For the past couple of weeks I’ve been feeling like I need to get away. To see the sunrise somewhere new. Perhaps do some kind of activity. Explore a city I don’t know very well (or at all). Eat food I’ve never tasted before. Maybe do a little shopping. Hopefully feel my skin warmed by the sun. Not very far away and not for a very long time. Just a clear-my-head week that won’t cost me the earth.
And so I found myself in front of the computer this past Friday night researching cheap flights, surf schools and stylish city hostels. An hour later and my trip was booked. I’m going to Portugal for five days of surfing in Peniche, followed by two nights in Lisbon. In two week’s time. Excited!
Accommodation
I’ve booked myself a surf-and-food package at a surf hotel in Peniche, a seaside city and one of the best surfing locations in Europe, apparently. The hotel has a beyond-cosy home-away-from-home kind of a vibe. In the living room (they don’t call it a lobby) there’s a fireplace to warm your soul (their words) when the weather is bad (please don’t be) and a terrace with awesome views and a Jacuzzi and pool for sunny days (this is where I’m planning to be when I’m not surfing). Back in Lisbon I’ve booked myself a couple of nights at a chic-but-cheap hostel on the borders of the Principe Real and Bairro Alto districts, a stone’s throw from Chiado and with excellent views of the Tagus river (this all means precisely nothing to me at the moment). I’m staying in a dorm, which is costing me less than £10 a night for bed and breakfast. Here’s hoping for lovely dorm-mates. Strangers are friends you haven’t met yet, right?! Unless they snore…
Transport
I’m flying EasyJet from Gatwick to Lisbon and back to Luton. It’s an hour and half from the airport to Peniche and, although it’s a bit extravagant given there’s a bus I could get, as I’m arriving late evening and surf lessons start the next morning, I’ve booked a taxi transfer to the hostel. I’ll get the bus back to the city a week later when I’m feeling totally chilIed after a week of sun (fingers-crossed), surfing and delicious food. If you haven’t flown EasyJet for a while I would urge you to give them a try. They’ve been allocating seats for a while now, flights (in my experience) are almost always (pretty much) on time, and there are even (fairly) healthy eating options on board. Yes, you still have to pay extra to check in luggage or buy food, but return flights to Lisbon two weeks out are costing me less than a similarly last-minute train trip to visit family in Yorkshire would.
Help! 48 hours in Lisbon
So the transport’s sorted, five days of surfing and food are booked, two night’s accommodation in Lisbon is paid for, and that leaves me with 48 unplanned hours in Portugal’s capital, which is where I’m hoping you’ll be able to help. Has anyone visited Lisbon lately and can help me get the most out of my time in the city? What are the must-see sights and don’t-miss cultural things to do? What food must I absolutely try? (Obviously I plan to have a custard tart with every coffee stop). What should I leave space in my suitcase for? Is there a particular neighbourhood you think I’ll love? Which are your favourite shops and restaurants? Are then any blogs or guidebooks that you suggest I check out? Anything else I really must know? Looking forward to reading your recommendations!
Lisbon is my favourite city!! I just love it. It’s supposed to be the cheapest city in Western Europe too and wine and beer is super cheap. The first time I went I thought I’d misheard and tried giving them far too many Euros!
I could ramble on and on about all of my favourite bits but my two highlights are taking a train up the coast to Cascais and having a drink at the rooftop Sky Bar at the Tivoli hotel. The train hugs the coast all the way to Cascais and if you get off the train a few stops early at Sao Joao or Estoril, you can walk all the way along the beach path, the beach is on one side of you and little bars and cafes on the other. It’s heavenly! The Sky Bar at Tivoli has the best view of Lisbon. At least the best view that also serves cocktails! My fiance took me there for a birthday surprise and it’s a special place.
Lisbon is very hilly so make sure you bring comfy shoes. But at least you can justify plenty of custard tarts with all of the hill climbs!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Emily. Cascais looks so pretty and the view from the Sky Bar – wow! I hope I get time to do both. Haha, I definitely plan on eating plenty of custard tarts!
If you love custard tarts, then you have to go to Casa Pasteis De Belem, it is one of the oldest places in Lisbon which makes Pastel de Nata, yes it is full of tourists but if you head through to the back, you will be able to buy them direct form the kitchen and piping hot – delicious