The Full Shilling Guide to Lisbon

February is supposed to be the shortest month but it can feel the longest. It's at the tail end of a long season when the dark evenings are ceaseless and even a crack of sunshine is enough to warrant a celebration. It's a good month to escape to a brighter place and that is exactly how Andrew and I found ourselves booking a last minute escape to Lisbon. Lisbon is a place I've been wanting to see for a while now as it seemed a little less touristy than other European capitals but with just as many stories to offer. When we saw Ryanair were doing super cheap flights from Dublin it felt like too good an opportunity to miss! I'll break our trip down to our favourite spots since we packed a fair bit in to the 4 days we spent there. My biggest piece of advice though is to drop the map/phone and get a little lost in the windy streets. The city is perfect for exploring and there are plenty of chances to go a little offtrack and stumble upon some great little gems. Just bring comfy shoes because the city is built on seven hills which will test your thighs for sure!

WHERE TO EAT

Of course the most important part of a break is the food because it's the one time you can stop off on as many refreshment breaks as you please without the guilt. We had plenty of pretty great foodie experiences and more cake than I've ever eaten in my life which is the sign of a successful holiday, right?! Taberna da Rua das Flores Hands down the best restaurant I've eaten in in a long time. From the moment we entered the place it felt special and truly authentic - the wine served were all from Lisbon, the menu was on a blackboard written in Portuguese (kindly translated in perfect English) and the chandelier was a collection of wineglasses glittering in the candlelight. The food was tapas-style so we got three dishes to share; pink marlin, sliced beef and pork deep-friend in prawn cracker mixture. We cleaned our plates and washed the deliciousness down with the tastiest wine I had the whole trip. I forgot to take a picture of the wine bottle label but I think sometimes the best wine is supposed to be remembered like that. If you want to eat here make sure to go early or on a quiet weekday. We tried to get in on a Saturday but there was a queue of people outside who had been waiting over an hour. We went back on the Monday at 6.30pm and were served right away - perfect! Honoraro Burgers For those wanting something hearty and quick then this place will do the job. We stopped off here for lunch after visiting the Belém Tower and wolved our burgers down in a matter of minutes! Cheap, cheerful and hard to beat. Pasteis de Belém After your burger make sure to save some room for the infamous pastries served next door. Pasteis de Belém are the bakers with the original Pasteis de Nata recipe which is why they have a constant queue outside their door. The pastries are little custard tarts that are so delicious you'll want to grab a dozen when you're there. We went to this place twice and my mouth still fills up with water when I remember them! Palácio Chiado This restaurant blew us away because we stumbled upon it when we were starving and desperate for a big feed. The ground floor is the eating area which has 4 different kitchens that you can choose your food from but upstairs is where our jaws dropped to the ground. The building was once a mansion and the original stained class windows and hand-painted ceilings are still intact. Their house cocktail is also the best one I've ever had! Landeau When you're strolling around the LX Factory, ogling all the amazing Portuguese craft and design, you can seriously work up an appetite. Which was why I was so relieved to find this place to rest my bones and discover a chocolate cake so light I was practically floating afterward.

WHERE TO DRINK

Bairro Alto is an area of Lisbon that is coming down with bars and clubs but there are still lots of choices no matter where you're staying in the city. Since we're oldies, we only managed the one big night out but we made a fair effort to sample as many Portuguese beverages as possible. The only thing I wouldn't rate is the ginjinha - the local cherry gin. It's basically Buckfast (a tonic wine favoured among some Irish folk) masquerading as an elegant liqueur! Pensão Amor This place was once a brothel located in the old red light district and it still has that dark and moody atmosphere that would have attracted those frisky sailors all those years ago. It's a popular joint and was hiving when we were there on a Saturday. Brilliant fun and well worth a visit. Park Bar This bar is a little of the beat and track because you have to get through a carpark to find it. It's on the roof of the carpark which means the roof terrace has incredible views of the city. It's the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a cocktail in hand. Pivalhão Chinês This weird and wonderful place is a great place to stop for one or two drinks. It's crammed full of random paraphernalia from toy cars to war memorabilia and there's some pool tables down the back that you can enjoy a few beers over.

