Every year, Saad and I try to take at least one trip abroad with friends, who are more like family. In 2017, we traveled to Italy, which was a litmus test for our couples’ chemistry and ability to travel together in a group. This year, we recruited our usual A-team crew for another European getaway - to Portugal! Admittedly, Portugal wasn’t high up on our list of places to visit because 3 out of the last 4 trips we’ve taken have been to Europe.
Then why did we pick Portugal?
Because we had heard amazing things about it from friends and co-workers, and because it was a short, 6-hour direct flight from Boston. It was also someplace no one in our group had been to.
So off we went to Portugal! Our first stop was Lisbon (a.k.a. Lisboa, which is how it’s pronounced in Portuguese).
The six of us shortly after arriving in Lisbon
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, predating other European capitals like Paris and Rome. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Tagus river, its proximity to Europe, Africa, and America, and its mediterranean climate have always made it an important trading port. Throughout history, various empires fought over Lisbon for this very reason; to gain control over its commercial routes.
It’s particularly interesting to note that, beginning in the 8th century, Lisbon was ruled by Islamic Moors for 500 years. These Moors were mostly Berbers and Arabs from North Africa and the Middle East. They called Lisbon “al-Ushbuna,” and it ultimately became part of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Under Muslim reign, Lisbon’s economy flourished as they introduced new navigational sciences so Portuguese ships could travel further, implemented irrigation systems to cultivate the Algarve plantations south of Lisbon, and opened up trade with countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria.
Although Lisbon was eventually conquered by Christian crusaders, and much of the physical evidence of the Muslim era was destroyed, you can still find traces of Arab influence here and there. For example, the Portuguese language is sprinkled with words of Arabic origin, like oxala which is related to inshAllah (God willing). How cool is that?!
As I recount our trip to Lisbon in the rest of this post, I’ll do my best to point out other examples of Muslim influence that linger today.
Lisbon is a hilly city with a landscape similar to that of San Francisco. The city’s architecture is colorful, fascinating, and as eclectic as its history. You’ll see state-of-the art buildings in one part of the city, and partially collapsed, centuries-old structures in another. You’ll see pearly white exteriors next to bright yellow ones. You’ll see funky graffiti on one corner and intricate tile art on another. Lisbon’s architectural beauty lies in its lack of uniformity.
Lisbon's hills and winding streets
Lisbon doesn't shy away from color
Azulejos, hand-painted Portuguese tiles
Lisbon is a fairly walkable city, but we rented a - wait for it - 9 person van to help us get around like this. If you’re not as cool as us want to use public transportation, Lisbon has plenty of trams and tuk-tuks (pronounced took-took).
About to take our first tuk-tuk ride!
Our tuk-tuk driver was an Instagram pro
Lisbon's iconic trams
Culture
As you stroll down Lisbon’s cobblestone streets, you might stumble across local musicians playing folksy tunes, see a group of Lisboners dancing, or pass a flea market. While Lisbon may lack the majesty, imperial avenues, and grand monuments of other European cities, there’s plenty of charm in its narrow, winding streets, tiled houses, and bohemian aura.
Casually strollin' the streets of Lisbon
Lisbon also has a wild lively party scene. Art, song, dance, and revelry are woven into its cultural fabric. When we arrived in Lisbon in the wee hours of the morning, we were shocked to see the streets littered with mounds of trash and empty bottles. But thankfully, Lisboners clean up during the day as hard as they rage at night. By the time we’d wake up, the streets were always spotless.
In the next section, I’ll share some tips on where to stay and what each neighborhood offers.
Lisbon is divided into several neighborhoods, which represent distinct quarters of the city. Broadly speaking, there is an “old” part of Lisbon and a “new” part of Lisbon. We stayed in both, but spent the majority of our time exploring the city’s historic side. Here’s an overview of some of Lisbon’s neighborhoods based on our experience, research, and some good ol’ Googling.
For the first part of our trip, we stayed in the Santos neighborhood. Santos is a small design district located next to the Tagus River. It’s an older part of the city and is primarily known for its art shops, design schools, bars, and clubs.
While Santos may not be the most Muslim-friendly neighborhood in the evening (unless you like to party with the college kids, astaghfirullah just kidding), its location was convenient because we could walk to the main squares, tourist spots, and historical sites in 20ish minutes.
Alfama is the oldest (and arguably the most charming) part of Lisbon. However, it’s also one of the poorest. Alfama is distinguished by a labyrinth of narrow streets that weave through tightly packed houses with terracotta roofs. This traditional neighborhood is home to many fado restaurants (but we’ll get to that later). Recently, parts of Alfama have undergone renovation, but it still retains its old-village appeal.
Once upon a time during the Moorish reign, Alfama was the heart of the city. In fact, Alfama comes from the Arabic word “Al-hamma,” which means “hot fountains.”
Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood
The most central and tourist-friendly area of Lisbon is Baixa (and nearby Chiado). These areas are considered downtown Lisbon because this is where you’ll find Lisbon’s main landmarks, tiled art deco cafes, neoclassical hotels, and commercial squares. The hotel I'd recommend in this area is Hotel Avenida Palace.
