In Lisbon and it’s … not all that?

[sellotape12]

Hmm am I missing all the hype about Lisbon? We’re here with a big family thing and whilst I was really looking forward to it I’m surprised how unimpressed we are. It’s dirty, polluted, congestion means it’s hard to walk or cross roads, we keep getting offered drugs and there’s so many identical tacky souvenir shops. Also it’s cloudy which isn’t helping as everything looks a bit grey and dead. Beautiful in the sun no doubt.
It feels like an upcoming city.

feel like I’m in the minority though!

Lisbon is amazing.
Great for a wander. Not a fan of Alfama personally, Bairro Alto is awesome in the evening.
The walk from Bairro Alto down to Cais Sodre is lovely and full of quaint shops.
Yes, if you are not happy in the city get yourself to Cais Sodre and take the train to Caiscais which is beautiful - it's cheap and about 45 mins.

This place is more expensive than most https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g189158-d245905-Reviews-Pavilhao_Chines-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html
but is beautiful and fun. Great cocktails.

What are you looking for?

I can also recommend going by metro to Oceania (red line) which is ye olde Expo site and home to the Aquarium, cable cars and a big shopping centre. Or blue line Colégio Militar/Luz to visit Benfica stadium and Colombo which is another shopping centre.

If you are looking for something a bit different then try https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/feira-da-ladra-flea-market
It's a fun flea market near Alfama

We went last year with our 6 and 9 year old and loved it but I would recommend hop on hop off bus one day and then use taxis. It’s big and hilly and we found it better to taxi to where we had researched and walk around while there rather than walk area to area. Loved LX factory and the area round it and MMAT museum and cafe under it. Time Out market great day and night. Just accept you will use taxis to get everywhere then walk about when you get there. My husband usually doesn’t want to do taxis but it was a must (when we did try to walk too far everyone just got grumpy and like any city lots of grotty and dull between the good bits). Probably just do a tram for the novelty. It’s massive but we loved it with the kids x

🤣 I thought the same reading that list

Omg, what Lisbon were you all in?! I went a few months ago and loved it! Stayed in Sao Nicolau, visited the Time Out food market, Pink street (was slightly rough after dark, largely thanks to brits on stag dos!) Carmo Convent, the Elevador de Santa Justa, had the most amazing food at Sacremento and Bairro de Avillez (and other places) walked miles along the front, took the 2 hour tram tour, nearly died in a Tuk Tuk and had a wonderful time! The only bit I’s definitely swerve if I went again would be the train/bus station which was rough. Defo not a city for kids, teens would love it I reckon

Wow such mixed responses. So glad we’re not here with the kids. The kiddies who are here look bored and tired. Feels like all anyone is doing is trying to work their way through crowded streets and avoid motorists. I’m so shocked. We’d had this trip booked for months.
We’ve been to Bairro Alto, Baixa, Chiado and staying in Alfama. But maybe we should try LX factory and Cascais- thank you!
Just overheard someone else in a restaurant saying they’re underwhelmed and yet overwhelmed at the same time and that is how we feel. It’s the congestion I’m almost surprised at - and I live in London.

Pls don’t be put off anyone else, am sure it’s just the grey weather that’s taking the shine off.

In Spain? What a different country?
Depends what you like food-wise. We always go to local restaurants and avoid anything touristy.
Disclaimer, I am a Portuguese citizen by marriage.

Thanks, our hotel said not to bother with the Time Out market as the ‘food is bad and it’s very touristy’, but glad to hear she’s wrong. Will check out the other bits too. I’m sure the sun is what’s causing it

We’ve been a few times but always stayed in Cascais and got the train in. The first time we went I wasn’t keen on Lisbon but got to like it.

I did like the Gulbenkian a lot and the Jeronimos but it depends what you’re into. Sintra is a good daytrip but was incredibly busy.

Go visit Sintra op. It's beautiful!
30 mins drive

I've seen several threads on here where people have said how great it is as a city break destination. I put it on my list .

I then read something the other week about it being very steep with cobbles and steps that are slippy when wet - and figured not for us as we were thinking of going in November.

Definitely go to the Time Out market for a wander and then turn left outside, go up the hill on Rua do Alocrim. There's an indoor restaurant market on the right which is fun. Go upto Praça Luís de Camões which is lovely. To the left is Bairro Alto and to the right is Chiado. Hotel de Chiado has a lovely rooftop bar.

