Lisbon's Pulse: A Few Numbers & a Lot of Herring

okay, so i just got back from lisbon, and honestly, the city feels like a slightly chaotic dream. i'm still processing everything, and it's all jumbled together like a bag of colorful socks. i just checked and it's… there right now, hope you like that kinda thing. the weather was a little unpredictable - sunny one minute, drizzly the next - which is just typical for portugal, right? but the air smelled amazing. salty, somehow sweet, with a hint of something...fishy. in a good way.

1260692… it just popped into my head while waiting for a tram. no idea what it means, but the number itself felt significant. like a secret code passed down through generations. `1356057661`… that felt more…personal. almost like someone’s phone number, but it wasn’t. it was just there. maybe it’s a serial number for a particularly beautiful tile? i don’t know. maybe it’s a reference to a hidden room in a historic building. maybe it’s all a total load of old socks.

I heard that the Alfama district is a good place to find some hidden gems - the kind of places the tourist maps don’t bother with. someone told me that the tram 28 can get really crowded, especially in the early morning, so maybe aim for a slightly later ride. And if you get bored, the beaches of Cascais are just a short drive away. Or maybe explore Sintra? it’s beautiful, but be prepared for crowds. I also heard that a few locals warned me about the price of seafood - some stalls can be a little…aggressive.


*Pro-tip: Don't be afraid to wander. Seriously. Get lost. You'll stumble upon the most incredible little shops and cafes. I found this tiny bakery tucked away down a side street that made the best pasteis de nata I’ve ever tasted. Also, bring comfortable shoes. Lisbon is all hills, and you're going to be doing a lot of walking.

Someone told me that the best way to experience Lisbon is to just go with the flow and let the city surprise you. Don’t over-plan it. Just be open to the unexpected.

I spent a lot of time just sitting in cafes, watching the world go by. Observing the locals, listening to their conversations. it’s the best way to truly soak in a place. I found a little outdoor seating near a square, and people were chatting in Portuguese, and it was just… lovely.


Review Rumor: Someone said that Pastéis de Belém is overrated. I’m not sure I’d agree, but i also heard that the Feira da Ladra (the flea market) is really* intense. Good if you're into bargain hunting, though. I checked out TripAdvisor and saw a bunch of reviews for the Time Out Market - it looks amazing, but apparently it can be super crowded. Maybe go early?



I also discovered that Lisbon has a huge community of artists. I spent an afternoon wandering around the Bairro Alto neighborhood and saw some incredible street art. It felt raw and authentic - a far cry from the polished murals you see in other cities. It’s like the city is constantly reinventing itself.

I really need to get out there and explore more.