Days 115-116- Lisbon, Portugal

Weather
Partly Cloudy, low 60's

Map

What we did
Since we were not scheduled to arrive in Lisbon until 1 p.m., Viking chose that morning to host its 5K walk and run event. One of the highlights of this cruise was the number of opportunities to step outside our comfort zone and try something new, and this was a perfect example. Amy signed up and joined the walk while Tom stayed back to photograph the event. More than 120 guests participated, creating a lively and encouraging atmosphere. Walkers set off early at 6:45 a.m., followed by the runners at 8:30 a.m. It turned out to be a fun and energizing way to start the day, and it felt like a meaningful little accomplishment to be part of it.

Our overnight stay in Lisbon gave us two full days to explore, which was just enough time to fall in love with the city.

On our first day, we joined an included tour that introduced us to some of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. We visited the beautiful Belém Tower, the striking Monument to the Discoveries, and the remarkable Jerónimos Monastery. At our final stop, our guide surprised us with warm, freshly baked pastéis de Belém, a rich and custardy dessert that quickly became a favorite. That afternoon, we ended near Avenida da Liberdade, where we enjoyed a light snack and a refreshing sangria. It also gave us the chance to adjust to a small cultural difference. While restrooms in Europe are often cleaner, many public ones require a small fee, and we had not yet picked up local currency.

The next morning, we left the ship around 9 a.m. and hired a private tuk tuk for a more personal way to see the city. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide, Junior, drove us through the winding streets and joined us at several stops, sharing stories and taking photos for us. We were so impressed that we kept his card for a future visit. During the tour, we explored several memorable sites, including Lisbon Cathedral, Portas do Sol, Senhora do Monte, São Vicente de Fora, and the National Pantheon. We also spent time wandering through the charming Alfama district, where narrow streets and colorful tiles reflect the city’s history. Along the way, we learned an interesting story about Lisbon’s famous cobblestones. They were strengthened centuries ago to support the weight of a rhinoceros gifted to King Manuel I, a detail that added a bit of fun to the history.

We ended our tour with a drop off at Taylor Fladgate for a port tasting. The experience felt very personalized, with excellent ports paired with cheese and a delicious pumpkin jam. Afterward, we walked through Alfama and came across a lively pop up market filled with tempting food stalls. Although we were still full from the tasting, we could not resist trying Portugal’s famous cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup, which was the perfect sweet treat.

Lisbon completely won us over. It is a city we are excited to return to, and we are already planning to visit again later this year.