48h in Vienna on a Budget

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Vienna is an expensive city. Vienna is too big to discover on foot. Vienna cannot be visited in just 48 hours. These were the beliefs I went to the Austrian capital with. When I checked the tourist guides, it seemed to confirm that Vienna was not an ideal place to visit on a student budget. I like to defy the odds, as you know, and was able to visit Vienna for €150 all in during 48 hours.

The first thing I noticed when I reached Vienna in my BlaBlaCar, was that the city looks a lot like Paris. The same grandeur, a similar architectural style alongside wide, tree-lined lanes. Coming from Bratislava the day before, I realized I felt much more comfortable here.

The public transport in Vienna is top notch by the way. I bought a 48h tram card (price: €13,3 in 2016) to find my AirBnb in the St. Marx area and decided I would visit the city for as long as this tram card was valid. You can use the card on the trams, busses, subways (S- and U-bahn). You stamp the card on your first ride and that’s when the clock starts ticking. Go go go!

Because I was so limited on time, I had prepared myself more than usual. I carried with me an old Vienna guide with walking routes I was planning to follow. That didn’t work out as well as I’d planned though. My experience with wandering around freely was harder to suppress than I’d thought possible. What can I say… I am a hopeless wanderer!

Karlsplatz

Karlsplatz was an area that I hadn’t included in my to do list, but because this was the nearest big stop on the metro, I thought it wise to spend my first night it here.

Karlsplatz has a nice square with a magnificent church, Karlskirche. But what impressed me most was the university building, the stark white Technische Hochschule. The streets behind the square are characterized by alternative and art shops. But really, I was just looking for the Naschmarkt. It’s a square with a lot of bars that the Wieners like to go to. During the day, an exotic market sets up camp there.

The reason why I was unable to find the Naschmarkt in the end, is because I wasn’t able to stick to the preprogrammed route from the travel guide. I was too distracted by everything happening around me to read the map properly I guess (or maybe I’m just too blonde?). In the end, I gave up and decided to try again later to find it if I still had time left. With the help of some friendly citizens, I found my way to the world famous Stephansdom. And from there on, I followed my gut!

Stephansplatz

Right away it became clear that I was walking in the right direction. Everyone seems to be going to this place called Stephansplatz. I was following the crowds there, but then I got distracted (again, I know) by the more tranquil Neue Markt and its beautifully lit fountain. After that, I ended up in a big, chic neighborhood and ended up losing my orientation, feeling like I was walking around in circles. How many Louis Vuitton shops can you put in one neighborhood?! There were like ten!

Eventually, I found Stephansplatz. Even if you have never heard of this place before, you know you’re in the right place when you see crowds of people mingling on the square despite the cold temperatures. All just to see the Stephansdom, beautifully lit in early nightfall.

After making a round around the Dom, I had gotten quite hungry. I ended up in a restaurant called Sparky’s where non-smokers were the ones put in a separate room. For real! I had an ok meal for a good price. The waiter also kept returning for a chat. Waiters in Vienna are always so friendly and helpful!

The Grandeur of Vienna

My full day in Vienna started at Café Central, the most traditional coffee house to have breakfast at (according to 100% of the Viennese). Around nine it was already buzzing in there. That shouldn’t surprise anyone as it is a popular place – and not only in the morning! Throughout the day, people are sitting here for hours reading the papers or a book while enjoying a nice cup of “melange”.

That morning, I ordered the traditional “Wiener Frühstück” with a hardboiled egg, croissant and toast, jam and coffee. With a big breakfast under my belt, I was ready to get this day started!

I made another an attempt at following the travel guide (I don’t give up too easily, can you tell?). That’s how I found Michaelersplatz. I almost missed Michaelerkirche, because that’s what the Hofburg does: it claims your full attention. Inside, you’ll find the Spanish Hofreitschule and the Sissi Museum. Because I had limited budget and time, I didn’t go inside, although I was told that you can attend dress rehearsals which are more affordable and worth every penny.

Via the Hofburg I walked towards Heldenplatz. On the way, I admired the horse carriages I passed and wondered why the gardens on the square were so terribly maintained (so unlike Vienna!). Afterwards I heard that a parade had taken place there recently and that’s why all the grass was trampled. I also tried to get into the National Library, but I was told you can’t get in without an entrance badge (although others have told me afterward that they had no issue visiting the place!).

