Posted: 05/09/2013 | May 9th, 2013
There are some places you never leave. You may not be there physically, but a piece of you stays behind forever in the place that stole so much of your heart. It lives there, reliving those initial memories and waiting for new ones to be made.
Last year, I visited Lisbon for the first time, and though the visit was short, thoughts of it never left me. I fell madly in love, and the city claimed a hold on me I could never shake.
But I worry a lot about going back to cities I fall in love with the first time around. What if I’m just chasing ghosts? What if it’s not the same? What if I go back and hate it? Will I just compare the present to the past?
So I touched down in Lisbon last week with a mix of excitement and trepidation, but as I stepped out onto the streets, I knew in my bones that we’re soul mates. And when you’re just meant to be with someone, all the change in the world doesn’t matter.
It was as though I’d never left. Lisbon and I just fit. I walked new streets feeling I’d been there before. I navigated the subway with ease. I felt at home in unknown restaurants. I sat around sharing jokes with Portuguese shop owners, though we didn’t understand each other’s native tongue.
Mostly, I wandered the city dumbstruck as I marveled at just how lovely it is — filled with beautifully tiled houses with red roofs and winding cobblestone streets that snake between multi-story homes draped with Portuguese flags and hanging laundry.
At every turn, I remarked to my friend, “Damn, how beautiful and amazing is Lisbon?”
On this visit, I relaxed at the nearby beach in the town of Cascais, where my ghost-like appearance became a bit more human after some time in the sun. I dined on fabulous fish at Santa Rita, a delicious and cheap downtown restaurant (21 euros for fish, a liter of wine, bread, and seafood rice). I ticked off touristy sites like the city history museum and the castle. I stayed out so late in the Barrio Alto (an area known for wild nightlife) that I slept most of the next day away. (I still mostly blame the jet lag.)
There are moments traveling when the stars seem to align. Sipping wine from a café while watching neighborhood kids play soccer in the street and grandmothers hang laundry from windows, I knew how lucky I was to watch this destination reveal itself to me in all its glory. Life can’t get better at moments like that.
Lisbon is filled with wonderful architecture, history, charisma, nightlife, people, and such incredible budget value that I can’t help but daydream of renting a quiet little apartment on one of those cobblestoned streets.
Some places wow you.
Some places take your breath away.
And then there are places like Lisbon that capture your soul, and you’re never the same again.
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Book Your Trip to Lisbon: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Lisbon by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.
Book Your Accommodation
My favorite place to stay here in Goodnight Hostel. You can book another hostel in Lisbon use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.) My favorite hostels in Lisbon are:
- Goodnight Hostel – This hostel offers free sangria, they organize nights out and walking tours, and it’s super social so it’s easy to meet people.
- Lisboa Central Hostel – This is a great budget-friendly hostel with free breakfast, free soup, and a social atmosphere so it’s eays to meet other travelers and have fun.
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here are my favorite hostels in Lisbon.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.
Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!
Want a Guide?
Lisbon has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions. Their Lisbon in a Day tour is the perfect way to see a lot if you’re on a tight budget!
Want More Information on Lisbon?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Lisbon for even more planning tips!
Sam
Lisbon really is great. I was only there for 24 hours last December, but I’d love to go back…especially in the late summer/autumn!
Shaun
Wow, for a second visit it’s left quite the impression on you Matt!
Would love to hear more about the budget value Lisbon has to offer. Glad you made the chasing ghosts reference too as that was my first thought after reading the opening paragraph.
When’s the moving date? 🙂
Greg & Molly
We’ll be there for a month or so toward the end of the year, after the Camino. Really looking forward to it.
Mark S
I know exactly what you mean, the first time I went to London I wanted to see everything I could but didn’t over plan to much. I had some hectic days and days not as hectic but had a great time. The second time I went to London was more laid back maybe because I didn’t have as many things to see I had more time to see and look at things along my journey from place to place so I found some neat things I wouldn’t have seen if I had over planned and didn’t have time to stop and look
Turner
Lisbon is sweeeet. But I feel ya, going back for round two you risk losing that feeling and the memory might shed some of its luster. Or maybe you just appreciate different things with more experience as you age. Shit, I sound old.
You been down to Sintra?
Byron
I visited Lisbon in the summer of 2008 and absolutely loved it. I did the whole “backpack through Europe thing” after graduating from Arizona State University and when people ask what my favorite city was I always tell them Lisbon (along with Paris, obviously). It’s off the beaten path so it isn’t overflowing with tourists, has a unique African influence that most of Europe lacks, the friendliest people, delicious food, sandy beaches, and it’s comparatively inexpensive. It’s perfect.
