Bucket List Destinations On Your Lisbon Internship

Lisbon Internship

Bucket List Destinations On Your Lisbon Internship

Thinking about exploring international internship opportunities? You’re in luck – Lisbon internships are growing more and more popular, and with good reason!

Overseas internships are becoming a more common choice among students. It’s quite simple: internships alone are enough to help teach skills that are valuable for whichever field you choose to pursue, but taking them abroad gives you the chance to learn about other cultures while you’re at it, too!. Of course, going abroad can also help you discover lifechanging things about other cultures and about yourself, too.

But you must be wondering: of all of the places you could go, why should you take a Lisbon internship?

Why Portugal

Among the reasons why people favor Lisbon as a travel destination is because of its fair climate. Portugal gets a good amount of sunshine year-round, even during the winter. During summer and the earlier parts of the year, the weather is something close to that of the Mediterranean’s, where it’s typically warm and temperate. So those visiting Portugal can always expect sunny days!

If you’re looking to pursue your Lisbon internship, here’s some more good news: Portugal has a relatively low cost of living, especially by Western European standards. Its neighboring countries receive much heavier foot traffic than Portugal, which is one of the factors that affect the higher cost of living in those places. It’s much easier to get by if you choose to live in Lisbon or surrounding areas.

(Bonus: did you know that Portugal ranks 6th on the Global Peace Index? That’s a lot less safety issues to worry about!)

And of course, one more reason why a Lisbon internship would be a good choice is because of the rich culture and history of the country. Portugal is the oldest country in Europe – it’s had the same borders since the 1110s. There’s a lot to learn, visit, and enjoy in the country, even outside of your internship hours.

Curious about where you can go? Check out these bucket list destinations:

Inside Lisbon

Lisbon bridge

This scenic bridge is reminiscent of the famed Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay. More commonly known for its official name, the 25 de Abril Bridge, it was renamed to commemorate the people’s revolution. The suspension bridge is a sight to behold for its red paint and amazing structure spanning across the Tagus River, which connects the municipality of Almada with the capital city. You can view the bridge on a bike tour, from a view deck, or from nearby establishments.

Jardim Botanico de Lisboa (Botanical Garden of Lisbon)

One of the things that Lisbon is known for is for the abundance of beautiful gardens and parks in the city. According to the local government, there are over 140 gardens in Lisbon alone! The Botanical Garden of Lisbon was laid out in 1873 and covers about 10 acres. It’s home to about 10,000 different plants, some of which were imported from tropical countries.

Marvila

Interested in local breweries? Marvila is known to be the brewing district of Lisbon. Have your taste of local craft beer and see what many people travel to Lisbon for. You should also be on the lookout for Ginijinha, a local cherry liquor native to Lisbon. In addition to trying out these brews, Marvila is also known to be the local art district – so you can visit museums while you’re there, too.

Alfama

sintra_square

Interested in views straight out of a postcard? Alfama is said to be Portugal as Portugal gets: grannies hanging out by the window, music drifting up into the air, and orange trees giving all passersby fair shade. You wouldn’t expect this village-like feel right in the middle of the city. Don’t miss these narrow, cobblestoned streets for a truly Portuguese feel.

Miradouros

Did you know that Lisbon is built on seven hills? This is something that becomes apparent when you fly into the city. Because of the hills and amazing views, there are quite a few miradouros, or viewing decks. You won’t want to miss these decks for a real feel of the city.

Oceanarium

Absolute On-site Staff

The Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the city’s most famous attractions. Opened in 1998, it was the centerpiece of the World’s Fair that was themed “The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future.” It was meant to celebrate 500 years of Portuguese history and discoveries. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe to this date.

Feira da Ladra (Thieves’ Market)

While the name may sound alarming, there’s actually no crime to worry about in Feira da Ladra. The market is called this way because of frequent city teasing that if you’ve had an item stolen recently, you can expect it to show up here. Aside from that, this market has been operating since the 13th century, and has been in this specific location since sometime in the 1800s. There are lots of handmade antiques, art, jewelry, and other memorabilia to enjoy.

Outside Lisbon

Costa da Caparica

If you’re looking to see some waves to take advantage Portugal’s good weather, try taking a day trip out of Lisbon. Costa da Caparica is located just south of Lisbon and has around 30km of coastline. Whether you’re a beginner looking for safer low tides, or an experienced risk-taker wanting to surf bigger waves, there’s something for everyone here.

Queluz National Palace

Another area of interest outside of Lisbon would be the Queluz National Palace. This grand, sprawling castle was home to the Portuguese royal family throughout the 18th century and in the early 19th century. Upon visiting the palace, you’ll be greeted with amazing views of different architectural styles, such as baroque, neoclassical, and rococo. The French-style gardens are also great to observe.

Sintra

Just past the Queluz National Palace, Sintra is a town well known for its beauty. It’s actually considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it’s home to many beautiful gardens, mansions, and palaces. It’s also surrounded by a cooling pine forest and also has beaches available for visiting. When you’re headed out of Lisbon, this is one of the must-visit places to get to learn more about Portugal.

Lisbon travel tips

Now that you’ve found some places to consider, you’ve also got to know what to do when you’re in Lisbon! Pursuing a Lisbon internship means that you’re going to be exposed to the different social scenes and cultural norms in the country. When you find yourself in Portugal, here are some things you should keep in mind:

Don’t just eat the tapas

When you eat out at a restaurant, the server will likely place a plate of finger food at your table. They don’t explain or announce that you must pay for it! So if you touch it, know that it’s going to be added to your bill. The restaurant isn’t trying to scam you – it just so happens that this is a norm in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon! No worries though, as most of these tapas aren’t too expensive anyways.

Taxi scams are real

Since most vacationers in Portugal come from other Western European countries, they’re likely used to high costs of living. Some taxi drivers take advantage of tourists and charge 30 euros upwards, when in reality, the taxi base fare is only around 3 euros and less than a euro per succeeding kilometer. Be mindful of the fare asked of you! Taxi rides should be cheap.

Strange business hours

Another thing that takes many tourists by surprise is the irregularity of business hours in Portugal. Some stores open late, close early, or are dictated by the weather. Places will often stay closed if the weather is bad, or close if business is slow.

Conclusion

Internships are an opportunity to learn about your chosen field of work, about yourself, and of course about the world around you! Taking a Lisbon internship could help you open the door to a world you didn’t expect to find. Some of our other students have done that in other international internship locations, too! Take some time for yourself to explore the beauty of Lisbon and beyond – you won’t regret it.

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