The third edition of the annual DI4R conference is just around the corner, and will take place at the University of Lisbon campus in Lisbon, from 9-11 October. Apart from an excellent event venue, Portugal’s capital is an elegant and vibrant city, so don’t miss the opportunity to stroll its streets and discover its wonders.

Here are a few not-to-miss attractions of Lisbon:

What to see:

• Tram 28 – a true landmark of Lisbon, the wooden tram 28 roars through Lisbon’s most historic streets and passes through the popular tourist districts of Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela.
• Castelo São Jorge – the ancient castle dates back to the ninth century and rules over the city, being visible from almost every street in Lisbon.
• Praça do Comércio – the Praça do Comércio is the largest of Lisbon’s plazas, with traditional painted buildings along the sides and a statue of King José I as a centrepiece of the ensemble. This was where the old royal palace was, before being destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, Not to be missed!
• Torre de Belém – 16th-century fortified tower and a symbol of maritime Lisbon. The tower is located in Belém, very close to two architectural landmarks built 500 years apart: the Mosteiro of Jerónimos and the Centro Cultural of Belém.

Where to eat:

• The Mercado da Ribeira is a collection of market stalls with everything from ice cream and pastries, snacks, tapas, fancy chef food & vegetarian options.
• Go to a Pastelaria for pastries and coffee. Every street has one and everyone has a local (mine is Pastelaria Vitória in Estefânia). The most famous Lisbon pastry is the pastel de nata (custard tarts) but that is just the tip of the iceberg. A few of the most traditional Pastelarias are the Versailles, the Mexicana, the Confeitaria Nacional.
• Restaurants: you will have plenty of choice. Here are a few:
  • Galeto is a gorgeous place decorated exactly as it opened in the ’50s. They serve uncomplicated food, steak sandwiches, burgers at the counter (no tables!)
  • Brasserie de l’Entrecote is a fancy place to eat steak, hasn’t changed since the first time I went there with my father (really not for vegetarians!)
  • Alfaia is a restaurant in Bairro Alto that serves traditional Portuguese food. It’s in a middle of a touristy area so it’s best to make a reservation.
  • Santa Clara dos Cogumelos, strictly for mushroom lovers, everything in the menu is cooked with them. Their crème brulee with truffles is like nothing else (it’s best to make a reservation).
  • Honorato is a hipster burger place, with a gin menu and all, a bit over the top, but the burgers are well worth it.
  • Marisqueira do Liz is a perfect place to eat seafood.
  • Portugália is an old school beer-house, where you can have a steak, seafood and beer.
  • PSI and Os Tibetanos are two vegetarian restaurants with lots of vegan options.