Lisbon: Quakes, Rain

I knew the forecast called for 100% rain, so I kept my Lisbon itinerary tight with just a one-day plan.

🚇 Art Underground

The artwork in the Lisbon subway is absolutely stunning—every single stop has its own unique style! 🎨 One quick tip: there is no GPS signal in the metro. I found myself glued to the information screens, nervously making sure I didn’t miss my stop. 😅

Traveler’s Note on Payments: 💳 While Lisbon’s transportation supports bank card payments (contactless), be careful! If you use your card as a transit pass, it may be locked out of making other types of purchases for the rest of the day.

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🏛️ Views and Food

I headed to Porta de Embarque Doca da Marinha for a free view of the city, but the rain was so thick I could barely see a thing! 🌫️ Honestly, I think the view near Igreja de São Roque is better. Even though you don’t see the sea, the walk takes you right past the iconic Bica neighborhood. 🚠

For lunch, I hit up Time Out Market. It’s a fantastic food court and a perfect spot for solo travelers like me to grab a high-quality bite. 🍲

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🌋 The Earthquake Museum (Quake)

The main reason for my trip was the Earthquake Museum, and it did not disappoint! 🎟️ At €26, the ticket felt a bit pricey, but it was worth every cent.

It’s essentially a gamified “escape room” experience centered around the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. You step into a “time machine” ⏳ to collect historical documents for rebuilding the city. The production value is Disney-level quality. Because they limit the number of visitors per hour, it never feels overcrowded. Truly a must-see!

In the middle of the visiting, I received the government’s message about huge storm and flood. Pushes the experience go to another level.

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🏰 A Rainy Finale

I tried to visit the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, but unfortunately, both are currently undergoing maintenance. 🛠️

To top off the day, a parade broke out just as I was heading back. It completely cut off the bus routes—a full-on parade in the middle of a storm! ☔️ Only in Lisbon!