By then I had forgotten all about my travel guide and I had missed a whole part of the route. I stopped caring and followed my own lead again. Oh the sweet taste of freedom! That’s how I found the Volksgarten (which looks just amazing in autumn), passed the Parliament building and ended up in the Rathauspark. Some parts of the park were closed because they were already preparing for the christmas market but I was able to get a glimpse of Vienna’s beautiful town hall. I also clicked some pictures of the mesmerizing autumn colors and enjoyed watching a woman play with her dog. Continuing my stroll, I walked by the Burgtheater, where Antigone by Sophokles was the headline. It caught my eye because I translated the play in my Greek classes in high school. I would have loved seeing this being performed live!

After all this I was starving and exhausted. I tried to use my guide to find a shortcut back to Stephansplatz for lunch. That’s how I encountered a lucky find called Ferstel Passage, a quaint gallery that wasn’t mentioned in any guides. * insert the oh-my-god moment * After briefly exploring the gallery – by then I was almost fainting with hunger – I ended up at the main square.

You’d think I’d have given up following the guide by now seeing as I kept getting lost, but I discovered a few amazing hidden streets thanks to it! With some help of the friendly Wieners I was able to track down the strongly recommended Franziskanersplatz. The square in itself is quite small in size, but it looks super romantic thanks to the beautiful pastel church. Despite its compactness, I kept walking in circles trying to find this one address from the guide but apparently it doesn’t exist anymore (nor does the house number?!). Then I entered the Kleines Café to ask about the mystery building just so I could see the inside and discover if the name did the place any justice. (I won’t spoil it for you. Go check it out when you’re there!)

Student area

By now I was beat. Seeing all of Vienna in 1 day? Who wouldn’t be! But I wasn’t ready to stop just yet. Although I skipped most of the suggested route, I found shortcuts to see the sights I didn’t wanna miss. I concluded that following travel guides might not really be my thing after all. You see, the thing is that when you aimlessly wander around, you can’t get lost, because there’s nowhere you’re supposed to end up. And that is what I enjoy so much!

I walked down the Viennese version of the Spanish steps and, my favorite, the hidden Jewish cemetery “Jüdischer Friedhof Rossau” that you’ll find hidden in the backyard of an elderly home (literally!). The people love it when you greet them politely while walking through the halls to get to the graveyard. Finally, I went inside the Servitenkirche as well but got out again as fast as I could because it seems very unstable inside. It was like I could hear the wooden beams sigh and crack…

When I reached the Sigmund-Freud-park, I went into the first place I saw for a bite and a drink. I deserved it (even though I found out how expensive Vienna can be)! If I had walked a bit further, I could have enjoyed a coffee in one of the nice students bars, but I felt a lot better after devouring that piece of bodding which they wouldn’t have served there…

Belvedere

On my last day in Vienna, I met up with a friend who was studying here. He showed me around the city, visiting some new things as well as places I had already visited. It was nice to catch up after haven’t having seen each other for a year.

First we visited the Belvedere castle, took some pictures and continued our way to a street full of embassies, including the Belgian one. We also went to Schwarzenbergplatz. It has a fountain which is beautifully lit at night with all colors of the rainbow.

That night, I returned to Bratislava, where I’d be catching my flight back home the next morning, in a bright red Audi A5. You can probably imagine how excited I was about my ride if you know that red is my favorite color and Audi one of my favorite car brands. The couple driving spoke Spanish, they were Argentinian and Spanish. Which means I got practice all my languages in one day: Dutch with my friend, Spanish during the Blablacar ride, French in the airports, German in the Airbnb and English in general. How to make the most of everything right :)

Not counting some sights (such as Sissi’s Schönbrunn Palace) I was able to do everything I wanted to in Vienna. Was the trip a success? It sure was!

Budget

Transportation (public + Blablacar): €21.3
Accommodation (Airbnb): €62
Food: €61.1
Souvenirs: €8.5

Total: €152.9

Have you ever been to Vienna? What are your budget tips for the Austrian capital?

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Kopie van Kopie van smoothie

Tips from Locals: What to Eat, See and Do in Porto

Porto is probably the second most popular city in Portugal after Lisbon. Situated in the north west of the country, near the Costa Verde and on the banks of the Douro river, Porto has always been an important harbor. The city is mainly known for the drink that caries its name: port wine (or “porto”). It’s a bit too strong for me, but you can’t leave Porto without tasting its most important beverage.

When I was in Porto, I stayed one night in an Airbnb. The host, a local from the city, offered me a glass of port wine upon arrival and gave me all his best tips for what to eat, see and do in Porto.

