My Travel Log: Lisbon a City of Hills, History and Magic.

by emma ugarelli

Lisbon: A City of Hills, History, and MagicAfter leaving Paris, I boarded my flight to Lisbon and arrived at Hotel Nacional around noon. Fortunately, my room was on the sixth floor, and the hotel had an elevator. After climbing so many stairs during my trip, I was relieved that I didn't have to carry my heavy backpack up another flight of stairs.
One disappointment was discovering that I had lost my cute little monkey that I always carried attached to my backpack. I believe it happened because I had to check my backpack as luggage on the flight. I never found it, and although it was only a small souvenir, I was sad to lose it. Still, the hotel room was clean and comfortable, and that was what mattered most.
After settling in, I immediately got ready to explore the city.
One thing I noticed right away was that Lisbon is built on many hills. Its charming streets are covered with beautiful stone pavements, but they can be challenging to walk on, especially when your sneakers are already worn out. Mine were reaching the end of their life, but that worked out well because I had brought a brand-new pair with me. I decided I would throw the old ones away before continuing my journey, making my luggage a little lighter.
Unlike London and Paris, I decided not to use the Hop-On Hop-Off bus in Lisbon. Instead, I explored mostly on foot and occasionally by taxi.
My first afternoon began with a walk through Avenida da Liberdade, where I came across a lively street fair. From there, I continued to Santa Maria Maior, Restauradores Square, Rossio Square, Rua Augusta, and finally Praça do Comércio, where I enjoyed my first view of the Tagus River. The waterfront was beautiful, peaceful, and picturesque.
Later, I boarded one of Lisbon's tourist trains, which took me through parts of the city, including Chiado and the beautiful Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, where I admired spectacular views over Lisbon's colorful rooftops.
That evening I enjoyed dinner in a traditional restaurant near Santo António. The Portuguese food was delicious, and it was the perfect ending to my first day.
A Magical Day in SintraThe following morning, I visited Sintra, a place that deserves a special mention.
Instead of taking public transportation, I hired a local taxi driver. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made. During the drive, he showed me several attractions outside the city, including the beautiful Queluz National Palace. Since it was pouring rain, I was grateful not to be driving myself. We spent the journey talking about life in Lisbon, Portuguese culture, and his experiences living there. Those conversations often become some of my favorite travel memories.
Sintra itself is simply breathtaking. Nestled among green mountains, it is home to magnificent palaces and castles that seem to come straight from a fairy tale.
I had booked an early entrance to Pena Palace, and it exceeded all my expectations. The colorful palace, the magnificent architecture, and the beautiful gardens made every step worthwhile. I walked through elegant rooms, impressive halls, and the splendid dining room, imagining what life must have been like there centuries ago.
As if by magic, the heavy rain stopped just as I began exploring the palace grounds.
After visiting Pena Palace, I learned how to use Sintra's local buses and made my way to my next destination: Quinta da Regaleira.
Before entering, I enjoyed wandering through the charming streets of Sintra. Then I arrived at Quinta da Regaleira, another truly magical place. Its gardens, mysterious towers, underground tunnels, caves, and hidden passages create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I have ever visited. Every path seemed to reveal another surprise.
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, I took the train back to Lisbon. I returned to my hotel tired but incredibly happy after such an unforgettable day.
Discovering Belém and AlfamaOn my final full day in Lisbon, I took a taxi to Belém.
I visited the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, admired the historic Belém Tower, and stopped at the famous Pastéis de Belém, where I enjoyed one of Portugal's delicious traditional custard tarts.
I also visited the impressive Monument to the Discoveries, a reminder of Portugal's remarkable Age of Exploration.
Later, I explored Lisbon Cathedral, wandered through the charming streets of Alfama, and climbed to Miradouro de São Vicente, where I enjoyed yet another spectacular panoramic view of the city.
That evening, I had dinner near my hotel, once again enjoying traditional Portuguese cuisine.
By now, my faithful sneakers had completely fallen apart. They had carried me through London, Paris, and Lisbon, but their journey had come to an end. I finally threw them away and switched to my new pair.
Back at the hotel, I packed my suitcase and prepared for my next adventure.
The following morning, I headed to the airport.
My next destination would be Madrid, my first stop in Spain.
As my plane lifted off, I quietly said goodbye to this incredible city. Lisbon had captured my heart with its history, colorful streets, breathtaking viewpoints, welcoming people, and magical atmosphere.
So far, my first solo journey through Europe was becoming an unforgettable adventure—one that was giving me memories and confidence that would stay with me for the rest of my life.