visit Lisbon, Portugal

Hills: they are the overriding memory of our time in Lisbon & the aches they left in our calves. As the home to one of the most in-vogue pastries around the globe, those hills may be necessary punishment - especially when you’re pairing them with syrupy-sweet fortified wine from the Douro Valley, or the equally popular Ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur.

Once one of the most internationally powerful nations, Portugal’s Capital now houses oddly stylish, derelict doorways and crumbling buildings which line the cobbled streets that run up-and-down, maze-like over the city’s seven hills. It’s one of Europe’s oldest cities and, thanks to the beautiful mosaics (azulejos) that cover its buildings, it’s recognised as one of the most beautiful, attracting foreign investors who are pooling money into rebuilding Lisbon’s picturesque neighbourhoods.

Despite these investors, Lisbon has not traded its personality for business dress and clinical looking skyscrapers. The city is full of charm with cafés spilling onto streets selling pastries in the morning, afternoon tapas, evening beers and then late night sandwiches to ramblers. Whether you explore the labyrinth of streets by foot, or tackle the hills using the vast tram network, there is always something new to be explored on the next corner.

Concrete stairs leading up alongside a blue tiled house — The Blue House Lisbon on Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo

Green door with blue tiled building all looking a little delapidated. — “Azulejos” are tiles in Portuguese, they are Arabic in origin. They are mostly blue and white in colour due to Dutch influence. They were originally used only inside in wealthier homes but then they began to be used outside in construction across the city and can be seen almost everywhere.

A couple of sailing boats in the background looking over Lisbons orange roofed buildings and Commerce Sq — Looking down onto Lisbon’s Commerce Sq, where the old Royal Palace existed before it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.

Traditional Portuguese buildings by Time Out Market Lisbon — Traditional Portuguese buildings seen from Rua de S. Paulo.

A industrial market roof w/ light panels — The first Time Out Market Food Hall is located in Mercado da Ribeira, Lisbon. It’s home to 36 restaurants and kiosks selling regional specialties.

tinned fish, butter, cured meat, olives and flaming chorizo — Traditional tinned fish, cured meats and flaming chorizo at a Lisbon bistro.

Tram covered in graffiti on a steep road in Lisbon — Tram 28, with a route passing through many significant landmarks across Lisbon.

Blue awnings in front of Patéis de Belem bakery — Pastéis de Belem is a famous bakery known for the cities most popular egg custard tart: Pastéis de Nata.

A custard egg tart against blue and white dilapidated tiles — Pastéis de Belem: flaky puff pastry shells with creamy yolk-based filling caramelised on top.

16th century monastery Jerónimos entrance — Jerónimos Monastery in the Belem region of Lisbon. A masterpiece of 16th-century architecture.

Ornately designed arches with the dome of Jerónimos Monastery in the background — The monastery was founded by King D. Manuel I in the beginning of the 16th century. Works began precisely at the turn of the century asthe first stone was laid on the symbolic date of 6 January (Kings’ day) of 1501 or 1502.

A ornate ceiling in a stone room with a trim of mural made with tile around the room. — The richly decorated South Portal of Jerónimos Monastery.

A stone fort out built out into the sea. — Belém Tower is a 16th century fortification in Lisbon.

A monument of the colonial past of Portugal — Padrão dos Descobrimentos built by the sea where the ships would depart to trade with India and The Orient. A representation of the countries powerful colonial past.

A Golden Gate Bridge lookalike bridge and a large Jesus statue in the background. — Ponte 25 de Abril closely resembling the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco. In the distance Christ the King is also seen, inspired by Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

A large horse statue with stately architecture surrounding. — Commerce Sq home to Portuguese state departments, Ministry of Defence as well as the Supreme Court,

Trees with a sunsetting through them — Sunset peaking through the trees at Castelo de S Jorge.

View of Lisbon from Castelo S Jorge — Sunset views from Castelo de S Jorge.

Sunset over orange roof buildings and sea in Lisbon — More sunsets over Lisbon from Castelo de S Jorge.

Views over Lisbon from Castelo de S Jorge — Castelo de S Jorge, on Castle Hill in Lisbon. Human occupation of the castle hill dates back to the 8th century BC, but the fortification was built in the 1st century BC.

A church spire high on the hill over the city of Lisbon built up on the hills. — The castle is in the centre of Lisbon, it was originally encircled in a wall to form a citadel.

Orange tinted view of the city viewed from above. — The city of Lisbon in the orange light of sunset.

Looking for restaurants or bars in Lisbon? Maybe our map can help.

For more European city breaks check out our photo journal Edinburgh & photo journal for Amsterdam.