First thing you do when your feet hit Lisbon is a Tuk tuk tour. It's like a cool cheesy golf cart. Lisbon is basically San Francisco's older, moodier sibling with more hills, stronger coffee, a drink called Ginjinha and an earthquake that rewrote history (1755, I see you). Our tuk tuk was basically a history lesson on wheels. Gotta get the juice before exploring.
We learned Lisbon's got 7 hills (again, San Fran energy), elevators because obviously walking is for masochists, lions everywhere because courage or something and St. Vincent's the city's patron saint. Sardines are a thing, pastel de nata is the flakiest addiction you'll ever develop, and no, real pastel de bacalhau doesn't come with cheese, don't embarrass yourself.
You'll spot cork in every shop like it's a personality trait. And then there are the tiles, which basically is the city's wallpaper from the Moorish people. June is the Saints Festival, so prepare for grilled fish, drunken joy, and streamers trying to strangle you in alleyways.
Fun stuff! I learned so much. read more