I’ve eaten more pastéis de nata than I’d ever dare admit. You’d think that means I’ve always known Lisbon, but the truth is, it took me years to understand it fully.
It’s funny: when you live somewhere, you often take it for granted. You don’t see the beauty the way visitors do. Working as a DMC has given me that gift. So, I started thinking: if I were visiting Lisbon for the first time, what do I wish I had known?
Lisbon isn’t flat. But the hills and cobblestones were just part of it and I never thought twice about them. But when I see tourist huffing up Rua da Voz do Operário or Rua da Bica, I realise: this city makes you work for its beauty!
And the reward? The miradouros (viewpoints). Every climb ends with a view that takes your breath away. An endless view to the red bridge stretching across the Tagus paired with the golden light at sunset. It’s worth it. Every. Step.
Ah, Tram 28. It’s charming, rattling through narrow streets where it feels like you could reach out and touch the tiled façades. But here’s a secret: locals rarely use it. Why? Because it’s always packed, and because there are faster, easier ways to get around.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ride it. You should, at least once. But Lisbon has other trams, funiculars, and elevators that are just as interesting, and far less crowded (Tram 16, 12 or 25 ).
If you sit down in a Lisbon restaurant, don’t be surprised when bread, cheese, or olives land on your table. They’re called couvert and, here’s the catch, they’re not complimentary. I grew up with this, so I never thought twice. But visitors often do a double-take when they see them on the bill.
My advice? Don’t skip them just to save a few euros. That creamy sheep cheese or fresh olives can be the highlight of your meal. Just know that in Lisbon, nothing “appearing” on the table is ever truly free :)
Here’s what I’ve realised, after a lifetime here: Lisbon isn’t a city you “check off.” It’s a city that grows with you. When I was a teenager, it was about music and nightlife. Later, it was finding all the hidden restaurants. Now, it’s neighbourhood walks, discovering how each corner holds history I hadn’t noticed before.
And that’s what I wish visitors knew: Lisbon isn’t just about ticking monuments off a list. It’s about letting yourself wander, getting a little lost, and finding your own version of its magic.
Big venues and ticketed shows can feel staged. The real Fado magic happens in tiny taverns, where locals sing from the heart between bites of grilled sardines and sips of red wine. If you stumble into one, sit, listen, and let it move you. It’s not just music, it’s our soul.
Ask for “coffee” in Lisbon and you’ll be served a tiny, strong espresso - what we call a bica.
It’s not a giant mug of latte like you might expect. And it costs about the same as a small bottle of water. Order it standing at the counter, like locals do, and you’ll instantly blend in.
I’ve lived here all my life, and Lisbon still surprises me. That’s the gift it keeps on giving, no matter how many times you come back, there’s always another view, another taste, another story waiting around the corner.
If you’re planning a visit, I hope you’ll let Lisbon reveal itself slowly.
And if you want someone who knows it by heart (and who still falls in love with it, daily) to help you discover it, that’s exactly why I do what I do.