Lisbon was the end of my solo January backpacking trip in 2019 and was by far my favorite destination. I immediately felt at home in the laid back city, and never ran out of things to do. Lisbon forced me to slow down and enjoy the city like a local.
Head to a Local Market
Lisbon is full of markets to explore, and each one is unique. However, there were two that really stood out to me: the LX Factory Market and the Baixa Market.
I stumbled across the Baixa Market by accident. It was right in the middle of Praca da Figueira, a large public square, that I ran into while wandering around Lisbon. The small tented market was a bustling hub of people, and the smells of the smoking meats, cheeses, and nuts drew me in. There seemed to be more locals than tourists perusing the stalls, as the market is seemingly unnoteworthy to many tourists passing through the square. Due to this, the food was well priced and absolutely delicious! You can find some jewelry and clothes, cheese, smoked sausage, wine and sangria, and candied nuts in the stalls. The market has been around since 1855, and is a local favorite.
The LX Factory Market, hidden in the industrial side of Lisbon, was one of my favorite things about the city. The market, held only on Sundays, lines the street of the LX Factory district. Vendors sell vintage clothes, homemade jewelry, delicious food, art, and furniture. The district has a hipster feel, with art decorating the factory walls and vegan friendly cafes lining the street. Most shops and restaurants in the Factory are closed during the market, so be sure to come back during the week to peruse the rest of the artistic cafes, galleries, and bars!
Ride Tram 28
The historical yellow tram famous to Lisbon has been in motion since the 1930s. The tram takes you through the winding roads of the city, running through some of the most popular destinations for tourists. It was on Tram 28 that I accidentally discovered the Prazeres Cemetery.
If interested in riding the tram, be sure to grab a 24-hour public transport ticket! This ticket sets you back about €7, but the tram ride itself is about €3. I was kicked off at the end of the line, so it’s well worth it to purchase the public transport ticket, even just to ride the entire tram line. The ticket is valid for all busses, trams, and the metro, but can only be purchased in a metro station.
Embrace the Quiet at Prazeres Cemetery
The Prazeres Cemetery was an unplanned visit for me, but I ended up spending hours there. The huge 19th-century cemetery is full of exquisite mausoleums, crypts, and gravesites dated from the 1800s through the modern-day. The cemetery is so huge and contains the burial sites of so many famous and historical Portuguese people, that there are even tours offered. The cemetery is a wonderful place to escape the noise of the city center, and has great views of the city!
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
Sintra is an hour train ride from Lisbon, with trains leaving about every half an hour from the Rossio-Sintra station. Train tickets cost only a few euros, and the trip is well worth it. Sintra is a coastal town full of ruinous castles, grand mansions, and miraculous views.
Take note that Sintra can get extremely crowded during high tourist season, and there are admission fees for each of the castles. As I was on a budget, I opted to drive around Sintra and view the outside of the castles, and find the best (free) views in the city. I was not disappointed!
Try the Local Cuisine
There were three local foods that I found in Lisbon that I have never found anywhere else: tinned seafood, sour cherry liqueur, and custard tarts.
As absurd as it sounds, Lisbon is extremely famous for tinned seafood. I wandered into a shop, tasted a large number of free samples, and walked away with some of my favorite souvenirs of my entire backpacking trip! The seafood is canned and left to marinate for years. That’s right: years! I purchased octopus, smoked mussel, smoked salmon, and gilt-head bream from the shop Comur in downtown Lisbon. I was not disappointed with the picnic I made myself after returning home!
Sour cherry liqueur, made locally in Lisbon, quickly became my favorite drink. The liqueur, called Ginjinha, is made with aguardente and ginja berries (morello cherries). You will find this drink everywhere, from high end bars, to stands on the side of the street. The shots are best served in a dark chocolate shotglass!
Finally, Lisbon’s famous custard tarts are to die for. You can get them for €1 in many bakeries, and they are EVERYWHERE! They’re best when they’re fresh and still warm!
Explore the City
Lisbon is full of incredible architecture, historical statues, and beautiful coastlines. Take a morning or even a full day to explore the sights of the city! My favorite spot was the Praça do Comércio plaza and the Tagus estuary. The two spots are right next to each other, and are incredibly beautiful! Check out a full list of sightseeing activities in Lisbon!
Lisbon is full of history and culture, and during my visit I decided to skip most of the typical tourist locations. The city quickly felt like home, so I was content to wander the streets and discover its secrets on my own.
Have you ever been to Lisbon? Let me know if I missed anything spectacular!
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Lisbon is such a beautiful place. I went there several years ago and absolutely loved it. The people are so friendly, the architecture is amazing and the food is so good!
Lisbon is definitely one of my favorite places I’ve visited!