After a brief summer break and an epic trip to Portugal, I’m back! Dusting off the Brown Lady in Europe series seems like a great way to welcome a new season. You may remember earlier this year, I mused about what a trip to Portugal might look like… now I’m back with the scoop! Fresh off my trip (slowly but surely acclimating back to Cali time), with highlights from my visit and can’t miss experiences for your first trip to Lisbon.

Cobblestone and Cork

Easily a favorite place from my first trip to Lisbon, Lx Factory is an art center built in and around a historic industrial complex in Lisbon. Wander through the shops, grab a bite to eat and explore the street art and gallery spaces.

Be sure not to miss Ler Devagar Bookstore. Whether you are a bookworm or not, the multi-level space is a unique, awe inspiring site- and a great photo op!

Put A Cork In It

Prior to my trip, I had heard about the use of cork in Portugal, for everything from shoes to handbags. I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like. One trip to rutz | walk in cork and I am a believer. I tend to like things that are unique, that no one else has. Chances are, if you walk into most places in the US with a cork backpack or clutch, no one else will have your bag. And the sneaks!?! Don’t get me started on how cute they are.

Of course there was only one pair left of the ones I loved (in a tiny size), so I’ve got a close watch on their website for new arrivals. I was able to soothe my disappointment with a couple of cute clutches. Looking for a great gift that gives a nod to local culture (and the environment), Rutz has you covered.

Keep your eyes open for special events as you wander through Lx Factory. We caught the Jameson Distillery Tour, visiting Lisbon from Dublin, Ireland. While we were a bit early for the next tour of the day, we did have some great cocktails and the chance to sample a few types of whiskey. Temperatures in the mid-eighties, people watching, live music echoing down the cobblestone street from a nearby restaurant. Lx Factory was a vacay vibe for sure.

If you get a late start on your first full day in Lisbon (like we did), this creative space will help you make up for lost time.

Local Flavors

You can’t walk two steps in Lisbon without encountering the sweet smell of pasteis de nata. After having a ball making pizza in Naples, I thought it would be fun to try a baking class in Lisbon, getting up close and personal with these tasty treats. I chose a class from Airbnb Experiences- and the day before, the class was cancelled due to an emergency. Fortunately, another class was available for later in the week at another location. I was determined to make my pastries!

Custards… and Cafeteria Ladies

The afternoon of our class, TK and I took a quick walk through the steamy, sun drenched streets of Bairro Alto to Pastelaria Batalha. A family owned business, we were in good hands at Pastelaria Batalha with the owner’s nephew, Manuel. Our class of ten aspiring bakers got suited up and spent the next hour or so as apprentices, weighing and measuring ingredients, ultimately shaping the dough for our very own pasteis de nata.

Paparazzi in Portugal

Sometimes paparazzi is welcomed. Especially when it comes in the form of your own personal tour guide and photographer, as was the case on our photo walk of Lisbon. Walking tours with local photographers are an increasingly popular activity for travelers. I couldn’t imagine a better backdrop than Lisbon for my first photo shoot/walking tour.

Say Cheese!

On a seasonably warm evening in Lisbon, TK and I met Phelipe- our photographer and tour guide. We set out for a stroll through the streets of the city. Shortly before sunset, we made our way through graffiti-lined stairways and alleys to a quieter area, away from the hustle and bustle of Bairro Alto.

If you take a similar tour, opt for the early evening walk. Phelipe suggested it for our tour, for both the coolest weather and best light for photographs. On a 90 degree day, I was glad not to be wandering (and sweating profusely) at high noon.

Brown Lady Travel Tips

Sneakers are your friend in Lisbon. Cobblestone is slippery and uneven. Unless your sandals have good traction, you will be in danger of falling flat on your ass in Lisbon. We had a couple close calls and then rocked our sneaks for the majority of the time after that. Sneakers and sundresses was the norm for most women in Lisbon; find a cute pair and embrace the sporty comfort. Don’t let the cobblestone bring you down (literally) on your first trip to Lisbon.

Uber is a convenient and relatively inexpensive option for your time in Lisbon. We used it frequently, for airport transfers and getting around within the city. After all the stairs and hills, your legs will thank you!

We stayed at a loft in Bairro Alto for the majority of our time in Lisbon. Centrally located, just a block off the main street, we were able to walk to countless restaurants and shops. Known for its nightlife, live music wafted through Bairro Alto into our loft in the evenings, a welcome reminder of our new surroundings. Consider an apartment rental to get an idea of what ‘real life’ is like in the city.

Jupiter Lisboa Hotel was our home base for a quick night when we returned to the city from the Algarve Coast. Close to the airport, with a fantastic spa and rooftop pool, Jupiter Lisboa was a great last stop for our journey. After walking miles a day on cobblestone streets, a massage and pool time is pampering perfection!

Wait, there’s more

You may have noticed that other than the pasteis de nata, I didn’t mention any food in this post. So unlike me. Don’t worry, I still live for the perfect bite! Lisbon definitely delivered a few blog worthy bites. Next week, the Brown Lady in Europe series will continue with great culinary moments of Lisbon… aka the food crawl.

Stay tuned!

Have you been to Lisbon? If so, what other tips would you share with first timers?