As one of the oldest cities in Europe (centuries older than London, Rome, or Paris), the city’s hills hold hundreds of years of uniquely Portuguese stories and culture, and it is diverse enough for everyone to find something they love.

City Center

First things first—at the start of your trip to Lisbon, the best way to get acquainted with the city is by taking a free walking tour to get acclimated with the city and learn a little bit about its history along the way. Most walking tours will start in the Praça Luís do Camões, a historic square and central meeting point for tourists and locals alike.

From there, you’ll cover the highlights and walk through Barrio Alto, visit Praça do Comércio (one of the most easily recognizable spots in Lisbon), and wander through the winding alleyways of Alfama, one of the oldest sections of Lisbon.

 

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If you opt to venture out on your own, definitely make a point to stroll through Alfama to forget that you’re in the center of Portugal’s biggest city for an hour or so, and get a peek into how the people of Lisbon have lived for centuries.

Due to its position atop a hill, many of Alfama’s buildings survived the 1755 earthquake and tsunami that destroyed much of Lisbon’s lower-lying structures, so it truly is a fascinating glimpse into the past.

 

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Alfama is a great place to listen to Fado, a unique music style that evolved in this section of the city. It is best characterized by the Portuguese word saudade, which roughly translates to “longing”.

The best description of Fado music I heard was from a local, who described the feeling of Fado as music capturing the feeling of finding a t-shirt or something that belonged to an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend years after the relationship has ended, and the feelings of nostalgia and loss that come along with it.

It’s a beautiful experience that you don’t need to speak Portuguese to be able to understand, and one that you definitely should not miss during your trip to Lisbon. Just note—any café that has a drink minimum or charges you an entrance fee to listen to Fado music is not a traditional Fado café, so be wary when choosing a spot.

Lisbon is also an incredible place to search for street art. You can find great pieces just about everywhere you look, but some of the best spots can be found in Barrio Alto, Mouraria, Alfama, Alcântara, and near many of Lisbon’s metro stops (Picoas is the most famous, but the others are great as well).

 

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Sunset Spots

Because it is built on a series of several hills, there are many breathtaking spots throughout the city to watch the sunset. If you’re looking for a great dinner with a great view, head to Chiado and ride the Ascensor da Bica funicular up the hill (or walk, if you’re looking for a workout).

At the top, there are dozens of restaurants where you can get a delicious, reasonably priced dinner out on the terrace while you look out over the city.

For a good sunset picnic spot, grab a bottle of wine and some sandwiches and head up to the Castelo de São Jorge.

The Moorish castle was the center of power in medieval Portugal for over 400 years, and although it was damaged and later abandoned by Lisbon’s ruling class in favor of a larger, more accessible location, it remains a fascinating part of the city’s history and now one of its main tourist attractions.

After you walk around inside, grab a spot on the castle grounds, look out over the sprawling city, and imagine how awesome it would have been to be royalty.

 

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If you’re looking for another unique but definitely memorable sunset spot, head a little bit out of the city to the Panoramic Restaurant of Monsanto, an abandoned restaurant with an incredible view of Lisbon and the surrounding area.

Belém

One of Lisbon’s most beautiful and fascinating districts lies just a few miles outside the city center and is definitely worth visiting if you have the time. Some of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks such as the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Jerónimos Monastery are there.

Of course, no trip to Belém is complete without a trip to the Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém for some traditional Portuguese pastries (both the cream-filled pasteis de nata and pastel de Belém, an egg tart).

 

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Belém is just absolutely beautiful at golden hour (starting about an hour before the sun sets) when the monuments are lit up with a gorgeous golden glow. It’s also the best time to visit the pastry shops because the line will be the shortest, so it’s a good stop on the way back from the beaches in Cascais or Estoril, if you have time for a beach day trip.

Nightlife

Lisbon nightlife is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced but has definitely one of my favorite nightlife cultures.

Around 11:30pm, head back to Praça Luís do Camões and meet up with your friends to walk through Barrio Alto. At night, the neighborhood transforms completely and the streets fill with people.

Bars in Lisbon are unique in that they are very small—often just a bar with a few beers on tap (Sagres and Super Bock are the Portuguese beers of choice) and your choice of liquor. Make sure you get it in a plastic cup (since no glass is allowed on the streets) and head outside to mingle with the hundreds of people lining the streets for blocks.

Do note that streets will be fairly empty until around 11pm—the Portuguese go out late and stay out until the wee hours of the morning.

 

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Before embarking on my trip to Lisbon I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with it the way I did, but it’s become one of my favorite cities and definitely a must-see stop on your trip through Portugal.

PS. Be sure to also check out Hot Clube de Portugal in Lisbon, which is one of the best jazz bars in the world!

The post How To Make The Most Of Your Trip To Lisbon, Portugal appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. Explore the French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest area and has to be the most famous in the city for tourists. The district spreads across 13 blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and across from the Mississippi River to North Rampart Street. Within this district, there are many attractions and lots of amazing restaurants and bars.

Take a stroll through Jackson Square, visit the St. Louis Cathedral and explore the many different kinds of shops nearby. Wander around the famous Bourbon Street and pop into one of the many bars for a drink. More on that below!

2. Hit up Bourbon Street

You can not visit New Orleans and not explore this famous street. Bourbon Street is lined with many bars and eateries. This is the heart of the city and home to Mardi Gras which makes it an absolute must visit. Bourbon stretches the full 13 blocks and is jampacked with some of the top things to do in New Orleans.

I recommend visiting both during the day and at night for completely different vibes. It should be mentioned that it is a pretty grimy street and one shouldn’t expect high-end bars and clubs. That being said, it is still a lot of fun, however full of tourists, but some of the best live music in the city.

One of my favorite spots has to be Pat O’Briens (home of the world-famous Hurricane cocktail). Other great spots to visit include Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, The World Famous Cats Meow and Spirits on Bourbon.

3. Wander around Frenchmen Street

On the opposite side of the Esplanade you will find this other very famous street called Frenchmen Street. This is the area to visit for amazing live jazz music. It is a shorter street than Bourbon and a completely different vibe. It tends to be a little more upscale and less sleazy than Bourbon, but again don’t expect posh.

I much preferred my night popping in and out of the many bars along the three blocks it spans. This is also a great area to explore both day and night for totally different vibes. My favorite spots include Blue Nile, Apple Barrel, The Spotted Cat Music Club, Snug Harbour, Bamboula’s and d.b.a.

4. Visit a Museum or two

There are many museums spread out around the city. It is actually impossible to visit them all during a short stay in the city. From cultural, historical and of course, music, there is a museum for everyone. The majority of the museums can be located within the French Quarter.

Some of the top to visit include the Jazz Museum, National WWII Museum, Museum of Art, Backstreet Cultural Museum, Louisiana Children’s Museum, and Mardi Gras World.

5. Ride the streetcar to the Garden District

This surely has to be one of the top things to do in New Orleans. It is a great idea when it is rainy or just too hot outside. The St. Charles Avenue line is probably the most popular line as it is the oldest operating railway in the world, since 1835. The streetcar ride costs $1.25 each way, or $3.00 for an all-day pass.

You can ride from Uptown all the way down through the Garden district, which is another absolute must. As you ride down towards the Garden District, you will pass the beautiful Loyola and Tulane Universities.

Once in the Garden District, you can get off and explore the neighborhood that is full of gorgeous, historic mansions. This is a popular choice and one of the top things to do in New Orleans which includes an array of different guided walking tours to choose from online.

6. Swamp Tours

Visiting the wetlands has become a very popular day trip for those who visit New Orleans. There are many different companies that will take you to the nearby swamps and bayous. There are a number of types of tours as well. You can take a closed or open boat tour, a slow boat or speedboat as you learn about this important ecosystem from an experienced guide.

