Lisboa, Portugal: A Weekend In Pictures
By Erin Deborah Waks
Spending a weekend in any new city is always a dream. And, despite the fact that I had visited the Portuguese capital before, Lisbon remains a really good idea. So I set off one dreary December morning from my London apartment, arriving in sunnier (albeit still chilly) climes just a few hours later to spend a few days with my favourite man on the planet.
An evening arrival meant a stroll through the city centre, decorated with Christmas lights galore. It added a festive charm to an already perfectly cobbled and charmingly picturesque city.
Naturally, many custard tarts, known as pasteis de nata, were consumed. I won’t reveal how many precisely, but let’s just say it was more than two. More than three. More than four…
Come with comfy walking shoes - the hilly streets of Lisbon are not for the faint of heart!
Street art here is incomparable. Barely 100 metres were covered before I had to pause and take a picture. I was amazed at the beauty, and this particular building caught my eye, with its modern adaptation of the ceramic tiling you see all over the city.
Likewise, this portrait on a somewhat unkempt apartment block was striking. I loved the simple colours and the way the painting of the eye drew me in.
A trip to Lisbon is incomplete without a visit to the Alfama district and flea market. We browsed for an hour, taking in the busy atmosphere and eclectic combination of goods on offer.
From our al fresco table at the Copenhagen Coffee Lab, we people-watched and sipped cappuccinos with an exquisite view.
Old books. Enough said. I was dragged away, unwillingly, with a reminder that I hadn’t paid for a suitcase and had to fit any purchases in my carry-on luggage…
Lisbon, while known for its food culture, also has some fantastic wine and port. We popped into several bars for a drink - my favourite being JNCQuoi - and sampled the best on offer. This shop, in the Time Out Market, is also worth a visit. Head there in the evening for a fantastic atmosphere and even better food.
On my final day, I just had to catch the sunrise. I got up for an early morning run, and jogged across the city from the northern suburbs, through Parque Eduardo VII and down the Avenida da Liberdade with this magnificent view stretching out ahead of me.
Lisbon is set on the banks of the Tagus river - and I saw it at its finest on this perfect morning.
After brunch at Hygge Cafe (and a shower), I played tourist for a while, stopping to pose with the city’s iconic tram.
What goes up, must come down - and Lisbon’s hills are that dogma personified. Worth it, for streets this pretty, though…
