Another beautiful day in Lisbon

We woke up to another absolute stunner of a day in Lisbon, the kind of bright, golden morning that instantly puts you in the best mood. After our usual slow morning routine, we stepped out the door excited to dive into our second day in this beautiful city.

Our first stop was the famous Lisbon Flea Market, known locally as Feira da Ladra. This centuries old market is a treasure hunter’s paradise, stretching across the Alfama streets with endless stalls selling everything from vintage trinkets and old vinyls to colourful ceramics, second hand clothes, handmade crafts, tiles, and the most wonderfully random items. We spent about an hour wandering through the maze of stands, soaking up the lively energy and admiring all the unique finds. It was such a fun and vibrant way to start the morning. From there, we made our way to the National Pantheon. However it was quite underwhelming so we moved on quickly…

After leaving the Pantheon, we set off through the beautiful neighbourhood streets nearby. Alfama’s charm is never ending with its narrow cobbled lanes, balconies draped in laundry, and warm sunlight hitting the colourful buildings. Eventually we reached our first viewpoint of the day and were met with a gorgeous scene a huge cruise ship docked below and the winding streets leading down toward the water. The view was too tempting to ignore, so we decided to head down and explore the waterfront.

The walk along the water was lovely. We browsed through a few shops, took in the scenery, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere that seems to radiate off the riverfront. Lisbon has this amazing mix of calm and buzz at the same time, and it’s especially noticeable by the water.

After our relaxed waterfront stroll, it was time for a much bigger uphill journey the climb to Lisbon’s famous castle, Castelo de Sao Jorge. Set high above the city, this ancient fortress is one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. We bought our tickets (a little wary at first, because paying for castle entry is always hit or miss), but this one quickly proved to be worth every cent. Inside, you’re free to roam the old stone walls, climb the towers, and take in truly breathtaking views over the rooftops, river, and sprawling city. What made it even more magical were the peacocks roaming all over the grounds, casually spreading their feathers and adding a fairytale like touch to the whole place. We spent a while admiring them before making our way back down the hill for lunch.

By 1 p.m. we were starving, so we headed to Honest Greens….. luckily Lisbon has one! It was the perfect lunch spot for a refreshing, healthy meal and a well earned break after all the climbing. Lisbon’s hills are no joke!!

Recharged and ready to explore again, we made our way to the famous Elevador de Santa Justa. This iron lift is one of the city’s most recognizable structures. Normally you have to pay to go up to the viewpoint, but thanks to a TikTok hack, we found a back road that took us right to the top for free. It worked perfectly, and the views over the city from up there were incredible.

From the viewpoint we spotted a busy, lively square below, so naturally we went to check it out. As we walked down, the streets were full of performers and buskers, music echoing between the buildings, and a great vibe all around. Soon we reached the impressive Praca do Comercio, one of Europe’s largest squares. It looked like they were setting up for a concert or show, with a big stage and sound testing happening while we walked around. We also found the big Lisbon sign and of course had to take a photo in front of it. It was like the Hunger Games trying to get a photo!

Just off the square we wandered into a Christmas market the first one of our trip, which made it even more exciting after repeatedly missing them by only a day or so in other countries. We explored the stalls selling cute gifts, festive treats, and handmade decorations. Eventually we caved and bought a pina colada served in a real pineapple, and honestly it might have been the best pina colada ever. Fresh pineapple, blended on the spot, perfectly sweet and cold, such a fun little treat.

By the time we finished at the market it was around 4 p.m., so we slowly made our way back toward our accommodation, popping into a few more shops along the way. Once we made it home, we cooked dinner, relaxed, and happily collapsed into bed after such a full, incredible day.

Tomorrow we’re off on a day trip to a little beachy town and we’re so excited to see what’s next!Read more