For the last leg of our trip, we stayed in Parque das Naçoes, which is the newest part of Lisbon. Built to accommodate the World Exposition in 1998 (Expo ‘98), Parque das Naçoes is full of impressive, ultra modern architecture like the Oriente Train Station, the Vasco da Gama Tower (the tallest structure in Lisbon), and the Vasco da Gama Bridge (the second longest bridge in Europe). Although only a 20 minute drive from Alfama, Parque das Naçoes stands in complete contrast to old Lisbon.
However, we did discover some other delicious eateries. Let’s talk about where to get your yums in Lisbon.
Portugal’s all-time favorite fish is bacalhau, which is dried and salted cod. Walk into any authentic Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon, and you’ll likely find some variation of bacalhau on the menu. The most popular and beloved bacalhau dish is bacalhau à brás. There are more than 1,000 ways to make bacalhau à brás, but it usually consists of shredded codfish served with potatoes. It can be pretty tasty if made well, but remember, it’s supposed to be salty. Another bacalhau dish to try is pastéis de bacalhau (fried fishcakes).
Aside from bacalhau, Portugal is famous for pastel de nata, a scrumptious egg tart pastry that I’d recommend you eat at all times of the day, in multiples. When devoured warm, the custard inside the tart melts in your mouth and has the power to soothe your soul. It’s divine.
Achieving nirvana while eating a hot and fresh pastel de nata
No matter where I am, I’m always on the hunt for good great amazing brunch. In Lisbon, we found two spots that knocked my proverbial socks off.
Brunch on the terrace
Possibly the best pancakes I've ever eaten (yes, that's a flora - see what I did there - on top)
At least once during your trip to Lisbon, go to a restaurant where you can listen to fado, a musical form of storytelling that originated in Alfama. Great fado singers can command the attention of an entire room with their powerful, mournful, and resounding voice. Although the songs are typically sung in Portuguese, even non-Portuguese speakers will be enchanted by the heartwrenching tunes. I didn't cry, but you might.
Fado at Casa de Linhares
A few places to grab a light bite are:
The always-buzzing Time Out Market
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, Saad tried Sea Me’s octopus hot dog *cue barf gasp*
Now that I’ve covered where to stay and what to eat, let's talk about what you can see and do in Lisbon.
Lisbon is full of historical landmarks and notable squares, the majority of which are located in old Lisbon.
Standing majestically above the city and overlooking the Tagus River, is São Jorge Castle, a Moorish fortress that used to house military troops in case of siege. The castle is visible from most parts of central Lisbon both during the day and at night. While the uphill walk to the castle can be tiresome (I’d recommend taking a tuk-tuk like we did), don’t miss the panoramic views from the castle’s towers.
This is a great place to snap a picture of you and your significant other with the Lisbon skyline in the background… or of your husband and his bros looking off into the sunset.
Views from the castle
Praça do Comércio is Lisbon’s grandest square lining the edge of the Tagus River. The buildings that surround this plaza resemble a palace, because - surprise - it was once the location of a palace that was completely destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. When the square was being rebuilt, the architects incorporated some of the original palace designs into the exteriors. In the center of the plaza is a statue of a former king of Portugal.
Opposite the Tagus River, Praça do Comércio is also home to the Rua Augusta Arch. This magnificent stone arch was built to symbolize Lisbon’s recovery, reconstruction, and triumph after the earthquake. The columns of the arch are adorned with historical figures. At the top, are allegorical statues of Glory rewarding Valor (the elf figure) and Genius (the winged figure).
How boys vs. girls pose
Real Instagram husbands of America
Launching Saad’s modeling career in the Pombaline district
If you take my advice and walk around the Pombaline downtown area, you’ll stumble upon another well-known plaza: Rossio Square. Rossio Square is a popular meeting place that is usually bustling with people. Needless to say, it’s a great place to sit down, grab a snack, and take in the view. And in case you’re wondering, the column and fountain in the middle pay tribute to another king of Portugal.
When we got tired of hopping between squares, we headed to Avenida Liberdade for some retail therapy. Portugal’s version of Champs-Elysées, this boulevard is lined with luxury stores, designer brands, and high-end restaurants. As you stroll down the street, you’ll also see grand statues and fountains nestled between the opulence and trees.
Remember how I mentioned Lisbon’s party scene earlier in this post? Another must-see place we heard about was Alcantara. During Muslim reign, this region was famous for a bridge which extended over the Alcantara ravine. Today, this riverside neighborhood is known for Docas (docks filled with bars, clubs, and restaurants) and the LX Factory (an industrial complex turned into an artistic area with a hipster vibe). For Muslim travelers, it may be interesting to check out during the day, but I wouldn’t prioritize it if you’re short on time.
We were only in Lisbon for about a day and a half. Despite hustling from one place to another, we didn’t get a chance to check out all the sites. I wish we had more time to:
The next stop on our week-long Portugal couples’ trip was Sintra, a mountain town I was dying to see! Find out why in part II of my Portugal post!