Lisbon… Day 2
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things.”
Robert Brault has a great point when it comes to travel. Travelling has this incredible way of teaching you to pause - to notice the light falling differently on a new city, to taste food slowly, to watch a moment rather than rush through it. On this trip to Lisbon, with the heat pressing down and the days passing quickly, I found myself stopping more often to appreciate the small things: the shade of a palm tree, the smile of someone grateful for a seat, and the unexpected joy of seeing puffins for the very first time.
The sun shone brightly through the green balcony doors this morning, casting light across the Lisbon skyline. From our top-floor room, the city already looked alive, but inside it was calm and still. The thick doors kept the bustle outside, making it hard to believe we were right in the heart of the city.
The forecast was a scorching 37 °C, so today’s plan was to stay mostly indoors, avoid the midday sun, and keep hydrated. After a shower, packing our day bags, and covering ourselves in plenty of sun cream, it was time to head out.
STOP 1 — Breakfast
The hotel’s breakfast room was small but packed with choices. We filled our plates with fresh pancakes and buttery croissants topped with strawberry jam - just the carb boost we needed for the heat ahead - and washed it all down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
I happily gave breakfast a 5/5 - and yes, I went back for seconds. From my seat, I watched vendors setting up fruit and vegetable stalls for the farmers’ market outside. A beautiful reminder of how much life Lisbon carries in the early hours. We promised ourselves we’d visit the market one morning before heading home.
STOP 2 — The Journey
With full stomachs, we made our way to the nearby bus stop. The streets were just starting to wake: sleek electric buses hummed past, trams rattled through, and one of Lisbon’s classic yellow trams appeared - something I’d set my heart on riding before we left.
The bus journey itself was smooth and simple, following the riverside where sunlight bounced off the water. At one point, we passed two enormous cruise ships docked at the port. The ride wasn’t without drama, though - a heated exchange broke out when someone tried boarding through the wrong door, but the driver stayed calm. A reminder that when travelling, it pays to respect local customs - they may not always be the same as at home.
Further along, two elderly ladies stepped aboard. We gave up our seats, and after about 25 minutes, we arrived at our stop: the Oceanário de Lisboa.
STOP 3 — A Park That Wasn’t
As we were early for our timed tickets, we decided to explore what looked like a park nearby. The uphill walk in 30-plus degree heat was intense - we dashed between patches of shade and drank constantly.
When we finally arrived, we realised it wasn’t a park at all, but a cemetery. We found a shady corner to sit quietly before making our way back down towards the aquarium.
STOP 4 — Oceanário de Lisboa
Back near the entrance, we stumbled upon a lovely open plaza with a fountain, café, and even a cinema tucked beneath the aquarium ramp. We paused for a drink and a pastel de nata at Restaurante Sea the Future - deliciously soft and creamy, worth an 8/10.
Then it was time. Inside, cool air conditioning greeted us, and immediately, we were met with the sight of the enormous central tank. Rays glided past, sharks circled, shoals of fish shimmered, and other creatures drifted lazily along the bottom.
Around the sides, smaller exhibits revealed jellyfish, seahorses, starfish, and sea plants. And then came the biggest surprise: puffins! My partner’s favourite bird, and one we had never seen in real life. Cameras out, we couldn’t stop smiling. Penguins waddled nearby in another section.
The otters were missing at first (asleep, apparently), but later on the lower level, we finally saw them swimming playfully. We stood watching for at least ten minutes, completely absorbed.
There were information stands explaining how each species survives in the wild, and even a short film about fishermen and the marine food chain.
We both agreed: Oceanário de Lisboa gets a 10/10. You could easily lose yourself here for a whole day.
STOP 5 — Riverside Wanders
Back outside, the heat was heavy, but we wandered through fountains and stepping-stone ponds, discovering little corners hidden behind waterfalls. Along the riverbank, benches shaded by palm trees offered the perfect spot to rest and cool down.
Eventually, we headed back to the bus station. The shelter roof was decorated with aquatic designs, but being transparent, it let the sun pour through. Those ten minutes felt like thirty!
Back at the hotel, we showered, recharged, and began flicking through Jorge’s list of restaurant recommendations - ready to see where the evening would take us.
STOP 6 — Bookstore & Dinner Hunt
After reviewing Jorge’s list, we decided on a restaurant and set out into the city centre. As it wasn’t open for another half hour, we wandered the shopping district instead.
That’s when we came across a Guinness World Record holder: the world’s oldest bookstore, Livraria Bertrand - Chiado. The exterior was covered in intricate blue tiles, bursting with Lisbon’s charm and colour. Inside, a long tunnel-like corridor stretched to the back, with books stacked in themed sections, ending at a cosy café. Beautiful, authentic, and quietly magical.
Back outside, we dipped in and out of shops as we made our way to the Santa Justa Lift. Thinking the queue might have thinned by evening, we turned the corner - only to find the line still stretched down the stairs and around the block!
By now, it was almost time for the restaurant to open. We checked the menu inside but didn’t get a great vibe: limited options, a staff atmosphere that felt off, and prices that didn’t feel worth it. So we pressed on down the hill - and what a discovery!
A whole street lined with restaurants, alive with chatter, clinking glasses, and tables spilling out onto the pavement. It instantly felt welcoming, and after checking a menu at one place, Maria Catita, we both agreed this was the spot.
Inside, the air conditioning was bliss. We ordered steaks, relaxed into the cosy atmosphere, and enjoyed an evening of good food and great service. 10/10 — highly recommended.
STOP 7 — Evening Stroll
Dinner finished, we set off back towards the hotel, walking off our meal under a sky painted orange, yellow, and blue by the setting sun. Trams rattled past, buses whirred, and cars weaved through the wide avenue.
Then, the road opened onto a vast square where a statue stood in the centre, gazing down toward the magnificent Lisbon Arch. With the colourful, glowing sky behind it, it was a sight that demanded a photo.
The streets along the way revealed even more hidden gems: statues tucked into corners, a lively little nightlife street strung with bright lights, and tiny restaurants humming with energy.
As I walked, I found myself reflecting - thirty years on this planet, and life still manages to surprise me. These little discoveries, these moments in between, are the true magic of travel.
We popped into a corner shop for snacks and drinks before heading back to the hotel. My final night of being 29. I thought back on all the adventures of the past year - and the many before that.
Tomorrow would mark a new decade. I couldn’t sleep, too excited, like a child before their birthday. But what better way to turn 30 than in Lisbon?
