As a flight attendant, you would think I have tons of time for traveling and visiting new places. But the truth is I see mostly the inside of the aircraft and not much else other than the airport. And my work schedule post pandemic does not allow me to have too many vacation days. That is why I am trying to make the most of every single trip possibility. Four days in Portugal might not sound like a lot, but there are tons of cool places that you can visit even during a short stay there.

General Information

For me, the best time to visit Portugal in order to do sightseeing and cultural tourism would be the months of April, May, September and October. The weather during those periods is warm, but not scorching , so you can still wear your cute summer outfits without getting a sun stroke in the meantime.

The easiest way to go around Lisbon is the metro, although apps, such as Free Now, can provide you with an affordable ride. If you are more than 3 people, this option will be definitely cheaper than the metro.

To go to Sintra we used the train and there we booked the touristic bus with stops around all the attractions. We found out that the cheapest way to travel to Porto is by taking a bus, but there are also trains that go there on every day basis.

We’ve tried a bunch of local restaurants in Lisbon, but we were not happy with the results. The more touristic the place looks, the more disappointed you will be with the food. What I suggest is to research your food options in advance, in order to choose the best one for you. I deeply recommend Hard Rock Café as it is one of the best the chain has to offer.

Definitely ride the tram! When you think about the Portuguese capital, there is no way for it not to come to mind. The tramway network is in operation since 1873 and consists of 6 lines. There are 58 trams at the moment, of which 40 are vintage streetcars. The heritage trams are small, nostalgic and an emblematic symbol of Lisbon, making for great photos.

Days One and Four: Lisbon

On our first day, after a late arrival the previous evening, we were ready to explore what the Portuguese capital had to offer. My favorite way to start a visit in any city is definitely by going on a free tour, as it is the easiest way to see all the highlights and the best part is you determine the price you want to pay yourself.

I would choose Sandeman’s New Europe free tours, as I have already been to some and really enjoyed the guides and the experience. Their guided walks are usually about 3 hours long, with a small break in the middle. They are performed in both English (three times per day) and Spanish (twice a day) and it is a good idea to book your spot in advance.

What I really like about this kind of tours is that they not only focus on the main touristic attractions, but show you an outlook of the history and culture of the place you are visiting. They also give you the insight of a local who can show you some hard to discover hidden gems. During our walk we learnt about the Age of Discovery and Portugal’s greatest explorers, the Portuguese Inquisition, the Great Earthquake of 1755, and the Salazar dictatorship and its end. The main highlights of the tour were:

• Barrio Alto – the picturesque bohemian quarter of Lisbon. This part of the city is quite by day, but comes alive at night, with its multiple bars, restaurants and alternative shops, that stay open till late at night.
• Carmo Convent – once Lisbon’s greatest medieval building, it is now a reminder of the Great Earthquake of 1755. Although the roof had collapsed, the beautiful gothic arches still stand and make it a sight to behold.
• Baixa Pambolina – Lisbon’s downtown area. Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, nowadays is the most elegant district of the city.
• Santa Justa Elevator – the lift is the fastest way to get from the Baixa neighborhood to the Barrio Alto district. Standing at 45m above the ground, its observation deck offers exquisite view over Baixa.
• Praça do Comércio – the harbor-facing squire is one of the biggest in Portugal and is famed to be amongst the most beautiful ones in Europe. It is also the seat of many of Lisbon’s public buildings.

The tour will leave you at Praça do Comércio, from where you can decide to either continue with one of the other Sandeman tours (Alfama Walking Tour or Belem Tour with River Boat Cruise) after half an hour break or to continue exploring on your own and have lunch.

We chose the latter and headed for one of the many touristic spots offering fresh fish. To be honest, I regret not doing proper research before hand, because the tourist trap we fell in, couldn’t be praised for its delicious food or cleanness, for that matter.

After lunch, we decided to visit one of Lisbon’s most Instagrammable spots, Rua Nova do Carvalho, or otherwise known as the Pink Street, for a quick photoshoot. Situated in Lisbon’s old Red-Light District, now the street is home of many restaurants and bars and is one of the most prominent spots for night life in the city. It was painted pink between 2011 and 2013 as a part of a project that was supposed to make the neighborhood better. If you are looking for the perfect Instagram shot, make sure to visit in the early afternoon, as the crowds tend to be here mostly in the evening.

The rest of the day was spent in exploring Lisbon’s hidden gems and shopping, of course. If you are looking for a special and unique gift for your loved ones, I would definitely recommend The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines which is not only a joy for the eye, but offers cans of sardines with your birth year on top, as well as many fish-related goods, that I have never seen anywhere else before. It will also make for the perfect Instagram location!

*** For days 2&3 – Sintra and Porto, read Part 2 of the post.

Day 4 of our trip was our last one and the departure was scheduled for late in the afternoon. That is why we had decided to stay in Lisbon and discover some more of its beauties. We had planned to start the day with the Tower of Belem. To be honest, making my research before visiting, it looked to me like the most worthwhile monument to see. Unfortunately, the inside part was closed for renovation. But! Despite that it still remained my favorite sight in the entire city.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tower is simply magnificent. Designed by architect Francisco de Arruda and completed in 1514 as a part of a project to defend Lisbon from enemy ships, this unique building includes a modern and heavily armed bastion, protruding over the Tagus River. It is incredibly impressive and, if you are not scared to get a bit wet, one of the best Instagram spots Portugal has to offer.

After visiting Belem, I recommend taking a walk to the Monument of Discoveries, which is situated nearby. As suggested by its name, it celebrates the Portuguese Age of Explorations and stands on the spot from where ships departed to explore and trade with India and the Orient.

Across the street from the monument, is located Jeronimos Monastery, which is another sight to behold. With the majestic fountains right in front, the building looks incredibly impressive and even if you decide not to venture inside, it is still worth to take a looksie. It is one of the most prominent examples of Gothic architecture in Lisbon and it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Erected in the early 1500s near the launch point of Vasco da Gama’s first journey, now the monastery houses the remains of the famous explorer. If you decide to pay the admission fee, pay attention to the Church of Santa Maria, with its single nave held by six sculpted columns as it is unique in the world.

You can easily spend the whole day exploring the neighborhood of Belem as many other museums are located there – the Maritime Museum, the Coach Museum, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. A boat tour of the area is the perfect way to end your visit and make unforgettable memories.

The Portuguese capital has something to offer to everybody. You just need comfortable shoes, open heart and the desire to explore to enjoy it!

To read 4 Days in Portugal: How to Make the Most of Your Trip Part 2, click here.

Photos: Personal Archive