Sun, surf and pastel de nata = Lisbon

The first snowflakes are falling over my hometown so what a better time than this to remember my trip to sunny Lisbon and cry inside? 😉
So, back at the end of August we embarked on a 4-hour flight from Budapest to Lisbon, where we were going to spend one week at the Surf Office to curate their instagram. You can imagine that I was really excited to see Lisbon again, stuff myself with pastel de nata and do one of my favourite things in the meanwhile: spend time on instagram. 😉

How’d it go, you might ask? Well, you know …uh-mazing! Pastel de nata was everywhere, exactly as I remembered it, the buildings were still covered in colorful tiles shining beautifully in the summer sun, the cute trams were climbing up and down the steep streets with full speed as always and cute colorful laundry was hanging out all over the place as I was expecting.
This was one of those trips you take to a place you’ve already seen before and have a more relaxed approach to the whole visiting thing because you’re not in a rush to check all the touristy important spots anymore. Also known as: we didn’t really visit much this time. We just wandered carelessly the streets of the core area of the city which eventually led to some awesome discoveries in terms of food and drink, mostly. We also met Diana & Edgar, a lovely couple that runs the Where Two Go To travel blog, who kindly took us to dinner at a great local restaurant, off the uber-touristy route. I don’t remember the name of the place, but the food was absolutely delicious! Now that I think of, I ate quite a lot this trip…
But, wait for it!
I also learnt to surf! I LEARNT TO SURF! This was the most exciting part of the whole trip, struggling day after day to climb on the surf board and ride some tiny waves. I don’t remember ever feeling so tired, my face was burning (high five if you also went surfing without sunscreen in summer at least once in your life), my whole body was aching and I could barely move, but I was so eager to wake up in the next morning, roll over from the bed (because every muscle would just refuse working) take the ferry to Cacilhas, wait for Goncalo’s (our instructor) yellow van to pick us up and start it all over again on the beach of Costa da Caparica.
Now, don’t get fooled about my “learnt to surf” statement – doesn’t mean that next you’ll see me ride those beasts that give you spine shivers on youtube! I know, I know, sorry to disappoint, I was hoping for that too, but one step at a time!
Anyways, there’s something about the seaside and water sports that’s so appealing to me. Can’t put my finger on it, but I literally can’t wait to go back and do it again!
As for recommendations, make sure you check out Time Out Market – yea, it’s filled with tourists and the prices are a bit spicy, but the food is great (Pizza a Pezzi has the perfect pizza for a quick bite, but really, the variety of food here will make it hard for you to decide) and I loved the chaotic atmosphere filled with energy.
For a consistent breakfast at almost no price, A Padaria Portuguesa is THE place to go to (thanks to Diana and Edgar for this life-saving tip!).
Some of the best pastel de nata I had: Manteigaria. Here you can also stuck your nose on the protective glass and see how it’s done! (for this recommendation a big thank you to Peter from Surf Office – we might have skipped it hadn’t he told us about it).
I also tried the pan de deus, aka “God’s bread” at a random local cafe. It’s baked, sugary and has coconut, it’s everywhere and gives you a welcome sweet energy boost in the morning.
If you’re looking for a lovely place to work while holidaying or holiday while working – Surf Office is definitely your best pick, more so if you’re looking for a getaway for your whole team! What a better way to do some team-building, holiday and work all at the same time, than in the perfect Lisbon set up?
A hip place you should as well pin point is LxFactory, a former industrial complex that features cool restaurants and bars, awesome design and art shops, galleries and office spaces, long story short, let’s call it a creative island. Plus, from the bar on top – fantastic views of the famous April 25th Bridge (and spotting all the landing airplanes’ bellies).
For surf lessons I cannot recommend Goncalo enough! His passion for surf is contagious and he and his team really took the time to teach us the basics of riding the waves. Not only show us how it’s done, but explaining us everything, encouraging us when we did something right, basically dedicating their whole time and attention so that we got the best out of each lesson. I’m looking forward to improving my skills too with them, hopefully soon before I forget everything I learnt so far :))
So basically, yea, “sun, surf and pastel” sums up my week in Lisbon pretty well 🙂 Read more about my experience in Portugal on the Surf Office blog!
Gosh, how I miss it all already! ♥
Lisbon is truly charming and magical, Deea. Going to Lisbon and not trying Pasteis de Nata is like you haven’t tasted anything, It’s probably the best treat I’ve ever tried. 🙂 What did you like best in Lisbon?
It was actually pastel de nata! 🙈 I also loved the architecture, the weather and the surf! It’s a truly charming place!
Gorgeous photos ! I love this colourful city. I’ve been to Lisbon few times trying to uncover more layers of the city on each visit. Visiting Paris is an experience that every traveler should have. I remember the first time I went there, I spent the day wandering among some of the main attractions, stopping for café and pastel de nata, shopping in some boutique stores and generally loving every corner of this gorgeous city !
You meant Lisbon instead of Paris, no? :)) I can imagine why your mind is wandering to Paris…
Pastel de nata is the BEST!!! 😀
Wow amazing pictures! Lisbon is such a cool city. And the pastel de nata mmmmmmm! Enjoyed reading about your experiences surfing too, it’s something that’s on my bucket list!
Oh, don’t mention the pastel de nata, I’m dieing here! 🙈
Ahh how I would love to learn to surf! Lisbon looks colorful, sunny, and perfect to just wander around and get lost. And the food looks amazing as well. Will definitely go there at some point! Thanks for sharing 🙂
And when you go, try the surfing too! I’m sure you’ll love it ^_^
Amazing pictures !!!
Thank you Emma! Glad you like them ^_^
I have such fond memories of Lisbon, and your photos bring it all back! I agree with you that it’s so nice to return to somewhere you’ve been before, with no pressure to check off particular sights, just time to wander and experience the city. And congratulations on the surfing, it always looks so hard to me!!
Haha, thank you so much Jill! It’s not easy, but it’s fun and feels so rewarding to sit on the beach after a long day of fighting the waves 🙂
Lisbon looks so pretty. Love your photos too.
Thank you Amanda! Glad you like them ^_^