Live Your Best Lives
Like Spain, Portugal lies on the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Tucked away at the westernmost tip of the Eurasian continent, Portugal may seem unassuming, but its unique and rich history attracts countless tourists, some perhaps drawn by their fascination with Cristiano Ronaldo and drawn to the country that produced the world's greatest footballer.
I'm captivated by the trams and Portuguese egg tarts of Lisbon, Portugal. Today, follow me through my lens and take a look at Portugal through my eyes.
transportation
Lisbon is mostly accessible by foot and bus. The old town is easily accessible by foot, but you'll need to take a bus from Alfama to Belém. In Porto, I walked the entire way except for the tram ride to the airport and a short hike up the mountain.
đź’°Cash
You can book a room in advance on booking.com to avoid carrying too much cash. Just bring some cash for transportation, souvenirs, and meals.
I always like to book hostels when I travel, maybe because I usually travel alone. In hostels, I can meet a lot of interesting people and share interesting stories from my travels and life.
I stayed at the liv'in Lisbon Hostel in Lisbon. The double room I booked had a shared bathroom. The hostel was very clean, provided breakfast, and the receptionist was very nice.
I stayed at Bluestock Hostels Porto in Porto, which had bunk beds. The overall environment was very clean and tidy. If I were to go again, I would definitely book one of these two hostels. I highly recommend them.
Founded in 1872, the Lisbon Tramway Company is Portugal's oldest public transportation operator. During the wave of tram closures across Europe in the last century, Lisbon also discontinued most of its tram lines. However, five lines and approximately 60 old trams remained. As a result, Lisbon now boasts Europe's oldest trams, which have become a symbol of the city, with the most famous being Tram 28.
Almost all Lisbon residents will recommend riding Tram No. 28, even if they may not take it themselves. And tourists certainly don't want to miss it. Because Tram No. 28 is a circular route, it passes through almost every part of Lisbon and every tourist attraction, from the old town to the new town, from the castle to the new square, and from the cathedral to the city center. The commercial streets it passes by are lined with small shops, souvenir shops, and handicraft stores.
Lisbon, known as the City of Seven Hills, has a tram system, but the primary mode of transportation is still cars and other modern vehicles. The narrow streets sometimes require stopping and starting, even on uphill climbs. While not very comfortable, it's a must-try experience in Lisbon.
The most famous tram, the one that frequently appears on postcards, is the Incline Tram. Unlike Tram 28, which circles the entire city, this tram was originally designed to facilitate residents climbing up the mountain, so it simply climbs up and down fixed sections.
Because the slope is very steep, the tram takes about 5 minutes one way and costs about 5 euros round trip.
Bertrand Bookstore was founded in 1732 and is the oldest operating bookstore in the world, almost 300 years old. Even the devastating earthquake that hit Lisbon failed to destroy it.
The bookstore's former location is near Plaza de Camões, housed in a blue and white building with a vintage porcelain facade. Outside the door, an elaborate relief records the bookstore's founding. Arched corridors radiate outward, forming large sections for the collection, spanning ancient and modern books, along with antique typewriters, keys, camera film negatives, a stuffed pufferfish, and more.
Also known as the Monument to the Discoveries, it was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry of Navigation. It looks like a ship with huge sails spread out, and the monument is engraved with statues of Henry and 80 other sailors.
Henry stands at the bow, followed by Vasco da Gama, who discovered the route from Europe to India. Flanking him are other navigators who sailed with him, as well as famous generals, missionaries, and scientists. Looking toward the Maritime Monument, you can see the statue of Jesus on the opposite hill.
The famous Portuguese poet Camões’ words “Here the land ends and here the sea begins” vividly describe the charm of Cape Roca.
To get from Lisbon to Cabo da Roca, you first need to buy a ticket from Lisbon to Sintra at the train station, which costs 5 euros round trip and takes 40 minutes one way. Then you can take a 1-hour bus from Sintra train station to Cabo da Roca, which also takes another 1-hour bus ride.
If you're planning to visit the castle or other historic sites in Sintra, buying a day ticket is a great value and very convenient! You can take a bus from Sintra train station to Cabo da Roca, and you can buy your ticket on the bus, which is much more convenient than having to use an Oyster card in London.
Standing here, you can almost hear the cries and lofty ambitions of the captains and crews who conquered the oceans during the Age of Exploration, and see the resolute gazes of the mighty and courageous sailors. It was from here that da Gama, Magellan, and other legendary navigators set sail on their journeys to conquer the world.
Today, the wanton sea breeze blows on the faces of tourists, the ruthless waves beat against the rocks on the cliff, and the lighthouse not far away carries the Portuguese people's fear and awe of the dangerous ocean, and their longing and hope for a better future.
In fact, compared to Lisbon, I prefer Porto, a small city nestled on the Douro River, where blue and white porcelain can be seen everywhere. Although Porto is Portugal's second largest city, the capital of Porto Province and the administrative center of the Northern Region, it doesn't have a grand feel, but rather a more homely feel.
Built in 1916, this strikingly retro train station is renowned for its 20,000 hand-painted blue tiles adorning the walls of its main hall, creating a French Renaissance-inspired architectural style. While the station's exterior is unassuming, the blue paintings adorning the main hall's walls are truly eye-catching. Most of these paintings focus on the history of Portuguese transportation and the lives of the Portuguese royal family.
Portuguese blue and white porcelain is truly unique. You can see it adorning the exteriors of many buildings, such as the wall outside the Church of the Holy Spirit (pictured below). Over 400 years ago, the Portuguese merchant fleet was the first European ship to land in China and the first to engage in porcelain trade with China, introducing Chinese blue and white porcelain to Europe. The Portuguese, embracing both traditions and cultures, developed blue and white porcelain into the distinctive Portuguese blue and white tiles.
Standing on the bridge, you can see the old town of Porto from the new town on the opposite bank, as well as the Douro River, the people coming and going, and the gloomy dark clouds in the distance.
Sign up for 15 euros to visit the wine cellar and taste three kinds of wine. The restaurant is also fully explained in English, so it is recommended for wine lovers.
Don't be fooled by the deserted exterior of the food market; it's a truly unique place inside. Long queues form in front of every stall, and the dining area is packed. Take a stroll around and choose what you'd like to eat.
You can choose any restaurant along the river and sit outside on the small balcony to eat and watch the people go by. I ordered mussel soup, and my friend ordered soybean and tripe soup. Honestly, until I saw it in person, I couldn't believe that people in Europe even eat tripe.
Belém's egg tarts are truly divine! Paired with an iced latte, they offer a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they're sweet but not overpowering or cloying. They have a rich, mellow texture—not completely liquid, not gelatinous either. Even richer than KFC's!
I recommend three scoops of ice cream: egg tart, raspberry and chocolate. Although the raspberry is a bit sour, the egg tart-flavored scoop is really delicious.
It's filled with cheese and egg on the outside and meat on the inside. It's quite salty and a bit greasy. But seeing people at the other tables enjoying it, it's a Porto specialty that you can't find anywhere else. So, you have to give it a try.
2.5 euros each, not too expensive, but very delicious, the mousse is very delicate and not greasy.
The shop is small, but don't be fooled by its appearance; it was packed. The cabbage soup was delicious, and the freshly baked potato chips were crispy. I also ordered a glass of green wine for about 5 euros. The green wine was very refreshing and cleansed my palate!
In Porto, you must eat seafood and drink red wine!
If you have enough time, I recommend a night tour of the Louis I Bridge. Some bars along the river have resident singers performing, and a group of people are gathered around them, clapping and singing along. The atmosphere of life is fully reflected here.
