Synopsis Interns Favourites In and Around Lisboa
We wanted to share our favourites of Lisboa, hopefully this will inspire you to take up some of our recommendations.
Helena:
“Cascais is one of my top recommendations to visit. This town is very unique and picturesque. It seems far away on the map, but the journey goes super quickly with a direct route from Lisbon city center. As soon as you come into Cascais, you notice something different about it. A lot of the buildings are decorated with beautiful white-washed walls, and flowers growing all over the walls. During Autumn when I went, it’s still very warm most of the time and the sun shining on the walls and Portuguese tiles provides perfect shots if you’re into photography. The town itself is very quiet during the day, which makes it feel really peaceful if you want a quiet day out. At nighttime, when the town because more lively, it’s beautiful to go to the beach and watch the buildings across the sea glistening in the distance. If you walk further along the shore just outside of the main town center, you can find some of Cascais’s most interesting hidden gems such as a huge cave with a waterfall known as Boca do Inferno.“
“Sintra is another one of my top recommendations, like Cascais, this town is very unique. The small alleyways and streets that are full of people and small souvenir shops provide the town with a lot of character. The shops you can find hidden in these streets are known as having some of the most well-known and popular dessert shops in Portugal. Make sure to get early to miss the queues! One of the things that Sintra is most well known for is of course, the castles. I would highly recommend going to the castles around the time of sunset, just before sunset or even at nighttime. This is because not only do you avoid the hot sun whilst walking around the castles, but also the sky provides a beautiful backdrop for the castles and the views become absolutely stunning. When I went to Castelo dos Mouros (the Moorish castle) and Quinta da Regaleira (the gothic castle) during Autumn, I was lucky enough to take pictures when the sky was misty, which provides a gorgeous aesthetic for film cameras, photography and videos. The Pena Palace is also probably Sintra’s most popular castle, which looks beautiful lit up against dark blue sky with its red and yellow walls. Another reason why I’d highly recommend going during the evening time to the castles and enjoying the town itself during the day.“
Uma:
“Travelling In and around Lisboa is super easy, although it may seem daunting at first, everything is so clearly signposted and straightforward to follow. Citymapper and Moovit are great apps that can help you make your way around. The metro monthly cards are very much worth the investment, as not only will it save you money but it can allow you to explore further into areas such as Sintra and Cascais. On the way to Cascais there are plenty of beautiful stretches of beach and the coast. My top recommendations would be Praia De Carcavelos, here you can simply watch the stunning sun go down, grab some food at the restaurants and cafes that are on the beach, or get involved with some water sports and rent a surfboard. You can spend the whole day here and simply hop on the metro and the train.“
Uma “Indulging in Lisboa’s food scene is one of my favourite things, from sweet treats to sharer plates, this city has an array of delicious cuisines. Eating out in the city doesn’t have to be expensive. I have enjoyed going to local cafes/ kiosk for a pastry and a coffee to read my book and watch the world go by for under 3 Euros. I would recommend going to Jardim Da Estrella, a gorgeous park with a café or Miradouro do Monte Agudo where you can view the city and grab a coffee. Besides Time Out Market, and a lot of the TikTok recommendations for eating out, trying small Portuguese restaurants for a healthy, hearty lunch is a must. You can enjoy fresh salmon and a glass of wine without breaking the bank. I have to give a shout out to two of my favourite small local restaurants. Damas located in Graça - this establishment has a special place in my heart, always full of great energy, lovely staff and of course insane food. This hidden has never failed to impress me, the menu has something for everyone, with twists on Portuguese cuisine, great wine and cocktails and sometimes there are concerts held there too! Dahlia is the next recommendations, slightly spennier than a local restaurant but WORTH it! The menu also focuses on sharer plates, partnered with an incredible wine list and the atmosphere is set with mellow tunes played on records. The menu always changes based on seasonality and local produce, which I LOVE. I would suggest trying the mushroom gnocchi- it literally melts in your mouth.”
By Uma Paul and Helena Collins