Life in Lisbon

Although my posts were lacking this month, Lisbon was my favorite city yet. Portugal altogether, was a dream, and has quickly become one of my favorite countries.

I was lucky enough to visit Portugal in May of this year when I hiked the Camino trail along the coast of northern Portugal into Spain. I spent a few days in Porto, a few days in Lisbon and more than a few on the trail in small, quaint, Portuguese villages. I was so excited to return and spend five weeks in Lisbon!

This month was a busy one for our Yugen community. Because it was the final month in Europe and easily accessible to family and friends, most of us had (at least one group) of visitors, and some people even had more. It was also a time for side trips galore! Morocco, London, Dublin, Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, Azores, Lagos, and more. I chose to take one side trip to Southern Portugal (Lagos and Sagres), but decided to remain in Lisbon for the rest of my time. I was so glad I did. I think I fell harder for this city than most of the members in my group and felt a homesickness the moment we left, with an undeniable longing to return soon.

For those of you thinking about "just stopping through Lisbon" for a couple days or a couple hours off of your cruise ship, don't. Lisbon has so much more to provide than just a few days and I highly recommend you give yourself at least 5 days in the magnificent city.

I put some of these memories and experiences into a video this month, instead of another blog post, but also wanted to recap some of my favorite recommendations for the Lisbon area (so that you can plan your visit)!

• A Day in Belem

• Rent bikes or go for a run along the riverside, taking advantage of the break from the seven hills within Lisbon!

• Visit the Monastery, but only if the lines aren't too chaotic (go early morning during the week if you can)

• Take a break from the crowds and visit the Berardo museum (I don't even like museums and I enjoyed this one)

• Relax on the hidden deck on top of the Berardo museum - a secret gem not many tourists can find

• Go up the Padrão dos Descobrimentos statue instead of the Tower of Belem - fewer crowds, less expensive, better view

• A Day in Cascais

• Taking the train to Cascais is quick, easy and cheap. Don't miss it!

• You can meander through the water-front village, where the river meets the ocean and begin to explore the National Park of Sintra-Cascais! The best way to do this is by renting bikes, scooters or a car.

• Check out Cabo da Roca and the amazing beaches/seafood along the way

• A Day with a Car

• Let's be real, Lisbon gets overwhelming with tourists, so if you need a day to get away, I recommend renting a car and driving over the 25th of April bridge (one of the reasons why Lisbon is referred to as the San Francisco of Europe).

• There are plenty of beaches, parks and the Christ the King statue on the other side of the river

• We loved exploring the Setubal Municipality and beach hopping/hiking for the day

• Within Lisbon

• Even though it's expensive and touristy, I think the Sao Jorge Castle has the best views of the city. If you go, make sure you check out the 360-degree camera within the castle - English tours take place on the hour

• So many people skip the Estrela neighborhood because it's a bit of a climb uphill, but don't miss it! Go into the Basilica and meander through the park right across the street. This is also the best stop to catch the 28 or 12 trams because it is the start of the line and you can get on before it's too crowded (I would choose the 12 over the 28 despite historical significance).

• My favorite park in Lisbon is the Pincipe Real Garden - don't be fooled, it's not indicated as a green space on your google maps but it is a wonderful spot to stop and relax! Just a little ways down the hill is also the best lookout in Lisbon (aside from the castle) at Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

• Humble yourself by wandering through Alfama and understanding the Mass Tourism = Human Pollution signs, as well as the graffiti protesting Airbnb. This is becoming a deep issue in Lisbon and having awareness can help you become a better traveler.

• Don't miss Time Out market - a great place to eat that pleases everybody! If you're in town on a Sunday, LX Factory is also a fun, outdoor market to check out.

If you want any other recommendations, I'd love to talk about Lisbon forever, so let me know if you plan on visiting!

Adeus, Lisboa!