Great write-up, Matt. I can’t wait until I return to Lisbon. Hopefully it’s sooner than later. Cheers.
Aaron Douglas
Whenever I go to a place I’m always excited to return a few years later and see if it’s as amazing as I remember it, it pretty much always is
Julie Dawn Fox
Glad you enjoyed Lisbon, Matt. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited it but each time, I find something new and fall a little deeper in love with it. There’s plenty more for you to discover so keep returning!
Elio
I can’t figure out how Lisbon is one of the most underrated capitals in Europe.
But probably this helped to preserve her unique charme. It’s a real gem.
Anita Mac
There is always a place that grabs our hearts and captivates the soul! San Sebastian is one of those places for me … I will certainly be going back! Have fallen in love with all of Spain – I go back to Mallorca year after year, and am sure San Sebastian will become a part of that! I have heard so many great things about Lisbon – will have to find a way to pull myself away from Spain to experience Portugal!
Joao Leitao
Lisbon is indeed an amazing place to travel and to live. I was born in this beautiful city – how lucky! 🙂 but I do not live there since 1999. I miss it actually. I’m heading off to Lisbon to start my RTW trip, departing from Casablanca, being Lisbon my first Destination. Thanks for the article. Greetings from MOROCCO!
Gaëlle
I love this post! I have wanted to go to Lisbon for some time now but well…other trips, other priorities and now I am in Australia! (Would have been so much easier from where I am originally from…Paris!). Anyways, you just describe the city the way it is in my dreams…Perfect!
I also love how you basically explain that falling for a place can be life transforming pretty much the same way that falling in love with a human being is. I tend to make this kind of comparison too…a lot! lol! I think you’re in my city now and I much as I love living overseas, I miss it, so please do enjoy beautiful Paris for me and if the weather is good enough, go have a picnic by the Seine with a bottle of Rosé! Cheers! 😉
Scott
I spent two nights there in 2008 and did many of the same things you did on this trip Matt. I just called the jetlag a hangover, though. It is a great city no doubt and it will always fall a bit under the radar due simply to geography. If it was in the middle of Europe it would be #1 on everyone’s list.
Nikhil Chandra
It was once said that you need not travel to Lisbon if you have traveled to Goa. But gone are those day when Portueguese ruled the roost in Goa. Your travel experience and superb photos are compelling enough reson to travel to Lisbon. Portugal is definitely on my travel bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Kay
I feel the same about Budapest. And we have gone back there 5 times! Loved Lisbon but after having my wallet stolen from backpack on our last day, I have a “sour” taste. That said, we do want to go back. So much we didn’t see!
NomadicMatt
Another great city. Those ruin bars are special.
Lara
I’m from Lisbon (living in England now for the last two years though) and I miss my country and my hometown! The food, the weather, the people, everything! You don’t know how good it is until you haven’t got it for granted it anymore.
It is a beautiful city, with plenty to see, it gives you an amazing feeling as you walk down the cobbled and narrow streets late afternoon with the sun about to set, you stop just outside Terreiro do Paço to look at the river and you feel at ease. You go for a late dinner with amazing food and afterwards you set off to Bairro Alto and you’ll know you’re going to have a lot of fun! Then you wake up in the morning and it doesn’t matter if you’re hangover because some good beaches are a train ride away and you can just go to one and sleep it all off under the sun (make you you don’t get sunburnt thoug)!
I could go and on and on but I think I’m just missing my hometown, the sun, food and the family and my dog. Can’t wait to get back for my summer holidays!!
It’s really cool to know people like you love Lisbon – it makes me proud!!
NomadicMatt
You have a great, great, great hometown.
Matt
I went to Lisbon in 2004 and, like you, it also captured my heart; and I don’t really know why. I did like everything you mentioned… the cobblestone streets, old-world charm, architecture, good (cheap) food, history, etc, etc… but then, LOTS of cities in Europe have those elements. I think it must be the soul of the local people as well. Portugal is home to Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to 3 children… I think God sent His messenger to the people of Portugal because they DO have a good soul! This collective soul left its mark on me; and I don’t know if I will ever return (because there is much to see in the world) but I am very glad I visited in 2004.
Ana Goncalves
Hello Matt,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m so happy that you felt a strong connection and pull to Lisbon and that you enjoy it there. I am from Portugal and was born in Lisbon and have been living in London, England for the past 22 years. Like you every time I return to listen I always feel a deep sense of connection and whenever I return to Portugal I always make sure I go to Lisboa because there is always something that pulls me towards it’s energy and makes it all the while special and unforgettable. I love that places pulls us in and make us feel alive and that we are easily connected to most places than others.
