Our Big Summer Adventure Part I: Lisbon in One Day, 3 Kids, 40°C, and a Trip to the Emergency Room

Hey there friends!

Welcome to the first chapter of our Big Summer Adventure!

I'm not going to lie.

Our vacation got off to a rather dramatic start.

While we were already seated on the airplane, ready for takeoff, an announcement came over the speakers. Due to a technical issue, the flight could not depart, and all passengers would need to return to Montréal Airport.

Just like that, our vacation was postponed.

When we were informed that the flight would leave the following day instead, I felt completely defeated. We returned home knowing we would lose our first precious 24 hours in Lisbon, a city I had been dreaming of discovering for years.

Little did I know that an even bigger adventure was waiting for us.

The next day, our flight finally departed and landed safely in Portugal.

Relief washed over me.

For approximately ten minutes.

Because while we were going through passport control, my husband suddenly doubled over in pain.

Within minutes, airport medical staff determined that he was most likely suffering from a kidney stone attack and he was transferred to a hospital for examinations and treatment.

I mean... what are the odds?

There I was, standing in a country I was visiting for the very first time, watching my husband disappear in an ambulance while I remained behind with three children, three large suitcases, two carry-ons, several backpacks and absolutely no idea where they were taking him.

At that precise moment, our carefully planned vacation felt slightly cursed.

Fortunately, my little travelers rose magnificently to the occasion. Accustomed to traveling, they helped their somewhat overwhelmed mother gather our mountain of luggage, navigate the airport, and find a taxi to our apartment.

And what an apartment it was!

The moment I walked into Residentas Áurea, located on beautiful Rua Áurea in Lisbon's historic Baixa district, I felt my stress level drop immediately.

The apartment was spacious, beautifully renovated, spotlessly clean, elegantly furnished, and, perhaps most importantly, air-conditioned.

Anyone who has visited Southern Europe during summer knows this is a luxury not to be taken for granted.

The master bedroom was dreamy, the bed was exceptionally comfortable, and having two bathrooms while traveling with three children felt almost extravagant.

But what impressed me most was the welcome awaiting us.

The dining table was beautifully prepared. Chilled water sat waiting in elegant glasses. Small meringues and sweet treats greeted us after our long journey, and a basket filled with adorable miniature jars of local jams made me smile instantly.

Unfortunately, I only remembered to take photos after we had already spread our belongings everywhere, but trust me when I say it was one of the warmest welcomes we have ever received.

And then, at the moment I needed help the most, a superhero appeared.

My best friend from Greece was vacationing in Lisbon at exactly the same time.

Having arrived two days earlier (because the initial plan was to spend two full days together), he had already become surprisingly familiar with the city and immediately made it his personal mission to rescue me from panic and transform our difficult beginning into an unforgettable day.

It was only around 10 a.m.

The temperature was already climbing rapidly toward 40°C.

And we had exactly one day to experience Lisbon!

Discovering Lisbon

Stepping outside our apartment, we immediately appreciated its fantastic location. Residentas Áurea sits right in the heart of downtown Lisbon, only a couple of minutes from Praça do Comércio, arguably the city's most impressive square.

Historically, Praça do Comércio served as Lisbon's grand entrance from the sea. Open, elegant and facing the Tagus River, it instantly conveys the maritime spirit that helped shape Portugal's history.

From there, we headed toward Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon's most prestigious boulevard and one of the city's main commercial arteries.

Wide tree-lined sidewalks, elegant architecture, luxury boutiques, monuments, fountains and charming cafés create an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Naturally, we made an essential stop for fresh croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice in a charming little café dedicated almost entirely to pastries.

Revived and ready for more exploration, we continued wandering.

Soon after, we returned to Praça do Comércio and the beautiful riverfront promenade before taking a taxi to Belém.

Belém: Lisbon's Historic Soul

If there is one area that embodies Portugal's Age of Discovery, it is Belém.

Our first stop was the iconic Belém Tower, one of Lisbon's most famous landmarks. Standing proudly beside the river, it once protected the entrance to the city and today remains one of Portugal's most recognizable monuments.

The peaceful riverside setting immediately soothed my nerves after the morning's drama.

From there, we walked to the Monument to the Discoveries, built in honor of Portugal's great explorers. The massive monument celebrates figures such as Vasco da Gama and serves as a reminder of Portugal's remarkable maritime history.

A little further away stood the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, one of Lisbon's architectural treasures and a masterpiece of Manueline architecture.

Of course, no visit to Belém would be complete without a stop for the city's most famous pastry: pastel de nata.

Warm, creamy, crispy, and absolutely delicious.

While my friend and I enjoyed coffee and pastries, the children enjoyed ice cream and a much-needed break from sightseeing.

