In 2022, towards the end of October, I traveled to Lisbon for the first time. Not only was it an enjoyable time, but it’ll always be memorable, as it was my first time traveling solo outside of the States.

Highlights of my trip included: seeing the architecture around the city, participating in two pub crawls with a group, staying in a private room at a hostel, and meeting quite a few great people from around the world. 

Before making it to the city, I had a layover for a few hours in Montreal, Canada. This trip, and the return layover in Toronto, made me realize that I wasn’t a fan of traveling via connecting flights. From now on, when I can, I’m taking a direct flight, even if the tickets are a bit pricier. 

If you’re flying, you’ll more than likely arrive at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport. From there, you can pay a couple of Euros to purchase a subway ticket, and head towards the center of town.

When in Lisbon, be sure to take comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking up and down hills. The city’s nickname is “City of Seven Hills,” and trust me, your legs will feel them. You can also take advantage of the extensive public transportation options, including their subway. Visit Rossio Station, if you’d like to travel outside the city.

As far as where to stay, I’d recommend choosing a hotel or hostel near Rossio Square, as it’d put you near everything. I ended up choosing a hostel in the area, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

For food, visit their most popular food hall, Time Out Market; there’s something for everyone there. The first meal I tried was an octopus hotdog from Sea Me. Yes, you heard that right. The meal was a cooked octopus tentacle that sat in between a bun. It’s one of the more interesting foods I’ve had in life. 

Besides Time Out Market, in Lisbon, it’s fairly easy to find just about any type of food, as Lisbon is an international city. The main staples include sardines, and other seafood.

During my visit to Lisbon, I essentially partied each night, and stayed out until around 6-7 AM. A lot of shots, beer, and other drinks were consumed. One of my favorites was a Portuguese staple known as Ginjinha; a type of cherry liqueur. 

If you’re looking for a night that’s more laid back, just by walking around the city, you’ll be able to find a countless number of live music venues, street performers, and restaurants to enjoy.

Lisbon is a city that I can see myself visiting multiple times throughout life. It has everything you’d want in a city, including great people, an extensive variety of food, great architecture, public transportation, and it’s an affordable city. I highly recommend you travel there.  

Click here to read about Lisbon’s 25 de Abril Bridge.