March 5, 2025, 3:50 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Sunnytrips author Anna Wengel (Chiodo) lived in Portugal for several years and continues to spend a lot of time in her adopted homeland. Lisbon is one of her favorite destinations. Here she shows seven of her favorite places in the Portuguese capital.
A deep longing fills me when I just read the word Lisbon. Just like always when I think of Portugal, my adopted home to which I keep moving back. For me, Lisbon stands in the center of the country like a melancholic, shimmering reminder that I am far from finished trying things out, my search for my final home in Portugal. I love this city, which for me is by far the most fascinating, beautiful and attractive European capital and large city. Here are seven of my favorite places in wonderful Lisbon.
1. Miradouro da Graca
I already chose this favorite place as my absolute favorite place in Portugal's capital in the Sunnytrips podcast about Lisbon - and it has remained that way (along with a few others). The Miradouro da Graça viewpoint on the Igreja of the same name is surrounded by colorful tiled houses and offers a fantastic view of southern Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril in the distance.
2. Jardim do Principe Real
I love this park at least as much as the Miradouro: Jardim do Príncipe Real. It not only enchants with a special tree, a so-called Mexican cypress, which serves as a shady roof over benches arranged in a circle. For me personally, the park is always a place of calm in the hustle and bustle, a small refuge where I can breathe deeply, read and relax.
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3. Livraria Bertrand
Another favorite place in Lisbon is this bookstore: the Livraria Bertrand. It is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world, although not always in this exact location in the Chiado district. Opened in 1732 and almost completely destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755, the bookstore was rebuilt in 1773 at Rua Garrett 73-75, where it can still be found today.
4. Alleys of the Alfama
One of the things I love about Lisbon is its maze of alleys, especially in the Alfama. Here you walk up and down hills past enchanting houses decorated with colorful tiles, past restaurants that offer delicious fish dishes, often accompanied by powerfully melancholic Fado sounds.
5. Alleys of Bairro Alto
Another maze of alleys that I definitely recommend are the small streets of Bairro Alto. Although they are not quite as confusing as the Alfama, with their various houses decorated with garlands, they are almost as pretty to look at. Here's a hint: If you're like me and don't really enjoy bar culture and the hustle and bustle of people, you should come here during the day. Bairro Alto is known for its various bars, but things are a little quieter here during the day.
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6. Blue House at Igreja de São Roque
The magnificent Igreja de São Roque alone is worth the visit, but for me it is always its forecourt that magically attracts me. The reason: the blue-tiled house on the other side of the street, in front of which I stop, transfixed, over and over again. I can't really explain it, but because of the view of the house facade, the church forecourt with its temporary stalls on the not exactly quiet street is a favorite place in Lisbon for me.
7. Croqueteria at Time Out Market
There are a number of cafés and restaurants in Lisbon that are worthwhile and also deserve a mention. But one place that I really return to every time is the Time Out Market. And all because of its endlessly tasty croquettes. They can be found in a corner of the large market hall, in the croqueteria - and are simply good.
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