{"id":1288,"date":"2017-11-08T12:44:34","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T12:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aerlingus.com\/?p=1288"},"modified":"2024-08-26T14:33:13","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T14:33:13","slug":"fall-love-lisbon-48-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/fall-love-lisbon-48-hours\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall in love with Lisbon in 48 hours"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

With its glorious sunshine, grand boulevards and legendary custard tarts, it\u2019s no surprise that Lisbon is one of Europe\u2019s most lusted after cities.<\/h3>\n

Emma Lahiffe recently spent 48 hours in the sun-kissed capital\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n

DAY ONE: CHIADO AND BAIXA<\/h4>\n

SET THE SCENE:<\/strong> Start your trip with a visit to Rua Augusta, the pedestrianised boulevard in the Baixa district, the beating heart of Lisbon. The leisurely stroll through the elegant Rua Augusta Arch out to the riverfront Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio (Commercial Square) is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SKY HIGH VIEWS:<\/strong> Walk to the water\u2019s edge and look back to admire the exquisite symmetry of the plaza and watch the iconic Tram 28 rumble past. For a picture-perfect panorama of the plaza and beyond, take the elevator to the top of the Rua Augusta Arch. If you\u2019re interested in the city\u2019s rich history, the nearby\u00a0Lisbon Story Centre<\/a> is worth a visit.<\/p>\n

CHERRY SHOTS:\u00a0<\/strong>The stylish Rossio Square lies on the far side of Rua Augusta. Make sure to stop at A Ginginha<\/em>, the historic hole-in-the-wall bar off the east corner of the plaza. Enjoy a pip-spitting shot of the local cherry liqueur (\u20ac1.40 a pop) and a laugh with the locals.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

COFFEE AND CALM:<\/strong> Right around the corner you\u2019ll find the Igreja de S\u00e3o Domingos<\/em>, one of Lisbon\u2019s prettiest churches. Pop in to see its pink-hued ceiling and soaring columns, and catch a few minutes of calm in the buzzing capital. Step away from the tourist thoroughfare to Fabrica de Nata<\/a> for great value coffee and pastries.<\/p>\n

SANTA JUSTA LIFT:\u00a0<\/strong>Take a spin up the 19th century Elevador de Santa Justa<\/em> and enjoy more sweeping views across the terracotta-tiled city from the viewing platform.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

LIVING HISTORY:<\/strong> Follow the walkway across to the beautiful Carmo Convent and Archaeological Museum. Find a shady perch on the steps inside the entrance to take in the gothic arches reaching up to the blue skies.<\/p>\n

Pop into the museum to see an incredible array of artefacts dating back to the first century. Look out for the mummified boy and girl from 16th century Peru – faces that will stay with you long after you leave Lisbon!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

MUST-VISIT BAR: <\/strong>Don’t miss Topo Chiado<\/em>, the chilled-out terrace bar at the back of the convent. Order a cocktail, hop on a sun lounger and catch some rays right in the heart of Lisbon.<\/p>\n

TIME OUT MARKET:<\/strong>\u00a0This gourmet food hall<\/a> in the Mercardo da Ribeira at Cais do Sodr\u00e9<\/em> showcases the best of Portuguese and international cuisine under one busy roof. More than 40 cherry-picked restaurants, bars and shops fill the sprawling market.<\/p>\n

Sample Lisbon’s incredible seafood at Marisqueria Azul<\/a>, try fried\u00a0croquetes <\/em>from Croqueteria\u00a0<\/a>and don’t miss Manteigaria<\/a> for a melt-in-the-mouth past\u00e9is de nata <\/em>(custard tart) on the way out.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t

DAY TWO<\/h4>\n

See a different side of Lisbon with a trip to Bel\u00e9m. Sitting pretty at the mouth of the river Tagus,\u00a0the delightful district is home to some of the city’s leading landmarks.<\/p>\n

THE JER\u00d3NIMOS MONASTERY:<\/strong> The is one of Lisbon\u2019s must-see attractions. There will be a queue, but the UNESCO-listed 15th century monastery is certainly worth the wait. Wander through the cloister and prepare to be dazzled by the intricate design of the rich cream pillars peeking out against the terracotta roof. Don’t miss the mesmerising blue and yellow tile mosaic in the former refectory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

STEP BACK IN TIME:<\/strong> Head to the upper choir for the best views of the Church of Santa Maria and its magnificent stained glass windows. Within the church itself you’ll see the tomb of celebrated explorer, Vasco da Gama. Continue around the upper cloister and spend time at the impressive ‘A Place in Time’ exhibition chronicling the monastery’s 500-year history and its context within Portuguese and world history.<\/p>\n

PICK-ME-UP TREAT:<\/strong>\u00a0Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/a>, home of the original past\u00e9is de nata<\/em>\u00a0recipe is a short stroll from the monastery. You\u2019ll spot the iconic blue and white tiles in the distance. Grab a table in the mighty 400-seat caf\u00e9 and enjoy excellent coffee and a mouthwatering past\u00e9is de nata <\/em>(or three!). The combination of the warm, crispy pastry and melt-in-the-mouth custard is to die for. Sprinkle with cinnamon or icing sugar and enjoy!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SEA VIEWS:<\/strong> Make your way through the park to the beautiful Bel\u00e9m promenade. There you’ll find the\u00a0Padr\u00e3o dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries). Take the escalator to the top for sprawling views of the monastery, the April 25 Bridge and the colourful Lisbon cityscape. Then sit on the riverbank with a chilled glass of\u00a0vinho verde<\/em> from the charming local wine vendor,\u00a0Wine with a View.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A little further along the promenade you’ll stumble on the fabulous five-star Altis Hotel<\/a>. Stop in for a relaxing afternoon snack in the chic riverfront Bar 38\u00ba41′. Watch the world sail by as the sun goes down.<\/p>\n

DINNER WITH A VIEW: <\/strong>Dine under the April 25 Bridge at 5 Oceanos<\/a>\u00a0and enjoy a feast of traditional Portuguese fish dishes in a truly special setting. Try the complete sea platter or sample the garlic prawns and grilled seabass.<\/p>\n

SLEEP:<\/strong> The Sana Reno Hotel<\/a> is the perfect place to call home for a couple of nights. Spacious rooms, comfy beds, welcoming staff and a rooftop pool await. A five-minute walk takes you to S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o<\/em> metro station – that\u2019s if the nearby Zara or El Corte Ingl\u00e9s don\u2019t tempt you en route.<\/p>\n

GETTING TO LISBON:<\/strong> Choose from daily Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Lisbon<\/a>. Take the metro straight from the airport or a fifteen minute taxi will get you to the centre of town. Download the mytaxi app before you arrive for best value transport.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Book your trip to Lisbon today!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Book Now<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":1363,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2270,1469],"class_list":["post-1288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-trip","category-destinations"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFall in love with Lisbon in 48 hours - Aer Lingus Hub<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n