Lisbon has a way of drawing you in with its charm, but the real magic happens when you leave the main squares behind. One morning, I decided to ignore Google Maps and simply wander. I ended up in Alfama, where narrow cobblestone lanes twisted like a maze. Local grandmothers leaned out of windows to chat across the street, kids played football with soda cans, and the smell of fresh sardines drifted from tiny kitchens. Every turn revealed a splash of color — laundry fluttering above my head, tiled facades shimmering in the sun, and bursts of fado music echoing from unseen speakers. Getting lost was not a mistake; it was the highlight of my trip.
