48 hours in Lisbon, Portugal.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to visit Lisbon, but now that I have, I can say that I’m fully hooked! The main goal of our trip to Portugal was to find a wedding venue, and we were on the last leg of a 2-week trip, so unfortunately, we didn’t get as much time as we would have liked. We did, however, make the most of the time we had, and we found our perfect venue. Alright, let me break it down for you!

How We Got There

We rented a car and drove from Algarve to Lisbon after visiting a few venues down south. That said, flying to Lisbon is straightforward, with numerous routes available from the US and across Europe. I do not recommend renting a car in Lisbon, the city is extremely walkable and not the easiest to drive in!

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Palacio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel, and I cannot recommend this place enough. The staff greeted us with big smiles, and the check-in was so seamless, which was needed since it was kind of hectic driving there. The rooms were so nice and I loved all the details. We were upgraded to the junior suite and it was the best surprise. Something amazing about this hotel is that they have free wine tasting every day for guests at 6 PM. OH – and they have a pillow menu where you can order any pillow that helps you achieve the best night of sleep! 

Where We Ate

• Com Certeza – An authentic Portuguese restaurant where we had the most amazing lunch! It’s also extremely affordable. I recommend the slow-roasted ham and the beef stew croquettes!

• Belcanto – The only two-star Michelin restaurant in Lisbon, and trust me, it was well earned. We got a tour of the restaurant and did the 12-course dinner with a couple of glasses of wine. Honestly, we both had no notes – the experience was exceptional. The tasting menu is about 260 euros, so it’s not cheap; however, for a two-star Michelin, it’s reasonable. You definitely will want to book this spot in advance!

• Caffè di Marzano Vermuteria – An Italian café where we had breakfast and coffee before we went venue shopping. Everything was amazing! They also make cocktails, so it could be a good spot for happy hour or post-dinner drinks.

  
  

• Boa-Bao – There's always that one night when we crave Asian food, and this spot was just down the street from our hotel. The food was absolutely delicious, offering a variety of Asian cuisines—Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, and more—making it the perfect choice if you're torn between different flavors!

  
  

Where We Went Out

• V Rooftop – Laid-back rooftop with next-level craft cocktails.

  
  

• Barrio Alto – A lively neighborhood with endless streets lined with bars, making it the perfect spot for a group night out!

Things to Do

• Praça do Comércio – The largest square in Lisbon, sitting on a waterfront. The architecture is stunning.

  
  

• Sunset Sail – Though we didn’t have time for this, it came highly recommended by everyone. This experience offers stunning views of landmarks like Belem Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the Sanctuary of Christ the King-Portugal, and Ponte 25 de Abril. It’s a great way to see a lot in a short period of time!

  
  

• Poiais de São Bento – An area with shops and boutiques in the city with so many great local finds! 

Overall, we fell in love with this city for its incredible food, walkability, and vibrant culture!

We cannot wait to return to Lisbon, and thankfully, the wedding gives us the perfect reason to do so! I’ll be adding another Lisbon blog post as we continue to explore the city!

With Love,

The Roaming Realtor