Tips from Locals: What to Eat, See and Do in Porto

Passeio das Virtudes

You will find the Passeio das Virtudes near the Jardim das Virtudes park, which consists of several layers of terraces and offers great views over the river. The Passeio is a popular hangout place for local couples and groups of friends during sunset hour.

Vila Nova de Gaia

The coastal town across the river from Porto is called Vila Nova de Gaia. The two places are connected by the bridge Ponte de Dom Luis. Vila Nova de Gaia is the epicenter of all port wines. Logically, it’s here you need to go for elaborate tasting sessions. You’ll also go here for cosy terraces with a view on Cais da Ribeira, the colorful facades you often see on postcards from Porto. From the gondolas of the Téléferic, which takes you all the way up to the Monasteria, you have an amazing view over the both the cities.

Conga

A typical dish from Porto is bifana. It’s basically a crusty bread roll stuffed with thinly sliced pork and a light but spicy sauce. The secret recipe of the sauce is key in this dish. Conga is the place to go for bifanas so I was told by my host. The snackbar was founded in 1976 and you’ll only see locals frequenting the place. When I wen to try the famous dish, people looked like they had seen a ghost. Maybe they thought I’d got lost?

Guarany

The historical restaurant Guarany is located near Avenida dos Aliados. Just like Café Majestic, it is one of the oldest cafés / restaurants of the city, only my host says that Guarany you get more value for money here. Whether you sit inside or outside doesn’t really make much of a difference, that’s totally up to you. My host said this is the ideal location to try another typical dish though: francesinha. Basically it’s a sandwich with ham, linguiça, fresh sausage, steak or roasted meat. Everything is covered with melted cheese and some kind of tomato sauce. You get fries on the side and ideally a fresh beer.

Santini

Near Guarany, you could pay a visit to Santini for dessert. They’re supposed to have the best ice cream in town! I know I savored mine :-)

Confeitaria do Bolhão

Amongst the oldest and most popular coffee shops you can also find Confeitaria do Bolhão. The shop is situated across from the entry of Mercado do Bolhão and it’s always crowded. I didn’t get a single chance to try their famous coffee or cakes. Why don’t you give it a shot? You might get lucky.

Rua dos Martires da Liberdade

The locals go to Tashinha or Mirita for pre-gaming. The Rua dos Martires da Liberdade are always vibrant and crowded over the weekend because of the cheap drinks and buzz.

Galerias de Paris

Once you’re really ready to party the night away, you can tag along with the locals to Galerias de Paris. These are two parallel streets lined with clubs. It’s the main party area of Porto.

Museo d’Avo

No, museums don’t often make it into my recommendation lists. Unless they’re special. And this place is a restaurant gone museum. You can see several Portuguese dishes and… you can taste them too! You’ll find this tapas restaurant in Travessa de Cedofeita. It’s quite a romantic setting with authentic foods to try.

Thanks for reading till the end! Do you also prefer tips from locals over tourist guidebooks? Do you try local dishes while traveling to new places?

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What to Do in Paris When It Rains

Last year in May, I went to Paris for 48 hours. It was my first time where it was raining almost all of the time. I really wanted to dive into Montmartre a bit more, but due to the cold, wet weather that was not really the best option.

Despite the weather I had a pretty fun weekend! I’ve done a lot of new things and visited a lot of places I hadn’t been before. Aside from all the touristic attractions, here is an overview to inspire you with things to do in Paris when it rains.

What to Do in Paris When it Rains

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This neighborhood is considered to be one of the more upper class neighborhoods of Paris. This is also the reason why I never gave this area much thought before. However, this is the perfect place to discover when it rains!

Step inside the beautiful Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés for example, which is surprisingly colorful inside. There’s also the Saint-Sulpice, best known for its role in The Da Vinci Code. The rose line, which leads to the holy grail, ends in this church! Notice the gorgeous square in front of the monument as well. Especially, in May, when fresh flowers are blooming on the trees.

Wander around in the streets of the neighborhood as well. Art lovers and fashionistas will love it here! Personally, I really enjoyed Rue Guisarde. It reminded me of Temple Bar in Dublin somehow. Make sure to stop by Rue de Furstemberg as well, which ends at the oldest roundabout in Paris: Place Furstemberg.

