BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

  • Interiors
    • My Home: Main Bathroom
    • My Home: Powder Room
    • My Home: Living Room
    • My Home: Dining Room
    • My Home: Main Bedroom
    • My Home: Front Porch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
    • Travel Posts
    • Travel Guides
  • Style
    • Style Posts
    • Outfits
    • The Coveted
  • Collaborate
  • About

Visit Portugal: Lisbon Recommendations

February 2, 2022 by jessica Leave a Comment

This post is long overdue! We traveled to Portugal in 2019 and I had wanted to share my favorites with you, but doing so seemed tone deaf during the lockdowns of the past two years. I realize that things aren’t perfectly safe just yet, but the world is starting to open up and Portugal is one of the most highly vaccinated countries. It’s also one of the most beautiful. Even if you can’t make it this year, I urge you to add the country to a future itinerary. In this post, I’ll share a list of the things we loved in the city of Lisbon.

Visiting new cities and countries often leaves me yearning for the opportunity to make my way back, and Lisbon was no different. The weathered beauty of the Alfama district, the intricacy of the tile work that adorned both the streets and buildings, the friendly people who know how to celebrate a soccer match, and — truth be told — the vihno verde that was both incredibly cheap and incredibly delicious made Lisbon such a special place to visit. Scroll down for some of my favorite snapshots from the trip, along with my recommendations for places to see, eat, drink, and shop in the city!

Tower of Belem
Lisbon Portugal
Mosterio de Sao Vicente de Fora

SEE & DO

  • Explore the Neighborhoods – It’s hard to put together a list of my favorite sightseeing stops from Lisbon because the city itself was just so beautiful. Everywhere you looked, tiles adorned buildings and were set into patterns on the streets and sidewalks. Honestly, just wandering around the city — especially in the Alfma district — was the biggest cultural highlight of the trip.
  • Museu Nacional do Azulejo – A beautiful collection of Portuguese tile.
  • Terreiro do Paço – This is the harbor-facing plaza with the yellow façade that you see in many photos of Lisbon. It’s absolutely worth the photo opp, and do take a walk along the water while you’re in the area.
  • Castelo de S. Jorge – The first fortifications of this Moorish castle date back to the 1st century BC. You can explore the grounds, but do be careful because there aren’t many guardrails.
  • Jerónimos Monastery – This is in the Belem area of Lisbon. After taking photos of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument and of the exterior of the Tower of Belem (we heard lukewarm reviews of the interior and just snapped photos), head over to the monastery. The architecture — especially the cloisters — is stunning.
  • Mosterio de Sao Vicente de Fora – We happened to be having a drink at a miradouros (more info below in the Eat & Drink section) and saw this building in the distance. It looked like people were on the roof, so we made the trek over. It ended up being one of the trip highlights and we didn’t even have it on our must-see map!
  • Carmo Convent – The 1755 earthquake left ruins of this gothic church. There’s a museum attached with artifacts.
  • Santa Justa Lift – I don’t want to disappoint you, but this is just an elevator. Sure, it’s pretty. But there are better views in the city at miradouros and they’ll be less crowded.
Lisbon, Portugal
Jerónimos Monastery

EAT & DRINK

  • Miradouros – There are miradouros all over Lisbon, which are little parks with spectacular views, often with a kiosk that sells snacks, wine, and beer.
  • Ginja – Try a shot of ginja, a cherry-infused liqueur served with a cherry in the glass, and small shops around the city. You can get it in a chocolate cup if you feel so inclined.
  • Pastel de Nata – Of course you can’t go to Lisbon and not have these iconic egg custard tarts with a shot of espresso (“bica”). We had them at both Fabrica da Nata and the iconic Pasteis de Belem. They’re both delicious.
  • Fábrica Coffee Roasters – We went here a couple of times for breakfast and loved it. They also had iced coffee, which is always a treat abroad (though I think iced coffee is finally becoming more ubiquitous).
  • Simpli – We also enjoyed this café and bakery. They put an orange slice in our iced coffee for aromatics, which was a fun surprise.
  • Boa-Bao – We were in the mood for Thai one night and stumbled across this restaurant. It had an upbeat atmosphere and they had a fun cocktail program.
  • Time Out Market – Sample some of the city’s most popular restaurants in one location. It ended up being an easy go-to when we were tired and didn’t want to put thought into another restaurant to try. We could split up and find our own meals. I went to Miguel Castro e Silva twice for the Bacalhau à Brás (codfish with julienne potatoes and scrambled eggs).
  • Pub Lisboeta – Cozy little bar with pizza and friendly service.
  • The Beer Station – I’m glad to see this small beer bar is still around! It’s in an open-air plaza near the Rossio train station.
  • Delirium Café Lisboa – Belgian beer fan? Here you go! They also serve frites.
  • Other Beer Bars – Crafty Corner, Cerveteca Lisboa, and Duque Brewpub.

