Ah, Lisbon… the city of tiled walls, sardines and Fado houses. As a local, I love to see people’s reactions to visit the city for the first time. From what I perceived throughout the years Portugal’s capital may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of “city of romance” (…hi, Paris!) BUT more and more people have described my dear Lisboa as their new lover. So, if you’re heading to Lisbon looking for unique date experiences, here are my five suggestions.
A Stroll Through Jardim Botânico
For those who are already getting butterflies in their stomachs my suggestion is the lovely Jardim Botânico.
Jardim is the Portuguese word for garden and Lisbon is full of them. This one is located in a picturesque area of Lisbon (Príncipe Real) and it’s the perfect place for an old-fashioned walk surrounded by palm trees and other equally stunning plants.
Once here, the “Borboletário” is a must-see. A 200 square meters area of colorful butterflies? It doesn’t get more romantic than this.
The Perfect Sunset At Portas Do Sol
Grab your chair while enjoying the sunset from one of the most incredible viewpoints in Lisbon: Portas do Sol. It is a truth universally acknowledged that Lisbon is beautiful at any time of the day, but Alfama looks particularly gorgeous at the sunset.
The Book Nerd’s Dream: Ler Devagar
Now, you don’t need to be much of a reader to fall in love with Ler Devagar – a giant bookshop at LX Factory (one of the coolest markets in Lisbon), but if you are THEN this bookshop will fulfill all your book nerd dreams.
Here you can find millions of books, a very Instagram-friendly flying bicycle, as well as two cafés to have a bite. There are also live concerts and expos happening all throughout the year, so you can check on their website beforehand.
Dinner At One Of Lisbon’s Many “Esplanadas”
Esplanadas are the equivalent to the French terrasse. They’re basically al fresco dining areas where chairs and tables are laid out on the cobbled streets.
If you want to enjoy your romantic dinner at a “esplanada,” there are plenty of options available. For anyone dying to indulge in some Portuguese traditional cuisine make sure to taste bacalhau (cod) our national and much cherished dish.
Daydreaming Under A Starry Sky At Lisbon’s Astronomical Observatory
Finally, to the “fools who dream,” there is no better date than enjoying a beautiful starry sky.
Lisbon’s Astronomical Observatory/Planetarium holds the “Noites do Observatório” each month, a perfect opportunity to confess your love under the stars while pretending (and probably failing) to be Emma Stone in La La Land.
What is an unexpectedly romantic city you’ve fallen for?