I always like to travel and visit somewhere new for my birthday and my 35th took me to the city of Lisbon in Portugal. Lisbon had long been on my radar as the ideal city to explore as a solo traveller. From the beautiful tiled covered buildings to the iconic yellow trams, the rich history and culture and delicious cuisine, it didn’t take long to convince myself to book a three day trip to Portugal’s capital city.

I personally found the city very safe as a women travelling alone and never once felt intimidated or vulnerable. In fact, the city had a very friendly feel, like the locals were excited for me to be visiting their much loved city for the first time. Worried that you don’t speak Portuguese? No need as English is widely spoken across the city. If you are looking for a European city break that is reasonably priced, with good weather, a rich history and plenty of attractions, then Lisbon is the city for you.

The city itself is easy to navigate, with access to a great public transport network, whilst also ideal for those who love to explore on foot. I’d highly recommend checking out the Lisboa Card which gives you unlimited access to public transport and free entry to some of the city’s top attractions. You can buy cards for 24, 48 or 72 hours and it is a great way to save money if you’re on a budget.

I’m so excited to share with you my top places to visit in the beautiful city of Lisbon.

Alfama District

There are lots of exciting districts in the city of Lisbon, but the one that kept pulling me back was the city’s oldest, Alfama. I fell in love with the sloping cobbled streets and colourful houses of this historic district. Here you will see the classic trams meander their way through the residential streets and find some of the best architecture in the city. Alfama is a place to simply wander and happily get lost in - you never know what you may stumble across along the way. For example, I happened across a small charming café serving fresh dragon fruit juice, but I couldn’t tell you exactly where it was having taken so many random turns beforehand. There is a true sense of character and community in Alfama, where locals will greet you happily from their front door as you meander your way through the labyrinth of charming streets here. Alfama has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars, together with independent shops and galleries.

Alfama also has several places where you can enjoy listening to Fado, traditional Portuguese music with a solo singer and classic guitar. I happened across Fado Morgadiha, a beautiful Fado restaurant with a romantic setting. I was allowed to briefly watch and listen to the Fado musician performing from the balcony overlooking the diners below.

Make sure to enjoy beautiful views overlooking Alfama from the ‘miradors’ or viewing points that can be found across the city. Miradoura das Portas de Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia offer the best views overlooking Alfama. I would advise getting to these viewpoints early to avoid the crowds or go for a sunset.

SÃO JORGE CASTLE

If you want to enjoy some of the best views overlooking the city of Lisbon, then walking the walls and grounds of San Jorge Castle is the place to go. Located high up in the Alfama District, the grounds here are filled with gardens and fountains, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle from the city centre below. I saw many people bring a picnic here whilst relaxing with views of the city behind them. You will also find many peacocks roaming the grounds or hiding up in the trees.

The Castle itself is steeped in history, dating as far back at the Roman period. Here you can walk the walls and take in some of the most breathtaking views of the city of Lisbon. Just to the right hand side of the main Castle entrance there is an impressive archaeological excavation site, with remains from the Iron Age, the Moors and the early Christian period. Make sure to also step inside the archaeological museum too, with hundreds of fascinating artefacts unearthed in the grounds on display.

Entrance to the Castle costs 15 euros per adult and the ticket office is located immediately next to the entrance. You can also book online in advance to skip the queues. I would recommend visiting the Castle early morning as it can become very busy midday and in the afternoon. If you’re not keen to make the walk uphill to the castle, you can catch the number 737 bus which stops outside the entrance or enjoy riding the number 28 tram to Portas de Sol and take the short walk from there.

Number 28 tram

No visit to Lisbon is complete without taking a ride on the famous number 28 tram. It takes a very scenic route past many of the city’s landmarks, weaving its way through the popular districts of Alfama, Baixa, Graca and Estrela. Because the route uses the well known heritage-style carriages, it’s become a popular tourist attraction in the city and it’s not hard to see why.

For just 3 euros one way or free with your Lisboa card, you can take a ride through the whole city. There’s something quite charming sitting back as you meander your way through the narrow streets and beautiful neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Many of the trams date back to the 1930s and have retained much of their charm, with polished wooden interiors and bold yellow paintwork.

To avoid the long queues and to guarantee yourself a seat, I would recommend riding the tram early morning or late evening. The number 28 tram runs daily from 6am to 10pm.

Belem District

Two of Lisbon’s World UNESCO Heritage sites sit closely together in the neighbourhood of Belem. The Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower are two of the city’s most important historic buildings. Together with the impressive riverfront area, I would recommend spending a full day exploring the Belem district. Belem is located 15km outside the city centre, so I would recommend taking advantage of your Lisboa card to get here. I took the number 714 bus from Lisbon’s main historic square Praça da Figueira. There is a bus stop just outside the Jeronimos Monastery which is where I’d recommend visiting first.

