Laura-Jane Adventures

Being a student at St. Andrews University comes with perks and one of those is the very long winter break. Due to this me and my friend Megan decided to take a little trip to Lisbon before our classes start back. We met in London and then headed to Lisbon. We spent five days there, staying in a very cute little Airbnb near the neighbourhood of Barrio Alto.

I’d recommend Lisbon for anyone looking for a budget trip because once you are there it is very cheap to get around, eat and experience the city. When you first get to Lisbon you will be blown away by the beautiful tiled buildings and the way it is set out across its seven hills. We visited towards the end of January which meant it was quieter – making it easier to see things and made it quite a relaxing trip. If you visit during a time where it may rain make sure to bring shoes with good treading as the tiled streets can get very slippy.

The Airbnb we stayed in was called Dream Fish House and was the perfect little double room with an en-suite and access to a lovely courtyard. Our host Alexey was perfect – he was extremely helpful and accommodating. Treating us to strawberries and Prosecco when we arrived.

Highlights & Must Do’s of Lisbon

Try Pasteis de Nata

Pasteis de Nata are what Portugal is famous for – they are delicious little tarts filled with custard and honestly are to die for. The best place to get these treats is a place called Manteigaria.

LX Factory

Located in the neighbourhood of Alcântara, LX factory is regarded as one of the coolest spots in Lisbon. It is set in an old manufacturing complex and really takes advantage of its setting. Here is where you will find Lisbon’s coolest art, creative shops and some of their best food. I absolutely loved the atmosphere this place had to offer – it was insanely unique and vibrant. For me, it was my favourite place to visit in Lisbon.

SEEN & Rio Maravilha – Rooftop Bars

Lisbon boasts many stunning rooftop bars that allow you to see an incredible view of the city. During off-season a lot of these rooftop bars close but there are some that are open all year round. One of those is SEEN, a skybar where you can enjoy the decor, drinks and get a great view. Another option is Rio Maravilha which is located in LX factory. The decor is edgy and it has great views of the 25th of April Bridge.

Barrio Alto & the Pink Street

Barrio Alto is the place in Lisbon to go for nightlife. When we first arrived, our Airbnb host told us to specifically not go out until midnight, therefore you can only imagine how late you can stay out in Lisbon. I will be honest and say I don’t remember the name of the club we ended up at when we went out but I do remember it was great fun. Fun that I was paying for the next morning. Another famous location is pink street, this street is exactly what it sets out to be – a street that is pink. During the day it is quite quiet (apart from people, like me, taking pictures) but at night it is the place to go after Barrio Alto.

Time Out Market Lisboa

The first time out Market I visited was the one in New York and since then I know that I want to visit them all. Lisbon’s location was the first Time Out Market to open back in 2014. Since then it has offered the best of every kind of cuisine Lisbon has to offer. I demolished a veggie burger from Ground Burgers whilst there and wish I could of brought some home with me. Their special sauce was delicious. The Time Out Market is also known for hosting some of the best events in the city and has a club where you can dance the night away. Unfortunately, we didn’t experience that on this trip but it’s one to keep in mind when visiting again.

Mercado de Campo de Ourique

Another option if you are a big foodie is a smaller venue called Mercado de Campo de Ourique. Me and Megan accidentally stumbled upon this place when I was on a quest to find some gelato. We got some very tasty gelato and sorbet from Artisani and then as we walked around we became enticed by a place called Hummus Bar. They were serving hummus and falafel based pita breads and salad bowls. It would of been rude of us to not try some of their food. So of course we got some. Not as good as Magic Falafel in London, but it still hit the spot.

Take a Cycle Along the River

Lisbon has been taken over by companies that allow you to rent a scooter or a bike. You are bound to see them everywhere and they are a lot of good fun. We used the Uber app to rent some electric powered bikes. We started off with scooters which, let me tell you, was more work than it was worth. The scooters are great for the flat paths but if you plan to go along the front over the cobbled paths then definitely opt for the bikes. Uber currently charges €0.20 for each minute, which is pretty cheap and it’s great fun on a nice day. Be sure to check out Belém Tower as you cycle along, it is beautiful when the sun is setting.

Take a Day Trip to Sintra

A very popular day trip from Lisbon is to visit the town of Sintra where Pena Palace is located. I highly recommend this and will be doing a separate little blog post on this location.

A Few More Tasty Places to Eat in Lisbon

For smoothie bowls and healthy brunches Naked and a place called Fauna & Flora, are amazing little restaurants. I had the açai bowls from both and whilst both were really good, I’d have to say Fauna & Flora wins. Their presentation of the bowl, the toppings and the taste were insanely good. If visiting Naked then try the Blue Latte with blue spirulina which is bursting with vitamins.

In LX factory there is a Mexican restaurant called Mez Cais, eat here for tasty burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Also in LX factory is a little cafe called Wish, the coffee here is lovely and its a cute little place to study or do some work whilst travelling.

If it’s gelato you are craving then Santinis right in the centre of Lisbon will curve that craving.

That’s it for my little trip to Lisbon. It was a great end to my winter break and I am very grateful to be able to tick another place off my bucket list.

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane.