Cabo Verde and Lisbon: Colourful city meets salty island

Welcome to sunny Lisbon – a city that's been on your bucket list for ages and one that you're finally about to explore! You hop on the metro, tram or another mode of transport (optional, payable on site) and ride to your accommodation. After a quick check-in, nothing stands in the way of your city adventure!
Colourfully tiled houses and the salty Atlantic breeze on the seemingly endless waterfront promenade – your expectations of Lisbon are exceeded with every step you take through its winding alleyways. At Praça do Comércio, the triumphal arch Arco da Rua Augusta and the Equestrian Statue of King Jose 1 pose for your camera and lead you to Bairro Alto. Not only does wacky street art await you in this lively district but also a vibrant selection of restaurants, bars and clubs – the perfect opportunity to raise a glass to your dream trip. 'Saúde!'

The bright-blue morning sky lures you out of bed better than any alarm clock ever could, and you're ready to be shook by the city. The famous Tram 28 is a photo motif in itself, and its old-fashioned yellow carriages take you to the highlights of the Old Town before you change lines and head west to the Ajuda district, where the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda awaits. Its exterior alone suggests a magnificent interior, but what you actually find inside takes your breath away – Versailles who? You wander through the rooms like the country's kings once did, and then you're drawn away to the Belém district. Just the name of it makes your foodie heart beat faster. And no wonder, because nowhere else do the country's famous custard tarts taste as good as here! You grab a few of the sweet treats for the road and walk from the impressive Mosteiro dos Jerónimos monastery to Lisbon's most famous landmark, the Torre de Belém. Then you find a spot for your picnic and savour your pastéis de Belém as the sun sets over the Atlantic.

It's morning, and your rumbling stomach drives you out into Lisbon's colourful streets. Fortunately, the city is home to countless hip breakfast spots, such as the famous Fauna & Flora. After fuelling up for the day, you either keep exploring the city's other highlights or head to Rossio Railway Station, from where you make your way to Sintra on your own. Magnificent palaces, timeworn castles and historic monasteries nestled against a blooming green landscape of hills – on the road to the historic old town, you quickly realise why Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First stop: Palácio Nacional de Sintra. As you walk to the palace, its two conical chimneys already catch your eye from afar. Once inside, you see swans and magpies adorning the ceilings of the various halls, which tell centuries-old stories from the lives of the royal families. A beautiful green hiking trail then leads you up to the impressive Palácio Nacional da Pena. One tower gleaming in bright yellow, another in bright red, and a dreamy lilac facade tucked right between them – just a look at its exterior, and you know exactly why this place is so popular.

Always hungry for more, you head into Lisbon's oldest district, Alfama. Real talk: you can't escape the droves of tourists here, but if you stick to the side streets, you can still catch the area's typical vibe. With all the hidden courtyards, cute cafés and colourfully decorated houses, your Insta story stays filled with a constant feed of gorgeous pics (no filter needed). But there are still a few must-sees you don’t want to miss. Among them is the city's cathedral – the Sé de Lisboa – and it's a true eye-catcher. For the perfect view, you make your way to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, where not only is the panorama a 10 out of 10, but with its many colourful tiles, the vibes are 100% on point! Afterwards, you head up to the roof terrace of the Memmo Alfama hotel, buy yourself a coffee or a pastel de nata and then do the one thing left to do: enjoy!