Monday 29th August – We landed in Lisbon airport at about midday and it was pretty quick to get through airport security (the benefits of being able to keep our EU passport!) and grab our bags. I had already researched the best way to get to our hotel in the city and so we got the metro which was only €1.90 each (about AUD $2.85) and took about 30mins with just one change so it was pretty easy. It was just a short walk from Rossio station to Hotel Gat Rossio (Hotel Gat Rossio review). They said we had to wait an hour for our room to be ready but I had a bit of whinge explaining we had flown from Australia and really needed a shower and luckily it became a 10 minute wait! After a quick shower and change we left the hotel to explore as we only had 2 days in Lisbon and needed to stretch our legs.
I haven’t to been to Europe for 3 years and had forgotten how much history and beautiful architecture there is. Lisbon definitely didn’t disappoint with its cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways and colourful buildings often decorated in ceramic tiles or bright paint. The city is pretty easy to navigate (especially when you grab a few maps from the hotel) and we soon found somewhere to grab a quick salad for lunch and then walked up a steep hill to a lookout. There was a tram called the Gloria Funicular but I like a walk (as you’ll soon notice) and it seemed a bit of a rip off for €3.50! The lookout gave us a great view over the rooftops and over to the castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge) and the marina.
We then headed south towards the marina and ended up having a drink in the main square (Praca de Comercio) which was great for people watching. 
We headed back to the hotel to freshen up stopping quickly for a shot of ginjinha – a local drink made from cherries in brandy with sugar and cinnamon. We had planned to go out for dinner but a quick nap turned into a longer snooze and before we knew it we were both out cold by about 9pm! Unsurprisingly we were both wide awake by 6am the next morning although this wasn’t helped by the delivery truck unloading outside the Cash and Carry directly opposite our window.
By 8:30am we were having breakfast in the hotel and out ready to explore Lisbon for our one and only full day in the city. I had printed off a walking tour which was meant to take 1.5 hours from the main square to the castle and back to the Rossio area….about 4 hours later we finally made it back! I’m not sure how they think you could have done it any quicker as, although we did take a few detours due to the confusing directions and lack of signs, we are pretty fast walkers. I would definitely recommend wearing trainers if you ever visit Lisbon as the cobblestones are very slippery and I’m sure one of us would have taken a tumble or stubbed a toe if we had flip flops on! Anyway, it was totally worth it as the Alfalma area is beautiful with its cobbled streets and narrow alleyways and it was good to look around the castle.
We were both pretty worn out after the walk so stopped for lunch at the one of the many cafes where you can sit outside in the pedestrian area and then just looked around the shops before heading back to the hotel terrace to chill. In the evening we met up with Dougs dj friend Matt (Kensho) and his lovely wife Michelle and their 2 year old Mel. We had drinks in the rooftop bar at Eden Aparthotel, a yummy traditional Portaguese meal (including back rice paella) followed by delicious flower shaped ice cream with a different flavour for every petal from Amorino.
Unfortunately that was the end of our whistle stop tour of Lisbon and it’s time to pick up the hire car and head south to the Arrifana in the Algarve to stay with Doug’s school friend for some sun, sand and surf!
The Holiday Bug 