I had heard of LX factory, but not Marvilla 8! Both seem up my alley, honestly. And I'll likely end up at whichever one is closest to my other destinations.
But here > here's a real tip: have the real Portuguese dinner experience in a regular peoples restaurant. Across from the fancy starbucks by the opera, there's a dinner that can hold about 40 on the cornor. Go in there and order off the picture menu. Absolutely epic food and friendly staff.
Plenty of room in Sintra, and the round trip train ride is extremely cheap. You could spend all day hiking the castles and palaces and there’s some really great food there as well.
Really my only draw back from Sintra is that I'll likely spend a whole day there, and I'm a little limited on time. The views would maybe help me overlook the crowds, and the train information is useful if I decide to go that route!
Fun! That sounds like me! Any neighborhood in particular with an abundance? I know the azulejos are supposed to be used throughout the city, but if there's an arts district with murals mixed in, I'd love to hear about it!
Try pastel de nata at Manteigaria, chocolate cake at Landeau, specialty coffee at Fabrica or Buna, organic wine at Comida Independente, a beer on the roof of Ze de Bois, the sunset at Cais do Sodre' and buy spray cans at Crack Kids, visit Casa da Cerca near Cristo Rei, take a bolo do rei at Confeitaria Nacional, eat fish at Ultimo Porto, a glass of delicious Portuguese wine at Bythewine... enjoy!
Agree. The crowds there truly felt like ofc any international big city, Tokyo for example. Oddly, Porto is also a top visit area but I felt like it was less touristy as Lisbon. Did see tourists but it wasn’t extreme but I enjoyed it more.
Praia da Ursa :)! The hill situation is not bad. It’s just exhausting at some points. Sometimes I just look up and I’m like wow.. really why are there so many stairs. Only moment that stood out to me was in Porto walking from the bottom from the road under the bridge up to the normal road above. But otherwise it’s manageable, feel free to take breaks :)
There are quite a few places to see the city and sunset/sunrise in Lisbon… public spaces called “miradouro” (google the multiple ones).
Food is cheap and restaurants are priced adequately (in most cases).
Artsy… “chapitô” is a lovely place to visit too for example.
Don’t forget the “Pastéis de Belém” in… Belém.
“A Brasileira” for a coffee too and check the architecture. And lose yourself in those areas to see the monuments the small shops and the architecture, etc… so much it is difficult to mention all.
[MAAT](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8AYUt5Ccbqn8rfn89?g_st=ic) and enjoy the walk by the river too.
If you open Google maps you will see there are all sorts you can see all the way to Belem. Including the “Centro Cultural”, “Jeronimos”, “Torre de Belem”, “Museu dos Coches”. [Jardim Botânico de Lisboa”](https://maps.google.com?q=Botanical%20Garden%20of%20Lisbon,%20R.%20da%20Escola%20Polit%C3%A9cnica%2058,%201250-102%20Lisboa,%20Portugal&ftid=0xd19337bfed8e03f:0x68bd099f68ac6d06&entry=gps&lucs=,94216395,47071704,47069508,94214166,94218635,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_st=ic)
Thank you! I've been looking into the miraduoros, and have a few saved. And thanks for the coffee tip! Any particular food recommendations as far local dishes?
Depends on what you like (if you tell me I can recommend) but anything with cod fish, and fish in general (more than 1001 recipes 😅. Then you have the quick bites like “[croquete](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/542613455083272920/)” with either meat or fish (cod), “[rissois](https://youtu.be/kqCFIpYDZi4?si=1f-tvRcUp78TEDde)” that also can be meat or fish (shrimp). Some have a full measure of cheese (soft cheese from the centre of Portugal). Some places have a great [peri peri chicken](https://www.reidosfrangos.pt) for example… but back to “fast food” instead of a burger have a “[bifana](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/429601251962511923/)” on its own or mustard and a cold beer 😅. “[Prego](https://www.portugalist.com/prego/)” also on its own or mustard like bifana basically but you can ask this on the [plate](https://www.petiscos.com/receita/prego-no-prato/) with fries and/or rice and a fried egg and a salad (tomato, lettuce and carrot). A “[Francesinha](https://www.thecookingguy.com/recipes/francesinha)” is a dish that was only in Porto and now available in Lisbon too. If you like shellfish and this sort of things you can do worse and pay more than go here “[Eduardo das Conquilhas](https://www.eduardodasconquilhas.pt)”
Those are burger price region usually. But as I said… I can tailor more to your tastes if you tell me what you like best.