By this point, we had already visited three of Lisbon's most important attractions!

One important tip for anyone visiting Lisbon in summer: go to Belém as early as possible.

We visited around midday because our plans had been completely rearranged.

Big mistake.

The heat was absolutely brutal, and large sections of the area offer very little shade. During a heatwave, an early morning visit is definitely the way to go.

A Well-Deserved Break

Completely exhausted by the heat, we returned to our apartment for showers and a much-needed siesta.

One thing we quickly discovered about Lisbon is that taxis are surprisingly affordable, especially compared to many North American cities.

Although the famous Tram 28 is one of Lisbon's most iconic experiences, we decided to skip it. The trams were packed, temperatures were hovering around 40°C, and squeezing into a crowded tram with three children did not sound particularly appealing.

We also intentionally avoided renting a car.

Parking in central Lisbon can be challenging, and most major attractions are concentrated within a relatively compact area.

In fact, we found Lisbon to be wonderfully walkable.

Even with only one day available, we managed to see most of the city's key neighborhoods.

The Return of Daddy

After our afternoon rest, an even better surprise awaited us.

My husband returned!

After receiving treatment at the hospital, he felt sufficiently recovered to walk all the way from the hospital area back to the apartment.

He was understandably exhausted and preferred to stay behind and continue resting, but seeing him back and smiling again felt like a victory.

Our vacation had officially been saved!

Alfama at Sunset

With renewed energy and enormous relief, my friend and I took the children out for our evening exploration.

We climbed into a taxi and headed to Alfama, Lisbon's oldest and most picturesque neighborhood.

This charming maze of narrow streets, staircases, colorful buildings, tiny churches and traditional houses feels like stepping into another world.

We visited the beautiful Miradouros of Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, two of Lisbon's most famous viewpoints. From there, we enjoyed spectacular views over the rooftops of Alfama, the Tagus River, and the city's terracotta-colored skyline.

Nearby, we admired São Jorge Castle, which has watched over Lisbon for centuries.

As we wandered through Alfama's streets, we discovered beautiful azulejos, the iconic blue-and-white Portuguese ceramic tiles that decorate buildings throughout the city.

Every corner seemed to reveal another hidden treasure.

As the sun slowly began setting, we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant overlooking one of the viewpoints, watching the famous yellow Tram 28 climb and descend the hills below.

It was one of those moments you wish you could freeze forever.

Bairro Alto, Chiado and Lisbon by Night

From Alfama, we made our way toward Bairro Alto, Lisbon's vibrant nightlife district.

The atmosphere here was completely different.

Colorful shops, lively restaurants, cozy bars, music drifting through open windows and hidden venues celebrating the emotional tradition of Fado created an enchanting ambiance.

Laundry hung from balconies.

People filled the streets.

The city felt wonderfully alive.

From Bairro Alto, we wandered into elegant Chiado, perhaps Lisbon's most refined neighborhood.

There we passed the famous A Brasileira café, one of the city's historic landmarks, as well as the colorful Pink Street before continuing our exploration.

Armed with a fresh box of pastéis de nata, we climbed one final hill to Miradouro de Santa Catarina.

The nighttime view was breathtaking.

Across the city, Alfama glowed under the lights while São Jorge Castle stood illuminated above the rooftops.

By now, our little explorers had walked far more than any child should reasonably be expected to walk in 40°C weather.

Yet somehow, they continued without complaint.

A Perfect Ending

Eventually, our expert guide of the day revealed one final Lisbon secret.

Using one entrance of a metro station in Chiado and exiting through another, he magically helped us bypass several steep hills before leading us back toward Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade.

The boulevard that had seemed almost empty during the scorching afternoon was now bursting with life. Restaurant terraces were full, cafés buzzed with energy, and people were enjoying the cooler evening air.

We slowly made our way back to Rua Áurea.

It was nearly midnight.

Exhausted.

Happy.

Grateful.

Back at the apartment, my husband and eldest son headed to Praça do Comércio to watch Portugal's World Cup match on giant outdoor screens.

Watching Portugal play while actually being in Lisbon is an experience with a special kind of magic!

As for me?

I could hardly wait to sink into that wonderfully comfortable bed and let the memories of the day settle quietly inside me.

Less than twenty-four hours earlier, our vacation had seemed doomed.

Our flight had been delayed.

My husband had been taken to the hospital.

The temperature had reached nearly 40°C.

And yet somehow, Lisbon had worked its magic.

Perhaps that's the greatest lesson travel teaches us.

Plans change.

Things go wrong.

Unexpected challenges appear.

But sometimes, the days that begin with the greatest difficulties become the stories we remember most.

And our adventure was only just beginning.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of our Big Summer Adventure!

Stay tuned for Part Two!

Love, Katerina