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Before heading to Brazil, we spent a few days in Portugal’s capital. Lisbon is such a charming city, full of rich history and amazing food that we loved. We’d heard about the famous Pasteis de Nata, and to be honest, they’re worth the detour A slightly sweet custard cream in a crust somewhere between filo pastry and puff pastry—perfect for foodies and dessert lovers alike. Codfish, in all its forms, is another Lisbon specialty. Even if you're not a big fan of cod, you should still try the famous pastel de bacalhau—especially from Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau. It's amazing.
We didn’t get the chance to see Lisbon under sunny skies, but even with clouds, the city’s charm stands out with its colorful houses, unique neighborhood layouts, and most importantly, its vintage trams. And yes, it’s called the City of Seven Hills for a reason—Lisbon is full of climbs—but spots like Miradouro da Graça or Senhora do Monte make it worth it, offering stunning views of the city. We spent most of our time in the Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Centro neighborhoods, though two days wasn’t enough to see everything. If anything, we regret not having more time to enjoy the museums, cafés, and bars.
Lisbon has a rich history that’s closely tied to Brazil. In 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral’s fleet set sail from the Belém Tower for India—following Vasco da Gama’s route from 1497—but they got sidetracked and 44 days later stumbled upon what we now call Rio de Janeiro. This marked the discovery of Brazil. Statues around the city highlight Portugal’s connection to Brazil, like those of writers Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa, both important figures in Brazilian culture. But the most significant is the statue of Dom Pedro IV, known in Brazil as Dom Pedro I, who became Brazil’s first emperor under Portuguese rule and declared its independence in 1822. His son, Dom Pedro II, later took over, decentralizing power before the 1889 coup that turned Brazil into a republic.
To wrap it up, we visited the Pantheon, where tributes to Pedro Álvares Cabral and Luís de Camões can be found.
In the end, Lisbon is such a great city. It’s not just about the architecture and modern trams—it’s a place where you really feel the weight of history. It’s definitely worth taking the time to explore.
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