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.

Well, you might if it’s jamón ibérico. Frequently called “the best ham in the world,” here’s what makes this unusual Spanish delicacy so special—and expensive.

Ibérico: One-of-a-Kind Flavor

Served in paper thin pieces, this premium ham has an elegant sweet and nutty flavor, with an earthy undertone. The fat is rich and delicate; it will begin melting at temperatures as low as seventy-five degrees when properly sliced. And because the best cuts are so well marbled, it creates a sense the ham is literally melting in your mouth.

The result? Heaven on a plate.

The Process: Creating the World’s Best Ham

Porqueros act as herders, leading a sounder of Ibérico swine to and from acorn-rich locations on a dehesa. Many of these dehesas are centuries old, having been originally created as oak-studded pastoral grounds by the Spanish monarchy.

For roughly two years, the pigs graze on the natural bounty provided by these dehesas. But the secret is nuts. As in, a literal bounty of acorns dropped from oak trees spread throughout the land. From October to March the pigs feast on these tiny morsels, packing on intra-muscular fat and flavor.

Once they fully mature (a weight of around three-hundred and sixty pounds), the pigs are sacrificed—“slaughter” being a taboo word in the world of jamón. They are then carved into assorted parts, with the fatty legs being skinned, salted, and dried before being sent to cure for a year or more.

The Real Secret: Ibérico Pigs

It’s believed that Iberian pigs landed on the Peninsula thanks to an ancient sea-faring race known as the Phoenicians. They’re thought to have brought domesticated pigs with them on their wide-ranging explorations. And the eventual interbreeding with native boars resulted in the genetic combination we know today.

Unlike the pink, curly-tailed farm swine of American storybooks, Ibérico pigs are dark. In fact, they’re near-black, right down to their hooves. This unusual hoof coloring helps distinguish between Ibérico and Serrano at a glance. Plus, it generated another nickname for this culinary delight: pata negra.

But what’s makes them kings among swine? Well, a few things.

As mentioned above, their pastoral diet stems almost entirely from acorns provided by three different local oak trees. This rich diet, combined with a genetic disposition for fat accumulations, creates plenty of rich marbling. And it’s this distinct marbling that creates the sweet, sinful, nutty, and decadent flavor people know and love.

Jamón Ratings: Diet and Ancestry Make a Difference

Each ham comes with a color-coded label certifying the pig’s ancestry and diet. A black label represents the top tier, with a 100% pure-blood ancestry and almost exclusive acorn-fed diet. Red, green, and white labels indicate a decreasing percentage of Iberian ancestry and dietary additions like grain.

To be labeled true “Ibérico,” the pig must hail from the region and be of at least 50% Ibérico ancestry. However, only 5% of the ham produced in Spain can claim to be the best of the best: both pure-bred and acorn-fed.

Slice of Life: How to Serve Jamón Ibérico

Another interesting characteristic of jamón ibérico is how it’s served. The leg is secured inside a unique holder, designed specifically for the purpose. It anchors the ham near the hoof and provides a resting place for the hock itself.

Once the layer of fat is removed from the top and sides, the meat sits exposed and ready to slice. A long, thin blade is used to cut near-transparent pieces, and the cut itself is difficult. Professionals train for years to be able to cut a slice with the perfect thickness. In fact, the World Record holder hails from Spain. Noe Bonillo Ramos sliced nearly one-hundred fifty-five kilograms of ham over the course of seventy-two hours, with a variance in thickness of less than a single millimeter.

Enjoy: Where to Find the World’s Best Ham

Many restaurants serve jamón alone, although it’s not uncommon to see it alongside traditional pan con tomate (toasted Spanish tomato bread). Usually, the easiest way to enjoy it is by finding an authentic Spanish restaurant, like Portland’s Ataula. They do a brisk business, and the volume they serve allows them to purchase the best quality at a negotiated rate.

You can also source it from high-end delicatessens around the country but be sure and inquire about the quality.

And finally, you can always take a trip to Spain and learn more about this interesting delicacy first-hand. Many places in Barcelona offer training courses to teach you to taste, identify, and slice jamón ibérico like a pro.

Savor it like the kings of old and raise a glass to the beautiful sacrifice on your plate.

Suggested reading: 3 Ways Other Countries Do Fries Better

The post If You’re In Spain, Then You Need To Eat This appeared first on Modern Trekker.