How To Spend A 9-Hour Layover in Lisbon
Are you heading to Europe and passing through Portugal? Here is how to spend a 9-hour layover in Lisbon.
I think most people would say they don’t love the idea of a layover. However, sometimes it’s simply unavoidable, especially when it comes to international flights.
But, in the case of Lisbon, Portugal, seeking a layover in this magical city is not only something to look forward to but one I would actively seek out.
On our recent trip to the French Alps to go skiing, we booked ourselves flights with layovers in Lisbon on our way to Europe and back. Afterward, I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of our trip.
Lisbon is not only a wonderful city to explore, but one of the easiest airports to leave and enjoy a long layover. In another post, I will dive deeper into Lisbon’s insanely easy layover features.
Our first layover in Lisbon was during the day for 9 hours. We landed in the morning and experienced a beautiful day around the city. Here is how we enjoyed it and how you can too.
1. Take An Uber From The Airport & Head To The Alfama Neighborhood
After you land in Lisbon, head through customs and tell the staff you are leaving to explore Lisbon for a layover. The customs people we chatted with were super nice, and this is a common occurrence for travelers coming through Portugal, so I don’t imagine you’ll receive any pushback. We didn’t.
After customs head to the departure area of Terminal 1. This is where they allow for Uber pickups. Once outside, call an Uber to take you into the Alfama neighborhood, which I think is one of the best neighborhoods to visit if you’re short on time.
2. Explore The Alfama Neighborhood
One of the oldest districts in Lisbon, this charming section of the city is filled with local shops, cafes, restaurants, and quaint hilly streets that will make you feel like you’re walking in a fairytale. Being one of the older districts, there is no shortage of extravagant architecture. The area’s buildings are also insanely colorful, with a myriad of structures having the beautiful blue tile that Portugal is known for.
This hilly district also falls along the coastline, so you’ll get to see incredible views of the city and the ocean by just walking around this area. If you do nothing else but walk around Alfama, there is so much to see and you will be happy you spent an afternoon here lazily strolling around.
3. If You Land On A Saturday, Head To “Feira de Ladra”, Lisbon’s Oldest Flea Market
If you happen to land in Lisbon on either a Tuesday or Saturday, you absolutely HAVE to visit Lisbon’s famous flea market, “Feira de Ladra”, also located in Alfama.
One of Lisbon’s oldest markets, the famous market dates back to the 13th century. The name “Feira de Ladra” translates to “Thieves Market,” whether the name refers to actual malfeasance or just a general sense of bargain shopping, I am unsure.
Location: Campo de Santa Clara, Alfama, Lisbon
I loved visiting this market because it gave such an amazing glimpse into Portuguese culture. While I’ve heard the market to be popular among both locals and tourists, it felt like mostly locals were milling around. And differing from many other markets I have been to in other countries, the pieces vendors were selling did not feel like they were mass-produced, but instead incredibly unique goods.
The market is open-air, with vendors setting up throughout the streets to share their goods. While walking around, we saw some incredible vintage leather, furs, and other quality clothes. Also an array of unique trinkets, old cameras, tile, handmade pottery, and much more. If you’re a big thrifter, this market is like hitting the jackpot.
4. Enjoy Lunch At Bistro Terminal In Alfama
There are like a million incredible restaurants in Lisbon, to be sure. But this is where we ate and the food was so fresh and delicious I had to share.
Bistro Terminal is a small cafe we stopped in while walking around Alfama. They served local Portuguese dishes and felt VERY not touristy, which I love.
For lunch, we split a giant octopus salad and a couple beers. If you have never tried octopus, Portugal is definitely the place to try it. Portuguese cuisine is full of fresh seafood loaded with olive oil and garlic, and this dish was insane.
5.Try Portugal’s Staple Fish Pastry, “Pastéis de Bacalhau”
One of the more unique things you’ll try in Portugal and beyond delicious.
“Pastéis de Bacalhau” or “Bolinhos de Bacalhau” is a famous fish pastry in Portugal made from salted and dried codfish. The fish is mashed together with potatoes, parley, onions, and eggs to form a dough-like consistency that is then deep-fried until crispy golden brown.
I ate several of these in Portugal and they were delicious both warm and cold. A bit of lemon is also a fabulous touch. This staple of Portuguese cuisine is a must-try while in the country!
6. Take A Tour Of The Lisbon Cathedral
Also located in Alfama, “Sé de Lisboa” is the oldest church in the city with a rich history and beautiful architecture. The church offers incredible views, overlooking the city and the Tagus River.
For history and architecture buffs, the cathedral was founded in 1147 when it was recaptured by the first King of Portugal, Afonso I. Since then, the cathedral has undergone many renovations and restorations after repeated earthquake damage. As a result of this series of alterations, the church now features a combination of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements.
While the cathedral is magnificent to view from the outside, it is also possible to take a tour of the cathedral. You can both do a self-tour as well as book one with a guide to gain a deeper sense of the history of the building.
The tickets for a self-tour will cost around $5.50 and can be purchased either at the entry to the cathedral or on their website. Events at the cathedral are also on their website if there is an interest in that.
For a guided tour, you could go through Guru Walk for a free tour of the Cathedral and the surrounding Alfama neighborhood. While we didn’t do this, as far as tours go, this one looks like one I would have done. The best part about this tour is that it looks free and is a great opportunity to connect with other travelers and knowledgeable locals. With this being a free tour, the idea is that you tip the guide directly at the end of the tour based on your satisfaction level (GuruWalk says this is typically $10-$50). The tour lasts almost 3 hours and you can request stops along the way with your guide!
7. Walk Along The Oceanfront
To end your layover in Lisbon, I would say that a stroll along the coastline is a must. While the city is a bit high from the beach area and basically on a cliff, there are some beautiful parks, walking areas, and viewpoints that are incredibly stunning and relaxing. This is the road I walked along with my beloved, and we had just the best time soaking in the seaside of Lisbon.
Name of the street: Avenida INF D Henrique