SHOP

  • Sango Handmade Creations – I bought a camera strap from this artisan. (Truth be told, it was at a small art fair in Porto, but I wanted to include an acknowledgment here!)
  • Conserveira de Lisboa – You have to stop here to buy tinned fish! This shop is quaint and Instagram-worthy. Ask the people working for guidance on your selections if you’re dumbfounded like I was. They might come off a little reserved at first, but they’re incredibly friendly and willing to help.
  • A Vida Portuguesa – You’ll find this store all over the city. It has the best selection of Portuguese souvenirs covering a wide range of products.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • We stayed at the Iberostar. It was beautiful and well appointed. They even gave us a complimentary glass of champagne during check in, which I couldn’t turn down despite being exhausted from traveling. (We had a layover in Brussels and then our flight to Lisbon was delayed due to an airline worker strike. It was a whole thing.)
  • We found Lisbon to be incredibly affordable, and this extended to both public transportation and Ubers. There was one night we took an Uber from the Alfama district back up to our hotel and the total amount due was the equivalent of $3. I gave a 100% tip because that felt entirely too cheap!
  • You may be tempted to add a day trip to Sintra. I would only go if you were staying in Lisbon for an extended period of time (we were there for five days and six nights) as it really does take the better part of a day and it’s crowded. Most guides will recommend that you take the city’s buses to go to the destinations and while you certainly could, we took Ubers to the two places we wanted to go: Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. A quiet, air-conditioned car was a nice respite from the touristy train with people packed in like sardines. If you do go, I’d recommend stopping for tapas at Tascantiga.
  • The best parts of the trip were — as always — the parts we didn’t plan for. We stumbled across a festival in one of the city squares. We joined in the dancing and split a bottle of wine, and it ended up being one of my most cherished moments of the trip.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Quinta da Regaleira
Lisbon Portugal

For more travel guides, click here!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Guide Tagged With: Lisbon, Lisbon Portugal, Portugal, Travel Guide

Tiles of Lisbon

July 15, 2019 by jessica Leave a Comment

I typically take a boatload of photos while we’re abroad, but I’m not sure I’ve ever taken nearly 2,000 in one week until we visited Lisbon. There were gorgeous vignettes to take in everywhere we turned — and that was largely thanks to the beautiful tile work that adorned even the most modest of buildings. So, I thought I’d kick off my Portugal travel posts with the azulejos of Lisbon.

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: azulejos, Lisbon, Portugal, tiles

Weekend Roundup

June 16, 2019 by jessica Leave a Comment

Lisbon, Portugal
Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon


Charting the quatrefoil rug’s journey to ubiquity.

This sounds like a lot of work for a cocktail, but I won’t deny that it sounds like it’s worth it. I love gin, rhubarb, and fennel, so it’s right up my alley!

If you loved the beaded tote in this week’s “The Coveted,” here’s a wallet-friendly alternative that comes in under $100.

Seven things that are surprisingly illegal in parts of Europe. (I’m on board with many of these.)

I purchased a pair of bike shorts last weekend to wear under dresses while I, you know, bike. Little did I know, I’m on the verge of trendy.

Jacey’s home is serving as major design inspiration.

My latest Instagram love is Leaf & Paw, a feed dedicated to cat-friendly plants.

Cleaning tips from Airbnb hosts.

Finds Under $50:

  • I saw this macrame bag at Target last week and I can’t stop thinking about it. The quality seemed good, too!
  • These earrings are bold, but the neutral colors make them wearable.
  • Such a great summer sundress.
  • These brass coasters will develop a beautiful patina over time.
  • I love the handles on this colorful tote.
  • I’m ordering this book about the history of color in home decor.

Earlier This Week:

  • Coveting a ’70s-inspired color palette.
  • The jumpsuit I wore in Portugal, along with 12 others I’m loving for summer.

