The Best of Portugal: Why You Should Visit Lisbon

With so many amazing cities around the world, it’s often hard to choose where to go. Lisbon is one of the most visited cities in Europe and it’s no wonder. With amazing architecture, colorful tiles, culture and food, this is why you should visit Lisbon.

What’s Lisbon like?

This fantastic city is the capital of Portugal. Lisbon is an amazing, diverse city with cobblestone streets, trams and rolling hills. Nicknamed the city of 7 hills, you’ll definitely do a lot of walking here. Partially destroyed by an earthquake decades ago, much of the city and it’s history still remains. It’s bustling with lots to see and do, and eat and drink. Many say it reminds them of San Francisco with a similar bridge and many hills, but we know it has much more charm and history. Lisbon has a diverse population and culture, they speak Portuguese and are influenced by various parts of Europe. Fado, a popular dance, originated here.

Climate

lisbonThe climate is great in Lisbon, with fairly mild winters and hot, hot, hot summers. Like other cities in Europe, if you prefer to visit when there are less people around, the shoulder seasons of March – June and September – December are the best times to visit. Summer is of course beautiful here too, however it’s quite busy and super hot (hello 90F, 40C).

Food

Portuguese food is desired by many. Famous for Pastel de Nata’s, the sweet custard/egg filled tart adored by many, Portugal also has great green wine, grown in the North, delicious coffee and unbeatable seafood. We recommend breakfast at the Sama Sama, for delicious crepes, lunch at the Mercado da Ribeira which has many different food options to choose from and dinner at O Chiado, a Portuguese restaurant.

Neighborhoods

We recommend living in Principe Real, a more upscale and trendy neighborhood that has fantastic shopping and eateries. If you prefer to be central, Chiado – Baixa are other areas we recommend, with amazing history and cozy bars and eateries.

Community/Happenings

Lisbon has one of the most active expat communities in Europe, with lots of people calling this city home thanks to it’s great climate and affordability. There is always something going on in this city, with meetups and events every night. Learn a new skill, join a running group or meet new people over drinks – it’s up to you! Plus see what the weekly happenings are on TimeOut Lisbon.

Weekend Trips

Lisbon is a great city to be based out of, with easy access to the rest of the country as well as Europe. A trip to Lisbon is not complete without a weekend at the Algarve Coast, the mesmerizing southern coast of Lisbon with amazing rock formations and beaches. Also worth a visit, is the northern city of Porto – do a wine tasting and wander the historic streets or take a cruise down the Douro river.


Lisbon has so much to offer, its no wonder it’s one of our most popular locations. Get started below!

24 hours of Food in Lisbon: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

A quick trip to Lisbon can leave you overwhelmed with where to eat. So we thought we’d share our top spots for each meal, so you can be ready to hit the tiled, hilly roads running (all 7 of them). From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, we’ve got you covered on the tastiest spots to eat.

Breakfast in Lisbon: La Boulangerie (Docas)

 


Our personal breakfast fav!
There is only one thing better than the scent of freshly baked croissants and that is the taste of a croissant. La Boulangerie, serves some of the best croissants for brunch, along with scrambled eggs, a bread basket, homemade jams, Nutella, fresh cheeses, cured hams and sausages, salad and fruit. Who could forget the famous Portuguese tarts as well!
Recommendations
Food: Try the delicious Croissants & the Pastels de Nata
Drink: Espresso & Fresh Orange Juice
La Boulangerie
Rua do Olival, 42 Lisboa

Lunch in Lisbon: Time Out Market Lisboa

With something for everyone, this seaside market is a must visit when in Lisbon! Always busy, the food is fresh and the wine is pouring. With over 40 options, including a restaurant serving just tartar (with vegetarian options of course), the best food from all over Portugal is brought together in one place.
Recommendations
Food: Fresh tuna tartar
Drink: Vinho Verde (Portuguese green wine)
Time Out Market
Avenida 24 de Julho,
Mercado da Ribeira, 1200-479 Lisbon

