Highlights of the Day
Lisbon has steep hills and cobblestone sidewalks. This makes walking a workout. Fortunately, funiculars offer some relief by transporting passengers up and down slopes. We braved the long wait at the Santa Justa Lift to enjoy its panoramic city views. For lunch, we savored excellent seafood at the popular Ramiro restaurant, though the wait left us starving—lesson learned for next time. Nearby, we strolled through Chinese shops and indulged in Chinese snacks. The day ended with a relaxing visit to a modern art museum, a perfect way to unwind.
Logistics
Accommodation: Lisbon Finestay 8 Building Apartments (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Travel Journal
The Funicular Ride
Portugal is known for its steep hills and cobblestone sidewalks, and navigating these paths can feel like an intense workout. Walking over ten thousand steps daily, often on uphill and downhill routes, has been a great way to stay fit. My husband frequently remarks on how challenging this must be for the elderly. While many dream of retiring in Portugal due to its affordability and excellent healthcare, I can’t help but wonder if the terrain might pose a significant challenge.
Lisbon, however, has a clever solution for its hilly landscape: funiculars. These charming vehicles, painted in a cheerful bright yellow with rounded fronts, help transport passengers between lower and higher ground. Although they don’t eliminate the effort, they make the hills far more manageable. Funiculars were originally powered by water but now run on electricity. Today, we decided to try one for the first time. With our Lisbon tourist pass covering the fare, the experience was both convenient and delightful—like stepping into a comic book scene.
The Santa Justa Lift
Another popular Lisbon attraction is the Santa Justa Lift. I’d heard about its long lines before coming to Portugal, so I was hesitant to visit. But with extra time on our hands today, we decided to give it a go. True to its reputation, the wait stretched to over an hour. The lift itself, though a bit old-fashioned, is spacious and offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Part of the delay seemed to stem from the fact that tickets are sold inside the lift, with the operator doubling as a ticket collector—a process that slows down significantly when someone presents a handful of small bills.
Once we reached the upper level, however, the panoramic city views made the wait worthwhile.
Lunch at Ramiro
For lunch, we headed to Ramiro, a seafood restaurant highly recommended by my niece. By the time we arrived, it was already past 1 p.m., and after grabbing a ticket, we waited over half an hour, famished. Despite the wait, the seafood was outstanding, and we left satisfied, vowing to arrive earlier next time to avoid the hunger pangs.
After lunch, we wandered through the nearby Chinese shops and supermarkets, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere. While Lisbon doesn’t have an official Chinatown, the cluster of Chinese businesses in the area gave it a similar charm. Stepping into a bustling supermarket, we indulged in some Chinese snacks, leaving us feeling both nostalgic and delighted.
In the afternoon, we visited a modern art museum to walk off our indulgent meal. It was a perfect way to unwind, reflect, and let the day’s rich experiences sink in.
We then wandered through the vibrant streets of Lisbon, immersing ourselves in the city’s lively atmosphere. Stopping to capture photos and explore local shops, we enjoyed a truly relaxing and leisurely afternoon.
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