Welcome to Design Heat Maps, wherein travel journalist Stirling Kelso—a regular contributor to Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and the New York Times, among other outlets—breaks down that which an architecture and design junkie can't miss in can't-miss cities. Feel free to tack on additions in the comments and recommend Curbed's next destination by dropping us an email.
While Portugal might still be teetering on the brink of a financial crisis, the always upbeat Portugese capital of Lisbon is still a stylish destination, one that recently romanced New York Times Op-Ed columnist Frank Bruni for being not "a prison of obligations," like many other European capitals, but rather a place where one finds "the true meaning of vacation." Not to mention: a place that costs a whole lot less than it should. From classic museums to inventive restaurants to a restored bar under the stairs, Lisbon boasts plenty to keep the international jetsetter busy. The best part? The city's most compelling sights are within easy walking distance of one another, making this a surprisingly painless tour of a European capital.
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