Portugal, Day One: First Impressions of Lisbon
My first day in Lisbon and I already have a few things to share — not just about what I saw, but what I'm learning about traveling here.
First, the people are lovely. Friendly, welcoming and happy to help, which can make a big difference when you're arriving in a new country. If you are going to be traveling solo this will help you feel comfortable from day one.
And the food? Delicious. I have a feeling eating my way through Portugal is going to be a very easy assignment. Thank goodness its a walkable city!
You hear a LOT about Lisbon being hilly. And yes, there are definitely hills in this city. But where you stay can make a huge difference.
We're staying near Rossio, and so far we've been able to walk to shops, restaurants, cafés and many of the places we want to explore without dealing with those famous Lisbon hills. Cobblestones? Absolutely. Hills? Not in the part of the city we've been spending our time in.
And that's my first travel lesson from Lisbon: don't just choose a hotel because you like the hotel. Look at what's around it.
Being able to walk out your door and have restaurants, shopping and things to see within a few blocks makes a city trip so much easier. You can explore for a few hours, stop for lunch, wander into a shop, head back to the hotel for a break and then go back out for dinner.
And here's another thing I've noticed: September isn't exactly empty.
I came expecting more of that "shoulder season" feeling, but Lisbon is still busy. There are plenty of people out exploring, restaurants are active. Portugal's tourism data also shows that July, August and September remain a very busy period for accommodations.
So if you're thinking September will mean having Lisbon practically to yourself, I'd adjust that expectation.
The good news? I actually like the energy. There's something fun about walking through a city that feels alive. People are out shopping, eating, sightseeing and enjoying themselves.
And for anyone considering Lisbon, I'd also put comfortable shoes pretty high on the packing list. Not necessarily because you're going to spend the entire day climbing hills — at least I haven't — but because those cobblestone streets are no joke when you've been walking for hours.
And this is just the beginning of the Portugal series. I'm going to keep sharing what I'm discovering — including the things I'd recommend, the things I'd do differently and the little travel lessons that don't always make it into the guidebooks.
