Lisbon: City of Seven Hills

Situated on the Rio Tagus, Lisbon, city of seven hills is lively and charming with a touch of romantic decay reminiscent of its former glory. 

Located on the coast with seven hills and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, Lisbon reminds us of the San Francisco Bay Area. Lisbon was the final stop on my sister’s “Iberian Tour.” After Cascais, we met up with my family in Lisbon, all ready to explore all its former glory. 

First European City-Break Trip 

Kenz and I visited Lisbon, city of seven hills, about a decade ago. This was our first European city-break trip with Lady Yeya post-covid. All our previous holidays (except California) have been ‘fly-and-flop’ beach holidays like Corfu and Paphos. Parenting feels like a grind at times so we prefer lazy, stress-free holidays with a pool and a bit of sightseeing. As city-break trips can be gruelling for young kids, we had a relaxed itinerary to enjoy quality family time together. Booking an AirBnB in Baixa was helpful as it was an easy walk to all the major attractions. With some planning, city break trips can be enjoyable for everyone. We were pleasantly surprised how much Lady Yeya enjoyed Lisbon. She was just happy tagging along with her big cousin C, making new family memories. 

Top Things to Do in Lisbon

Alfama: Atmospheric neighborhood with narrow cobbled lanes leading to Castelo de S. Jorge, the fortress sitting at the highest point in Alfama with amazing views overlooking Lisbon’s seven hills. Hear sultry fado music playing from cafes whilst sipping vinho verde. Admire the historic monuments including Sé de Lisboa Cathedral and Igregja de Santo Antonio. Beautiful Miradouro de Santa Luzia awaits you with stunning views over the estuary and terracotta rooftops. 

Tram 28: Just as  famous as the San Francisco cable, the iconic yellow Tram 28 takes you around Lisbon’s best neighborhoods from Baixa, Graca, and Estrela.  If you want to rest your legs or take the kids on an adventure, Tram 28 is a good option.

Sintra: A day trip to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must. Located in Serra de Sintra, Sintra was once the summer retreat for the Portuguese royalty and aristocrats. There are numerous museums and palaces to see including Castelo dos Mouros, Palacio Nacional de Sintra, and Monserrate Palace. However, if you have to pick one attraction, make the whimsical Pena Palace. Blending 19th century Romanticism with ornate battlements and colourful painted facade, Pena Palace is magical and full of character. If time permits, the hike up to the Pena Palace through the enchanting forest is lovely. It is a perfect way to burn off all those calories from the pastel de nata. 

Belém: Belém is the birthplace of the famous Portuguese pastel de nata, the sweet custard and flaky pastry. On the banks of the Tejo Estuary, Belém is also home to Gothic-style Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Torres de Belém, and Padrão dos Descobrimentos. A short 15-minute train ride from Lisbon, it is a lovely place to spend the morning and then grab lunch at one of the outdoor food markets overlooking the estuary. 

Praia de Carcavelos Beach: Another 15 minutes from Belém is Carcavelos Beach, a lively beach with good amenities, cafes, and restaurants. As it is the longest beach extending for 1.5km, Carcavelos is popular with teenagers, surfers, sun worshippers, and families. The gentle swells are perfect for surfing and frolicking in the cool Atlantic waters. The kids had a great time building sandcastles and splashing around. 

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Lisbon is a great city-break destination as it is compact with great public transport links. There is something for everyone – historic monuments, cute cafes, public squares, sandy beaches, museums, and a hip foodie scene. Obrigada Lisboa – until next time!