Loving Lisbon Top 10 Travel Guide + My Secret Tile Obsession

If Lisbon’s not already on your #travelbucketlist it should be! Check out my Loving Lisbon Top 10 Travel Guide, and start planning your next trip! 

I can’t believe it’s taken me over 1 1/2 years to put my Loving Lisbon Top 10 Travel Guide together. My friend Elizabeth and I experienced Portugal and Lisbon for the first time after our Camino de Santiago walking trek in 2014. I guess you could say I was a little tired after walking 75+++ miles on that trip, but, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I loved Lisbon, and maybe they’ll inspire you to plan a trip of your own to Portugal one day. Cheers!

LISBON TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE

1 | EAT, DRINK, STAY, STROLL THROUGH THE BARRIO ALTO

Elizabeth and I had a fantastic time exploring the Barrio Alto, the neighborhood we stayed in {we rented a lovely, albeit funky-see decor above– apartment through Airbnb}. The great thing about staying the in Barrio Alto was the access to delicious Portuguese food and drink right out side our door. Literally, every other building turned into a restaurant or bar at night, so we never went hungry. Or, thirsty.
You’ll also be close to some fabulous views of Lisbon {photo above}, and you can walk to nearby shops, or access one of the numerous forms of Lisbon transportation {see no. 7 below}.

2 | OBSESS OVER THE GORGEOUS TILES AT THE NATIONAL TILE MUSEUM {MUSEA NACIONAL DO AZULEJO}

As a confessed tile junky {my secrets out of the bag!}, The National Tile Museum, aka Museu Nacional do Azulejo, was one of the highlights of my trip to Lisbon. Located in a 16th century convent, the tile museum displays an exquisite collection of 1,300+ tiles dating from the 1500s to present day.

After checking out the tile collection, be sure and stroll through the museum ground, visit the church, choir, and chapels of Saint Anthony and Queen Leonor, and enjoy lunch in one of the beautiful museum courtyards.

3 | IMERSE YOURSELF IN LISBON’S COLORFUL ARCHITECTURE

Azulejos, which comes from the Arabic word az-zulayi, meaning polished stone, are a prominent feature of Portuguese art and architecture. You are treated to these beautiful blue and white tiles everywhere you walk in Lisbon. Pure eye candy for this tile obsessed gal!

In addition to the blue and white azulejo clad buildings, you’re in for a treat when you walk the streets of Lisbon, with all the gorgeously colored and tile clad buildings on display!

4 | SHOP FOR CHOCOLATE AND PORTUGUESE CORK

A trip to Lisbon isn’t complete without a stop at Chocolataria Equador, a little gem of a shop where you’ll find a delectable selection of artisanal chocolates with unique flavors including lemon and chocolate explosion. Oh, my goodness yum. If you ever visit, please feel free to bring me back some!

Another shopping highlight was Cork and Company where they sell gorgeous handbags, jewelry, hats, wallets, belts, made from, you guessed it, cork. It’s a great place to buy unique gifts for your family and friends, and, of course, to treat yourself to something pretty too!

5 | LOOK ↑↑, LOOK ↓↓ AT THE GORGEOUS CEILINGS AND FLOORS

In addition to the gorgeous tile clad buildings all over Lisbon, the beautiful ceilings and floors are equally impressive. Pictured above are ceilings from some of the cathedrals and palaces we visited, along with the funky tiled floor. Just a word of caution…you may not want to look down if you have motion sickness!

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6 | TAKE A DAY TRIP TO NEARBY SINTRA

A day trip to the gorgeous town of Sintra is a must when you’re visiting Lisbon! The journey, by train, takes ~40 minutes, and is well worth it. Once you’re in Sintra, it’s a fairly easy walk from the train station to the National Palace {Palácio Nacional de Sintra, 1st row above}, and if you’re not up for the steep walk up to The Pena Palace {Palácio da Pena, 2nd row above}, and The Moorish Castle {Castelo dos Mouros, bottom row above}, you can hop on the Sintra Tourist Bus 434 to take you to the top. All 3 sites are well worth visiting!

After you’ve toured the National Palace, be sure and stroll through the pretty streets of Sintra for a delicious meal and shopping!

We ended our day walking through the gorgeous gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, a World Heritage site with archaeologial sites dating back to the early Neolithic period. You’ll have fun exploring the turrets and caves, as well as the inverted wells {photos above} that were supposedly used for secretive initiation rites. How cool is that?!!

7 | HITCH A RIDE ON A TRAM AND A FUNICULAR

Lisbon is such a transportation friendly city! In addition to walking {great exercise going up all the hills!}, you have the option to ride a cable car, funicular, tram, elevator, taxi, train, or bus! Elizabeth and I used all of the above options, except the elevator and taxis, and managed to get a lot of Fitbit steps in too! One of the funiculars {pictured above} was right near our apartment in the Barrio Alto, although I can’t remember who had to back up when the trash truck was going down the hill and the funicular was going up!

8 | STROLL THROUGH THE ALFAMA

The Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon, and is a delightful place to wander the narrow streets, take in gorgeous views across the Tejo Estuary {see #10 below}, and do some shopping or grab a refreshing drink and a quick bite to eat at Pois, Cafe.

8 | VISIT THE BELEM SEAFRONT

It’s well worth a bus ride to the district of Belem on the northern banks of the River Tagus to see the Discoveries Monument {Padrao aos Descobrimentos} celebrating the age of discovery and Portuguese explorers. Although I couldn’t try a Pastel de Nata, a popular Portuguese egg tart pastry, Elizabeth had one and said it was delicious!

10 | GAZE OUT OVER LISBON’S GORGEOUS TILE ROOFS

And, last but not least, an essential top 10, is gazing out endlessly over Lisbon’s gorgeous red tile roofs. Despite having rain most days that we were there, Lisbon is a colorful, vibrant, beautiful city, not to be missed!

Thanks so much for checking out my photos and Lisbon Top 10 Travel Guide! I hope I’ve inspired you to visit {or re-visit} Lisbon and Sintra one day!!!

P.S. A few more photos before you go. Cheers!

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CHEERS!