I'm an American who visited Portugal for the first time. The affordability and walkability of Lisbon blew me away.

When I visited other European cities, it sometimes took me a while to find my bearings and figure out how to get around. However, Lisbon felt much smaller and easier to navigate.

For reference, Lisbon is around 33 square miles, which is smaller than Paris (around 41 square miles), Rome (around 500 square miles), and London (around 600 square miles).

Even though Lisbon is almost as big as Paris, it felt smaller since everything was so close together.

Almost all of the destinations on our itinerary were within walking distance from where we stayed or just a short ride away from our hotel. The furthest spot we visited in Lisbon was a 25-minute drive away.

Lisbon is divided into several different neighborhoods, and I had no trouble telling each one apart.

Baixa is a central neighborhood that's home to popular attractions like Restauradores Square, Praça do Comércio, and Rossio; Bairro Alto has some of the city's best nightlife spots; and Chiado is the go-to area for great shopping and beautiful public squares. All of them were worth a visit.

In addition to the above neighborhoods, my other favorites were Alfama and Belém. Tourists should visit each area to take in its unique beauty and ambiance. I found it super interesting to compare their similarities and differences.

Overall, Lisbon didn't feel like New York in the slightest, especially without all the honking and other noises. But I adored the European city's colorful buildings and the way its neighborhoods all intertwined.

Before you decide where to stay in Lisbon, it's important to research the city's different neighborhoods, especially if you plan on walking everywhere.

I chose the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in the Marquês de Pombal neighborhood because it was within walking distance of Baixa and Chiado. Plus, my room had a gorgeous view of the city.

Places were even closer than they seemed on the map. On our first day in Lisbon, the hotel concierge told us to take a taxi to Chiado and Rossio. However, we decided to walk and ended up arriving in less than 30 minutes.

As someone who's always on their feet in New York, this journey was a breeze compared to the daily walks I take with my dog. However, the city is hilly, and walking for too long can be brutal. There's no shame in taking a car back.

Also, Lisbon has a prominent nightlife scene. So if you don't plan on going out or don't want to hear music blasting all night long, you might want to stay in a quieter area.

We visited in February, which is considered Lisbon's winter and offseason. It was the perfect time to go.

The city was less crowded than it would've been during the summer season, but the weather was still warm enough on several days of our trip that we could wear light jackets or short-sleeve shirts.

My trip to Lisbon was more affordable than my vacations in other European cities — including London, Paris, Rome, and Milan.

To be fair, prices may have dipped since I visited during the offseason, but I budgeted a lot more for the trip than I ended up spending.

When my mom and I went out to dinner, I spent between $25 and $35 on both meals, which included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our most expensive meal in Lisbon was around $45, and we ordered a lot of food.

Prices vary depending on the restaurant. I didn't go to any Michelin-starred eateries during my trip, but I did go to upscale restaurants.

Additionally, the priciest Uber I took in Lisbon was $15, and it went all the way to the other side of the city.

In some other European cities, I spent a lot more money on transportation and dining (many restaurants charged over $50 for an appetizer, two main courses, and a dessert), so the prices in Lisbon were a pleasant surprise.

Lisbon is famous for its Pastéis de Bélem, a sweet pastry with custard filling, and they were worth the hype.

Pastéis de Bélem originated at a shop in Bélem with the same name. The rest of the country calls the sweets "Pastéis de Nata," but Pastéis de Bélem come from this specific shop in Lisbon, which has used the same secret recipe to make them since 1837.

When I tried my first Pastel de Bélem, it was heavenly. I completely understood why people raved about them. Not only was the treat delicious, but it was affordable too. Each one cost around $1.34.

Our tour guide said Pastéis de Bélem has crazy lines during Lisbon's busy summer season from June to August, and the shop sells thousands of its pastries each day.

Thankfully, I visited during off-hours in the winter, so I only had to wait a few minutes. But I talked about the pastry for the rest of our trip.

The biggest mistake I made when planning this trip was budgeting an entire week for Lisbon. I didn't expect the city to be as small as it was.

I saw the bulk of the city in four days and then spent the rest of the time relaxing. It was nice, but I wouldn't follow the same itinerary if I visit again.

Portugal is a beautiful country, and I would've liked to see more of it. I wish I'd spent three or four days in Lisbon before exploring another area, like Porto.

After arriving in Lisbon, I was surprised by the city's beauty. Though I wouldn't put the Portuguese capital in the same category as Paris or Rome, I was still very impressed by its pastel-colored buildings, ornate tilework, and picturesque scenery.

I'd seen plenty of photos before I visited, but it was still surreal to see Lisbon in real life.

The miradouros, or viewpoints, were the best places to see the city. I visited as many as possible and was amazed by the incredible view at each one of them.

Overall, I'd recommend a visit to Lisbon. From its beauty to its charming neighborhoods, the city is like a real-life watercolor painting.

This story was originally published on August 31, 2022, and most recently updated on June 24, 2024.