Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Aleia

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What is it like to live in Lisbon? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

As Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, it is well equipped to handle frequent and large populations of people. It is developing into a pretty tourist-y place, but there are still locals everywhere you go! Public transit is very well-mapped and easily accessible: with a monthly metro pass, you can ride the ferry, the bus, the metro, or the trollies. And, public transportation will definitely be important, because Lisbon is known as the City of 7 Hills (though it has many many more).

Living in Lisbon was a treat, because it is along the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Tejus River (Rio Tejos, as the Portuguese say). If you enjoy the city life but also a nice trip to the beach, I would recommend Portugal for sure!

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

Students are expected to put in a lot of effort in Portugal. This is not to say that other EU countries don't expect you to study and learn well, but I found that the rigor was closer to what I had experienced at my home institution which was a shock after living in Spain, as well. The average student goes to class, studies, and many work a part-time job (if they have the proper work authorization). Students spend a lot of time in public spaces together, and while receiving a degree is the main objective, the erasmus students still find ways to go out and have fun! I met tons of locals and they actually were the ones to show me the places most frequented by other Erasmus students. Nightlife is fun; I would recommend Pink Street and "Erasmus Corner" - the latter of which you'll probably have to ask around until someone shows you how to get to.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon?

Living in Lisbon is actually much cheaper than any other EU country I've spent time in thus far. Their minimum wage is really low, so food and daily needs will be met for a pretty affordable cost. However, the cost of rent is something to be concerned about enough to plan ahead.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Lisbon? Is there any advice you can give?

Because of Portugal's recent tourist boom, the cost of rent in the urban center is rising. But, with a roommate or two, you should be just fine! Also, even if you have to find an apartment just on the outskirts of the city's true center, you will likely still have a very easy time traveling from place-to-place, because the city's public transit is very well connected and there are ferries, buses, metros, trollies, and lifts!

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My advice would be to find roommates to make the rent more affordable and be open to living a 20-30 minute metro ride to work/school. Most people live about that far anyhow - some people live further.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The Portuguese love two foods: Bacalhau (cod) and potatoes. Bacalhau can be found at basically every restaurant. Even if you're not a big fish person, I recommend that you give it a try, because I loved it and started eating it probably way too often. They also serve potatoes with practically every meal. The Portuguese cuisine has found a way to serve french fries and bitoque (essentially, steak) and make it classy. They also have a dish called batatas batidas that's basically little potatoes that have been well-seasoned and roasted and then "beaten" (the chef makes holes in the center so that the butter/garlic/etc will give flavor to the inside of the potato, as well).

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll fall in love with Lisbon, because Pastel de Nata is their favorite dessert (a custard-based treat with a flaky crust best eaten with powdered sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top!) and the Olá brand ice-cream (found on almost every single street you walk down in the summer) is a close second!

What places would you recommend visiting in Lisbon?

I would recommend visiting Belém (which is technically not Lisbon), BUT it is a short few-minute trolly, bus or metro away. There is an entire street/area full of historical buildings, monuments, a monastery, and a few museums, too! It's also along the river so it's a great way to feel open air while you explore.

I would also say that the Museu do Aljube is a must! It's a museum on the Portuguese dictatorship and it's located inside of the old prison used (originally as a clerical prison) to house political prisoners. It's an unforgettable part of Portugal's past, and the museum is very well laid out, so I highly recommend it. In that same area, there's the castle and a number of other historical sites with breathtaking views of the city. The castle is in Alfama which was built by the moors when they occupied Portugal centuries ago. It's a beautiful part of town with really great architecture, food, and scenery. I recommend seeing a fado show there; they usually start around 9 or so and are accompanied by a late dinner.

Is it good to eat out in Lisbon? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I would recommend grocery shopping if you are staying in Lisbon long-term. Eating out is a must every once in a while to experience the Portuguese cuisine, but it will get really pricy if it is the go-to. The grocery stores are really affordable and often stocked with a large variety of produce and product. But, if you do choose to eat out, Portvgalia is a really famous Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon (with a few locations now), and I would recommend the bitoque and fries accompanied with a Portuguese beer (as is their original speciality). I also really enjoyed the African restaurants I found in Lisbon! I would recommend the Angolan restaurants which can be found with a quick online search. The historical relationship between the African countries once claimed as Portuguese colonies and the Portuguese cuisine is one of the silver-linings of such a gruesome past. The presence of Africans and those of African-descent in Lisbon contributes to a gastronomically diverse experience, for sure.

Is the nightlife good in Lisbon? Where is good to go?

Nightlife ends earlier than some other places I've been in Europe, but it's definitely still a party when people go out. For Erasmus students, I'd recommend Pink Street and the strip of bars unofficially called Erasmus Corner. I think Barrio Alto is a must if you're looking to get a taste of true nightlife in the city. There are also some nightclubs down along the water near the Praça do Comercio around Rua Augusta (very close to Barrio Alto, but a trek if you're going uphill).

If you enjoy calmer settings when you go out, I would recommend finding a jazz concert or something to the like. There is always a musical performance happening in Lisbon, and many of them are either free or only a few euros to attend. Nightlife is a little of everything and can accommodate all types of people as long as you're willing to try something new and figure out your favorite aesthetic.

What advice would you give future students heading to Lisbon?

I would suggest you plan your wardrobe keeping a few things in mind: it rains a lot, but the sun is almost always shining otherwise; layers are key (in every Erasmus experience I've had thus far); comfortable shoes are a must, because at least a little walking is necessary to get to most places.

Also, I would recommend learning at least very basic Portuguese phrases like: thank you (obrigado/a), please (por favor), and excuse me (com licença - pronounced lee-sense-ah). However, the average Portuguese person speaks enough English for you to be okay in most situations. There will always be someone around who can help you as English is a commonly spoken language in Portugal; know this, keeping in mind that the official/native language is Portuguese.

Finally, keeping an open mind and being willing to jump into a new culture and a new experience is important and will make your time the most exciting, fun and worthwhile!