24 hours in LISBON

Yet here comes another issue of my 24 hours in-itineraries – this time we are spending a day in Lisbon.

If you are on your way to one of Portugal’s fantastic beaches or on a road trip through Europe or flying for instance to Cape Verde, chances are that you have to fly TAP. Aaccording to my experience, it is a pretty flighty – no pun intended – airline. Hence you better be prepared for a stopover in Lisbon.

View of the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon
View of the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon

Obviously, as almost any other city, Lisbon has far more to offer than you can squeeze into 24 hours.

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Guide to LISBON – Crossing the City on Tram No 28

By the time I got to Lisbon, I was an expert on trains and train stations in Portugal. I definitely knew the drill.

Asian tourist painting Lisbon's  Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora.
The contra-selfie culture: Asian tourist painting Lisbon’s Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

What, on the other hand, I still didn’t really get – being such a flatlander from Hamburg – was that Portuguese cities are very hilly. That makes them beautiful and grants their visitors with stunning views. But for the arriving passenger, it’s quite a challenge.

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Guide to SINTRA – History in Bright Colors

Although I had just arrived in Portugal’s capital, I decided to go on a day trip to Sintra right away: It’s one of the most popular tours from Lisbon, it’s extremely touristy, and I was afraid that on the weekend, it would be even more packed since all the Portuguese daytrippers will join the foreign tourists.

Palácio Nacional da Pena - built in the 19th century for King Fernando II. Sintra's most iconic landmark.
They sure were not shy about painting the Palácio Nacional da Pena – built in the 19th century for King Fernando II.
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A Day in Sophisticated ESTORIL and CASCAIS

Another very popular day trip from Lisbon is a short train ride to the very popular beaches of Estoril and Cascais. Albeit not really dreamy, especially on hot summer days, a day in these sophisticated retreats on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean can be the perfect break from Lisbon’s big city life.

Wild waters on the shore of Estoril, in the community of Cascais.
Estoril is not only this sophisticated beach retreat. It’s also prone to the forces of nature.

If you spend more time in Estoril, you should stay away from the beach and go on a day trip to Sintra. Even by public transportation, this town of palaces is less than an hour away.

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