Lisbon, Portugal is the ‘Bestest’ Hip, Hilly, Coastal Capital City in Europe
Story, photos by Kelly Kusumoto
My most recent trip to Lisbon, Portugal was my fourth in three years and, by far, the bestest. I guess before I go on, I should let you in on an inside joke. While attending college, I met a classmate from Lisbon. In our very first class, we hit it off and have been close ever since. We even started an indie game development company together, which is why I have been frequenting Lisbon so much. He loves his country and is proud of all its accomplishments. Jokingly, any time he brags about something Portuguese, he always tells me how they love to go big on everything and that they strive to be, “The Bestest.”
This latest trip was the longest I’ve stayed in Lisbon. We had much more time to explore the locale and see the sights. My first day there, we went to the exhibit and elevator at the 25 de Abril Bridge, which, for a long time was Europe’s longest suspension bridge. There’s a plexiglass platform, as well as a mirrored floor (pictured) within one of the bridge’s columns. They also have a Virtual Reality tour where you can simulate walking on the bridge’s highest cables. It is of note that another one of Portugal’s bridges, the Vasco Da Gama bridge (also in Lisbon, and like the 25 de Abril Bridge, crosses the Tagus River) is the longest bridge of any kind in Europe. So right off the bat, we had created the theme to my latest trip: Lisbon, the most bestest European destination!
No trip to Lisbon is complete without a stop at Pasteis de Belem. In my opinion, they make the bestest pastries in all of Europe. Normally, the queue is around the block. But since I know a local, we were able to cut through the line and traverse the maze within to the “local’s” line, which was a fraction of the size of the tourist line. So I recommend either getting there really early or chumming it up with a local who knows about this exclusive time-saver. In fact, having a “local’s” line only highlights how amazing their pastries are. Make sure to order a few at the table and then a dozen or so to go.
After starting the morning off right, take a quick walk from the pastry shop down towards The Tower of Belem. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Vasco da Gama Garden, the Cultural Center, the Modern Art Museum, and quite a few other beautiful cultural sites that show off Portugal’s rich history. Be sure to have your camera at the ready. In fact, always have your camera ready because not only are the sights amazing, the weather is just about perfect all the time.
Another Lisbon classic is a nice afternoon stroll down Liberty Avenue (Avenue da Liberdade) where there is high-end shopping, great restaurants, fancy little shops that sell amazing wine, azulejos, and other great gifts to bring home. Whether you end up at the statue of Marques de Pombal or down at the riverbank in the Commerce Square, this walk will show you some of the great Portuguese architecture as well as bring you in close with the locals!
If you are in town during football season, I highly recommend attending a Benfica home game at the SL Benfica Stadium. While you’re there, take the tour and get up close and personal with the Benfica mascots, a couple of Bald Eagles! Just make sure you don’t root for the opposing team. If you do, they will put you in a section closed off from the rest of the fans…seriously! They are that crazy for their football.
Lastly, no trip to Lisbon is complete without visiting Sintra and the beach towns that surround it. Nestled into the mountainside, this very old town is packed with charm, amazing architecture, and rich with history. Check out the National Palace of Sintra, the Pena National Palace, as well as all the little shops that are tucked into every nook and cranny along thin, winding roads against the mountains.
Then head south to Cascais to start your Lisbon beach tour off right. Be sure to try Santini Gelato! Want all you can eat seafood? Visit Baia do Peixe on an empty stomach! Then head east towards Estoril and visit the famous casino as seen in James Bond 007: Casino Royale. Keep going east, back towards Lisbon proper and you’ll run through Carcavelos and Oeiras, two more amazing beach towns with beautiful white-sand beaches, strands to walk, bike, or board, and plenty of friendly faces who will want to dance with you.
No matter what, you’ll find that Lisbon is extremely affordable for being in the EU (European Union). Uber is readily available. Public transport is affordable, accessible, and very easy to navigate with little to no need of how to speak Portuguese. The restaurants are amazing in every sense. There are great hotels like the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, well priced and located with pool and spa and super clean and fancy!
Nightlife, bars, and the club scene are insane! Lisboners LOVE to party. As my friend would say, “We are the bestest place in the world.” Lisbon is definitely one of, if not, the best place in Europe, especially for the value. It’s a place you will want to go back over and over again.