Dinner in Lisbon: In Boca Al Lupo (Amoreiras)


Lisbon’s first organic pizzeria, this is a must visit for those who love thin-crust pizza. The restaurant is simple, but expect to eat well here. You can also watch them prepare your food in front of you, from the rolling of dough to the fresh baking. You can taste organic mozzarella from Italy and legumes from a farm in Portugal. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, everyone can leave satisfied.
Recommendations
Food: Pizza Caprese & Ravioli with hokkaido squash and goat cheese
Drink: Quinta do Côa (Red wine from the Douro valley)
In Bocca Allupo
R. Manuel Bernardes 5, 1200-009 Lisboa


Ready to eat your way through Lisbon? Get started below to plan your trip now!

Behere Team | Women Making Moves: Nyah Pham

Have you been dreaming about Lisbon? Then meet Lisbon City Host, Nyah Pham, who’s making a wonderful impact in Lisbon. She has a love for community building and making others feel at ease and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! Read her story below, it’ll be sure to spark your wanderlust for Lisbon.

Tell us about yourself and your love for travel…

My name is Nyah (pronounced NA-JA, not NY-AH). I’m originally from Vietnam but grew up in Denmark and have lived in the US, France, China, Spain, Germany and Portugal. Growing up as an immigrant child in Denmark, I always had an urge to discover new cultures and countries from a very young age. My parents took me around the world to visit relatives, so I developed an early curiosity for travel. The first time I traveled on my own I was 15. I remember how excited I was to head to the US and visit my sister by myself. Terrified, but also full of hopes and dreams. Ever since, I’ve travelled to more than 50 countries and I am still discovering. Travel is the fuel to my being. I don’t think I will ever stop travelling. As the Danish writer HC. Andersen put it, “To travel is to live”. 

What do you do when you’re not helping the community in Lisbon?

I am a independent Business Consultant and Life Coach. Half my time, I’m dedicated to event concepts for different kind of clients. This means conferences, exhibitions, festivals, launches etc. My job is to put a great programme together to make the event unforgettable.
The other half of my time, I help clients overcome challenges and struggles in their everyday lives and transform into better versions of themselves. This can be within their careers, relationships or health. In most cases, these three are highly related.
I like the combination of my jobs, since they allow me to be creative as well as reflective. Creating concepts and hosting events feels natural to me. I’m at my best when I see an event come together, with people connecting with each other and enjoying the content. Helping others transform and change is the best gift that has been given to me. Not only does it feel impactful and purposeful, but making a change and difference in others lives is a true blessing. 
Nyah Pham

Why is community so important to you and what do you love about the community you’ve created in Lisbon?

I’m community builder at heart. I love to see people come together, whether it’s because they share the same interests or not. Something magical happens, when people come together, connect and eventually build something beautiful. I always say, “It’s not the place you fall in love with, it’s the community”. I live by that. You can go to the most magical places; tropical islands with beautiful beaches, but if the community is not there, you will not have that sense of belonging.
Lisbon was number one on my list and I’ve ended up staying here for about a year. I fell in love with the community from day one and started hosting weekly Digital Nomad Meetups. Before I knew it, we grew the community from 1000 to almost 3000 members in less than a year. That’s incredible. The Digital Nomad scene here is huge and I keep seeing new faces all the time. But what makes the community in Lisbon unique is, that nomads who come here tend to stay – we’ve simply become “slowmads” because we love this place and community so much. 

What makes Lisbon so special?

Lisbon is the city of seven hills. It’s what makes it so charming. I love walking through the city and admiring the beautiful tiles and cobblestones. It’s so beautiful yet, historical at the same time. I feel majestic walking around here. Plus, with 300 sunny days a year, and the ocean nearby, Lisbon ticks most of the boxes for a fantastic place to stay. 


To explore Lisbon like a local, get started with Behere below!
Photos and words courtesy of Nyah Pham.