Yes that’s right, we’ve been given the green light to ‘go to gate’. In the office we have been dusting off neglected city guides as our eyes turn to Lisbon. With many of our clothes made in Portugal, we couldn't think of a better place to travel to. As you take your suitcases out of storage, pack your latest summer gear why not read our small pocket guide to some places you may want to visit in Lisbon. Now excuse us, we’re off to reinstall Duolingo. Tchau!
Where to stay
With so much lost time to make up for, early starts and late nights will be a general pattern for your first city break. You’ll want somewhere you can retreat to and rest up before you do it all over again the next day. Should you desire somewhere that feels a little bit like a home from home, The Lisboans have all been designed with plenty of inherent character. If you are after somewhere serene, minimal and transportive, Santa Clara 1728 has designed six suites, all pared back and providing calm away from rejuvenated tourism.
What to visit
Whether you’re an acute planner or somebody who likes to follow their nose while on vacation, let us highlight a couple to tick off. Just outside of Lisbon is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sintra. Its mix of diverse gardens and eclectic Renaissance and Romanticist architecture will have you considering whether your semi-detached would look better with a castle spire. Back in the city and still using architecture as our North Star, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) sits on the Tagus river and was designed by architect Amanda Levete. The design and view of the city from the outside is worth the visit alone. A 10-minute tram journey from MAAT is the renowned LX Factory, a collection of independents from food to design to fashion. Dare we say the East London equivalent, all housed within an old industry factory complex.
Alfama
Pre-warning, you may want your big step count footwear when walking around the picturesque cobbled streets of Alfama. Allow yourself to get lost within one of Lisbon’s oldest areas, as everyday scenes tend to unfold with every wind of the road. Locals with front doors ajar, fado music echoing down the street and the hum of tucked away cafes. Should you want to see everything Alfama has to offer without the long walk, we suggest jumping on to the no. 28 tram - one of 58 in the city - that takes you all around Alfama and to the summit of São Jorge Castle. Keep your camera out and be ready to embody Bill Cunningham, it’s prime people watching territory.
Where to eat
There is nothing more exciting (and equal parts nerve-wracking) when dining overseas. Translations and mispronunciations, what arrives in front of you can sometimes be a surprise. Rest assure, you will not be short of dining options. Prado is located in a former fish factory and is a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on seasonal food. When most people think of visiting Lisbon, indoor food hall Time Out Market is mentioned. Our Journal Editor Jordan has no shame in sharing when he last visited the city his first stop was here and for dinner… three pastel de natas. For those who require coffee as their city exploring fuel, Hello, Kristof is a small speciality coffee shop and independent magazine store. Black coffee and a flick through the latest Monocle or Fantastic Man before we set off again.Places to highlight: Pastéis de Belém, Comoba, Chérie Paloma, and Copenhagen Coffee Lab.