Best wishes
Ana
David
I also visited Lisbon for just a few days last year and had an incredible time. I cannot wait to return – it’s really the kind of place where I could imagine myself settling down for a little while and enjoying those Bairro Alto bars and super cheap Caiparinhas 🙂
Julio Moreno
Is that a beach in the middle of the city? It looks pretty clean for a city beach. Nice post on Lisbon!
NomadicMatt
It’s about 30 minutes west of the city.
Lisa
It´s in Cascais
NomadicMatt
Thanks! That’s the name!
Ali
Great description of how Lisbon makes you feel Matt. When I did my Europe trip we stayed there for 4 days and absolutely loved it. The winding cobble streets, the old tram, great seafood and cheap drinks and especially the warmth of people of portugal was amazing. I didnt get time to see the beach so i certainly have much to return to on my next visit 🙂
Ryan
It is strange how that can happen even after years(in your case) of traveling you find your city, the one that you walk through and understand immediately and the city understands you. My city is Córdoba, Argentina. Have you ever found a country like that? If I had to guess your based on your blog it would be Thailand, but you know better than I. If you ever get a chance come down during the summer(January-February) to mine, Uruguay. I know it better than 95% of the locals, they have told me so,(18/19 departments, talked to people of all ages, classes, etc.) I can give you tips if you ever get a break and are down south. Otherwise keep on doing what you do, using word-of-mouth!
Noemi
Hi!
If you enjoyed Lisboa, next time you should try to discover Porto, and the north. You have cheap flights to Porto from a lot of european capitals, so it’s easy to reach.
I’m from Braga (north of Porto) and while I love Lisbon, I learned that tourists that experiment the North (rent a car and travel, staying in a couple of cities) are more tempted to come back 🙂
The north is greener and, if you liked Lisboa hospitality, you will be in shock with the northern one (since it’s known even within the country). Please feel free to email me if you come 🙂
And, by the way, thanks for the site! 🙂 Found it while trying to plan a trip and has been very useful 🙂
Noemi
Gregory
Lisbon is indeed a wonderful city to visit as is the rest of Portugal which you wrote about in your previous post. Too often Portugal is overshadowed by better known destinations. Your way of describing your visits is excellent and gives a great idea of the many things to see and experience here. I myself came here in 1998 and still am amazed by what a fantastic country this is to live and visit.
Inês
Just reading this now (because I just discovered your website a few months ago) and it makes me really happy to know you love my city! It’s always good when someone else values what is ours. I was born and raised here, a true “alfacinha” as we call ourselves. However, I’ve always loved Lisbon more than most locals. I guess all the traveling made me realize how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful and unique city. It doesn’t mean I don’t love other places: Paris, Berlin, Paraty and Australia to name a few.
Anyway, if you come back and need tips just ask!
Filipe Morato Gomes
Glad you love Lisbon, Matt, it is a wonderful European capital. Not too big, not too small, easygoing, with lovely people, nice food, amazing monuments, cozy cafes, good weather and happy nightlife. Every time i visit Lisbon and know it better i like the city a bit more. Cheers, Filipe
Kimberly
I am in Lisbon now – at least my spirit is. I flew to Barcelona yesterday yet can’t stop thinking about my previous three days in Lisbon and how I can’t wait to return to Lisbon this coming Friday for 11 more days. I am an epic love type person – many wonderful loves to experience yet only the epic ones capture my soul. There are many beautiful cities that I appreciate, enjoy, and that capture my heart yet Lisbon feels like it will be one of the very few cites to capture my soul. Let’s hope I can refocus enough to remain open to the beauty that Barcelona offers for the next couple of days. Thanks for the articles about your first two trips to Lisbon – they keenly articulate and mirror my impressions of the city.
Gale
Wow, so intriguing. I’m going to Lisbon in a couple weeks for the first time. Never really thought about Portugal before but my husband wanted to check it out and after reading this I’m super excited and can’t wait to write about our experience.
Diana
You couldn’ have said it better! There is something about Lisbon that makes people want to come back and even stay there. It is nice to hear that others feel the same way about this special place.
I fell in love with Lisbon 10 years ago when I used to live there and I have been back numerous times. Every time it feels like home and that I have never been away. And who knows, maybe one time I’ll move back there for good.
Pedro & Paulina
Thanks for the article Mat. We have been in Lisbon in 2016 and reading it gave us a sense of Nostalgia. We also fall in love with it and soon we will be back for more 🙂 Keep going on inspiring people to travel 😉
NomadicMatt
Hey everyone! Due to the age of this post and the difficulty in moderating lots of posts spam, comments here have been turned off. If you would like to continue the discussion, head over to the forums at http://forums.nomadicmatt.com and chat there! I post frequently and reply to threads on the boards! See ya there! Thanks! – Matt