Lisbon

Gare do Oriente

Lisbon, Portugal's capital city is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its appeal lies in its ability to successfully transform itself to suit the varied tastes of a diverse set of tourists. If you are a sun worshiper/ thrill-seeker/history lover/culture addict/architect/ designer/ photographer/foodie, Lisbon offers enough to keep you busy and happy for at least a week.

I enjoyed walking up and down the sloped cobbled streets, taking in the unique architecture of the buildings around (beautifully restored and maintained), tile work on the walls and sampling local delicacies that were addictive (the Portuguese egg tarts need to be eaten!).

The streets can get slippery when it rains and it does rain often in spring (short, heavy showers). So, a good pair of sturdy walking shoes and rain jacket should be accompanying you when you visit Lisbon.

Different parts of this city are connected with a well-designed metro system that is affordable, clean and punctual. The frequency is very good too, specially during rush hours.
There is also a tram service within the old city with iconic trams taking  locals & tourists from one point to another. Much loved and often photographed ( I am just one of its many fans!).

Do not miss the Alfama region in Lisbon and also Belem (where the Jeronimos Monastry is located). Alfama has steep slopes BUT the views are fabulous and there are quaint bars here (some of them have Fado performances). The vibe, more so at dusk is magical. We chose to climb all the way with breaks and it was still a bit tiring. You can always just take a taxi or metro or tram.
If you want to go shopping, head to Chiado. It's got a good mix of old establishments and newer ones. You can choose to stay here or in the neighbouring Bairro Alto. Of course, given how well connected this city is ( wrt public transport), you can save some money and stay away from the central areas.

The main train station Gare do Oriente (designed by acclaimed Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava featured above as the first picture) is stunning and represents the modern face of Lisbon. From here, you have fast & slow train connections to other cities (like Porto, Coimbra etc.)

Crab at Cervejaria Ramiro

There are several restaurants and cafes in Lisbon (both old town and suburbs) that suit most budgets and diets. Prices are affordable and quantities are sufficient to fill the stomach. Try and go to the local haunts to get authentic Portuguese fare. In small places, the owners are often the chefs and also your servers and they are more than willing to tell you about the history of  Lisbon and also about the food that you are eating. Of course, there are some bigger Cervejarias like Ramiro that are a must-visit if you are a seafood lover. I was seriously amazed with their efficiency and quality controls given how many people were eating there. If you don't get there by 12 noon, forget about getting in for another two hours. The queues are long and there's a reason for that. The food is outstanding. That's the freshest seafood I have ever eaten in all my years of traveling.

One town that is in close proximity to Lisbon and totally doable as a day trip by train/bus/car (provided you start early) is Sintra.

Set in the foothills of the Sintra mountains, Sintra is a resort town that has a lot to offer. There are enough local buses to ferry you up and down around this region and I would recommend using them if you are there for a day. A must-see is the Pena Palace.
It's quite a walk up (steep one) so I would suggest taking a bus from the main station that will drop you at the ticket stand. There's enough walking inside so you will get more than your fair share of exercise for the day!
Another spectacular castle that deserves a visit is the Castle of the Moors.
Sintra town itself is charming. However, if you are on a day trip, you should focus on sightseeing within this region instead of the town itself.
A must-visit (again take a bus from the station) is Cabo da Roca.

This is the western most point of Portugal and main land Europe. The views over the majestic Atlantic Ocean are best seen and experienced instead of described.

If  you have an extra day to spare and can tear yourself away from Lisbon, you can consider spending a day or two in Cascais. This is the Portuguese version of the French riviera with sandy beaches and marina. Please keep in mind, accommodation here can be expensive so it's best to book early to get good deals.

There are very few places I visit that completely knock my socks off. Lisbon did. I need to make another trip to satisfy my heart, my mind and my belly.

If you have any comments/questions, please use the comment section or send me an email.

Obrigado!