Perched on the mouth of the Tagus River, the city of Lisbon is instantly recognisable thanks to the many red-roofed buildings that pepper its skyline, as well as the city’s iconic architecture and famed Ponte 25 de Abril.
With so much to see, do and devour, editor Sophie Ritchie shares a few of her must-try highlights when it comes to a weekend in the Portuguese capital.
Full of intriguing museums, street art and ever-changing events, a weekend in Lisbon is ideal for a few days of sampling delicious Portuguese cuisine, discovering fascinating culture and racking up one’s step count when exploring the hilly cobblestone streets.
A European city that knows how to let its hair down, Lisbon makes the ideal urban escape – particularly in winter, when the British weather is less than inviting. Sophie Ritchie shares more:
Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Lisbon
Escape the bustling centre and swap noisy crowds for the opulent decor and incredible views at five-star Hyatt Regency Lisbon, located in the tree-lined streets of Lisbon’s Belem district.
Perched by the river (making it ideal for a scenic morning run or walk) this new hotel is just a short twenty minute taxi ride from the main airport. Just remember to bring cash as well as curiosity, as very few traditional taxis offer card transaction payments.
The new kid on the block (quite literally) Hyatt Regency Lisbon opened to guests in 2022 as the first Hyatt hotel in Portugal, kitted out with 204 spacious guestrooms and suites. Step over the glossy threshold and expect luxurious interiors galore, calm ambience and hints of decadence woven into everything from the crisp white bed linen to an extravagant breakfast buffet.
Rooms are large and luxurious, featuring a wide range of categories and sizes. If you’re planning a slightly longer stay or simply enjoy home comforts, the Deluxe Suite River View 1 Queen Bed is perfect. Featuring a vast 51 to 69 m² space with a private balcony facing the Tagus River, swipe a keycard to enjoy a separate living room complete with dining table and a fully equipped kitchenette for whipping up your own Lisbon-inspired feasts (or midnight snacks).
Contemporary in design with plenty of comfortable places to lounge, it’s the view of nearby Ponte 25 de Abril bridge that truly steals the show here. Request a room with this view if you can, otherwise drink up the vista at breakfast, lunch or dinner from the downstairs VISEVERSA restaurant and bar. It doesn’t matter how many times you gaze across the water, it never gets dull.
Wellness is also at the forefront of this property. A design dream in its own right, on-site Serenity Spa features more than a whopping 1000 m² of wellness areas to wander through, complete with nine different treatment rooms and a team of highly-trained staff on-hand to help sculpt and soothe tired muscles.
Available to hotel guests for a small daily surcharge (which means it still exudes exclusivity instead of overcrowded ‘Centre Parcs on tour’ vibes) the Serenity Thermal Oasis features a super modern array of sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool, experience showers, ice fountain and relaxation area. Tie your robe, slide on the slippers and go all in for the relaxation – leaving this glossy wellness paradise and heading back to reality will be the toughest part of your day.
Prices start from €180.00 per night (excluding breakfast), based on two adults sharing a standard Queen Bedroom. Price is based on November 2023 travel and subject to availability. hyatt.com
What To Do
1 Run the Tagus River: If you’re a jogger, pack those trainers. An easy way to tick off many of the nearby famous sights before you’ve even had breakfast, the Tagus River runs along the edge downtown Lisbon and is a complete must-route for any fitness fans. Even on a cloudy day, pit stopping at the nearby Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries is somewhat majestic. It’s also one of the few hill-free areas of Lisbon, so go flat and furious without battling unexpected elevation. If you’re new to running or prefer to keep it under 5km, opt for a shorter route and simply turn back around once you hit the 2.5km mark (or whenever your feet say, “Enough already!”).
2 See the city with a Lisboa Card: If you plan on getting out and about, purchasing a Lisboa Card is cost-effective for both travel and attractions. Not only can you use all public transport around the city without a need to buy tickets, it also provides free entry to plenty of Lisbon’s best museums and attractions with fast track access for many of them too. Partners include Torre de Belem, Jeronimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Elevator, plus many other sights. Available to purchase for 24, 48, or 72 hours periods, it avoids the need to constantly carry cash through a simple scannable card. Straight in the basket (or suitcase). lisboa-card.com
3 Get a pastel de nata fix: Look, you simply can’t come all the way to Lisbon and not sink your teeth into one of these buttery yellow creations. Initially cooked up by monks in the early 19th century, these moreish creamy custard tarts are a national treasure in their own right. It’s probably tougher to find a bad version in Lisbon itself, but we thoroughly recommend a trip to either the OG Pastéis de Belém, which makes and sells about 20,000 pastries every day or teeny but trendy Castro, found in the city centre adjacent to the Santa Justa Lift with piping hot fresh fine pieces. Edible gold? We think we’ve found the closest thing. pasteisdebelem.pt/en/ + castropasteisdenata.pt/en/
4 Go on a day trip to Sintra: A visit outside of the city? First-timers, we hear your scorn. But a day trip to Sintra, reached easily via train in under one hour or a mere half hour via transfer, is well-worth the voyage. Sintra is a stupendous work of European romanticism, combining incredible botanical richness and a diversity of monuments and buildings from a long period of history. Hike the hills, drink the wine, tour the castles, whizz around in a convertible taxi ride or tuk tuk – either way, prepare to step straight into a fairytale. If you have plans to see things without fretting about time, arrive earlier and pencil in an itinerary for the day, as many of the palaces are at least a steep hour’s walk from the centre. Otherwise, simply show up and stroll to your heart’s content. sintra-portugal.com
Where To Eat
1 Mama Shelter Lisboa: When it comes to style, this eatery is all about decor dressed to the nines. Mama Shelter Lisboa’s restaurant is a feast for the senses, and popular too – expect it to be packed to the rafters with both guests and locals. Dishes and drinks, perused via a new-fangled QR code menu are both creative and thoughtful, featuring the likes of flaming cocktails, seafood galore and a strong emphasis on fresh produce. mamashelter.com/lisboa
3 Time Out Market Lisboa, Cais do Sodré: Housed within the traditional Mercado da Ribeira, where locals flock for their meat and fish, Time Out Market Lisboa is a foodie’s dream come true, featuring eating and drinking opportunities from more than 50 different concepts. timeoutmarket.com
4 ICON rooftop and bar, Belem: In the warmer months, ICON rooftop and bar and its ample luxe lounging areas at Hyatt Regency Lisbon is THE place to flock to, offering panoramic views of the Tagus River as well as April 25th Bridge and Cristo Rei. Cocktail in hand, it’ll be hard to drag yourself away from the truly stunning backdrop… until you catch a glimpse of the hotel’s on-site spa of course. hyatt.com
2 AKLA at InterContinental Lisbon: Never judge a menu by its mother – don’t be put off by the fact it’s found within a hotel, as both the food and scenery at AKLA is stunning. Ideal for a night of sophistication, the restaurant is styled in attractive, blue and white tiled panels, as well as similar velvety seating and luxe details. The staff here make you feel like royalty, whilst the dishes place a strong emphasis on Portuguese heritage and storytelling. You can’t go wrong with the meaty grilled octopus, served beautifully with tender branches of white asparagus, chunks of sautéed sweet potatoes and avocado. Post-meal, head to the newly-renovated bar for a drink surrounded by ceiling-mounted plasma TV screens and ultra modern interiors. iclisbonhotel.com
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