Keep your eyes out for a chance to see bald eagles, alligators, deer and more. Many of the tour operators will combine the swamp tour with a visit to a nearby plantation.

7.Visit a Plantation (Oak Alley, Laura Plantation)

A visit to New Orleans isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many plantations in the area. A plantation is typically an estate on a large piece of land where the owners produce crops such as sugar, coffee or tobacco. Most are still working plantations but are open to tours who want to learn more about the industries and visit the large homes.

Oak Alley, Whitney Plantation and Laura Plantation seem to be the most popular and tours can be booked online or through many of the tour operator shops throughout the city.

8. Take a cemetery tour (Lafayette in Garden District, St Louis Cemetery #1)

One of the top things to do in New Orleans is to visit one of its many cemeteries. No, seriously…

The city itself is located below sea level which made it difficult to bury the dead underground as they would constantly rise. Therefore, they decided to bury the dead above ground in very elaborate and ornate tombs in the cemeteries around the city. Some of these tombs date back to the late 1700s and it is fascinating that they tend to be in pretty good shape.

There are many cemeteries throughout the city, but the most famous one to visit is St. Louis Cemetery #1. You can only visit while on a guided tour as they are trying to stop the vandalism that was occurring when open to the public. Here you can visit the tomb of Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, and the future tomb of Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage.

Free Tours by Foot was an excellent company with a phenomenal guide. It costs $2 at booking to secure your spot and then you can tip whatever you deem appropriate at the end of the tour.

9. Eat a world-famous beignet

Beignets (pronounced ‘bin-yay’) are a delicacy in New Orleans. In all honesty, they are just deep-fried donuts covered in icing sugar and served in 3s, but they are delicious!

The number one place to get them is at Café du Monde which is located along the Mississippi River in the French Quarter, across from Jackson Square. Going here is one of the fun things locals do in New Orleans, as it is the Original French Market Coffee Stand since 1862. This is also because it is the only place in the city that is open 24 hours for beignets. The chicory coffee is pretty fantastic here as well.

I recommend going in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the tourist crowds during mid-day. Another fantastic place to grab them is Café Beignet and there are three locations, Decatur Street, Royal Street and Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.

We hope you enjoyed these top things to do in New Orleans, why not also check out 7 Places You Need To Discover In The Deep South?

The post 9 Things To Do In New Orleans For People Who Love Local Color appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Are you a jazz lover? Here is our list of 10 of the best jazz bars around the world, so that you can experience some of that old-fashioned magic listening to some great music, getting into the groove, and just having that pleasant night out. Let’s dive into it!

1) Birdland, New York

Birdland is a historic jazz bar in New York. Over the years it has changed several locations. The original opened on Broadway in 1949 and was a landmark in the jazz scene of the time. Some of the best jazz musicians in the world have played here, like Miles Davis, Count Basie, and John Coltrane. Not only that, it was very popular with the celebrities of the time; Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra to give some examples. Even today it is one of the best jazz clubs in New York housing some truly great musicians.

Location: 315 W 44th Street
Price: ranging from $20-$50 per night

2) Preservation Hall, New Orleans

If you are looking for traditional New Orleans jazz you can’t miss Preservation Hall. This legendary bar located in the iconic French Quarter has been hosting the city’s finest traditional musicians nightly for decades.

Location: 726 St. Peter Street (French Quarter)
Price: General admission is $20. For special events $30-50

3) Café Central, Madrid

A unique place to listen to some good jazz music and grab something to eat and drink, Café Central offers the old-fashioned style providing a blast from the past you don’t want to miss. Located in Plaza del Angel this bar is great for a musical stop while having some fun strolling around the city’s main center.

Location: Plaza del Angel 10
Price: Admission about €13

4) Sunset Sunside, Paris

Paris loves music! If you want to take a break in the city of love and enjoy some untraditional exotic jazz music such as gypsy jazz, Sunset Sunside is definitely the place you are looking for. You can find a great intimate place where to grab a drink, eat something and listen to some brand new experimental music by newbies and pro musicians!

