Lisbon

From my rental apartment snugly perched hillside above the city, I steadily continued my winding walk to city-center turning left then right, up and then down, along narrow cobblestone streets until I zig-zagged a corner that suddenly took my breath away, stopping me mid-step.

Still today, I remember the moment when Lisbon’s expansive cityscape abruptly appeared seemingly out of nowhere, projecting an unforgettable elevated panoramic cityscape high over Old Town, tucked in along the glittering ocean port, just below the clifftop castle watching over the city.

I had arrived at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol square teeming with handicraft markets, cafes and strolling guitar strummers – the midway point of the day’s discovery stroll.  Caught up in the park’s festive vibe and glorious views, I decided to treat myself with an espresso and local favorite custard pastry (pastel de nata) before resuming my walk – luckily, all downhill from the café to downtown.

One of few European capitals facing the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon shines as an exceptionally rewarding destination oozing with Old Europe charm, brimming with deep seated culture, renowned historic architecture and unique traditional cuisine – all rooted in a melting pot of cultures passing through over the centuries.

Culturally rich, Lisbon’s fame is partly due to their distinct handicrafts, cork jewelry, clothing, artwork and ceramic items originating in heritage tradition.  Just a few blocks away from ocean breezes, pedestrianized streets cut a wide swath through downtown showcasing Lisbon’s shopping venues where you can find handmade items, upscale clothing stores, local art studios, crafted pottery and linens. 

Lining the lively cobbled walkways day or night are crowds of outdoor cafes with colorful umbrellas, specialty coffee shops, fancy pastry shops, food vendors, romantic music and street performers everywhere you look, guaranteeing a holiday atmosphere full of fun, fantastic food and serious people-watching. 

While downtown, you can look up and see flights of stone stairs climbing surrounding gentle hills leading to nearby neighborhoods above the city center.  If you look close, you’ll spot packed outdoor cafes straddling more than one flight of stairs and waiters busily serving customers who are contentedly taking advantage of the splendid cityscape views from their perch.

Walking back to my apartment from old town was always delightfully eventful.  Although trams, metro, taxis, escalators and street elevators are readily available to help navigate the flights of stairs up to the higher neighborhoods above city-center, I usually chose to scale the stairs on the way home. 

Along the way home, I always treated myself to a lovely glass of local wine at one of the cafes straddling the ascending stairs to drink in the best view, bar none, of the romantically lit port and cobbled streets as evening slowly descended.