Lisbon, Portugal

Keeping this one short as we’re already chasing our tails toget these blogs done in a suitable timeframe, and we really don’t want this to feel like homework – I already have enough of that as the Managing Director/Head of Logistics and Finance of the Woodward-Scheer Travel Company. My Chief Relaxation Officer (and the only other staff member) is dozing next to me while I write this.  

Facts on the table, Lisbon feels like the bigger brother of Porto, akin to an Adelaide-Melbourne dynamic – it’s larger and there is more to see and do, but as us men always tell ourselves when looking in the mirror, bigger is not always better.

Don’t get me wrong, Lisbon has a lot to offer, and the swathes of tourists are proof of that, it was just a bit harder than some of our other stops have been.

To keep things simple, here’s what we liked and what we didn’t about Portugal's capital city:

Likes:

• Our free walking tour. This was amazing, an absolute highlight and something I will now look to always do in big, historically rich cities. Our guide was endlessly passionate, knowledgeable and not the least bit theatrical. Importantly, the experience helped us feel more connected with Lisbon. Plus, you pay what you feel the tour was worth at the end, which is a great system for those of us on a budget (we did not stinge, don't worry)
• The resilient residents of Lisbon’s ‘old quarter’ the Alfama district, that in the face of overwhelming tourism continue to thrive and preserve their way of life. These primarily older residents have been immortalised through impactful street art that tells their story and commemorates the indelible mark they have made, and continue to make on their home  
• A spectacular sunset at Miradouro Senhora Do Monte – moments like this shine (literally) the brightest for me, the simple pleasure of taking in the waning of a day in a beautiful spot, with great company

Dislikes:

• Lisbon is simply too big of a place to get under its skin in 3 days, and we felt real choice paralysis here about we should see and do (yes this is an 'us' issue and not Lisbon’s fault)
• We left feeling like we didn’t know the place very well, like we hadn’t really done it justice
• Stairs – it's so cliché, but Lisbon’s hills are phenomenal in their ability to remind you how unfit you are, especially with all the Super Bock cerveja currently pumping through my veins.
• To us it felt overtly catered to tourists (I am aware this is the pot calling the kettle black), if you plan to come here I would consider avoiding peak season

 Upon reflection I have realised that what you get out of aplace is largely dependent on almost everything other than what the place itself has to offer, let me explain. We arrived in Lisbon 2.5 weeks into our trip and we we’re both starting to feel a bit exhausted, so naturally what better cure? A very loud, busy and hot city! I don’t know if we were physically, or mentally prepared for Lisbon, and I think if it were our first stop it would have charmed our socks off, but outside factors cast a pall on our perception of it, so take everything we say with a healthy pinch of salt.

Ultimately, I think we need to go back to Lisbon to really understand it, and I would in a heartbeat, but maybe we’d do things a bit different next time.

Hannahs thoughts:

Stairs, hills, slopes, slips, step counts, sweat, puffing and more stairs in the old quarter of Lisbon! A bigger, and we were told better, version of Porto, however we didn’t think so. I think we barely scratched the surface of Lisbon, unfortunately we just needed more time, though there were still definite highlights. Dinner at a recommended spot on the first night where we were told it was "fully booked, but come back in 20 minutes”, we returned and they said “come back in another 10, if the people with a reservation don’t show you have their spot”. Very cutthroat, however a huge benefit for us as we slipped in and the two girls who were organised and had booked ahead came in 20 minutes late with their apologies, but there simply wasn’t a spot for them! We hate to say it, but the food was amazing - sorry ladies!

We enjoyed playing cards in a very edgy, cool bar in a dodgy spot of the city, listening to different people’s conversations, something thatJesse always tells me off for however I will never stop! I was told the shopping in Lisbon was great however I never got there, unsure if this was Jesse’s plan all along or we just truly ran out of time…