Casa Independente

First trip out of the country in 2+ years! Headed to Portugal, south of France, and Spain. Documenting our activities.

Complete guide with attractions and venues where to eat/drink, get those very special souvenirs from (bespoke & local brands and markets) and catch a beautiful sight…or just your breath after walking up and down the hills of this marvellous city. Lisbon is all about art, colors, architecture and GOOD vibes! 🇵🇹💚 💡General tip: combine Lisbon with visits/stays in Sintra and Porto. Highlights: 🚋 Trams - The Lisbon tramway network is a system of trams in operation since 1873; it presently comprises six lines and has a length of 31 km with 63 trams in operation (45 historic "Remodelados", 8 historic "Ligeiros" and 10 modern articulated trams). Tram 28 is famous because happens to go past many of the city's most significant landmarks in districts like Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. Because the route also uses some heritage-style tram carriages, it has become a popular tourist attraction in the city. 💠 Azulejos - is a form of Spanish and Portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework. Azulejos happen to be one of the most distinctive art forms in Portugal and are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, and nowadays, restaurants, bars and even railways or subway stations. 🧼 Soaps - Oprah Winfrey said they're one of her favorite things, so the world is now also a fan of Portuguese soaps. But they're not recent products. They've been made since the 1800s and are 100% natural. They've maintained beautiful Art Deco and Art Nouveau packagings from the 1920s, and have become one of the favorite gifts to take from Portugal. 🥮 Pastel de nata - is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, optionally dusted with cinnamon - looks like a cross between a custard tart and a cake; created by monks in the Jerónimos Monastery, a major tourist attraction today and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🍲You also have to try these traditional dishes: Bifana, Sardines, Caracoletas & Prego na Pao, Alheira de Mirandela, Queijadas. 🧉Ginja - also known as ginjinha. This sour cherry liqueur is a tourist favorite but has sweetened locals’ palates for a long time too. There are establishments in Lisbon entirely dedicated to selling this sweet beverage made with Morello cherries, a variety of spices, and plenty of sugar. Nowadays, ginja is also served in edible chocolate cups. While you may choose among white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, dark chocolate does indeed pair beautifully with the super sweet, almost syrupy drink.

Discover my collection of tightly edited places to eat, stay, and play in Lisbon. We've tapped into our network of travel connoisseurs, conducted extensive research, and scoured all that's local, ungoogleable, and off-the-trodden path. The city guide spotlights design-led sustainable hotels, artisanal cafes, cutting-edge art spaces, farm-to-fork restaurants, beach excursions, sailing tours, and elusive, off-the-grid experiences that breathe life into a city. The city guide includes a link to a curated map with all the recommended places to eat, play, and stay. So, what's in the guide? Here's a glimpse: - 15 handpicked conscious boutique hotels in Lisbon - 4 recommended rentals in Lisbon - 10 favorite spots for coffee & nibbles - 10 favorite lunch spots - 18 favorite dinner spots - 12 cool bars + night clubs - 9 suggested places to explore in Lisbon - 4 must-see sites - 9 great spots for art and design lovers - 10 off-the-beaten-path experiences in and around Lisbon - A handful of cool shops we love