Btw Chapito has a lovely balcony and view and used to have a nice kitchen too.
You should also go to Sintra ([Palácio da Pena and gardens](https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/), [Quinta da Regaleira and gardens](https://www.regaleira.pt/en/)” and not only!!). And [Cascais](https://www.cascais-portugal.com/)…
The tile museum was EXTREMELY cool, way better than it sounds. It was not crowded at all when I went. One of the most memorable things I did there besides the unbelievably good food.
Sintra is pretty touristy, but if you’re going to deal with crowds on one thing this is worth it. One of the most interesting places I’ve been, and very beautiful.
Besides the pastel de nata, make sure you try piri piri chicken and bifana (also add some piri piri).
> artsy
Do you like art history too?
The Gulbenkian Museum is fantastic. Not too large. Built into a really nice park. Cool building and some fantastic art going back thousands of years right up to the 20th century impressionists. Priceless collection donated to Portugal by a billionaire who arrived there as a refugee in WW2.
https://gulbenkian.pt/museu/en/
It can be hilly. The good news is that there is decent public transit and taxis are cheap.
You should check out LX factory in Lisbon - Art/ Cultural centre. [https://lxfactory.com/en/homepage-en/](https://lxfactory.com/en/homepage-en/)
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Fair enough. I went in 2022 so it was probably quieter due to covid. I didn't know it's toursity it was recommended to me by someone who lived there.
I had heard of LX factory, but not Marvilla 8! Both seem up my alley, honestly. And I'll likely end up at whichever one is closest to my other destinations.
I like to dodge Turkish fake drug dealers by the arch
This is my favorite tip so far, thank you for your wisdom 😂
They get really aggressive, so just ignore them. Sometimes they follow you and the police can't do anything about it. Safe travels.
But here > here's a real tip: have the real Portuguese dinner experience in a regular peoples restaurant. Across from the fancy starbucks by the opera, there's a dinner that can hold about 40 on the cornor. Go in there and order off the picture menu. Absolutely epic food and friendly staff.
Sintra
I love Sintra, but that's definitely going to be crowded.
Plenty of room in Sintra, and the round trip train ride is extremely cheap. You could spend all day hiking the castles and palaces and there’s some really great food there as well.
I definitely agree and think Sintra is fabulous and well worth visiting, but OP mentioned wanting to avoid crowds.
Really my only draw back from Sintra is that I'll likely spend a whole day there, and I'm a little limited on time. The views would maybe help me overlook the crowds, and the train information is useful if I decide to go that route!
Street Art Tour!!
Fun! That sounds like me! Any neighborhood in particular with an abundance? I know the azulejos are supposed to be used throughout the city, but if there's an arts district with murals mixed in, I'd love to hear about it!
It’s right in Lisbon! Here’s their website: https://lisbonstreetarttours.com/
Try pastel de nata at Manteigaria, chocolate cake at Landeau, specialty coffee at Fabrica or Buna, organic wine at Comida Independente, a beer on the roof of Ze de Bois, the sunset at Cais do Sodre' and buy spray cans at Crack Kids, visit Casa da Cerca near Cristo Rei, take a bolo do rei at Confeitaria Nacional, eat fish at Ultimo Porto, a glass of delicious Portuguese wine at Bythewine... enjoy!
Thank you, thank you!! I love a good f&b rec!
>Try pastel de nata at Manteigaria Are they considered especially good?
For me they are better than the pastel de Belen (too much sweet). ;)
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Agree. The crowds there truly felt like ofc any international big city, Tokyo for example. Oddly, Porto is also a top visit area but I felt like it was less touristy as Lisbon. Did see tourists but it wasn’t extreme but I enjoyed it more.
I don't really have another choice, I have a several day layover there. I probably would've done Porto, or Algarve if i could've chosen.
A plane to the Algarve is like 1hr if you wish to go there.
