For some reason, I had it in my head that Lisbon would be just your average fast-paced, industrial and overcrowded city with little charm. Happily, I could not have been more mistaken! Lisbon turned out to be one of my favorite cities in Europe so far. It's colorful, lively, cosmopolitan, full of interesting sights and neighborhoods, with what felt like an incredible view around every corner; great for long walks and hours of exploring. Some personal highlights of Lisbon are below.
The heart of the city seems to be Rossio Square, which is very lively and colorful, with the signature Portuguese patterned tiles everywhere you turn. The square is filled with outdoor cafes, newsstands, fruit and vegetable shops and benches full of people hanging out and taking in the scene. Spend an hour at a cafe just watching the world go by.
Some of the very touristy things are really worth doing. One example is the Elevador de Santa Justa which is right next to Rossio Square. Take a ride up this strange but impressive elevator for a great orientation to the city, plus an up-close look at an ancient, crumbling monastery that you can't really get close to in any other way. Perched improbably at the tiny top of this weird ride is a small cafe, where you can sit and have an exorbitantly priced drink while you take in the views.
Trek up to the Sao Jorge Castle for unbelievable vistas of the city and its signature red-orange rooftops. (Notice how Lisbon is all about views and colors?!) You'll be very glad to reach the castle after climbing up cobblestone hills for a half hour, and you'll be rewarded with a lovely shady park, a few nice cafes to choose from, and best of all, those views. Take time out from huffing and puffing as you make your way uphill to the castle, to notice the charming little neighborhoods you're passing through.
Spend a few hours wandering aimlessly through the Alfama neighborhood, the medieval quarter of Lisbon which started out quiet and serene while we were there, and ended up raucous and festive a few hours later for one of the major saint's festivals that was going on. Again, sweeping and beautiful views can be had of the city and the ocean, and gorgeous Portuguese tile was everywhere we looked.
Finally, we loved wandering through the Bairro Alto district at night and choosing among tons of small restaurants and fado places to check out. It seemed like a hip, young area full of funky shops and bars and clubs. Our very last night in Lisbon, we ate in the Bairro Alto and then stumbled upon a free outdoor techno concert that was going on, complete with laser-light show and soundboards and massive crowds dancing to the beat. It was very cool!