How a Simple Visa Trip Turned into an Adventure in Lisbon's Historical Center

What started as a visa errand turned into a spontaneous drift through Portugal’s capital—proof that old travel habits die hard.

After being holed up in my flat for the last month taking care of paperwork for my AIMA meeting and writing and editing posts that were long overdue, I was feeling the need to go on a Drift in a big way. Don’t get me wrong—I love writing and sharing crazy adventures—but the need for fresh air and new sights is what makes me feel whole and at peace.

With one last meeting to secure my D7 Residency Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa, a trip down to Lisbon was required. I planned out my journey with train schedules, local accommodations, and a clean set of clothes packed in a small backpack. I was as ready as I could ever be. I figured that if I was going to spend a few euros on tickets and a place to stay, I might as well add a little more time to get my money’s worth.

That meant heading down a day early so I wouldn’t have to stress about being on time for my appointment, and staying a day after to do a little sightseeing—making for a well-rounded trip. I’ve also discovered that a Drifter needs a built-in travel buffer of at least four to six hours to account for getting lost, getting found, and translating yourself through the language barriers of any Portuguese trip.

It began with a quick ride from a trusty Uber driver who took me up to the train station. I highly recommend Uber for its phone App, which offers different pricing options, pickup times, and, in my experience, great service. The cost of an Uber was also about half the price of a recent cab ride, making it affordable at around €4.50 for the one-way lift of about 4 km (2.5 miles).

The train ride down was smooth and sweet, giving me time to think about what I might do once I arrived. The train dropped me off on the east side of Lisbon at Lisboa Oriente Station. I wanted to stay near Baixa de Lisboa, the historic heart and commercial center of the city, which meant a short ride south from the station—perfect time to check out the bus system, since I hadn’t given that a try yet.

Once in the historical part of town, things looked just as I’d imagined—souvenir stores, pastry shops, and street-side restaurants everywhere. With so many people enjoying the sights and sounds, there was a buzz of excitement that I couldn’t help but love. It gets your blood flowing, puts a sparkle in your eye, and a little pep in your step. I wasn’t the only one feeling it; everyone around seemed to share that same sense of joy and discovery.

I made my way to the hostel I had picked out, only to find that they were booked solid for the next few days. I hadn’t made reservations, figuring that this area was full of places to stay and I could find something quickly. I remembered a website—Hostelworld.com—that listed at least ten to fifteen hostels within walking distance. I’d already researched some of them a few days earlier, so I had a good idea of which ones I liked.

I appreciate hostels, honestly, because I’m a cheapskate and don’t like spending a lot on a fancy room for fancy’s sake, I never spend much time in a room any way. Hostels are also a great way to meet people, especially during the free breakfasts served in the mornings often in a common area where everyone gathers. Other travelers are usually eager to connect, and it’s a great way to pick up tips on what’s happening nearby and which places are worth visiting.

Hostelworld did a great job helping me locate, reserve, and pay a deposit to hold my room before I walked over to see it. Once I arrived, I paid for my full two-day stay and was very happy with the place—it was exactly as described on the website. The site also provides reviews, details about cleanliness, luggage storage info, Wi-Fi service, and even free tours for guests. I also logged into their chat room, which had offers for meetups with others doing daily activities, grabbing drinks, or going out for dinner. Pretty awesome setup.

After my meeting the next day—and even after checking out the following morning—I had plenty of time to wander around the city before heading back home, and I enjoyed every bit of it. A short walk down to the waterfront and back again was refreshing, taking photos all along the way of course. This is definitely a place I’ll visit again—there’s so much to see, and you simply can’t take it all in within a day or two’s time.