Coincidentally, I bumped into Hôtel Monnaie deParis, the money museum, where an exposition of an Indian artist called Shubodh Gupta was taking place. He uses everyday objects from the Indian kitchen and streetscape in his work. The main eye-catchers were the skull Very Hungry God and the People Tree. Both were made out of the typical stainless steel tools from Indian kitchens. It was all very clever and I liked that I could understand the work at a deeper level because I have been immersed so deeply into the Indian culture myself.

Finally, if it’s raining hard, go “hide” in the local Harrods of Paris: Le Bon Marché. The iconic stairs you may have spotted in the newest music video of Stromae, who is also selling his exclusive clothing line here. For lunch I had a delicious sandwich from the food department in the department store.

Musée des Arts Forains

The Pavilions of Bercy consist of four halls. They used to serve as wine storage, but are now home to authentic fun fair rides from the nineteenth and twentieth century.

The fun fair museum of Paris is an event hall with space for 40 to 4000 guests. You can visit the museum as a tourist for €16 per adult (May 2018). Beware you have to make a reservation ahead of time! You can only visit the museum with a guide. A group consists of 25-30 people. This is a bit much, considering that not everyone can participate in all the attractions.

Did I even mention you can actually test out the rides? How cool is that!

Especially due to the bad weather, this was the ideal activity during the rain. It’s nicely warm inside and the dimmed lights make you lose track of time. Nevertheless, I think visiting the museum during a sunny day will be a whole different experience as well. I assume that the little houses on the roads connecting the halls will be open and involved in the experience as well.

My group consisted mainly of French families with kids. The guide spoke very little English (and very fast French!). The four Australians in my group didn’t get much out of the few things that were said in English in the end. Something to keep in mind! But, you know, in the end speaking unicorns, hot air balloons in the shape of an elephant and merry-go-rounds powered by bicycles are fun in itself, no? :)

Bron: Europe by rail

Le Marais

Especially known for the Place des Vosges and the Jewish neighborhood, many others like me have visited this area as a must visit tourist attraction. It’s so much fun hopping in and out of shops – perfect for when it rains if you ask me!

But have you ever heard of the Rue Crémieux? You might not have! This colorful little street is located at walking distance from the Gare de Lyon and is relatively undiscovered till now. This might be because it is not clearly indicated on the map of Paris. When you get into the cobblestoned street, you immediately forget you are in Paris. Actually it reminded me more of the pictures I’ve seen from Burano (Venice) or my own visit to Portobello in London, or Colmar in France.

When you walk back to the Gare de Lyon, look up and notice the beautiful, giant clock tower.

During my weekend in rainy Paris, I also popped by the shopping center BHV, which is quite well known in Paris. Personally, I liked Le Bon Marché more, but might as well visit both on rainy days right! :)

I had my lunch at Yummy & Guilt-free, which I discovered while randomly walking around. You can order normal and gourmet waffles, all gluten-free. There’s not much place to sit – I really got lucky! When the weather is better, you can definitely consider having your waffle by the Seine for example.

Square du Vert Galant & Place Dauphine

Not everyone realizes this, but there are two islands in the middle of the Seine: Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité. On the last one Paris was founded in the middle ages. No doubt you’ve been here if you’ve ever been to Paris, since the Notre Dame is located here.

On the other side of the island, though, you’ll find two lovely squares: one is an oasis of green and the other super cosy with cute pink flowers.

Square du Vert Galant is located at one end of the Île de la Cité and is truly a green oasis in the middle of the city. It must be a great picknick spot in the summer. When you follow the signed towards the Seine cruises, you’ll also find the entrance to the park. It’s actually quite romantic when the sun’s out and the trees are freshly blooming in spring. From the outmost tip of the island you have a great view on the Louvre and the Hôtel de la Monnaie.

Climbing back up the stairs, head over the nearby triangular square Place Dauphine. Even though it was pretty cold in the morning when I first came here, it was dry at least. Despite the clouds I also got my first rays of sunshine.

Aside from Place des Vosges, this is the second royal square of Paris. And I do believe it has that “royal air” to it. I loved the pink flowers that were blooming so beautifully in May and I thought it color-blocked beautifully with the pastel colors of the residences around the square.

Paris in the rain can definitely still be fun! Hopefully, these tips will help you to make most of it.

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Scotland: Edinburgh vs. Glasgow

You know what one of my biggest travel dreams is? To rent a car and go on a road trip in Scotland. Roam around in the hills and lakes, discover quaint towns and villages…

Unfortunately, the last time I was in Scotland I was too young to be able to rent a car, but one day I’m sure it’ll happen! So instead, I took Megabus to visit Edinburgh and Glasgow, two of the biggest cities in the north of the UK.

