Lisbon with Friends

We spent three nights in Lisbon with our best friends, and honestly, it was one of those trips where the city just gets under your skin in the best way. From the moment we checked into the Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel—a calm little haven just off the main boulevard—we knew we’d made the right choice. Soft beds, peaceful corners, and the perfect spot to start and finish each day’s adventures.

Most of the time, we didn’t really have a plan. Lisbon rewards you for simply wandering, so we spent hours meandering those gorgeous old cobbled streets, letting ourselves get a bit lost. Every corner had something worth stopping for: a burst of blue-and-white tiles, a surprise viewpoint over the rooftops, or a tiny bar that all but insisted we sit down for a cold beer.

One lunchtime, we headed to the Time Out Market—a total treat for foodies and anyone who loves a buzz. The energy inside was infectious: chefs from across the city serving everything from salt cod fritters to silky custard tarts, sizzling seafood, craft beers, and gorgeous local wines. We could all pick and mix our favourites, then regroup at a big communal table to compare notes and share tastes. It’s the perfect spot if you want to try lots of local dishes in one go—and the people-watching is top-notch!

Of course, we ticked off the classics too. We hopped on one of the old yellow trams—the kind that rattle and squeal like they’re held together by charm alone—and let it carry us through the neighbourhoods. There’s something oddly soothing about watching the city roll by from a wooden tram seat.

We also made the climb up to Castelo de São Jorge, which sits proudly above the whole city. The views? Unreal. It was one of those moments where everyone just quietly soaked it in, until someone broke the silence with, “Okay, this was worth the uphill.” (Top tip: do this early in the morning—it’s quite a hike and you really don’t want to be tackling it in the midday heat!)

A day in Belém was another highlight. We wandered along the river, admired the monastery and that iconic tower… but, let’s be honest, we really went for the pastéis de nata. Warm, flaky, custardy perfection. We may or may not have gone back for seconds—and if you go, I highly recommend you do the same! Be prepared for long queues, though. These are mainly take-away customers, but if you want to avoid the wait, just head inside, take a seat, and be waited on—it’s so much quicker.

Some of the best bits, though, were the slow ones—lounging in sunny squares, sipping cold drinks, and people-watching like professionals. Lisbon has this laid-back vibe that makes you lose track of time, and we were more than happy to let the hours slip by.Travelling with our best friends just made everything better. The laughter, the shared “wow” moments, the silly photos, the collective hunt for the perfect dinner spot—those are the memories I’ll treasure just as much as the big sights.By the time we checked out, it felt like we’d known Lisbon far longer than three nights. It’s one of those places that feels instantly familiar yet endlessly intriguing, and we left already buzzing about where our next adventure might take us!