✨Here is my Mini, Day-Trip Itinerary to Lisbon✨

I know we don’t all have that glorious 30-day vacation allowance the Europeans like to flex but that doesn’t mean we can’t travel with intention, mindfulness, and heart.

I am sharing how I did just that in just one day in Lisbon, Portugal:

✔️ Where to stay

✔️ Where to eat

✔️ What to do and learn

➕ Pro tips on how to best plan your next travel anywhere

All in one immersive day beyond the tourist traps.

Where to Stay:

Now, I am not known to be the most bougie— I did backpack, solo, in over 40 countries after all— but at my big age, I do need my comforts.

*Cue Charme de Graça Guest House*

A guest house that keeps it cozy and simple with small renovated rooms in a historic building. It’s located in a vibing, residential neighborhood that makes the stay feel more like living in Lisbon rather than a hotel stay, all the while being walking distance from dang near everything.

Bonus: A cute lil’ private balcony for the gram! 😜

• Suitable for single or double guests only
• Not wheelchair accessible
• No elevator

Pro Tip: When planning a day trip time is of the essence. And in the interest of it (time) lean on the comforts of proximity to points of interest rather than luxury stays.

Where to eat:

The bulk of my travel planning strongly revolves around where to eat. Food not only fuels the body, but it is also a gateway to the soul of a people. It’s the win-win for me! 😮💨

Pro Tip: When planning your meals for a trip, find multiple options that include both comfort and specialty foods. This way you are ready for the times when you are feeling adventurous and the times when you’re feeling hangry!

Breakfast

Baga Baga — an authentic, Portuguese pastry shop with proper pastel de nata, egg breakfast, and that local’s-only energy we love to experience outside of the U.S.’s overt catering policy (aka, don’t expect a smile with your espresso).

• 2 minute walk from accommodation

 

Neighbourhood Cafe — a modern, speciality coffee shop with western brunch and vibes.

• 3 minute walk from accommodation, across the street from the above

 

Lunch

Now, I can’t take credit for finding these lunch spots as the incredible women hosting the retreat I attended chose these for us PERO, as consumer: 12/10 can recommend! 

São Jorge Restaurant —a traditional Portuguese restaurant operating since 1835 that elevates original dishes to an explosively delicious level.

• Order the pulpo… trust me

 

Bifanas de Afonso — a more casual, on-the-go, Portuguese, mom-and-pop sandwich shop. You can’t miss it— there will be a line rounding the corner in front of it to order.

• Expect a wait that is well worth it. 🤤

 

What to do:

On the way to lunch, don’t forget to look up, look around, and look out. Some of the most incredible views of the city are not marked in a guide book.

Pro Tip: When planning a day trip with eating options, choose a walking route that leads from “point Breakfast” to “point Lunch” through your points of interest.

In the direction of lunch for this itinerary, for example, I stumbled upon a historic government building, a local farmers market, a palace, an observation deck, and the cutest little city cats I ever did see.

All without the crowds (!!!)

What to learn:

African Lisbon Tour — a transformative walking tour that combines learning about the slave trade history of Portugal, engaging with Portuguese Black culture, and fostering genuine connection by exploring the streets of Lisbon and it‘s black-owned businesses in a group of like-minded, conscious travelers.

Pro Tip: When planning a trip and wanting to travel deeply, look for local African and indigenous sites, teachers, artists, and guides.

• Wear comfortable shoes, it’s A👏🏽WALK👏🏽, Hunny
• Tour ends with an optional group dinner at your own cost

 

And there you have it!

A full day in Lisbon planned with intention, mindfulness and heart.✨

“Mini” might have been an understatement for this holistic itinerary but I couldn’t help myself. 🤭

Travel is deeper than just checking-off a generic TripAdvisor “must-see” list.

✨ It’s a way of building connection across borders.

In a polarized world pulling us apart, let’s choose connection— let’s travel deeply.

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Travel by SMP builds self-guided, local-centered, and culturally-informed itineraries just like this for cities around the world. 

Headed to Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny’s residency this summer? Move like a local and travel like you mean it with Calles & Culture: Day Trip Itinerary to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico!

With Travel by SMP, travel like you belong.