A first fact: even though Glasgow is bigger population-wise, Edinburgh has been the official capital of Scotland since 1437. You may know this by now: the desire of Scotland to become independent from Great Britain is great. It was already tangible when I went a few years ago. The main example I can give you is money. Scotland has its own coins and notes, which are valid in England and Wales, just like British pounds are accepted in Scotland. Nevertheless, in London shopkeepers were sometimes hesitant to accept my Scottish pounds…

One thing you need to remember when going to Scotland: beware not to call the Scottish English or British (like I did a few times by accident)!

Another thing to prepare for: the question which you like more, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

For me the answer is clear now: I’d choose Edinburgh any day!

5 reasons why I prefer Edinburgh vs. Glasgow

Edinburgh has this amazing old town, which is my favorite part of the city. All my favorite spots are located here and combined they are the reason why I prefer Edinburgh over Glasgow. The new town of Edinburgh is more modern and can simply be summarized as: pubs in Rose Street, shopping in Princess Street and its parallel streets, and art galleries in the remaining areas.

Let’s look into the 5 reasons why I’d choose Edinburgh!

1. Cosy streets with authentic looking houses and squares

My traveling style is mostly outdoors. I don’t like museums, I like to see the history of a place reflected outside in the streets. In a city like Edinburgh, you can literally breath in years of history. It was the first time in my life I really felt that I was in Great Britain, a feeling you don’t really get in London in my opinion.

**2. Edinburgh is located between beautiful hills and near the coast**

If people ask me to choose between two big cities in the same country, I’ll (subconsciously) always prefer the one near water. I’d choose Barcelona over Madrid, Antwerp over Brussels, and Edinburgh over Glasgow. I also took half a day to climb towards Arthur’s Seat, which was quite a nice workout and gave me a beautiful panoramic view over the area.

3. Everything has a story

What I always try to do, is see a new city in an unique way. By hanging out with locals, this can work out pretty great! My couch surfing host set me up with a lot of interesting stories. I don’t know how many are real, but isn’t that always the case with urban legends? For example, in the picture below, you see Greyfriar’s Bobby. Rub over his nose for good luck! If you look closely, you’ll see that thousands of people before you did the same!

greyfriar edinburgh scotland

4. Edinburgh is home to J.K. Rowling!

The Elephant House in Edinburgh is the café where Rowling wrote most of her first Harry Potter novel. Edinburgh is the city who inspired her and the city she never left.

Of course I had to visit the café, being the die-hard Harry Potter fan I used to be (and still am a little bit, I have to admit)! Getting a table in this place is anything but a piece of cake. Frankly, though, don’t go for the quality of the coffee. But if you do go, make sure to give the bathroom a visit (but keep an eye on the time so you don’t sit there for fifteen minutes without realizing!).

5. Fairytale castles and fun pubs at The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s main street. Located in the old town, it is one of my favorite streets in Western Europe. At one end, you have Edinburgh Castle (on Castle Rock), where every day at 1PM you’ll hear the One O’clock Gun. At the other end you’ll find Queen’s Gallery, which is a castle seemingly coming straight out of a fairytale. On the Mile itself you’ll also find the famous pub The World’s End. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go inside, but I did feel like mentioning it.

Now, tell me, which is your favorite: Edinburgh or Glasgow?

Zonnige zaterdag in Bokrijk in foto’s

Toen ik werd uitgenodigd voor een sessie pottenbakken zei ik meteen ja: dat heb ik altijd al eens willen doen! Toen ik ontdekte dat de sessie zou plaatsvinden in Bokrijk, het openluchtmuseum en beschermd natuurgebied, was ik dubbel zo blij. Het mag dan wel een standaardlocatie zijn voor schoolexcursies, maar ik was er nog nooit geweest.

Zaterdagochtend vroeg reden we in de richting van Genk, waar het domein Bokrijk zich bevindt. Terwijl we wachtten op de start van de sessie pottendraaien zeiden we dag tegen de varkentjes en geitjes. Nu, ik ben nooit goed geweest in knutselen en ik heb blijkbaar ook twee linkerhanden als het hierop aankomt. Gelukkig heb ik toch een leuke schaal en een vaasje kunnen vormen uit klei die ik kan meenemen als souvenir nadat ze gebakken zijn in de hoogoven.

