europe. Quite frankly, I was exhausted by the end of the trip, so even while exploring the city on autopilot, you can easily find beauty on every corner of this city.
Over the course of the few days we were there, we did a LOT of walking and a LOT of exploring. We found ourselves in some of Lisbon's coolest neighborhoods, sometimes unintentionally. We went to Barrio Alto, a bohemian neighborhood with lots of street art and brilliant tile work. We ended up at Portas do Sol, a lookout where you can see crystal clear water and catch a glimpse of the city skyline. Another afternoon, we spent our time buying some souvenirs from various artists and vendors at the Lx Factory Market. If you have a few hours to kill, the factory would be the first on my list.
At one point on the trip, we even packed ourselves into a sweaty, packed Portuguese street car that crawled up the city's several steep hills to get back to our hostel one afternoon. Side note: although these cars may look charming, they are better to be admired from the outside!
We even took a day trip to Cascais to lay by the beach, and honestly, did nothing but take in the view! If you are looking for a relaxing end to a trip in Portugal, I'd recommend taking the 40 minute shuttle ride to the beach.
And last but not least, try listening to fado music if you can; it was recommended to me by a work colleague, and I did not regret waiting in line to hear it in person. The music is hauntingly beautiful, and there are a variety of cafes you can see musicians perform in close to the city center. However, some of the places are clearly a rip off for tourists, so make sure you do your research before walking in. The shows also take place every 20 minutes or so, so expect to wait in line for a good show. But once you are in, you can savor a nice glass of wine and enjoy the company.
Last but not least, if you are looking for an affordable place to stay in Lisbon, I'd suggest Saint Jordi Hostels Lisbon. It's located in a stunning restored building and has a beautiful garden area in the back to have a leisurely breakfast before heading out to explore for the day. One night, the hostel employees even invited us to the roof of the building to take in the sunset. It is also conveniently located near the Viewpoint of Monte Agudo and the Castelo de S. Jorge, which was built in the 11th century. Although I was with friends for this leg of the trip, the crowd that was there also seemed very chill and adventurous; for that reason, I'd especially recommend this hostel for solo travelers looking to make a few friends in Portugal.
Although I could describe in further detail just how beautiful Lisbon was, I thought a photo gallery might be able to do this trip more justice. However, it's truly nothing like the real deal; for an affordable and adventurous trip to Europe, definitely add Lisbon to your list.