Portugal’s capital has plenty of cultural cred, and not just for being one of Europe’s oldest cities. Lisbon is a playground for those who embrace the simple pleasures of life whether it’s dining spectacular cuisine, exploring a variety of museums, viewing dynamic architecture, or enjoying lofty scenic city views from one of the locale’s seven hills—each topped with a miradouro (terrace) for easy access.
Enjoy boho luxury in the heart of Lisbon when you check into Bairro Alto Hotel View Lisbon from the top of one of its seven hills—Shop for flea market finds at Feira da Ladra (Thieves Market) —Dine any way you want: On signature dishes like bacalhau (dried salt cod), and pasteis de nata (cinnamon-dusted egg custard pastries); at historic restaurants like O Policia, or contemporary fare at JNcQUOI — Revel in Bairro Alto’s nightlife options among its cobblestoned streets.
Lisbon’s history stretches back to Phoenician times, but really came into its own during the last centuries of the Middle Ages and the down of the Age of Discovery. It’s rich history has laid the foundation for two stunning must-see UNESCO World Heritage sites—Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The former dates back to the early 16th Century and served as a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River. Neighboring Jerónimos Monastery is a stunning example of Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture from the dawn of the 17th Century. Other top things to do in Lisbon is visiting Castelo de São Jorge, riding Tram 28E through Alfama, and taking in the breathtaking vista from Lisbon’s seven hills.
As with any walkable European city, packing sturdy footwear that will hold up on cobblestoned streets and otherwise uneven pavement is a must. With all the towering architecture spread throughout the city, pack a camera (or at least plenty of memory on your smartphone) and any gear to go with it like a handy tripod. Many of Lisbon’s dining and drinking establishments can have outdoor patios, so packing a cover-up and/or light jacket will come in handy when the temperature drops in the evenings. You won’t want to miss the shopping in Lisbon, so you may want to plan on extra room in your luggage for your finds.
Cork is king in Lisbon, as Portugal is home to one third of the world’s cork forests. You can pick up creative cork products such as handbags, hats, and wallets. Lisbon is also known for its renowned selection of port wine and Ginjinha cherry liquor, all perfect things to bring back home. Sports fans may also want to bring home a soccer jersey or two.
Forget the hassle of negotiating luggage at the airport. Ship your luggage seamlessly to and from Lisbon with Luggage Free. When you’re on your way, just pack your luggage as you normally would and Luggage Free will pick it up from your home or office whenever you schedule a pick-up, delivering it to your hotel or place of lodging guaranteed. On your way home, the process is reversed and Luggage Free will pick up your luggage from your hotel and deliver it back to you safely.