48 hours in Lisbon – Weekend Edition
Lisbon In Less Than 48 Words
A city built on seven hills, Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and its star attraction. The city is one of those rare Western European cities that faces the ocean- infused with an easy-going charm, a colorful cityscape, and lovely backstreets.
First 24 Hours
The main international gateway to Lisbon, and for that matter, the entire country, is the Lisbon Portela Airport. From the airport, the easiest way to reach the city center is via the city’s traditional tram system, which are in fact some of Lisbon’s tourist icons. Taxi, bus, and train services are also available to the visitors.
The city has extensive circular motorways: the 2ª Circular, the CREL and the CRIL. This network of roads connects Lisbon’s suburbs, as well as the rest of Portugal. The fare along these routes is usually €3, although you can likely get discounts if you present your boarding pass to the driver.
CHECK IN: Relax and take a breather at Lisbon’s hotels
After the long journey to the city, it is best for you to find suitable lodgings to spell you for the entire 48-hour trip and rest the body and mind. Some of the finest accommodations are served by the Britania Hotel (Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 17)and the Lapa Palace (Rua do Pau da Bandeira, 4), both with five-star quality facilities, laid-back ambience, and top-notch staff.
However, these types of larger and flashier hotels tend to be located further from the city center, so you can instead opt for nearby, albeit smaller, accommodations. Ideal examples are the Lisboa Regency Chiado (Rua Nova do Almada 114) and Hotel Mundial (Praça Martin Moniz 2), which have adequate facilities and superb views at reasonable prices. If you’re on a low budget, you might want to try out the Residencial Londrina (Rua Castilho 61), which is a cheap, quiet, and comfortable option.
JERONIMOS MONASTERY: A historical immersion in Lisbon
A lot of historical sites and landmarks are found in Lisbon, which makes for a nice cultural immersion, especially if you’re a history buff. At the forefront of these is the Jeronimos Monastery (Praça do Império 1400-206), a magnificent 16th century monastery considered as an epitome of the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sailors leaving or entering Lisbon’s port often make pilgrimages to.
The six centuries old Jeronimos Monastery, a classic display of Portuguese Manueline architecture. (Photo by Thomas or detengase)
Near it is its sister, the Belém Tower, an ancient defense system for the Tagus River. It houses a museum featuring ornate Manueline religious and maritime carvings, while its roof offers a fantastic city view. Yet another World Heritage Site presents itself in the form of the 15th century St. George’s Castle (Alfama 1100-129), which was built by the Visigoths atop the tallest hill in the city.
CASA PASTEIS DE BELEM: Just out for brunch
After exploring some of the sights in Lisbon, you most likely will feel a bit hungry and in need of a quick bite to eat. Heavy meals are available at the city’s array of top-class restaurants, one being Cop ’3 (Largo Vitorino Damásio 3), which specializes in the nouveau Portuguese cuisine. Recommended dishes there include roasted sardines in sea salt, and swordfish with coriander crust. Olivier Avenida (Rua Júlio César Machado 7) is a nice alternative, featuring traditional Portuguese dishes infused with international influences. It also helps that it is located in an impressive setting: a neo-Baroque building.
Ancient fortress Belem Tower had been built as the defensive fort of the Jeronimos Monastery and the Tagus River. (Photo by M@arg/Marg)
However, dining aficionados are probably more likely to head to the Casa Pasteis de Belem (Rue de Belem 84), which is known for its signature dish – the Pasteis de Belem. It is a mouth-watering custard pie doused with icing sugar, and is a definite must try if you eat at the place.
GULBENKIAN MUSEUM: Learning more about Portuguese history
Following a quick break, and you may very well try to learn more about the cultural heritage of Lisbon. Few places in the city allow you to do just that more than the Gulbenkian Museum (Avenida de Berna 45a Lisbon), which contains a wide collection of ancient and modern art works. It houses a private collection of Egyptian sculptures, paintings of Old Masters, Persian Art, and two ballet and music concert halls. Another is the Belem Cultural Center (Praça do Império 1449-003), the largest building with cultural facilities in the country. It plays host to a variety of festivals, art performances, and galleries on design, photography, and architecture.
The Belem Cultural Center, home to Lisbon's visual and performing art exhibitions. (Photo by Thomas/detengase)
DOCAS DISTRICT: Night fun in Lisbon
As the night falls on Lisbon, the activities have just started to hit their stride. Lisbon is a city that takes its nightlife very seriously, with entire areas dedicated solely to hedonistic pleasures and traffic jams resulting from the people’s rush to take part. Bairro Alto used to be the city’s center for nighttime pleasures, especially with its traditional bars, upscale discos, and fado clubs. However, the title now beoengs to Docas District, with its bars and clubs lined one after the other.
One of the most popular hangouts is the Kapital (Avenida 24 de Julio, 68), which includes a dockside bar, fantastic dance music including 80s mixes, and amazing port views from the rooftop terrace. Another is the Docks Club (Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, 226), known for its riverside bar and wide musical selection.
Next 24 Hours
The second day of your stay in Lisbon is perhaps best spent heading to the city’s beaches on the Atlantic front. It is a lot closer to the Equator than many other Western European cities, so you can take a dip in its waters even in the cold months of March. The resort town of Cascais is one of the most popular among the beach junkies, and can be reached via a 30-minute train ride from nearby Belem. Go swimming, sunbathing, and water sporting at sites like Guincho Beach or see natural sights like the Boca do Inferno – there is a lot to do there, but don’t forget to try out the seaside restaurants there if you need a bite to eat.
Guincho Beach is a popular spot for surfing. (Photo by Stefano Sbaccanti)
25 DE ABRIL BRIDGE: A taste of San Francisco in Lisbon
One of the most stunning sights in Lisbon is the 25 de Abril Bridge (Almada, Tejo River), which stretches for around 2,277 meters, making it the 20th largest suspension bridge in the world. It looks eerily very much like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA, and a ride across its length is a spectacle not to be missed. Another noted bridge in the city is the Vasco da Gama Bridge (Sacavém), which is the longest bridge in Europe at a length of 17.2 kilometers. It runs across the Tagus River, and the views from there are memorable.
CENTRO COLOMBO: Shopping your hearts out
Lisbon also has a thriving shopping scene. Although larger malls now dominate the city, you can still see its small markets at the Baixa quarter. Local handicrafts are available at the charming Chiado district, offering ceramics, baskets, copper utensils, wicker craft, and embroideries.
However, the place to be for the shopping enthusiasts in the city is Centro Colombo, which is the largest shopping center in the entire Iberian Peninsula. Other places to visit are the Amoreiras Shopping Centre (Rua Carlos Alberta da Mota Pinto) and the Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama (Parque das Nações), with their fashion shops and boutiques. You can get discounts from over 200 Lisbon malls by availing of the Lisboa Shopping Card from the city’s various tourist offices.
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