7 Magical Reasons Why Lisbon Should be on your Travel Radar.

Hey Unicorn Lovers! I’m finally back from my two week Euro trip and I had the time of my life. One place that I can’t wait to visit again is Lisbon, Portugal, my homeland. My grandma immigrated from Portugal when she was sixteen and it was always a dream of mine to visit. I can’t stop thinking about the beautiful Portuguese tiles that line each building, the artisanal and creamy egg tarts and the at-home feeling of being in my home country.

From the beautiful beaches to the authentic Portuguese cuisine, I’m already planning my next adventure. Here are my top 7 reasons to make your next trip to Lisbon magical!

1. Visit the Alfama Neighborhood

Just one mile outside of the main city, this little town is the definition of Portuguese culture. Alfama is a pleasing maze of cobblestone streets filled with ancient houses and buildings making you feel like you walked through history. The smell of fresh fish and sausage loft through the air on a daily basis and let's be honest, it makes you hungry af! As you walk through the streets, different residents are selling Ginjinha, a cherry liquor, outside their front door. This liqueur comes inside a chocolate-like shot glass for one euro. You can take me anywhere that sells alcohol while you walk down the street and I will be a very happy unicorn girl. 

This neighborhood is welcoming and rich in culture, finding something exciting and new every corner you turn. It is a community where everybody knows everybody making it homey, especially when you hear the neighbors bickering and see a fresh batch of laundry hanging from the clothing line down every block. There is nothing like sipping pitchers of Sangria, while eating a traditional meal, gossiping with friends.

2. Eat... Duh

If you know me, you know I revolve all my vacations around food, and Lisbon did not disappoint. From savory sausages to sweet and creamy egg tarts, I was in culinary heaven. Whenever I travel, I also look to eat the most authentic dish I can find that showcases the culture and cuisine of the destination. 

For one, I CANNOT stop thinking about this Seafood Cataplana from Alfama Grill my first day in Lisbon. A Cataplana is essentially a Portuguese style circular pot used for stews, etc. This seafood stew changed my life, and I think about it every day. The saltiness of the broth that the seafood took a delicate bath in, put me in a trance and I never looked back. Served with a side of bread, everyone around the table took a dip, coming back for more until the liquid slowly disappeared and our tummies were completely satisfied. Muscles, shrimp, salmon, and potatoes all joined the party making this dish truly unforgettable. 

If you have a sweet tooth, Portuguese Egg Tarts should be on your radar. These egg tarts feature a light and fluffy crust, creamy filling, and out of this world taste. I think I ate at least 10 on my trip...don’t worry I walked them off. You can pretty much find them at any bakery in Lisbon and you will want to stop at every one. The flakey crust is buttery and melt in your mouth good. Pair it with the custard like filling and the duo is indescribable.

The Time Out Market. This place is like the Ferry Building in San Francisco on crack. The marketplace features 48 different restaurants, bars and desserts with a family-style dining experience. You can find anything from Japanese to Charcuterie and everything in between. This was a highlight of my culinary experience in Lisbon. Unicorns love options! 

3. Take a Boat Tour

Lisbon is located on the coast of Portugal and the Rio Tejo River runs straight through to the Atlantic Ocean. SO obviously we had to take a boat tour. During the tour, you get to see many landmarks and features that Lisbon has to offer. One in particular that reminded me of the good old Bay Area was the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge. It is a spitting image of the Golden Gate and was even designed by the same person who created it. This bridge connects the city of Lisbon to the city of Almada. If you are brave enough you can take a dip into the freezing water like me. A boat tour is a great way to relax and enjoy the city of Lisbon from a different view, guided by locals themselves.  

4. Visit Pink Street for a Night Out

If you are young and still have some party in you visit Pink Street. The street is literally pink and features bars, pubs and clubs for you to get your dance on. It is a great way to meet locals and other tourists traveling. Not much else on that, but Sangria definitely helps with the hangover! 

5. Take a Tuk Tuk Tour

Taking a Tuk Tuk is a great way to get around the city. They are golf cart like forms of transportation that will literally take you anywhere within a reasonable distance. The drivers are very knowledgeable about the area and will give you a mini-tour on the way to your destination. They are also only 5 Euro each.

6. Listen to Authentic Fado Music

Ask any Lisboeta what they listen to and Fado will be the answer. This traditional music is similar to blues, and usually tells a story of heartache accompanied by a Portuguese 12-string guitar. The Fado scene is female-dominated, shout out to all my ladies, and is beautiful to both see and hear. There are many Fado clubs throughout Lisbon for your listening pleasure. 

7. Drink

Of course, we save the most important topic for last...alcohol. Portugal is known for its amazing Sangria and they did not disappoint. With crunchy chunks of apples, pears, pineapple and other delicious fruits, Sangria is considered healthy right?! You can get pitchers on pitchers at any restaurant you visit. Each has their own variation so you can be the judge of which kind you enjoy the most.In Sangria we trust!

I am also a huge lover of craft beer and stumbled upon a local craft brewery while walking through the Alfama neighborhood. LX.XS is a quaint little brewery making some damn good beer. With a growing craft beer scene, Lisbon is starting to put themselves on the map as a beer city and even featured a Beer Week for the first time in 2018. The beers at LX. XS could compete with some of the best in the States, and I was truly impressed. Their beers feature creative names like Crazy Batch, Black Rye IPA and Toranja Belgian India Session Ale to name a few. Cheers to drinking more craft beer!