Lisbon's a Blur: Rain, Pastel Buildings, and Seriously Strong Coffee
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and the sheer force of will. i landed in lisbon yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, chaotic, slightly damp lot. the pressure was 1022, humidity’s clinging to me like a second skin - 80% - and it’s feeling like 13.62, with a high of 15.16. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with a book and a ridiculously overpriced espresso, which, let’s be real, is exactly what i’m doing right now.
my flight landed at portela, and immediately i was assaulted by the smell of salt and something vaguely floral. it’s a weird combo, but it’s Lisbon. i grabbed a taxi - a ridiculously small, ancient thing - and just… drove. i didn’t have a plan, which is my favorite kind of plan. i just let the streets guide me.
first stop: alfama. it’s a maze of impossibly narrow streets, pastel-colored buildings stacked on top of each other, and the sound of fado music spilling out from tiny restaurants. it’s seriously intense. i stumbled upon this little place called ‘tasca da estrela’ - someone told me that the bacalhau is legendary, but it was slammed. i ended up with a pastel de nata and a glass of vinho verde. it was perfect.
i overheard some guys at a bar talking about how the best place to see the sunset is from miradouro da guilherme da costa. it’s a bit touristy, yeah, but the view is insane. you can see the entire city spread out before you, with the tagus river shimmering in the distance. i spent a good hour just staring, trying to absorb it all.
i’m trying to find a decent coffee shop. i’m a serious coffee snob, okay? i need my fix. i’ve been checking out Yelp - https://www.yelp.com/ - and it seems like ‘o vento’ is getting good reviews. apparently, they roast their own beans. fingers crossed.
i also checked out TripAdvisor for some recommendations - https://www.tripadvisor.com/ - and they suggested checking out the feira da ladra, a huge flea market that happens every Tuesday and Saturday. i’m planning on hitting that up tomorrow.
if you get bored, porto and coimbra are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of heading over to coimbra tomorrow afternoon. it’s supposed to have this incredible university - the oldest in portugal - and a really cool vibe.
i heard that the locals are pretty laid-back, but also fiercely proud of their city. they’re not exactly welcoming, per se, but they’re definitely not unfriendly. i’m trying to learn a few basic phrases - ‘obrigado’ and ‘por favor’ are my current go-to’s.
i’m staying in a tiny Airbnb in the baixa-chiado district. it’s clean, it’s cheap, and it’s within walking distance of everything. it’s not glamorous, but it’s home for now.
i’m starting to feel like i’m actually living here, even if it’s just for a few days. it’s a weird feeling, but a good one. i just need more coffee. and maybe a nap. and definitely a better map.
i’m going to try and find a good place for dinner. i’m starving.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/is-zapopan-a-good-place-to-live-2026-messy-true-story
- https://votoris.com/post/kazan-fitness-wellness-where-the-tatars-sweat-and-the-cappuccinos-dont-lie
- https://votoris.com/post/what-copenhagens-cobbles-taught-me-a-buskers-guide-to-icons-and-chaos
- https://votoris.com/post/my-sloppy-week-in-ubud-bali-budget-student-style
- https://votoris.com/post/sustainability-in-tabrz-how-green-is-this-urban-space