Let the adventure begin… I can tell Lisbon is going to be pawsome and I have my sunglasses on in March! Pass me the sun cream ☀️😎
We headed first over to the Alfama district and it was already gone midday, so we grabbed lunch. Now you can do the same as us and jump into the first place you see after getting off the metro or you can be a little more patient and explore the area and its many bars and restaurants. We stopped off at Adega do Atum, which was perfectly fine but there is much more on offer, so don’t be tempted to be lazy like us. But it’s always beer o’clock on holidays and we got our first taste of the yummy black beer here, so I was a beary happy bear and oh my goodness, the octopus salad and sangria Mum ordered were both super yummy 😋
After lunch we had our usual street art hunt, plus took a ride in an old-fashioned tram up a very steep hill. Thank goodness for the tram as my little legs could never walk up there! We also took the famous number 28 tram, which connects Martim Moniz with Campo Ourique and passes through the popular tourist districts of Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. For visitors, this is the classic Lisbon tram journey, riding in a quaint yellow tram as it screeches and rattles through the narrow streets of the city. But make sure you know where you’re getting off unlike us! Before we knew it, we were at the end of the line in the middle of nowhere and had to get a bus back into the centre!
Before long is was time to check in to the hotel. Of course, no matter where we are, if Liverpool are playing, Dad has to watch them, so we headed back out to Hennessy’s Irish Pub to watch the Reds beat Bayern Munich 3-1 with a wonder goal from Supermane! if you’re in Lisbon and need to catch a game, this is a great place to do it. Located by the riverside of downtown Lisbon, we grabbed a very tasty burger before kick-off and then took in the game with locals and tourists alike, most of the pub cheering us on ⚽
Day two and much to do. I’m a poet and I didn’t know it! First for breakfast and over to Pastéis de Belém for their famous custard tarts, just out of the oven and still warm. Yummy! They claim to sell 20 to 30 thousand pastries per day from this single shop and I can honestly believe it. Time for some culture and first to Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos. This monastery is simply beautiful and full of Portuguese history – it is a must-visit when in the Belém area. A quick pit stop at Eléctrico Bananacafé for a few black beers. This quirky little cafe is situated in an old converted tram – just next to the bus stop – and is perfect for a chill in the sunshine.
Next was Torre De Belem, but first a sneaky frozen yogurt 🍦 never had one before! This was beary yummy, the yogurt itself was a tiny bit sour but with a sweet topping it balanced perfectly. Belém Tower was very stunning and the water around it is a plus on a day like today as you can have a little paddle to cool off. You really need to visit this place if you come to Lisbon. Belém was a photographer’s paradise and you can spend an entire day exploring this neighbourhood. Our next stop was Village Underground, a dreamland of creativity, art and culture in Alcântara, Lisbon. We got lots of good photos here, plus a tasty toasty with sweet potato chips and more black beer!
Now it was time for exploring the streets of Lisbon by night and Mum took lots of great photos with her proper camera, but also had little accident when she tripped and hurt herself, so I had to kiss her better before we went hunting for mementos of our visit. What a spoiled little bear I was… I got four souvenirs! Good job Mum just made me a bookshelf. Obviously I got a new pin (this is kind of mandatory), a ceramic rooster 🐓 the unofficial symbol of Portugal, a little plate with its own stand, showing off beautiful Portuguese tiles and finally my own ‘B for Bryn’ tile 💙
Our last day and we visited Castelo de São Jorge. Given its outstanding location, a highlight of the castle is its many viewpoints, giving you majestic and unparalleled views of Lisbon. We had a nice walk up to the castle and it was a lovely place to just stroll around. There was so much to fit into three days and we managed to cram a lot in. A stunning city and still so much more to explore! Last hours in Lisbon, miss you already! Hope to be back soon ❤️