Dating back to 1501, the Jeronimos Monastery is truly an architectural wonder. It was home to monks who would bless sailors ahead of their voyages for centuries. The site extends over two levels, with tiled side rooms along along with an impressive church. It’s easy to spend an hour here looking at the details of all the cloisters and intricately carved stone walls. Wander beneath the impressive archways and domed ceilings, whilst taking in the views of the beautiful grass courtyard in the middle. Once you have finished exploring the cloisters, make sure to step inside the impressive main church of Santa Maria. You can pre-book tickets online to access the Monastery or gain free access with your Lisboa Card.

Before making your way to the riverfront, make sure to enjoy the best Pastel de Nata’s you will find in all of Lisbon at Pastéis de Belém. Trust me I had a lot of these delicious pastries during my time here (I lost count actually!) and Pastéis de Belém was my favourite. You will find the shop less than 5 minutes walk away from the Jeronimous Monastery.

Take a 10 minute walk to the the river front, making your way through the gardens opposite the Monastery and crossing the main road via a foot bridge, where you will arrive at the impressive Monument of Discoveries. If you have time, make sure to explore the nearby marina or stop for a drink on one of the many waterfront bars whilst enjoying views of the River Tagus. Then make your way to the Belem Tower which you will easily see in the distance.

Belem Tower is an architectural marvel in its own right. This fortification dates back to 1514 and with its striking exterior, Belem Tower is understandably one of Lisbon’s most popular historic attractions. To truly appreciate the Tower, make sure to see inside where you will find cannon rooms, old prison cells dug below the water level and spectacular views from the top overlooking the River Tagus. Due to its popularity, I would highly recommend pre-booking a ticket to avoid lengthy queues or get free access with your Lisboa card.

Pena Palace and Sintra

I spent my actual birthday outside of the city of Lisbon exploring the beautiful Pena Palace and town of Sintra. Considered as one of the seven wonders of Portugal, the colourful Pena Palace has to be one of the most beautiful historic buildings I’ve ever seen. Positioned high up in the Serra de Sintra Hills, this spectacular Romanticist castle was once home to the Portuguese Royal Family, dating back to 1836. Covered in decorative tiles, impressive carvings, gothic features and splashes of vibrant colour, the castle is like something out of a fairytale. With views of the city of Lisbon in the distance, Pena Palace truly is a destination not be missed.

I booked a day trip with via Get Your Guide, a fantastic website that lists a vast selection of day trips, tours and excursions across the world. My booking included transport to Pena Palace and Sintra from Lisbon, a tour guide and guaranteed access to inside Pena Palace. I love booking a day trips or excursion as it gives you the chance to meet new people as a solo traveller. I’d highly recommend booking a tour with Get Your Guide.

After exploring the beautiful Pena Palace, I visited the charming town of Sintra. Sintra is full of palaces and if I had had more time, I would have likely spent a whole day seeing them all! I’d highly recommend booking a Get Your Guide tour that also includes a visit to Quinta da Regaleria. Why? Take a look at the Poço Iniciatico, an impressive well which you can walk down via an impressive staircase! Sintra is a charming town, full of small shops, bars, bakeries and restaurants. Make sure to sample Licor de Ginja, a cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. I enjoyed a birthday lunch at Sintra Terrace overlooking the town from a charming rooftop terrace and tried a beautiful Cod fish dish.

Best of the rest

• Santa Justa Elevator - This impressive wrought iron gothic structure can be found in the Baixa District off Rua Augusta Street, offering impressive views overlooking the city from the observation deck above. It was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who was a student of Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower, and you will certainly see similarities. TOP TIP: To avoid the long queues and the high cost for very short ride (5.60 euros) you can actually access the observation deck and walkway above for free. Head to the ruins of the Carmo Convent, walk to the end of Travessa Dom Pedro de Menezes and take the steps up past the restaurant there.

• Time Out Market - If you are a foodie, then make sure to stop by the Time Out Market, where you will find a variety of restaurants serving a huge variety of cuisine.

• National Pantheon - The monument that took the longest to complete in all of Portugal, starting in 1682 and only completed in 1966! This truly is a building with the wow factor, with its marble floors and impressive domes. You can even step outside and enjoys views of the city from the top terrace.

• Free walking tour - I love a free walking tour and always book one on my first day in a new city. I highly recommend Chill Out tours, the original free walking tour hosted by local guides who will teach you so much about Lisbon’s history and culture. Book in advance click here.

• Feira da Ladra - Treat yourself to a unique souvenir at Lisbon’s iconic weekly flea market. It takes place every Tuesday and Saturday in Campo de Santa Clara, behind the monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

Thank you so much for reading my blog post. I hope it gives you inspiration to visit Portugal’s capital city and helps you to plan a trip of your own there. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments or contact me via my Instagram page.