Lisbon - best bits please!

[awonderfuladventure]

Which areas are good to stay in for a group of 4 couples, early 50s? We all enjoy being by water, eating, drinking and outdoor activities. Not bothered about large chain hotels.

And what should we do when we get there? Will go for 3 or 4 days.

Would like to visit a beach one day, not sure which one.

Stayed at the Inspira Hotel there in 2019, it was very nice. Great spa (proper Swedish massage) and fabulous cocktail bar. I'd definitely go back. The tube train system in Lisbon makes it simple to get around. Eating out was very reasonable too.

Thanks @Milknosugarta - I'll google that hotel - sounds lush.

Forgot. There is a really good aquarium there, You can get the cable car to it. Makes a nice afternoon trip.

Sounds good!

We stayed in the Alfama district recently which I loved, there are loads of Air bnb apartments to rent if you’d prefer that to a hotel? We went along to Cascais for one afternoon to the beach and I’d recommend that as a lovely day out, it’s around half an hour on the train from Lisbon and very easy and cheap to get to. Definitely spend some time in Belem too and visiting the food markets.

Thanks @2catsand2kids, will check out all those tips!

Have a look at Memmo Alfama.. we have booked it for our wedding anniversary in September.. views and outdoor areas look fab😊

That looks gorgeous!

Cascais is a must. The Albatroz Hotel there is fabulous if you’re tempted for a night’s stay, or the Villa Italia if you want glitzier. Good food at any of the fish restaurants.

A wander around the Alfama in Lisbon is a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon and the view from the castle is simply breathtaking.

Sintra is another fabulous day trip.

My favourite European capital - we give it five stars every time.

Do lunch or dinner at the Time Out market, wonderful choice of fresh foods and drinks

Time Out Market is great. We did a Tuk tuk tour for the afternoon which was fun and covered a lot of ground. We did the tasting menu here portugalconfidential.com/9b-by-via-graca-lisbon/ which was fabulous and stunning views. Though our apartment was across the road, with equally stunning views. www.lisbon.net/santa-justa-lift There's a nice bar at the top of the Santa Justa lift (buy the local transport passes and you can use them for the lift.)

LX factory is great and a lovely walk from Alfama along the water.
Make sure you wear the comfiest shoes you have and don't underestimate how steep the hills are!!

The zoo is really good if you like that sort of thing. As is a day out to cascais and Sintra.

Porto is also an amazing weekend away.

Our highlight was going to Sintra for the day, we hiked up to the castle and palace which was a beautiful scenic uphill walk if you're all fit enough (just in regular trainers) and then we took a tuk tuk back down (which was very fast down the winding hills and I had my heart in my throat lol) have fun!

These are all fabulous tips, thanks! I'll be researching them all tonight., Is Cascais close enough to day trip or is it better to stay a night?

Cascais is a short hop on the train - 30 minutes or so and the trains go very regularly.
We’ve just rebooked on the back of this thread - so thank you!

I plan to do 2.5 days in Lisbon then to Sintra, overnight here
www.booking.com/hotel/pt/chalet-saudade.en-gb.html?aid=303948&label=sintra-BpwI03tX4yxQMlBukOTglQS392876325010%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-124817832%3Alp9045989%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm%3Appccp%3DUmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9Yf5EcukO1MOGLSSAuId8ToA&sid=5a39a384b042d3f6107fa56e23a3940e&all_sr_blocks=78715209_91939485_2_0_0;checkin=2022-09-08;checkout=2022-09-09;dest_id=-2176842;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=37;highlighted_blocks=78715209_91939485_2_0_0;hpos=12;matching_block_id=78715209_91939485_2_0_0;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;sr_pri_blocks=78715209_91939485_2_0_0__16500;srepoch=1654636583;srpvid=4496958235d40326;type=total;ucfs=1;ufiplus=1&#hotelTmpl

then Cascais, then back to Lisbon. All short distances via train/taxi

Lisbon www.hoteldabaixa.com/en/

www.h10hotels.com/en/lisbon-hotels/h10-duque-de-loule?utm_source=Google%20My%20Business&utm_medium=Boton%20sitio%20web&utm_campaign=HDL

Ha ha, you're very welcome!

@xippo they look gorgeous places to stay.

We recently stayed at The Editory Riverside Santa Apalonia. It was beautiful and looks like it's just recently been opened. The bus stop outside the entrance (825) will take you directly to the Time Out market, Commerce Square, Jeronimos Monastery and quite a few other places. Across the road the 825 gets you to the aquarium which we loved. It was easy to get the metro from the airport with just one change over. We bought a ticket at the metro in the airport and used it for the metro, buses and trams for 3 days. There's another ticket that includes ferries.

Pasteis de nata. The most delicious little pastries - custard filled, best with a cup of coffee. Have one on your first day, just to see if you like them, then on your first afternoon, then after supper...

Totally addictive, well worth it. Really really.

@chiffchaffchiff looks gorgeous! Thanks for the recommendation and bus tips.

@barneymcgroo I love those - I think they will form my staple diet when we go.

@awonderfuladventure Oh good! Just wanted to make sure in case you'd never met one...
Enjoy - not at all jealous...!