A typical steep street in Lisbon

Where to Stay

When we landed in Lisbon we had no hotel and were shocked by how different the Portuguese language really is.  We were lucky enough to come across a nice guy at the information desk in the airport who set us up with a great hotel.  The airport is quite close to town so we took a inexpensive taxi to our hotel, which was in the heart of the old city.  We ended up staying in the Rossio Square at the Hotel Metropole and couldn’t have been in a better location.  It was night when we arrived and as we checked out our view we were happy to see a gorgeous square and a huge castle off in the distance.  This location is great because it is walking distance to all the public transportation and close to many of the must see sights.

The view from our room of Rossio Square and the Castle of Sáo Jorge in the background

Getting Around

One of my favorite things about Lisbon was how easy it was to get around.  The city is very walkable but it is built on 7 legendary hills so be prepared to climb some steep streets.  For sites that aren’t quite walking distance they have a great public transportation system.  Their metro is the cleanest one I have ever experienced, and a 24 hour pass can be purchased for about €5.  Also their bus and tram system was very helpful when going to visit the Castelo de Sáo Jorge, which is on top of a huge hill.

Trying to navigate my way while in a typical square in Lisbon

What to Do

Lisbon is a large city and has a lot of sites to appease all types of travelers.  The Castle of Sáo Jorge is located on top of the highest hill in Lisbon and is a must see due to the gorgeous views and history dating back to the medieval times.  Also make sure to take the tram across the 25 de Abril Bridge to the historical neighborhood of Bélem.  While here tour the Bélem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, and eat custard tarts at Pastéis de Bélem.  If you’re in Lisbon in the summer try and make it to the beach in Carcavelos, which is famous for it’s surfing and production of wine.  Also be sure to enjoy some of the famous local Portuguese cuisine and wine at one of the many charming restaurants in the cities numerous squares or down by the water.

The view from the Castle of Sáo Jorge

Lisbon By Night

Lisbon has a wide range of nightlife options and is beginning to get a reputation as one of the best clubbing cities in Europe.  To experience an authentic Lisbon night with the locals head to the Bairro Alto quarter, which is an old neighborhood of winding streets filled with tons of small bars and restaurants.  There is a great live music scene in this area and you are able to have alcohol in the streets, so grab a beer and check it out.  Alcântara Docks, which is also known as Docas, is a great area by the water that has numerous restaurants and bars/clubs for many different types of crowds.  Lexy and I spent most of our nights out in the Docas area and had so much fun and met a great variety of people.  There are so many options in such a small area  you are bound to find a place you’ll enjoy regarding the music, crowd, and atmosphere.  Some of our favorite clubs in this area were Buddah Bar, Lux, and Dock’s, but check this list for more favorites.

Lexy and I enjoying ourselves at Buddah Bar

The Docas Bar area at night

I hope that you all found this blog useful and I ignited a little spark inside of you to check out Lisbon.  I can’t wait to head back to Portugal and explore more of what this amazing country has to offer.  Check out more pics on my Flickr account and please contact me with any questions, comments, or tips you may have about Lisbon, Portugal! Save Travels

Getting Around

One of the best things about Barcelona is their public transportation. From the train to and from the airport, to the amazing metro, and buses that are great at night, this is a city that is easy to get around.  If arriving by plane definitely take either the Renfe Train or the Aerobus into the center.  These links will show you the pricing and also other options of transport into the city.  The airport is about 25 minutes outside of the city and cabs can be quite expensive.  Once in the city, the metro and your little feet are key to getting around. The Barcelona Metro goes all over town and is very easy to navigate, the website includes maps and prices for tickets. I would recommend buying a T-10 pass if you’re going to be there for a few days to save some money.  Also be aware of your surroundings and belongings while on the metro, the pick pockets are some of the worst in the world.

The Barcelona Metro is also a great place for a photo opt!

Where to Stay

Since Barcelona’s public transportation is so extensive, there is no right or wrong place to stay as long as you are close to a metro stop.  Below is a map of the different areas to give you an idea of the layout of the city.  To be closer to the action I would recommend staying around Plaza Catalunya or Barceloneta. When I lived here a few years ago, I lived in the most adorable apartment(click Grácia 2) ever in the Grácia district, which is a charming area filled with local cafes and bars.  I was here for a month and rented an amazing apartment through Vive Barcelona.  We got a great rate with everything included from WiFi to a washer & dryer, and the best landlords one could ask for. Please feel free to contact Sergio through their website with any questions, don’t worry he speaks perfect English, and he will be more than happy to help! I would definitely recommend this route if you will be staying here for more than a few days, hotels and hostels are quite pricey in Barcelona.  It’s also nice to have a full kitchen and fridge to make a few meals and save yourself some money.  Plus there is nothing like an ice cold water in the morning after a rough night out!

Language

When most people think of Spain they think, oh they speak Spanish everywhere! Not quite, there are actually 5 different regions and 5 national languages.  In Barcelona, which is a part of Canalonia, there are 2 official languages, Catalan which sounds similar to French, and Spanish.  Although most locals do speak Spanish they prefer to stick to Catalan, and kind of give you a little attitude when they have to speak Spanish.  Side note, most regions of Spain hate each other, so just be aware of this!! All this said since Barcelona is such a large city most people, especially in the touristy areas, do speak English.

Hope this info proved to be helpful and gave you a little overview of the city!!