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Short break in Lisbon - any info/advice/recommendations

10 replies

pointyshoes · 10/02/2015 17:10

Thinking about a short (3/4 day) break in Lisbon with DH. Never been before so looking for suggestions of things to do, where to stay etc. Is it a good "walkable" city?

OP posts:
Lweji · 11/02/2015 00:52

Downtown (Baixa) is buzzing atm and it's good for shopping. That is nice for walking and there is a large pedestrian street. It has a small Interactive style museum about the history of the city.
It leads to a large avenue with top and expensive brands. From there you can get on a two section lift that eventually takes you to the castle (it's not fantastic as castles go, but it does have a nice view), or you can take a cable car.

There is a tour service called Hippotrip, with an amphibian bus, that goes around the city and in the river. There are also antique trams for tourists, and now tuk-tuks. You can also rent motorised vehicles to travel around, but taxis are fairly cheap, and the underground system (metro) for most of it is not bad. You have mobile phone signal and even free-wifi in some stations.

You can take a bus or the tube to the East (Oriente station), which has a fantastic Oceanarium (Aquarium type), and a science museum (but mostly for children), a nice garden and a large shopping centre (Vasco da Gama). You can ride a cable car along the river and there is a tower with a rotating restaurant at the top (I have been told).

To the west, you have the most historical part, Belém. Tourists usually take the 15 tram (modern, usually) from Baixa, but be careful with your wallets.
There you have a large monastery with a derived gothic style (Manuelino), which is highly decorative, a navy museum, an archeology museum, and a military tower in the same style as the monastery. There is also a large Cultural Centre with a free exhibit of modern art, from a large private collection (Berardo)
There, you must go to a small shop that sells custard tarts (Pastéis de Belém). You can buy packs to go, or walk in, along the almost maze to find a table and relax.

You can, walk to the electricity museum (free) at an old coal based power station by the river.

If you can, take a day to go to the nearby town of Sintra.

Lweji · 11/02/2015 01:17

Also, if you can, find a restaurant with live Fado in the evening, usually in the Alfama area.

pointyshoes · 11/02/2015 12:02

Thanks Lweji, that all sounds really interesting and has inspired me to go! Do you know any hotels, mid range but nice, not the obvious chains, good location ...... not asking much I know!

OP posts:
Lweji · 11/02/2015 12:27

Not so hot on hotels, as I am local.

Maybe consider some hostels, which are good quality. Around down town (Baixa, Chiado)

SpecificOcean · 14/02/2015 20:21

We did some things already mentioned so wont repeat.
We went to Cascais a lovely beach town half an hour away by train. It has a castle and some nice coffee shops, bars, restaurants etc.
In Lisbon we went up the Santa Justa tower lift. We went on the hop on/off open top bus as we found Lisbon to be quite spread out. Stayed in Clarion suites- huge rooms (separate one for dc) and outdoor pool in a good location near parque Eduardo v11

PoppyAmex · 14/02/2015 20:28

Fab advice from Lweji. I'd also have dinner at the Docks - such a pleasant place.

I'd just add, try to visit Cascais and Sintra (UNESCO heritage site and beautiful town/scenery and history. The Pena palace is stunning and it has all the original furniture, down to some period gowns.

PoppyAmex · 14/02/2015 20:29

And absolutely go to Belem and have a dozen custard tart. You will never forget it, I promise.

Suea76 · 22/02/2015 20:07

Hi
Lisbon is my favorite city in Europe possibly the world. Won't repeat the advice above but would suggest the chill out tours they are a free walking gtour of the city with young local guides you just pay what you think it's worth.
How much do you want to spend on hotels I like the tivoli lisbon about 100 a night or when we need to go cheaper the Lisbon short say apartments are great value.
Very jealous have a great trip x

Lweji · 22/02/2015 22:15

:) Suea76

I have come to the conclusion recently that Lisbon has spoiled most other cities for me. The ones that I have visited are still great, but not amazing or fantastic.

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