The Belém Tower is an identity symbol of the city of Lisbon and Portugal. Built between 1514 and 1519, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Photo by Pixabay | Pexels.com

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Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, is often passed by for Paris, Barcelona and other touristy counterparts. Yet with its historic castles, public squares and amazing cuisine, the charming riverfront city is perfect for a short jaunt.

I recently had the opportunity to enjoy my second visit to Lisbon, this time with a group of six friends. Our gang of curious travelers discovered quite a few favorite places and delectable restaurants and vowed to return someday.

Historic sites

We started our tour at the Jerónimos Monastery, a massive complex dedicated to the burial site of Portuguese kings and explorers, including Vasco da Gama. The Manueline-style (Portugal’s late Gothic) architectural monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist spot. The queue is perpetually long, so go early.

The nearby Belém Tower was built in 1519 to guard the Tagus River, the longest waterway of the peninsula. Adjacent to the tower is the 170-foot-tall Monument to the Discoveries, a 1960 marble statue that depicts the country’s famous explorers.

Across town, the medieval São Jorge Castle and surrounding Castle Town sit high above the city, offering stunning views of the river and red-tiled roofs below. The fortress has existed in some form since the 7th century B.C.

Strolling through the castle is a lovely way to enjoy an afternoon in Lisbon. Take a taxi uphill to save your legs. On the way down, a tuk-tuk ride is a hoot; they navigate through narrow back streets, giving you a local view and a somewhat wild ride.

Day trips

If you stay for a few days, take time to venture out of the city and see the scenic countryside.

A day trip to the picturesque mountain village of Sintra is a wonderful way to learn about Portugal’s history. The former summer residence of the royal family, it was a favorite for poet Lord Byron, who called it “the most beautiful village in the world.”

Sintra’s crown jewel, Pena Palace, sits high on a rocky ledge, a stunning, yellow fairytale castle. One can only imagine the fancy parties held in such a beautiful setting.

An hour north of Lisbon is the magical town of Óbidos. A charming Portuguese village enclosed within the ramparts of the Medieval castle, Óbidos transports you back in time. Bright white houses draped with vibrant pink and fuchsia bougainvillea hem in narrow cobblestone streets. The Igreja de Santa Maria is a beautiful church filled with quintessential blue and white Portuguese tiles.

Venture to the Alentejo region to taste Portugal’s delicate wines, silky olive oil and culinary delights and wander around the country’s cork forests. Porco Preto (black Iberian pig) is a tasty regional offering.

Food scene

One of my favorite things to do in a new city like Lisbon is to explore the food scene with a local food tour. The food and wine walking tour with Inside Lisbon was a wonderful way to get the lay of the land and enjoy some local delicacies. On our tour, we enjoyed codfish cakes with green wine, Port wine with São Jorge cheese, bifana (pork sandwich) with a local draft beer, and the infamous ginjinha (cherry liquor).

Pastry connoisseurs should try a pastel de nata, a delicate, flaky puff pastry tart with a creamy, caramelized custard filling. The famed original bakery Pastéis de Belém near the Jerónimos Monastery is the spot for these perfectly executed, mouthwatering tarts.

If you want to avoid the many touristy restaurants and cafés, do a little sleuthing and you will find some unique eateries serving up traditional local dishes.

The nearly impossible-to-find Casa do Alentejo is well worth the hunt. Located on Lisbon’s pedestrian walkway, Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, the restaurant is accessible through an unremarkable door with a small sign.

Once inside, you venture to the second floor, where a magnificent entryway greets you. The dining room, up another floor, offers simple tables surrounded by beautiful, tiled walls.

Hearty local cuisine like fried codfish with chickpea, grilled pork tenderloin and fried pork in red pepper sauce with clams grace the menu. Leave room for fluffy honey cake, made with olive oil, cinnamon and lemon zest.

Whether you go to Lisbon on a three-day jaunt during a city-hopping European vacation or stay a full week, “Lisbon is a good city to get lost in,” as Patti Smith put it.

If you go

Round-trip flights from the D.C. area start at $495. A 40-minute train to Sintra costs less than $5, or you can book a $95 guided bus tour through Viator.com.

We stayed at the stunning Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade in the city center. Located on Avenida da Liberdade, the main thoroughfare in Lisbon, it’s perfectly situated near cafés, luxury stores and tourist attractions.