If you are wondering about moving to Lisbon, hurry up! There are lots of cool activities to do in the city during summertime:
The beginning of the summer is celebrated with Santo António. On the 13th of June neighborhoods such as Bica, Bairro Alta, Alfama and Mouraria become alive because of this festivity. Streets become full of people eating sardines and dancing to traditional music. The scenery is complemented by beautiful and colorful decorations: there are garlands, paper lanterns, flowers and flags. There is even a custom and song competition. Another tradition of this festival is to give basil plants as a sign of love (manjericos).
In July there is the Festival de Lisboa, a great opportunity to enjoy open air cinema, theater and live music. If you are a rock fan, do not miss the Super Bock Super Rock.
Outside of the city, there are also really cool festivals in July that are worth a visit: the Jazz festival in Estoril and the great mediaeval markets around the country.
The summer continues with the great Festival dos Oceanos in August. The activities included in this festivity are several and quite varied ranging from concerts, theater to exhibitions. It ends with a great firework show.
The Portuguese coast is full of beautiful beaches to discover. They are an ideal place to relax or to practice surfing or kitesurfing. Among all the beaches available, Cascais, Guincho Beach and Caparica are great and accessible on public transport.
Picnics are a great opportunity to discover and enjoy Portuguese treats. Mercado da Ribeira is a really traditional and cool spot to get bread and fresh fruits. If you are into canned fish such as squid, cod and tuna go for the best and make sure you go to Conserveira de Lisboa.
When it comes to the location, there are many great parks around the city to enjoy a great picnic with friends, there is one that you will love: Jardim Tropical. It is a true paradise full of exotic trees. The Gulbenkian gardens are also a truly magical spot with lakes and birds. If you wish to have a picnic at sunset, a very cool option are miradouros (viewpoints).
There is nothing more pleasant than dining in a terrasse with beautiful views and even more if there is fado music. Some of our favourite spots are Calçada do Duque, Bairro Alto and Bonjardim.
Portugal is full of great places to visit. One of our favourite places is Sintra. In less than one hour away you will find this city full of colorful and unique palaces.
Another wonderful place for a daytrip is Setúbal. This coastal city boasts beauty in every corner. You can’t miss the sand beach of Tróia. It’s just 35 minutes away from the city by ferry.
Viewpoints (miradouros) become full of groups of friends drinking beer at sunset. If you prefer a local and strong drink, ginjinha (liqueur made by ginja berries) can be your best bet. As it becomes darker, other cool spots in the city become alive: the terrasse of Noobai Café is a great place to enjoy with friends and it has impressive views and Portas Largas and Doca de Alcantara are two great spots to end the night with caipirinhas or cocktails. If you love dancing, there are many great spots in the city: for the techno lovers there are Lux Frágil and Kremlin, for the 70s and 80s hits Plateau is the place and for the rock lovers there is the Sabotage Club.
There are amazing boat cruises that allow you to see the main spots of Lisbon from the sea. It is an alternative and refreshing way of exploring the city and its surroundings. The most magical moments of the day to enjoy the experience are sunrise and sunset.
If you are really into wine, you will love visiting a winery. The view of the vineyards, the taste of the wine and the history makes going to a winery a truly magical experience. Quinta da Chocapalha is our personal favorite. Even the road leading to it is really charming. It is a great place to waste wine because there are several varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Lisbon, find insightful information about the best affordable neighborhoods in the city.
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