Lisbon - 2019's Top Destination for Millennials (& everyone else)

Earlier this year a work trip brought us to London so of course we decided to make an adventure out of it. Both of us have been to different countries within Europe but neither of us had been to Portugal. Little did we know that Lisbon has been dubbed the top destination for millennials in 2019. Once reading that stat we noticed that almost every friend, family member, and colleague mentioned Lisbon this year. If you’re wondering why, then read on below because we had a blast in this sunny European capital. We’ll list the places we went, where we ate, and anything else that we think our readers might find useful. Happy reading :)

A few things that surprised us:

• Lisbon is surprisingly cheap for a European capital city

• Everyone speaks English - no need to worry about that language barrier

• A hotspot for bachelor and bachelorette parties

• Steep hills everywhere - bring comfortable shoes

• Those hills lead to spectacular views at almost every corner.

what we did

We were only in Lisbon for three full days so the list below is by no means exhaustive, it is just what we had time for and what we were most interested in.

Sintra

The town of Sintra is the home of the whimsical Sintra castle and many panorama views. We enjoyed our time in Sintra but it was definitely the most expensive and crowded activity we did while in Lisbon. Each palace sold separate tickets and quickly add up to EUR 20-35 (per person). The line at Sintra Palace would have taken us over an hour wait, in the heat, before getting inside to see the Palácio da Pena. The best way to get to Sintra is by train from Lisbon, and then once you arrive in Sintra you have little choice but to buy a hop on hop off bus ticket that takes you up to the grounds. The architecture and the colours of the palaces at Sintra are as vibrant as the pictures make it out to be, and the surrounding grounds are very well maintained. You could spend a whole day here roaming the different sites, ruins, and gardens if that’s what gives you joy.

Cabo de Roca

From Sintra, the logical thing to do is to take a bus to Cabo de Roca. Cabo de Roca is the most westernly point of continental Europe. Sadly we again wouldn't recommend the trouble of going unless you have time. There is a lighthouse, cliff tops, and endless miles of Atlantic Ocean to gaze upon. Cabo de Roca was also very busy with tourists and extremely windy. We hopped back on the bus that took us to Cascais.

Cascais

Cascais is a beautiful little seaside town on the way back to Lisbon from Cabo de Roca. The town has a wonderful sheltered beach, cute cobblestone roads to wander down, and a charming vibe throughout. Cascais offers a glimpse at authentic Portguese seaside living - compared to Lisbon at least. We loved Cascais and would have spent more time there if we could.

Surfing - Lisbon Surf Camp & School

We went to Carcavelos for a surf lesson with the Lisbon Surf Camp & School. It is super easy to get to Carcavelos, just take the train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station and then walk down to the beach (hint: follow all the guys and girls with surfboards!). 

Tile Museum -
Museu Nacional do Azulejo

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo (or Tile Museum) is a walkthrough of the history of tiles in Portugal. Feast your eyes on amazing colors and patterns.

LX Factory

LX Factory is a hipster community of boutique stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars, sculptures, and even a music venue. This is a perfect place to spend a half day with friends while eating, drinking, and having fun.

Pavilion of Knowledge -
Pavilhão do Conhecimento

The Pavilhão do Conhecimento (or Pavilion of Knowledge) was one of our favourite things to do in Lisbon, probably because we are silly and still children at heart. The Pavilion of Knowledge is like a big playground for kids, but educational at the same time. 

Alfama, Bairro Alto, Pink Street

Wandering the streets of Bairro Alto and Alfama, winding through small lanes and footpaths that lead to small shops, cafes, restaurants, and amazing lookout points is something you must do in Lisbon - just be sure to bring comfortable shoes. There is lots of graffiti plastered on the walls, tiled buildings, and great smells and sights to witness. There is also the ‘Pink Street’ which gets a lot of attention on instagram; just note it is not as pink as those photos on social media suggest. The street was painted a few years ago and with all the foot traffic it is a dirty pink street now.

where we ate

If you’d rather not eat in empty restaurants, then don’t even think about going out for dinner until 9pm at the earliest. Lisbon, like many other continental European countries, have late and long suppers. 

Breakfast & Brunch

The brunch and cafe culture is ripe in Lisbon. There are so many choices to grab brunch or a coffee at a cool cafe that I don’t even know where to start. We only ate at one of these (The Mill), but any of them would be a great choice.

• The Mill

• Dear Breakfast

• Heim Cafe

• COMOBA

• Early Birds

Afternoon snack

Meat and cheese platters are everywhere and a MUST. Grab a glass of wine and sit back to people watch on the cobble streets.

Lunch & Dinner

We spent a lot of time eating at the Time Out Market Lisbon, down near the waterfront and Cais do Sodré train station. The Time Out Market offers local and international cuisines and plenty of table space to eat and soak up the atmosphere with a wine or Aperol spritz.

Pastel de nata

And of course you cannot go on a trip without eating at least one, but most likely several, Pastel de nata. Pastel de nata is a Portugese custard tart that you can find in any bakery in Portugal. The most famous of them all is Pastéis de Belém. Expect to see a line out the door, but don’t worry it moves quickly.