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Ah, Lisbon, or as the locals call it, Lisboa! This vibrant city nestled along the scenic Tagus River is a treasure trove of history, culture, and energy. Picture charming cobblestone streets, colorful architecture, and a vibe that’s a mix of old-world charm and modern coolness. Oh and did I mention that the food and wine are incredible? We were not prepared for hard we’d fall in love with this awesome city!
Exploring the City
I loved our first day in Lisbon as it was a whirlwind of flavors, smells, and of course, checking out a few touristy sights. We landed early and couldn’t check in to our apartment until 4 pm, so we decided to go out and explore. We dropped off our bags in Alfama and started our day. We were pleased to discover that one of the famous photo locations in Lisbon was just a few steps from our front door!
I loved how walkable Lisbon is. Walking down to the water from our apartment only took 15 minutes and it was a very lively Friday morning. I loved how they had restaurants, bars, and public benches all along the water! It was a gorgeous spring day and everyone seemed to be in the best mood.
I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything was. Even the ferry terminal was jaw dropping!
We walked along the water seeing everything from colorful stacked rocks to a pina colada stand!
Then we made our way to the Time Out Market Lisboa, which every blog and publication mentions as a must visit in Lisbon. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cool spot with a great ambiance and it’s a foodie’s paradise. There’s seafood sizzling on grills, pastries tempting you with their sweetness, and flavors from around the world waiting to be devoured, but after an eight hour flight it was a bit over stimulating for me, so we made our rounds and decided to find a quieter spot to enjoy our first lunch. My favorite part about the market, was the plant shop outside!
Next stop? On to another tourist attraction! The Pink Street! I had read this was overrate,d but it was a 5 minute detour on our walk back to Alfama, so I had to check it out for myself! This lively spot is famous for its colorful buildings and buzzing nightlife. Since we go to bed at 8 p.m usually, lol, we visited at 11 am. We took a leisurely stroll, peeking into bars, restaurants, and quirky shops along the way, and I can see why the Instagram world loves it! It sure is pink!
ON/SET Alfama Apartments
As we were looking for a place to eat lunch, we got a message that our apartment was ready early! We made our way there to check in at ON/SET Alfama and shower before going out to explore and find some great lunch! I’ve got to say, we really lucked out on booking a great place. Our concierge Rui Pedro was awesome and SO helpful, the room was spotless and comfortable, and it was an awesome location! We showered up and made out way back out to explore before the time change got a hold of us.
Lunch at Chapito Mesa
Now, if you’ve read my blogs before, you know I like to plan a lot before I go on a trip, and I usually have restaurants in mind, although that usually works in my favor, I’m learning more and more that stumbling upon a hidden gem can work out even better! Cue, Chapito Mesa, a cozy café nestled in the heart of Alfama. To be honest, from the street we couldn’t tell how awesome it would be, but once we arrived in the cafe we were soaking in panoramic views of the city, drinking the best sangria I’ve ever had, eating incredibly delicious and fresh food, and experiencing incredible service form my girl Isabel.
As I said, the sangria was to die for, but the food was absolutely incredible as well. We ordered a few things to share and everything was delicious! Their menu changes often, but if they have the grilled avocado salad you have to try it! The fish was delicious as well and so was the soup. Ok, everything was awesome!
I am so glad we decided to give Chapito Mesa a try, it was so delicious and such a beautiful place! I couldn’t recommend it more!
Airbnb Experience Portugese Cooking Class with Cristiana
After a few delicious glasses of Sangria and some lunch to tie us over, we took an Uber with the sweetest driver to our cooking class! Cristiana is a local chef with a passion for all things traditional cuisine. Under her guidance, we made some Portugese classics and had such a great time!
The atmosphere in Cristiana’s kitchen was vibrant and welcoming, filled with the aroma of fresh herbs and spices. She shared stories about the history and cultural significance of each dish, adding a rich layer of context to our cooking experience. After hours of culinary adventure, we sat down to enjoy the fruits of our labor—a delicious meal that we had prepared together. It was a rewarding end to a wonderful day, filled with good food, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
We left the cooking class feeling inspired and eager to recreate these dishes at home, keeping a little piece of Portugal with us wherever we go.
We Love You, Lisbon
As we wrapped up our first day in Lisbon, we’re buzzing with excitement and gratitude for all the amazing experiences we had. From walking along the water, to strolling through colorful streets and eating all the delicious food, it was just an awesome day! Oh, P.S: One of the best parts in visiting in April/May? Everything is in bloom and SO GORGEOUS! Check back to read about our other days in Portugal, but for now you can check out my other blog posts, here.