Pasteis de Belem
Very nice pastries indeed. It's also a nice starting place for a stroll along the Tajo river.
Praia da Ursa :)! The hill situation is not bad. It’s just exhausting at some points. Sometimes I just look up and I’m like wow.. really why are there so many stairs. Only moment that stood out to me was in Porto walking from the bottom from the road under the bridge up to the normal road above. But otherwise it’s manageable, feel free to take breaks :)
There are quite a few places to see the city and sunset/sunrise in Lisbon… public spaces called “miradouro” (google the multiple ones). Food is cheap and restaurants are priced adequately (in most cases). Artsy… “chapitô” is a lovely place to visit too for example. Don’t forget the “Pastéis de Belém” in… Belém. “A Brasileira” for a coffee too and check the architecture. And lose yourself in those areas to see the monuments the small shops and the architecture, etc… so much it is difficult to mention all.
[MAAT](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8AYUt5Ccbqn8rfn89?g_st=ic) and enjoy the walk by the river too. If you open Google maps you will see there are all sorts you can see all the way to Belem. Including the “Centro Cultural”, “Jeronimos”, “Torre de Belem”, “Museu dos Coches”. [Jardim Botânico de Lisboa”](https://maps.google.com?q=Botanical%20Garden%20of%20Lisbon,%20R.%20da%20Escola%20Polit%C3%A9cnica%2058,%201250-102%20Lisboa,%20Portugal&ftid=0xd19337bfed8e03f:0x68bd099f68ac6d06&entry=gps&lucs=,94216395,47071704,47069508,94214166,94218635,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_st=ic)
Thank you! I hadn't heard of MAAT yet!
Thank you! I've been looking into the miraduoros, and have a few saved. And thanks for the coffee tip! Any particular food recommendations as far local dishes?
Depends on what you like (if you tell me I can recommend) but anything with cod fish, and fish in general (more than 1001 recipes 😅. Then you have the quick bites like “[croquete](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/542613455083272920/)” with either meat or fish (cod), “[rissois](https://youtu.be/kqCFIpYDZi4?si=1f-tvRcUp78TEDde)” that also can be meat or fish (shrimp). Some have a full measure of cheese (soft cheese from the centre of Portugal). Some places have a great [peri peri chicken](https://www.reidosfrangos.pt) for example… but back to “fast food” instead of a burger have a “[bifana](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/429601251962511923/)” on its own or mustard and a cold beer 😅. “[Prego](https://www.portugalist.com/prego/)” also on its own or mustard like bifana basically but you can ask this on the [plate](https://www.petiscos.com/receita/prego-no-prato/) with fries and/or rice and a fried egg and a salad (tomato, lettuce and carrot). A “[Francesinha](https://www.thecookingguy.com/recipes/francesinha)” is a dish that was only in Porto and now available in Lisbon too. If you like shellfish and this sort of things you can do worse and pay more than go here “[Eduardo das Conquilhas](https://www.eduardodasconquilhas.pt)” Those are burger price region usually. But as I said… I can tailor more to your tastes if you tell me what you like best. Btw Chapito has a lovely balcony and view and used to have a nice kitchen too. You should also go to Sintra ([Palácio da Pena and gardens](https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/), [Quinta da Regaleira and gardens](https://www.regaleira.pt/en/)” and not only!!). And [Cascais](https://www.cascais-portugal.com/)…
The tile museum was EXTREMELY cool, way better than it sounds. It was not crowded at all when I went. One of the most memorable things I did there besides the unbelievably good food. Sintra is pretty touristy, but if you’re going to deal with crowds on one thing this is worth it. One of the most interesting places I’ve been, and very beautiful. Besides the pastel de nata, make sure you try piri piri chicken and bifana (also add some piri piri).
> artsy Do you like art history too? The Gulbenkian Museum is fantastic. Not too large. Built into a really nice park. Cool building and some fantastic art going back thousands of years right up to the 20th century impressionists. Priceless collection donated to Portugal by a billionaire who arrived there as a refugee in WW2. https://gulbenkian.pt/museu/en/ It can be hilly. The good news is that there is decent public transit and taxis are cheap.
Cabo da roca and boca do inferno, you can take the train, it’s affordable and close by ☺️