WHAT TO SEE

There is plenty to do and see in Lisbon as the city is so crammed with history that any street could lead you to a different story. We chose to do a free walking tour - a little touristy I know but a great way to learn some quick facts and get your bearings. Some buildings were more incredible than others but I'm sure there's plenty we didn't get round to seeing! Alfama Be sure to get lost in the streets of Alfama if you can because it'll feel like taking a trip back in time. This is the oldest part of the city, the only part to have survived the big earthquake of 1755 and so the buildings here are packed with charm. We stayed in an Airbnb apartment in Alfama and took a different street to the city centre every day. I woke up the sound of bells ringing and all the oldies chattering to each other from balconies (maybe not so great if you're a fan of sleep ins!). Belém Not only does this area of Lisbon have their infamous pastries to offer but it also rich in history. The Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site found on a sandy beach by the Tagus River. Just a short walk away is the Jerónimos Monastery, another 15th century building to drool over and stand in awe of. Make sure to get some pastries after! Trams/Funiculars Being a city of hills meant that the Lisbon folk had to be find ways to rest their wearisome legs. The trams themselves would be a relic in other cities (some date back to the 1930's) but here the locals use it as a commute to get around the city. Tram 28 is the most popular for tourists but unfortunately it's pretty hot for pickpockets as well so keep your wits about you. Tram 11 is quieter but just as lovely and can take you to Belém for the afternoon. Squares Galore Every corner you turn in this city feels like the gateway to another square. They're all beautiful and the perfect place to people watch with a drink in hand. My favourite was Praça do Comércio which overlooks the river and on to the 25 Abril bridge (what could be a twin for the Golden Gate bridge). It's also another great place for a sunset and to spy the school kids in the uniforms that are rumoured to have inspired JK Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter. Sintra This village is only 30 minutes on the train and well worth a visit if you're a history geek like me. This was where the Royals would spend their summer and the main palace, which looks like something from a Disney film, has been wonderfully preserved.

WHERE TO SHOP

There is no shortage of places to drain your budget in this city and I had to restrain myself a number of times - good thing I only had carry-on luggage! From markets to vintage shops, there is plenty to tempt you. Markets We stayed just around the famous Feira da Ladra or "thieves market" in Alfama which is on every Saturday and Tuesday. Everything under the sun seems to be sold here and there is definitely some diamonds to be found among the rough (not actual diamonds, mind). Another trendier market is the Mercado da Ribeira which has been curated by Time Out. This is a great place to stroll around and grab a bite to eat while having a nosy at all the stalls. LX Factory The LX Factory is a creative island that is found in a once abandoned industrial area of Lisbon. Now the hub is jammed full of galleries, design shops and restaurants that can keep you occupied for a whole afternoon. My sole reason for going was to visit a bookshop I had been lusting over since seeing it on Instagram. Ler Devagar doesn't have a lot of English books but the wall to wall shelves covered in books will make your booklover heart swoon. One tip for the factory: don't go on a Monday since this is the quietest day and a few places may be closed. Vintage If you're a hoarder of vintage clothes then a visit to A Outra Face da Lua is an essential pitstop. The shop has an amazing collection and the design alone will have you coming back again. There is also a wee café inside that serves some tasty snacks including chocolate cake with flakes of salt on top (I may have eaten chocolate cake every day in Lisbon - no lie). My favourite shop had to be A Vida Portuguesa - a shop that filled me with so much joy I wanted to cry a little bit. The walls are crammed with products of Portuguese design and showcases the most beautiful handcrafted goods. Perfect place for some souvenir shopping! I could ramble on forever about everything wonderful Lisbon has to offer but the best advice I can give is to get there to see for yourself. I can imagine it's wonderful in every season but it was the perfect place to escape to for a little winter sun and some much-needed wandering.

Have you ever been to Lisbon?? What was your favourite part of the city?? Share your tips in the comments!!