If you are a foodie and like to explore different cuisine there are a lot of options. I would encourage you to venture further out from the city center and into the little neighborhoods. I came across a little Georgian restaurant located in a suburban neighborhood. Now about their food and service - I will save that for another post - but it was a gem to find because there was nothing but locals there when I visited.
Other possible options include: The Time Out Market - a huge warehouse of sorts that hosts a ton of different mini restaurants. Eating there was almost like eating in the cafeteria when I was in High school. Did anyone else have multiple choices to choose from and then had to awkwardly find a place to sit after buying their food? Time Out Market is like that - and yes it is awkward to try and find a place t sit especially if you are A) by yourself or B) in a large group - the seating is just weird but this is a MUST experience
Along the river - Not sure the name of the river but you can’t miss it. There are a ton of restaurants that line the water. I’m pretty sure there are some hit and misses but you will definitely enjoy trying them out
Tons and Tons of places to eat healthy! Fauna & Flora - the BEST place for eggs, fresh orange juice and coffee located near Barrio Alto
Barrio Alto has a ton of options it’s just finding them but there is literally a street littered with little cafes and brunch shops
Asian cuisine - this will require a good manhunt. There are a lot of misses - I had one :/ but if your pocketbook can afford it - you will find some really great places
Besides food - rent a bike and go to Belem (or walk or take a bus), take a day trip to Sinitra (wish I had did that but limited amount of time), “take the tram” as everyone says, there are a lot of markets research which ones will be open when you are visiting, walk the neighborhoods, visit the museums, explore Fado music and clubs, honestly explore all the different neighborhoods. Each place offers a unique theme or find.
I mostly spent my time walking around - biking to Belem took a good 4 hours out of my day and then going to see Cristo and exploring the neighborhoods of Alfama and Barrio Alto took up another good chunk.
While I am writing this - I realize that spending two full days in Lisbon was enough for a solo traveler. Unless you have a ton of money to drop on tours and food - you will be able to cover a lot in two days on your own.
Moneywise - Lisbon was more on the expensive side. I pretty much walked everywhere and allocated most if not all my budget to food. AND it was the food that took a lot of my budget. Spending 13 euros on a meal (for about two meals a day) can add up especially if your daily budgets is 20 euros <insert face palm> but this is all part of traveling and figure out what best suits you!
Hope to return to this sweet city one day <3
Portugal
Portugal
Ah Portugal…..
Or should I say Lisboa?
I am in LOVE with Portugal specifically Lisboa. I walked away from my five day trip saying I want to spend at least a summer there - visiting all of the little cities and local beaches. Eating all of the diverse food and hopefully *fingers crossed* picking up some Portuguese.
What made Portugal surprisingly lovable? I honestly believe that it is the people. The diversity that fills the air with the food, the clothes, the shops and honestly the people. I can not get over how beautifully diverse the people of the city were. You saw Arabs and Brasilians, Americans and French, Italians and Portuguese all communing together all speaking the same language but all uniquely different in respects to their ethical and cultural background. It made the city more accepting, a place where one felt comfortable to be themselves. I saw so much expression of self there!
I appreciated that greatly.
So I think my reasons for exploring Lisbon and encouraging others to go is a bit different than the typical travelers pursuits. I am hardly a fan of going to see the “famous landmarks” - I think I made it to the Cristo monument but other than that I passed on everything else. Just walking through the streets or renting a bike and following the trail to Belem will let you see everything you could possibly get out of a tour.
But again these are just my two cents ;)
Oporto
What to do in Porto?
Porto is a small fisherman town that everyone swears by - apparently it is the new place to be in Portugal.
I wasn't as intrigued as others - I say that it is a good day trip. There is the Luis Point Bridge (pictured below) If you walk across it - you will have a good view of the city of Porto (kind of like a city of hills)
There is the Harry Potter Library Called Livrero (I need to correct the spelling) It's amazing but a very touristy area. What is really neat is the college that is located next door. It looks like a typical Harry Potter convention is taking place but really it's just a typical college day.
There is the huge shopping district of Santa Catalina street (I need to double check spelling) Honestly besides going to to see the bridge and the bookstore - this is the only other thing to do. There are two malls side by side and then a street full of shops.
Other activities can include - riding the trams, taking a cruise down the Duroux river there is a beach but during the cold months you aren't really going to do much there, walking the streets and checking out the artwork, wine and food tours.
Eating-wise there are a ton of places. I personally recommend places along the Duroux river as this is a Fishermans town so there is a plethora of seafood!
I do not recommend trying Nata's here. Definitely DO NOT visit Fabrica de Nata - the worst pastries and very touristy. Just wait until you get to Lisbon or another town. A