Location: 60 Rue des Lombards
Price:  €10-€28

5) 28DiVino, Rome

The Eternal City has a place for you, jazz lovers! A wine, cheese & jazz club in the Prati area, the 28DiVino, makes jazz music the focal point of the weekly program of live concerts that it organizes. On the 28DiVino stage, national and international jazz musicians alternate. The restaurant has two rooms where you can dine and taste fine wines and cheeses while waiting for the live performances. Is there a better way to spend an evening in Rome? You tell me.

Location: Via Mirandola, 21, 00182 Roma
Price: €12

6) Jazz SPOT Intro, Tokyo

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Hi-tech Tokyo has a thing for jazz music too! Jazz SPOT Intro is a New York inspired jazz bar where you can enjoy some live music, grab something to drink and chill away from the city buzz. The top highlight of this jazz bar is its 12-hour Saturday sessions, which run until 5 am. A great opportunity to spend some quality time during the weekend!

Location: 2-14-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku
Price: Admission is ¥1000 (around $10)

7) Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen

This place is considered to be one of the most legendary and best jazz bars in all of Europe! All year round this bar hosts special events and concerts giving the chance for pros and newbies to show off their skills and passion for music. Besides the musical side, the Jazzhus Montmartre is a great place to eat something too making it a one-of-a-kind club with an atmosphere that is classy yet typical of the best of the best jazz bars. The perfect place to warm up and relax after a busy day of sightseeing.

Location: Store Regnegade 19A, 1110
Price: Free admission for some events. You predominantly pay for what you eat and drink

8) Reduta Jazz Club, Prague

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Reduta is located in the very heart of Prague and it is one of the oldest jazz clubs in Europe. A cultural spot not to be missed, this place offers the chance to chill and listen to some great jazz. Being an iconic place, over the years many politicians and celebrities have come to enjoy a gloriously jazzy night here. Bill Clinton has even played saxophone here! So, if you are tired of the same old pubs and crave some good live music, make your way down here, grab something to drink, sit down, and listen to new bands cover your favorite jazz masterpieces.

Location: Národní 116/20, 110 00 Nové Město
Price: Admission from €10

9) Donau 115, Berlin

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Berlin and jazz music might seem somewhat of a contradiction at first, but paying a visit to Donau 115 will definitely change your mind! Berlin is an experimenting city ready to use influences and vibes from several different genres and cultures, and so this is what you’ll notice (or hear) while spending some time in this jazz bar! You can find special events all year around hosting new bands creating a unique place for some jazz with that German vibe.

Location: Donaustraße 115, 12043
Price: Admission is free. You pay for what you eat and drink

10) Hot Clube de Portugal, Lisbon

We end our list of the 10 best jazz bars around the world with one of the most iconic European places you’ll ever find in Europe: the Hot Clube de Portugal in Lisbon. Lisbon has a huge interest in jazz music and you can witness this while exploring the city and its nearby areas! This place is definitely worth a visit as the epicenter of European jazz music. From people like Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Dexter Gordon, this bar is always following the recent changes and development taking place in the jazz world, which makes for brand new music and bands from all over the world. Locals love it. You will too.

Location: Praça Alegria 48, 1250-004
Price: Admission is €7.50

So, if you’re a jazz lover, you certainly have plenty of choices to enjoy some good music and to experiment with the newest and best jazz bars around the world! We highly encourage you to always check the website of the jazz bar you are interested in as you can easily catch the best events while in town. Plus, in some cases, especially when it comes to special shows or during holidays and weekends, booking in advance can be a lifesaver to avoid any bad surprises once you get there. Besides that, we really hope you enjoyed this list of the 10 best jazz bars around the world. Here’s to a great jazz-themed night out. Cheers!

Suggested next reading: 7 Best Cities For Street Art Around The World

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