Hello beautiful people! Did you get any flight bargains in the Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales? Tell me and let me dream with you. If you follow me on Instagram or have been reading my blog posts for some time, thank you, I went to Lisbon a few years ago. However, I always wanted to go back to this beautiful city and one of my besties had never been. So over lunch one day, we found November dates with cheap flights and hotels because that’s my speciality. So if you’ve never been come fall in love with Lisbon, a seasonal guide to Portugal’s charming capital and book those flights.
Fall in Love With Lisbon: A Seasonal Guide to Portugal’s Charming Capital
Places to Eat and Drink
We landed in the afternoon and by the time we got settled, it was time for food. The apartment we stayed at was a 5 minute, if that, walk from the Time Out Lisbon Market. It had been one of the places I wanted to check out and it was practically on our door step. Funny story, we were booked at another apartment but they had an emergency with the water heater and moved us elsewhere. This market is a foodie playground! There’s so much choice and your biggest decision is what to choose. From the fresh seafood, steak, pizza, traditional Portugese dishes and more. You’ll be spoilt for choice. I’m not sure if this happens every night but on Friday night, there were live bands and it was a warm welcome for the first night in Lisbon.
If you’re a lover of brunch then I beg you to go to Tanao Cafe. It is the tiniest restaurant that serve delicious brunch options with the friendliest staff. It’s the kind of place that gives a wholesome vibe where you can romanticise your life. They also give you markers to write your name on the walls, if you can find space. Book your table because it gets full very quickly! Prices range from 9 euros for scrambled eggs to 8 euros for a cocktail.
This is a place we stumbled upon after walking for hours. We wanted a drink and some nibbles and 28 Brunch and Dinner was a great option. Bigger than Tanoa Cafe but still intimate, they had happy hour on a few drinks and a cheese platter. Perfect for 2 people to relax and recuperate after walking 20K steps.
Another option for drinks, especially at happy hour is Lisbon Wine Hotel. On my last visit to Lisbon, I went there and the service is just as lovely. The cocktails we had were delicious and pretty affordable. We sat outside as the weather was lovely. Think 23 degrees celsius in November. Bliss!
Finally, check out Pasteis de Belem for pastel de nata which is within walking distance from Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. It’s incredibly popular but worth it, because the pastel de natas are sublime. They are served warmed and you can sit to enjoy it, if you get a seat. My suggestion, go around 2-3pm or, get them as takeout.
Go for the Views
You will be spoilt for choice with the views as Lisbon is on an incline. We went into the shopping centre aka mall to use the restrooms and the views from the ladies bathroom weren’t too shabby. If that doesn’t work for you take one of the 6 funicular trams in Lisbon especially ones that will get you as close as possible to Castelo de São Jorge and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
However, if you’re really looking for even more stunning views either book a tour or take the train to Sintra, hop on a bus and go to the fairytale palace aka Pena Palace. If you aren’t too bothered about the interior and rooms, the exterior of the palace will keep you busy for hours! Please do book a ticket beforehand and if you want to go inside, it is timed entry.
Once you’ve explored the grounds to your heart’s content, take a 5 minute stroll across to the Moorish Castle. This hilltop medieval castle was built in the 8th and 9th century by the Moors, Muslims which you can tell by the architecture. You can also see Pena Palace from Moorish Castle.
Watch the Sunset
Watching the sunset at Cabo da Roca, the most Western point in Europe is pretty spectacular. If you’re on a tour it’s pretty easy otherwise you will need to rent a car or take the bus from Sintra. Watching the sky turn from shades of blue, to pinks, oranges and yellows is absolutely breathtaking.
Another place to get to before sunset or just after is Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) where the seawater has access to the deep bottom of the chasm and vigorously strikes the rocky walls. It’s pretty spectacular if you get to see it in daylight.
How Much Did it Cost
Lisbon is amazing but you’re probably wondering about costs. Well wonder no more :). Our flights were £54.19 per person with TAP and we flew in November. Accomodation was £223.12 for 4 nights and originally we were booked for Lisbon Five Stars Apartments Combro 7 but stayed at 8 Building. We didn’t have breakfast and other costs depends on when you go, duration and activities. You could look at getting a Lisboa card which would give you free travel, free entry to some museums (side note: most museums are closed on Mondays) and attractions. You just pay for the number of days you need it for.
I love Lisbon and actually would visit again as there are still more places for me to see. So did you fall in love with Lisbon? Will you be visiting in 2025? Let me know in the comments below.
Thank you for reading and until next time, be well! X