When I was invited for a pottery class I immediately said yes: I’ve always wanted to try this! When I discovered that the session was taking place at Bokrijk, the open air museum and nature reserve, I was twice as happy. It may be a standard destination for school excursions, but I’d never been there till then.

Early Saturday morning we drove in the direction of Genk, where the domain is located. While waiting for the class to start, we said hello to some pigs and goats. Frankly, I have never been good at art-like activities and apparently, when it comes to pottery, I also have two left hands. Fortunately, I was able to create a nice bowl and a small vase out of the clay. After they’ve been baked I’ll be able to take them home as a souvenir.

Bokrijk is meer dan pottenbakken…

In de namiddag scheen de zon en hadden we nog tijd voor een wandeling rond het domein dat is opgedeeld in 4 gebieden:

Haspengouw: acteurs in de rol van dorpsbewoners geven je een idee hoe het was om te leven in het jaar 1913 op het Vlaamse platteland.

Kempen: vakmanschap staat hier centraal en acteurs in rol van vakmensen laten je zien hoe je moet mandenvlechten, ijzer smeden, brood bakken en… pottendraaien.

Oost- en West-Vlaanderen: maak een rustige wandeling in ongelofelijk mooi natuurgebied en klim naar boven in de Duiventoren voor een uitzicht over het prachtige vijvergebied van Limburg.

De Sixties: deze expo ter ere van 60 jaar Bokrijk neemt je mee naar het leven in de jaren ’60 aan de hand van decors met originele objecten en bronnen uit deze tijd.

En om af te sluiten zijn hier mijn favoriete beelden van mijn dagje Bokrijk, allemaal genomen met mijn iPhone deze keer :)

In the afternoon the sun was shining and we had some time left for a walk around the domain. There are four areas:

Haspengouw: here actors play the role of town civilians to give you an impression of what life was like in 1913 in the Flemish countryside.

Kempen: craftsmanship is the central topic here and the actors take up the role of professional basket weavers, smiths, bakers and… potters.

East and West Flanders: go for a relaxing stroll in this incredible (protected) nature reserve and climb up the Pigeon Tower to enjoy the amazing view over the beautiful lake area of Limburg.

The Sixties: this expo celebrates 60 years Bokrijk and takes you back to the sixties using original objects and sources to recreate this time period as realistically as possible.

And to finish things of, here are my favoriete pictures from my day trip to Bokrijk, all taken by iPhone :)

Zonnige zaterdag in Bokrijk in foto’s

Oh ja, en hier is natuurlijk het resultaat van het pottenbakken! Oh, and of course here is the result of my pottery class!

10 Musts voor je eerste bezoek aan Lissabon

Lissabon is een stad met een eigen karakter. Het is een levendige, culturele bestemming dat ongelofelijk veel te bieden heeft. Hier beleefde ik trouwens ook mijn eerste Couchsurfing ervaring.

Tijdens mijn Erasmus in Barcelona ging ik op city trip naar Lissabon, mijn eerste keer in de stad en in Portugal zelf. (Pas nadat ik er was aangekomen besefte ik dat er een uurverschil is, haha!) Tijdens mijn drie dagen in Lissabon heb ik de belangrijkste dingen kunnen meepikken. En dat waren deze tien musts die je absoluut niet mag missen!

Lisbon is a city with its own character. Being a lively, cultural destination, it has a lot to offer. By the way, my first couchsurfing experience actually happened here!

During my Erasmus in Barcelona, I flew over to Lisbon for a city trip. It was my first time in the city. Well, in Portugal, too. (And only after I landed I realized there was a time difference of one hour, haha!) I stayed in Lisbon for three days and was able to visit the most important sights. Here are the ten musts you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Lisbon!

10 Musts voor je eerste bezoek in Lissabon

1. Escadinhas de São Cristovão

In de Mouraira wijk vind je de iconische trappen Escadinhas de São Cristóvão. De muurschilderingen zijn een eerbetoon aan de fado die hier is ontstaan. Er hebben verschillende kunstenaars aan meegewerkt die in de straat zelf wonen en dus elke dag hun eigen werk kunnen bewonderen.

In the Mouraira neighborhood, you’ll find the iconic Escadinhas de São Cristóvão stairs. The murals in this street are a tribute to the fado music which was founded here. Different artists, all living in this same street, worked together on the graffiti. And every day, they get to enjoy their own work.