Really hope you can find places that you love.

Also, not getting the dog shit. Have never found it as bad as Paris, le capital du merde

@Pebbles16 I have been to Porto and cascais too which I much preferred. In all honesty I don't like Portuguese food much at all - but accept that's just my taste- we did 'local' places too both in the Algarve and Lisbon and Porto and the only meal I thought was great was in a German restaurant - I just found a lot of it way too salty and a bit poor quality and just not to my taste- in all fairness as well we had really shit hospitality in Portugal by our hosts, so all the party were in a piss poor mood which didn't help

Go to cascais, the marina is well worth a visit a lovely fish restaurant there & in cascajs there is also yellow street - lots of lovely restaurants.

Also the square and restaurants alongside that you are looking for are there -

localcascais.com/rua-amarela-yellow-street-restaurant-district-cascais/

Also this art gallery was good to visit Casa das Historias Paula Rego

And along the coast away from main square of cascais a lighthouse art gallery and other good views.

Would revisit - lots to do for a couple of days there -

It is heavy underfoot. Not a place for heels. And possibly not a place for wet weather.
May, June, September and October are the best months IMO. I would also say April but we had horrendous weather one year so it's a bit hit or miss. Summer is awesome, but I've also been in December and had a wonderful balmy time.

Oh that's sad. I love fish and seafood so spend most of my time munching on squid, octopus and bacalhau (salt cod). I avoid big (overcooked) veg which is a "thing" in Portugal.
Favourites are arroz tamboril, bacalhau na brasa and any grilled chocos, lulas or polvos (cuttlefish, squid, octopus)

Came back last week - it was sunny whilst we were there - and fully agree with your post. Dirty, rundown and FULL of tourists (appreciate we were part of the problem) As my daughter says, Instagram has ruined the world.

The queues around the Monastery and the Pasteis de Belem were mad and the Barrio Alto felt seedy (with a weirdly prominent Jamie’s Italian 😂) The Time Out market was truly awful - absolutely overrun with people and no chance of getting a table/eating.

Stayed in a lovely hotel but would not rush back. Drove down from Porto and it was much the same - but with loads of cruise ship groups and more roadworks.

absolutely love Lisbon - I’ve been at least 8 times & never once been offered drugs (feeling left out now 😆)

Caiscais, Sintra & Belém all beautiful. The area around expo down in the river front with the cable cars that leads along to the Vasco de gama bridge is worth exploring

personally I always use the metro to get about as it’s cheap & convenient & air conditioned

We also loved Lisbon but were there a few days; I think it all depends where you stay

The calçadas pavements are beautiful but yes it is steep & slippery. I only ever wear trainers to walk. I’m in awe of native lisboans wearing normal shoes to walk around 😆

Similar. We stayed in the new area near the river around Expo. We were not offered drugs either.

@sellotape12 also, if you have the time, you can get the train from Cais Sodre to Carcevelos which is the best beach on the Estoril coast. Spend a couple of hours around the beach area - loads of cafes. Then, get the train further west to Carcavelos for the afternoon/evening

I also like the gulbenkian museum - it’s near el court ingles which does the best hot chocolate in winter

I was there last month and had an amazing time. We went to the tourist office and bought the Lisbon pass. That gives you unlimited use of the trams and entry into most of the attractions.st Jerome’s monastery and the castle were both amazing but the best ever was the time out market and absolute dream for a foodie. You have to visit it

I loved it and remember it as being very beautiful in the sun, with delicious fresh food in the day and that we would dance the night away in the Bairro Alto.

I was very much young and in love so that probably helped (though it's not that long ago!). The people were really warm and welcoming, which felt like a huge contrast compared to some places (ahem Paris).

I do remember the con artists offering 'drugs' to my boyfriend but we just laughed it off. It's oddly less irritating than the rose con you find in every tourist town.

Time out market
Hotel convento do espinheiro as a very nice hotel an hour outside lisbon in "wine country". Evora can be reached by train.
Sintra for the castle/town
Caiscais for a nice town
The aquarium/Lisbon zoo
Most people love Lisbon for the food, I agree the city is somewhat run down in places. On our recent trip someone in a corner store also offered my husband drugs. Sad to know it wasn't a one off.