Portugal Trip: Lisbon 🏰 & Sintra 🌳 - Best Kept Secrets!
Guys, Lisbon is seriously beautiful lah! Maybe everyone's taste is different, but me, I really, really love Lisbon. The city isn't too big but it has everything!
Why Lisbon is Awesome:
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The people are so friendly! Everyone I met was so cheerful, spoke really good English, so it was easy to chat and learn about their interesting culture.
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The food is so diverse, and the Vietnamese food there is super delicious! Everyone wants to know where I ate the Vietnamese food, just comment below and I'll let you know! The banh xeo is just like in Vietnam!
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The prices are very reasonable, quite cheap compared to the north. Even compared to Malaga, some things in Lisbon are cheaper.
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Public transport is so convenient, you can buy a card from the machine, there's a type where you top up money, there's a 24h-48h type,...
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So many places to visit, just a quick Google search will show you! But there are a few places that I think are really great that you shouldn't miss: Oceanário de Lisboa, Timeout Market, Cabo da Roca, Arco da Rua Augusta, vintage tram.
Things to Note:
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Shoes: leave your high heels at home ladies! I learned my lesson on the first day. Even though my wedges only had a small platform, my feet still killed me. I didn't expect it, but Lisbon is hilly, going up and down, and if you walk around without comfortable shoes, after a while it'll be really uncomfortable and your feet will hurt. Lesson learned, remember that sisters!
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I don't know if it will be hotter later, but if you go around this time, you should still bring a scarf or jacket, because even though it's sunny, the sea breeze can be quite cold.
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You should spend at least 3 days or more in Lisbon, because there are so many places to see. There are also many tourists, so plan your itinerary carefully to avoid waiting times and maybe missing out on many destinations.
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If you go on Tuesday or Saturday, you can visit the "super huge" Da Ladra flea market. Anything and everything is there! 😄
Sintra:
Sintra is a small town about 40km from Lisbon, but if your itinerary has extra time, I think you should visit. There are 5 castles here, lush green scenery, and the air is fresh and cool. From here you can also go to Cabo Da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Europe. You can go to Sintra in a day, but to relax, 2 days 1 night is still full of places to see and you won't get bored.
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