2. Tram 28

De gele Tram 28 neemt je mee doorheen verschillende wijken in Lissabon. Het is een echte must voor toeristen en daardoor kunnen de wachttijden in de piekseizoenen hoog oplopen. Zelf ben ik opgestapt aan Martim Moniz en uitgestapt boven op de heuvel in de Alfama wijk. Het kost €2,9 als je een ticket koopt aan boord. Oppassen voor dieven!

The yellow Tram 28 takes you for a ride around different neighborhoods of Lisbon. It’s a must-do for tourists and therefore the waiting lines can get very long in the high season. I boarded at Martim Moniz and got off on top of the hill in the Alfama neighborhood. Buying a ticket on the tram will set you back €2,9. Beware of pickpockets!

3. Feira de Ladra

Als je boven in Alfama uit de tram stapt en je weg vervolgt naar beneden, kom je onderweg aan je linkerkant een mooie kerk tegen met daarachter de dievenmarkt. Deze heet zo omdat er superveel pickpockets rondhangen! Leuk om er eens rond te neuzen. Je komt er de gekste dingen tegen! Bovendien is het nog relatief onontdekt door het grote publiek!

Get off the tram up in Alfama and make your way back down. On your left, you’ll see a pretty church and behind it you’ll discover Feira de Ladra, the thiefs market. This bi-weekly flea market is called this way because of the great number of pickpockets hanging around this place. It’s a fun market to wander around in. And most importantly: it’s relatively undiscovered by the big crowds!

4. City lights gezien vanuit het vliegtuig

Toen ik naar Lissabon vloog, was het al donker toen ik aankwam. En wat een uitzicht! Lissabon is een van de mooiste verlichte steden die ik ooit al uit een vliegtuig gezien heb. Echt waar! Probeer een van je vluchten zeker ’s avonds te plannen en reserveer je stoel naast het raam. (Jammer genoeg zijn mijn foto’s echt té slecht om hier te plaatsen. Het zal dus een verrassing voor je zijn!)

When I was on my flight to Lisbon, it was already dark outside upon arrival. What a view, though! Lisbon is by far one of the most beautifully lit cities I’ve ever seen from a plane. Try to make one of your flights here a night flight. Oh, and take the window seat, of course! (Unfortunately, my pictures are way too bad to post here. I guess the view will remain a complete surprise for now!)

5. Belém

Volgens mij kan je wel zeggen dat enkele van de belangrijkste bezienswaardigheden van Lissabon in het westen liggen en meer bepaald in Belém. Je kan de bus of de tram nemen om erheen te gaan. Bekijk zeker Torre de Belém (naar binnen gaan kost meer dan het waard is), overweeg een pasteis de nata te proeven bij Pasteis de Belém (het bestaat al sinds 1837!) en bewonder het Monument of Discoveries. Rust even uit op de oevers van de Taag rivier.

I think I can safely say that some of the most important sights of Lisbon are located in Belém. Take the tram or bus to get there. Make sure to take a look at the Torre de Belém (but don’t go inside, it costs a lot more than its worth), consider trying the typical pasteis de nata at Pasteis de Belém (which exists since 1837!), and admire the Monument of Discoveries. Relax for a while on the banks of the river Taag.

6. Praça de Comercio

Een van de grootste pleinen van Europa ligt hier in Lissabon: Praça de Comercio. Vroeger was een belangrijke locatie in Portugal om handel te drijven. Verken het plein en ontdekt alle leuke details.

One of Europe’s biggest squares can be found right here in Lisbon: Praça de Comerio. It used to be a place of great importance to Portugal, as it was a main gateway for trade. Wander around and discover all the details of this huge square.

7. Rossio Plein & Station

In hartje Lissabon ligt een plein zoals ik er nog geen ander heb gezien: het Rossio plein. Spring zeker eens binnen in het gelijknamige station, dat er trouwens meer uit ziet als een stadhuis dan als een station. Hier neem je de trein naar Sintra, de ideale dagtrip vanuit Lissabon. Je bent er op een half uur en betaalt een paar euro heen en terug.

In the heart of Lisbon you’ll bump into the one of a kind Rossio Square. Pop in to the Rossio train station as well (which, by the way, looks more like a town hall than a station). If you wanna go to Sintra, here’s where you catch your thirty-minute ride. It’s just a few euros for a return ticket.

