Oh Lisbon, where do I begin? Soon after our arrival, Portugal became one of our favorite countries that we've traveled to this year. Its colorful and elaborate buildings and city streets speak to a time when Portugal was one of the richest countries in the world. Lisbon reflects this "golden age" in a shabby chic sort of style as the country has faced much harder times in the more recent past. The city has a charm all its own with rolling hills, colorful tiles, and genuine and friendly locals! The city is well known for its trolley system (especially historical Tram 28) which will transport you around the city of 7 hills, providing incredible views as you catch the breeze blowing through the open wooden trolley window.
My absolute favorite thing in Lisbon is the Arab influenced tile and mosaic work that you find all over the city! From the terracotta tiled roofs to the elaborately designed squares and street patterns, with every turn you stumble upon another breathtaking work of art! We couldn't leave Portugal without a few of these unique gems, and luckily stumbled upon Azulejo, a tile shop with some of the most gorgeous handmade tiles I've ever seen! I couldn't take my eyes off of these three emerald green designs, which we ended up taking home with us. If you're ever in Lisbon and want to find their shop, we stopped in the one near Castelo de Sao Jorge on Rua Bartolomeu de Gusmao. There are hundreds of tiles to choose from of all shapes and sizes, and for a fairly reasonable price!
In proper TRLT fashion, we couldn't recommend more that when visiting Lisbon, you get lost...on purpose that is! There are so many back alleyways and hidden neighborhoods to discover...we could hardly tell you how to get to some of the spots that we found, but can tell you that you won't be disappointed if you take an afternoon to wander without an agenda!
An absolute must is a mid-afternoon coffee break at the quaint Cafe de Garagem. Located below the Teatro Taborda, this adorable cafe offers some of the best coffee in the city, as well as a number of sandwiches, salads, and other amazing treats! The cafe's decor partners with Lisbon’s shabby chic facade, with tables made of antique doors, vintage decor, and a breathtaking view of the surrounding rooftops. The cafe opens at 3 pm, just in time for the golden sun to shine through its large breezy windows.
Another great stop for good food in the city is Flower Power Food, located just away from Largo de Camoes, where they serve a wide variety of fresh cuisine. We loved the incredible strawberry and feta salad, and the "best chocolate cake in the world" it doesn't disappoint.
Some other street food that you can't pass up are the freshly picked cherries (my favorite) and the famous pastel de nata, a custard-filled flaky pastry that is absolutely to die for...seriously my new favorite dessert! The best place to buy these in town...is none other than the Pasties De Belem. Top your fresh-out-of-the-oven pastel with a little powdered sugar and cinnamon and enjoy every warm, flaky bite!
May finds Lisbon in full bloom, from street vendors selling flowers of every color to buildings and gardens absolutely spilling over with sweetly scented blooms. Take in every aroma as you marvel at all that Lisbon has to offer!
Labels: Azulejo, Cafe de Garagem, Exploring Europe, Flower Power Food, Lisboa, Lisbon, Lisbon Portugal Blog, Pasties De Belem, Portugal, Tiles, Tram 28, Travel Blog, TRLT. Travel Photography
