Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Ines

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

There is always something to do - and a lot of it outdoors given the usually good weather (I once read we have an average of 300 days of sunshine every year). I would definitely recommend it, and I think it is very easy to adapt to it as an international because even though it is not an international hub (like London or Brussels) it is definitely less aggressive and friendlier. It is just a small drive/bus away from the beach.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

Greatly depends on the university and degree you are in. But whether it is a busy or chill workload, students tend to make the most of it if they put an effort into it.

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

I'm a local so I can't help you from my own experience, but from what I know, there are several websites with a lot of offers and usually a lot of rooms/apartments to rent in the main areas of the city and close to universities.

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

Amazing, it has an incredible offer of all types of foods - fish, meat, vegetarian, vegan. Given that it has such a rich cuisine, it is not particularly heavy on restaurants from all over the world (although the most famous cuisines are still present). You can find typical Portuguese restaurants at every corner. One of my favourite dishes is pasteis de bacalhau com arroz de tomate malandro.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lisbon?

The hills and miradouros around the city. Terreiro do Paço. Elevador de Santa Justa. The Castle.

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

Yes, amazing. Since I'm Portuguese and I cook a lot at home, most of my dinners out are at international places (Indian, Japanese, Italian,...). The downtown area is full of awesome places both national and international.

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

Yes. Depends on the type of nigh out people like. A lot of internationals love to discover the bars at Bairro Alto, a neighbourhood full of bars where people just hang out and drink on the streets.

What advice would you give future students heading to Lisbon?

Start searching for accommodation soon so that you get really awesome places at good prices. Also, if you know someone that has lived in the city ask for recommendations on location, as they can vary greatly in terms of transport access, security, access to supermarkets, etc.