8. Chiado & Bairro Alto

Chiado is de populaire shoppingbuurt. Het is een geliefde plek voor kunst, literatuur en good food liefhebbers. Loop zeker eens door Rua Garret en Avenida de Liberdade en kijk of je een plaatsje vindt bij A Brasileira, een van de oudste cafés in de wijk. Naar Bairro Alto ga je voornamelijk om ’s avonds een stapje in de wereld te zetten.

Chiado is the popular shopping area of Lisbon. It is a favored place for art, literature and good food. Stroll down the Rua Garret and Avenida de Liberdade, and see if you can get a seat at A Brasileira, one of Chiado’s oldest cafés. If you want to hit the town at night, Bairro Alto is the place to go!

9. Panorama uitzicht vanaf Castelo de San Jorge

Hoewel de ruïnes van Castelo de San Jorge op zich al de moeite van een bezoek waard zijn, ging ik vooral voor het uitzicht over de rivier Taag en de rode daken van de stad. Het kasteel bevindt zich op een hoge heuvel in de Alfama wijk en overleefde amper de zware aardbeving van 1755 die destijds vernieling zaaide in de stad. Nu is het kasteel grotendeels gerestaureerd.

Even though the ruins of the San Jorge Castle are worth a visit in their own right, I mostly went to enjoy the view over the river Tagus and the red roofs of the city. The castle is located on a high hill in Alfama and barely survived the earthquake of 1755 which caused so much destruction all over Lisbon. Now, the castle is mostly restored to its former glory.

10. Elevador de Santa Justa

Een andere manier om van het uitzicht over Lissabon te genieten, is door de Santa Justa lift te nemen. De constructie werd in de 19de eeuw gebouwd uit smeedijzer en afgewerkt in neogotische stijl. De bedoeling is wandelaars snel en efficiënt naar de kerk te brengen op de Carmo heuvel, maar vandaag genieten toeristen dus vooral van het uitzicht. Een retourtje in de lift kost iets meer dan €5. Als je een 24-uurs ticket neemt voor het publiek transport in plaats van de ViaViagem kaart, dan is een ritje met de lift inbegrepen (maar niet het uitkijkplatform).

Another way to enjoy panoramic views over Lisbon, is by going up in the Santa Justa elevator. It was constructed in the 19th Century, built out of wrought iron and designed in neo-gothic style. The original purpose was to make it easy for visitors of the Carmo church the go up the Carmo hill, but today it’s mainly tourists going up to enjoy the view. A return ride costs a little more than €5. If you have a 24h ticket for Lisbon’s public transport, than you can take the ride for free (but you’ll still have to pay the fee for the viewing platform).

Ten slotte zijn hier nog enkele tips om het meeste uit je trip te halen.

Getting around

De goedkoopste verbinding tussen de luchthaven en het centrum is de metro: je koopt een Viva Viagem kaart voor 50 cent en laadt een bedrag op naar gelang hoe vaak je de kaart wenst te gebruiken.

The cheapest connection between the airport and the city center is the subway. Buy a Viva Viagem card for 50 cents and top it up with a certain amount of money (depending on how often you’re planning to use it).

Time difference

Ik heb het eerder al vermeld, maar je kan dus best de klok een uurtje terugdraaien als je vanuit de Brusselse tijdszone vertrekt.

I’ve mentioned it above, but you might wanna consider turning the clock back one hour coming from the Brussels timezone.

Bring the right shoes

Lissabon is gebouwd op heuvels. En de straten zijn meestal aangelegd met kasseien. Hou hier dus rekening mee en laat je hoge hakken misschien best thuis :)

Lisbon was built on hills. And most roads are covered with cobblestones. So keep this in mind and maybe leave your high heels home :)

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Kopie van smoothie

Wat te doen in Parijs als het regent

Visit my Instagram page to get inspired in English!

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Tijdens het weekend van 1 mei was ik 48 uur in Parijs terug te vinden. Het was de zevende keer dat ik er op reis ging en de eerste keer in de regen. In mijn gidsen over Parijs kon je al lezen dat ik zelf graag een keer de Promenade Plantée zou bewandelen, Belleville zou verkennen en Montmartre verder ontdekken, maar door het koude, natte weer zat dat er niet echt in.

Eigenlijk heb ik best een leuk weekend gehad! Ik heb heel veel dingen gedaan en plekken bezocht waar ik nog niet eerder was geweest. Alle populaire toeristische attracties achterwege gelaten, is hier een overzicht dat je kan inspireren wat te doen in Parijs als het regent.