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!

Lol, now I have a vivid picture in my head 🤣 😂

Same. I'm pretty well travelled and went with a group of friends two years ago. I really didn't get it. We all felt the same. I had fun as I was there with friends but we all regretted it as a destination choice.

We did Sintra (and also Cascais). Sintra was amazing.

Gosh, I don't recognise this at all. Visited in spring with DH and the kids (one teen, one younger). Didn't notice dog shit and wasn't offered drugs. OK it was sunny so things look different but...enjoyed the castle, the views, the ruins of the cathedral, trip to Belem, Sintra (very busy and overwhelming but a spectacle!), Time Out market, eating in various squares, underneath orange trees...

Get a train to Porto.

I've been twice, before and after kids, and it's ok. The aquarium is good, Cascais is sweet, and the tile museum is good. I struggled with the language and I'm normally really good with languages, and with the food which seemed to be just meat, I was desperate for vegetables by the time we got home! I don't actually know why we went back with the kids!

There are much better places, like Barcelona.

Anyway, this museum was interesting http://www.museudoazulejo.pt/

We went at the wrong time of year too (similar time). You need to go when it's hot and buzzing to really enjoy it.
We got a glimpse of it on our last day and we did see eat some great food

I have a few Portuguese friends who always tell me "Go to Porto, don't go to Lisbon." but I assumed it was just city rivalry.

My partner and I were in Lisbon two weeks ago and his wallet was stolen. I still like it though.

If you make it to the LX factory go to Landeau for a slice of the chocolate cake. It is out of this world.

Time Out was busy but the food was brilliant and the atmosphere and experience was really cool. It's a tourist hot spot yes, but a really good one!

The people I was in Lisbon with carried on without me and went to Porto - they said they much preferred Lisbon. Porto has even steeper hills, and is smaller with less to see and do (their opinion).

I truly loved Lisbon, but I love Portugal as a country and I'm going again next week to a more child-friendly destination in the South.

Porto is lovely too. Just as steep
And because it’s further north definitely not as warm but the port cellars all along the Douro are well worth a visit along with livro lello (even tho it’s always packed) plus a river trip up the Douro

you can also get to Braga and Guimarães easily from there

We went in 2015, just 5 days and loved it, really hot and sunny which makes a difference. Day trip to Sintra and stayed in a central location. I think since lockdown a lot of cities have declined and run down.

I cant believe this. I went in summer with three friends and it was gorgeous! No dog mess - never saw any dogs! Beautiful tree lined, tiled avenues everywhere, with stunning benches and lanterns plus designer shops, tiny bakeries and unique shops.

Great cafes, castles, the cathedral, the amazing lift! Fantastic tram, tube, bus and rail network, not to mention the furniculars. Great market place!

Gorgeous street artists singing at night, pavement restaurants selling fresh fish, great service, stunning coastal views, sculptures, statues, the wonderful tile art on the buildings!

No drugs in sight! I'd love to go again!

We were also offered drugs when we were there two weeks ago. I’m 48 and wearing a headscarf as I’m recovering from chemo and my partner is 69. Hardly the drug taking type 😂

I'm curious about the drug thing, did random men just come up to you with a wrap????

It's a capital city and one that's majored on and been ruined by tourism in the last decade - just like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Rome, London, etc etc.

I live in Portugal and go to Lisbon a few times a year so know the bits to avoid but it's no worse than anywhere else #feelingprotective!

I actually quite like Lisbon, but feel the way you describe about Rome - crowded, dirty, smelly.

We went in January and loved it. Had a beautiful two days and saw no dog mess or drugs!

I went in March and enjoyed it. I don't recall any dog poo or drugs, and am bemused by the hate on this thread.

Lisbon a dump. It’s boring and uninspiring.

I didn’t think much of Estoril or Cascais either.

I’d never go back. You’d have to pay me a lot of money to visit anywhere in Portugal now. It put me off for life.

I hated the gothic feel of the churches. It felt so slumy and old and not in a positive way.

The driving was bonkers as well. Everyone is like Michael Schumacher the moment they are behind a wheel. Driving was even more stressful than in Nepal. At least you expect accidents there. But Portugal? An EU country?

It has the highest mortality car crash death rate of Europe. That says it all really. They are appalling drivers. Never again.

I have travelled widely though so perhaps I’ve been spoilt. There are so many many places that beat it by a long way. I don’t know. I really didn’t like it.

It sounds that the timing is crucial.
We were there in early May, and we liked it. It wasn't the top season, but the city center was already quite full, and if I imagine doubling the numbers, it would spoil the experience.

Sintra, Cabo de Roca, gorgeous beaches in outer Cascais, ferry and walk to the Jesus, Belem, main square and the steps to river, views, ...

Me too - I’ve been loads of times, never been offered drugs or seen all this dog mess in fact hardly seen any dogs 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was also a bit meh with Lisbon. Agree the aquarium was worth a visit and also a trip to Sintra. We visited the castle and the palace in Sintra and hiked up to see them (lovely scenic walk) and then got a tuk tuk down (maybe incredibly unsafe but very fun)

Hope you have some good days. Xx

OMG I thought it was just me! 😂II went years ago and felt exactly the same, everyone else I know loved it. Sintra is beautiful though and we had an afternoon is cascais which was also lovely