Lisbon - Portugal

A week in Lisbon was the perfect warm-up for our five-month adventure, which began with sailing along the west coast of Africa with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Lisbon, the largest city and capital of Portugal, is spread across seven hills and boasts over 500,000 inhabitants. The city offers the quintessential European experience, complete with winding cobblestone streets and a skyline punctuated by medieval castles.

We chose to stay in a very central location at the beginning of the beautiful Avenida da Liberdade, a tree-lined avenue that runs straight through the heart of the city. Our unique lifestyle hotel, Locke de Santa Joana, was just a few months old. Originally a 17th-century convent, this restored gem now hosts 370 serviced apartments, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, a courtyard, an outdoor pool, restaurants, and bars. The flat terrain of the area made getting around effortless, unlike the rest of Lisbon's hilly landscape. As an aparthotel, it was perfect for preparing a few home-cooked meals before embarking on our 24-day cruise down the coast of Africa.

Locke de Santa Joana

To celebrate visiting our 81st country, we dined at the hotel's restaurant, Santa Joana, on our first night in the country. Renowned chef Nuno Mendes delivered a world-class Portuguese gastronomic experience. Although the atmosphere and service were still finding their feet, the quality of the food made up for it.

Later, we enjoyed a meal at Santa Marta, the all-day dining restaurant where both the service and the food were impeccable, easily among the best we had in Lisbon.

Lisbon is the ultimate hangout for anyone who adores wandering around, camera in hand, ready to snap away. The city's breathtaking architecture, spanning centuries, means that every twist and turn in its cobblestone streets presents a new opportunity for a fantastic shot. It's as if the whole place is a living museum, with every little alley and building front whispering stories, inviting you to delve deeper and soak it all in. Each picture you take feels like pocketing a little piece of Lisbon's soul, making it the perfect spot to roam and uncover its beauty, one photo at a time.

Our week was a blend of work and exploration. We enjoyed stunning views, service and food over Lisbon from the beautiful rooftop restaurant, Rossio Gastrobar. We overindulged in their excellent selection of cheeses; it soon became a favourite after a few visits over the week.

At Red Frog, a speakeasy cocktail bar, also a 50 Best Bar, and Monkey Mash, we mingled with locals over bespoke drinks. We were grateful for the last-minute reservation and having the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive Red Frog and exquisite cocktails.

One of our culinary highlights was Michelin-recommended Prado, a farm-to-plate restaurant focused on national, seasonal, and fresh ingredients. Every dish was delicious, and we even considered ordering some twice! Prado also introduced us to Portuguese wines, which we now greatly appreciate.

We experienced the historic charm of the 140-year-old Glória funicular, a staple in the city's vibrant tapestry. However, it is with deep regret that we acknowledge the recent tragic incident involving this iconic tram. Our thoughts are with the victims and all affected by this sorrowful event. As we reflect on the memories of our journey, our hearts go out to those impacted by the tragedy.

Glória funicular, Lisbon

Following our tram ride, we ventured into the vibrant Bairro Alto neighbourhood, where we admired its historic architecture and cobblestone alleys. A visit wouldn't be complete without sampling the renowned Portuguese tarts, a must for any visitor to the area. All these experiences highlighted the richness and diversity of the local culture.

We stumbled upon an Italian restaurant called Leonetta in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood for our final dinner in Lisbon, where we were fortunate to score a table and enjoyed the atmosphere and food as we reflected on the five months ahead, travelling the world.

Lisbon is a city that demands more time to be fully appreciated, but we loved our brief visit before we embarked on our cruise on the stunning Splendor with Regent Seven Seas. We are looking forward to returning in March to explore more of this wonderful country.

Date visited: 11 November 2024