A Day I Won’t Forget in Lisbon

An unforgettable day filled with Lisbon’s charm, culture, and stunning views.

My name is Amelia Brown, and this is the story of a day that didn’t go as planned but turned out to be one of my favorite travel memories.

It started with pastel de nata. I’d read about them in almost every Lisbon travel blog and decided that I needed to try one from the famous bakery in Belém. So, on a sunny Thursday morning, I left my small Airbnb in the Alfama district and set off with nothing but my phone, some euros, and a loose idea of the day ahead.

I hopped on tram 15, which was already buzzing with tourists, and managed to find a spot near the window. Lisbon passed by in flashes of yellow buildings, laundry drying on balconies, and steep streets with cobbled tracks. It seemed as if I had stepped into a picture-perfect scene.

When I finally reached Belem, I followed the crowd to the bakery and stood in line with other eager pastry fans. The smell of warm custard and flaky dough drifted out the door. I got two pastries and a small coffee and sat outside on a bench, savoring the taste. They truly tasted just like people had described.

After that, I decided to explore the area. I wandered around the Jerónimos Monastery, admired the Discoveries Monument, and strolled along the river. It was one of those calm, perfect mornings.

But things shifted in the afternoon. I had heard about a small, local flea market in another part of town. I thought I’d just hop on another tram and go find it. But Lisbon’s transit system had other ideas. I got on the wrong tram, got off too late, and then accidentally walked in the opposite direction of where I needed to go. Soon, I found myself in a part of the city that didn’t look familiar at all.

The streets were quiet. No signs in English. My phone battery was low, and the sun had started to slip behind the buildings. I wasn’t exactly afraid, but I was definitely lost. And hungry again.

I stopped at a tiny corner cafe, more to regroup than to eat. An older woman behind the counter smiled at me, and though we didn’t speak the same language, she warmed up a pastel de bacalhau and poured me a glass of orange juice. It was the comfort I needed.
I took out my phone and turned on the mobile internet. That was the moment I truly appreciated having the eSIM from Voye Global, which let me instantly load my maps and message a local friend for help.

With my phone back online, I saw that I’d somehow ended up nearly five kilometers from where I meant to be. Instead of rushing back, I decided to walk. The streets shined in the soft sunlight, and Lisbon felt calm and less busy from this spot. I passed kids playing football in a small square, a man playing the accordion near a bakery, and old couples chatting on their doorsteps.

Eventually, I reached a miradouro, one of Lisbon’s many hilltop viewpoints. The city spread out below me in shades of pink and orange, the river catching the last of the light. I stood there, just breathing it in.

I didn’t reach the flea market, and I never learned what the area I explored was called. But it didn’t matter. What I did find was something better - a day that felt completely real. A little messy, a little unexpected, but full of small, beautiful moments.

Travel doesn’t always follow your schedule. Sometimes, the best memories come from taking the wrong tram, getting lost in unfamiliar streets, and trusting that everything will work out.

That evening, I made my way back to Alfama, tired but smiling. I grabbed a sandwich from a small shop near my apartment, sat on the balcony, and watched the lights come on across the city. And I thought to myself, this is exactly why I travel. Must check - https://voyeglobal.com/