Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and the hub of a multifaceted area that appeals to different tastes and senses.
In a city that has been influenced by many different far-off cultures over time, there is still a village feel in each historic neighbourhood.
Along the coastal road you’ll find beaches and beach resorts that combine villas and hotels from the beginning of the 20th century with marinas, terraces and excellent golf courses. Further along the coast you’ll come across world-renowned surfing beaches, but also the palaces scattered across the cultural landscape of Sintra, a World Heritage Site.
The area surrounding Lisbon is now bursting with first-class golf courses. There are established resorts such as Aroeira to the South of the city, while new developments like Campo Real, and particularly Praia D’El Rey to the North, have garnered considerable praise, and have put the region firmly on the golfing map.
The best thing about the Lisbon coast is that you can play a variety of terrific courses and also get a genuine taste of Portugal’s great culture.
Gastronomy
We suggest you eat your way through the city and start with the following ten Lisbon food favorites:
Pastéis de Nata are eggy custard tarts notable for their bright yellow color and creamy texture. Monks invented Pastéis de Nata in Belém centuries ago, but they’re as relevant today as they were when crafty clergymen concocted the heavenly Portuguese desserts.
The Bifana may be a mystery to visitors, but the concept will surely be familiar. One of the best sandwiches in the world, this iconic Portuguese sandwich is comprised of sautéed, marinated pork packed inside a crispy roll. Some restaurants add more ingredients, but a true Bifana is a simple affair. Add some chips (i.e. french fries) and a glass of Sagres beer to complete the ultimate Lisbon cheap eats meal.
Bacalhau is more than your mother’s cod. This salted fish is both a popular food staple and part of Portugal’s culinary heritage.
The epic history of Bacalhau goes back centuries when intrepid explorers ate preserved fish while conquering the world, consuming necessary protein during long stints at sea. Today, travelers find Bacalhau on Portuguese menus throughout Lisbon, with enough variations to eliminate any possibility of boredom.
Be sure to try Bacalhau à Brás with shredded cod mixed with potatoes, eggs, onions, chopped parsley, garlic and olives for garnish. We also recommend Pastéis de Bacalhau, fried fish cakes with a mix of potatoes and herbs reminiscent of croquettes. Although you’ll find the crispy treats at most snack bars in Lisbon, they’re actually a specialty that originated in northern Portugal.
Although Sardinhas or sardines are freshest in mid-June when Lisbon celebrates the scaly fish during its annual Feast of St. Anthony Sardine Festival, locals eat grilled and canned sardines all year long.
Caldo Verde, a warm green soup made with simple ingredients like potatoes, kale, olive oil and salt
Piri Piri Chicken, a tasty experience when you try this popular dish in Lisbon. Typically, cooks grill marinated free-range chickens over an open flame. The spicy, moist chicken gets its flavor from marinade ingredients like piri piri chilies, olive oil, lemon juice and salt.
Chouriço is a popular Portuguese sausage subtly flavored with paprika. Lisbon locals eat this versatile meat as a snack and also use it as an ingredient when cooking.
Portugal holds its own when it comes to the production of Queijo or cheese. The country even produces a dozen artisanal cheeses that quality as Denominação de Origem Protegida or DOP, a protected status.
We’re partial to the ooey-gooey Queijo known as Azeitão. Produced with raw sheep’s milk in the nearby town of Azeitão, just 35 kilometers from Lisbon, the creamy cheese pairs well with red wine and makes an ideal snack between meals.
Ginjinha is a Portuguese liqueur worth trying in the city of Lisbon where it was invented. Infused with sour Ginja or Morello cherries, Ginjinha has a tart yet sweet flavor thanks to the addition of ingredients like cinnamon and sugar.
Lulas recheadas à lisbonense
The lengthy phrase simply means “stuffed squid of Lisbon style” – the city’s signature dish. Stuffed with a stir-fried mixture of sausage, garlic and onions, and then baked and garnished with parsley, this flavourful dish will win over any seafood lover.
Lisbon loves its fresh peixe e marisco (fish and seafood), and what better way to eat it then grilled over charcoal? Locals favour such fish as cherne (wreckfish), garoupa (grouper), and salmonetes (red mullet). But if you’re feeling adventurous, go for the percebes: gooseneck barnacles that look like dinosaur claws.
Vinho Verde
Although served in slender green bottles, this wine gets its name—verde, or green—from the region where it’s produced: a particularly fertile and green area of northern Portugal with winemaking roots stretching back to ancient Rome. Slightly fizzy, this white wine is best drunk young and as an accompaniment to a summer meal.
Sagres Beer
One of the oldest and most famous beer brands in Portugal, you’ll find Sagres beers sold in nearly every bar in Lisbon. Their most popular beer is a pale lager.
Climate
In Lisbon the average winter temperatures are between 11 to 14°C and in summer between 20 to 24°C.
