Lisbon | The Slow Traveler's Guide

No more packed itineraries! A simple must do list for your summer trip to Lisbon

I recently spent 8 days in Lisbon, Portugal and loved the vibe of the city, especially for a summer destination. As someone who loves a good ole’ fashioned travel itinerary, it’s hard to be choosey with what you want to do and where you want to eat, especially when the algorithm picks up on your travel destination. I feel like I get major FOMO before I even get there! So, in the spirit of slow living, here’s a simple guide to Lisbon of things to eat, drink, and do:

1. The Mill – a small, chill breakfast spot with savory and sweet options, coffee, and matcha.

2. Kefi Greek Bistro – a very vibey restaurant with fresh dishes if you’re craving something on the healthier side but still delish.

3. Time out Market – a little touristy, but there are tons of options; good for a group or if you want to try a little bit of everything.

4. Rhodo Bagels – huge bagel lover here and this hit the spot. Also, Joe Jonas walked in while I was eating my lox bagel.

1. Fábrica Coffee – my husband is a coffee snob and their iced latte was his go-to almost every day.

2. Imprensa – good vibes bar with interesting cocktails and fresh oysters.

1. Take a day trip to Sintra, specifically Quinta de Regeleira and Pena Palace. I’m typically not a huge day trip/tour person, but I really recommend this one if you book the tickets in advance. Both are a self-guided situation where you can meander and go at your own pace. Quinta de Regeleira is a massive park with lots to look at. It’s very spread out so it never felt super crowded. Pena Palace is a little busier, but the views are so worth it! Recommendation: Park in Sintra and have an Uber take you to the entrance.

2. Watch sunset at a miradouro. My favorite part of Lisbon was golden hour when the sun would hit all of the pastel-colored buildings. We went to a few miradouros; these were our favs:

   1. Miradouro de Santa Catarina

   2. Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol

   3. Miradouro De Santa Luiza

3. Walk…and walk some more. This is definitely a city of many streets (and hills). My favorite form of sightseeing is to casually stroll and make my way to a monument or two while popping in shops, grabbing an ice cream, etc. Here were some of my favorite areas to walk:

   1. Around Praça do Comércio

   2. Alfama (Old Lisbon)

   3. Av. Ribeira das Naus (by the water)

   4. Rua do Poço dos Negros (small-ish street with shops/restaurants)

4. Take a pilates class. This was such a fun way to stay active while traveling (along with the hills) and meet people in the city. Prescription Pilates does reformer pilates classes in English that I really enjoyed and would absolutely do again.

And there you have it—a simple guide centered around slow travel. Remember, the best adventures often come from the unexpected detours and spontaneous stops, so make sure you make time for those 💛