Lisbon
Tram 28 is unequivocally the top and least expensive tour experience in Lisbon
John and I love Lisbon. Full disclosure, we live there on occasion, in a tiny little apartment in the Alfama district.
What is it that lured us to Lisbon? To be honest, we weren’t sure we were going to like it when we arrived in August 2018. We had never been there and we didn’t have any close friends that knew anything about it either. We felt naked and vulnerable when we arrived. We should have known better, but then maybe the surprise wouldn’t have been so good.
Lisbon is one word: fabulous. Everything about it is simply wonderful. We don’t have enough superlatives to gush over it with. It is cultured, warm, friendly, with delicious food. It is everything that a couple of San Francisco Bay Area visitors could ask for. It has beaches, night life, sporting events, music, and food (yes, food is a recurring theme in Lisbon). The people are not only friendly (another recurring theme) and kind, but they are professional and respectful. They have also come out of an economic downturn with financial bruising, but the politics of the nation are indicative that they are hopefully recovering well.
A few things to do in Lisbon? You will undoubtedly find many suggestions as your do your research, but here are a few of our favorites:
Ride Tram 28: This is probably the most famous tour in Lisbon. It is on a vintage yellow tram that crosses the city center, passing by many of Lisbon's main attractions. A single ride on it has all the benefits of a sightseeing bus tour, and it is much cheaper.
Hang out at the Praça do Comércio and eat fabulous seafood as you people watch. It’s a little like being part of the scene at Venice’s Piazza San Marco, but with better food, nicer people, and much cheaper prices.
Go to the Tower of Belem, also known as Belém Tower, and officially as the Tower of Saint Vincent. It’s a 16th-century fort on the Tagur riverbanks that served as a loading dock for Portuguese explorers. Built during the height of the Portuguese Renaissance, it is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, incorporating hints of other architectural styles.
Walk from the Tower of Belem to the Fabrica Pasteis de Belem for a Pastel de Belem (it is identical to Lisbon’s Pastel de Nata), and munch through a delicious little egg tart with a tiny cup of espresso. You’re in Lisbon, do it.
Go to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, a historic castle in Alfama. This castle hill was known to have been habited as early as the 8th century BC, and the first construction on this site date from the 1st century BC. The views of Lisbon, especially at sunset, are spectacular.
Hop on a train for a day tour of Sintra: A royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is envelopes the extravagantly brightly painted Sintra National Palace. Let’s just call it an Instagrammer’s dream because everything about its dramatic by dramatic Moorish and Manueline architecture, from chimneys to color and elaborate tile work is highly photogenic. Oh, and did I mention the views? Just pull on your adventure hat and go.
Eat at Cervejaria Ramiro. Seafood epicurean heaven. I reviewed it here, and can’t describe it any better. Or you could look it up on the internet. Everyone, from Anthony Bourdain to yours truly loves it greatly.