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Portugal, Weekend Links

12 Jumpsuits That are Perfect for Summer

June 13, 2019 by jessica Leave a Comment

Lisbon Azulejos Museum

Wearing: Loft jumpsuit (similar; still available in plus sizes) | Paravel backpack (also love this one) | Prada sunglasses (similar) | hoop earrings (similar) | House of Harlow bracelet (similar) | Lisbon sunburn 😉


This jumpsuit was one of my favorite things to wear on our trip to Portugal, especially in Lisbon. It was often breezy being situated right on the River Tagus and I hate wrestling with the hemline of a dress that’s flirting with the wind. Thus, a lightweight jumpsuit on the warmest days. Below, I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite jumpsuits for the season!

12 Jumpsuits That are Perfect for Summer

Row 1: Left | Middle | Right

Row 2: Left | Middle | Right

Row 3: Left | Middle | Right

Row 4: Left | Middle | Right


–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Outfits, Style Tagged With: jumpsuit, Lisbon, pattern, Portugal

Weekend Roundup

June 1, 2019 by jessica Leave a Comment

Wearing: J.Crew sweater | Old Navy shorts | Vince sneakers (also brought these) | Photography backdrops from Foxbackdrop | Chan Luu earrings (shorter version) | Prada sunglasses

Olá! I’m finally back in the swing of things after our trip to Portugal and my birthday celebration on Thursday! To say Portugal was amazing would be an understatement. I keep thinking about the intricate tiles, the bright colors, and the azure water. If you ever have a chance to visit, say yes in a heartbeat! I preferred Lisbon to Porto, but both were absolutely stunning. I’ll share photos, along with our travel diary and recommendations as soon as I’m able to weed through the 1,000 photos I took!

We’re taking this weekend to relax, get back into our routine, take a break from overindulging in food and drink, and tidying up the place. We typically clean the house before a long vacation, but didn’t have the opportunity this time around because our cat, Bacon, was incredibly sick right before we left — to the point where we weren’t sure if he was going to make it. We spent the entire pre-vacay weekend taking him on emergency vet visits and trying to coax him to eat. With the help of appetite stimulants and anti-nausea medicine, he eventually ate a little bit and we felt better about leaving him with Dave’s parents. We’re so grateful — and relieved — that we came back to a healthy cat. (The working theory is that he got into something he shouldn’t have, either a plant or a cleaning supply, that poisoned him. I’ll spare you the detailed symptoms.)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Roundup:

I can’t get over how much I love this sweater! I think it’ll be a belated birthday gift to myself.

Will the art of skywriting bounce back or die with the few people who know how to do it?

Orlando Soria is one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram, and I can’t wait for his new show, Unspouse My House, to air! (I also highly recommend his book.)

The best way to keep guacamole from turning brown.

Inside the studio of handbag brand Nannacay.

Recommendations for cruelty-free beauty products.

We had lunch at Korrito in London, where they serve Korean burritos and burrito bowls. I’m determined to replicate it at home and found two recipes — here and here — to get me started.

I can’t pull off this hat, but could someone please buy it and Instagram the hell out of it?!

Finds Under $50:

  • I’m all about this ring-handle wood jar. It looks like something you’d find at a flea market!
  • I bought this rope basket at Target recently when I was reorganizing our entry closet. It’s the perfect size to corral things like scarves and compact umbrellas.
  • I also purchased a pair of linen-blend shorts in black. They’re really comfortable and the elastic, drawstring waist is forgiving. Plus, they didn’t stretch out too much despite wearing them four times on the trip.
  • I’m crazy about this tunic-style dress!
  • I just ordered a set of these acrylic tumblers in the double old-fashioned size for patio drinks. I bought three in each color. The pink one is back ordered until October, so at least I’ll have a set of six until then!

In Case You Missed It:

  • Snapshots from Portugal and London.
  • A roundup of my favorite planters because I can’t get enough greenery lately!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Portugal, Weekend Links

Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

Keep In Touch

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Latest Home Finds

Visit Me on Instagram!

I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone nook to good use.
Christmassy mornings. Christmassy mornings.
Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake f Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake from Dessert Person by @csaffitz

#dessertperson #thanksgiving #eastfork #eastforkdoesmydishes #eastforkpottery #dansk #food52 #dessert
Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Hal Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Halloween spirit. While it claims to be the most haunted place in Europe and is dubbed the city of a thousand ghosts, we only encountered the wire-mesh sculptures of Ghosts in the Gardens (@the_york_bid) and the family of souvenir ghosts I brought home from @yorkghostmerchants. 

#ghostsinthegardens #york #hauntedyork #yorkmuseumgardens #yorkghostmerchants
Instagram post 18062569012742534 Instagram post 18062569012742534
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Jennifer on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in