Lisbon

[maimeo]

Thinking of taking a weeks break in Lisbon late Sept/early Oct. Would love any advice on places to stay and must see cultural attractions. Thanks in advance !

We stayed at the Llapa Palace which was great, slightly tucked away. Enjoyed a Tuk Tuk tour of the city (it was August so very hot) do go to the time out food market, it’s brilliant

We recently stayed at HF Fenix Music - really enjoyed it. Good sized rooms, modern, some fun theming. Lovely roof terrace with swimming pool and great views. Breakfast was good. It's a little out of the centre, but right by a metro stop, and very quick and easy to the centre and river side.

We did a free walking tour on the first day, which was a great way to see some of the city and get orientated.

I found Lisbon quite dull, but I know many love it, so each to their own. I would recommend a day or two in Sintra which is just a short train journey from Lisbon.

We stayed in the Epic Sana about ten years ago and loved it. No idea whether it’s still good but location was good for us.

Following as am thinking of doing the same!

Didn't like people offering me drugs all the time.

I spent three days there and apart from the Trams and the architecture, I found it boring. Couldn't wait to leave.

Definitely visit Sintra.

I must admit, I was in Lisbon last year and noticed a big difference since the last time I visited 8 years prior. It really seems to have declined and it was very dirty, unkempt. Such a lot of graffiti, litter, broken glass and streets smelling of urine. We noticed that there was a lot more homeless people too. I wouldn’t go back again in a hurry.

I’ve heard a lot of people say Porto is much nicer.

Agree. Have done loads of city breaks and couldn’t take to Lisbon at all. Did go to Sintra which was a nice trip. Won’t go back.

Thanks all for taking the trouble to reply. I must check out Sintra. Walking tour is always a good idea.

Lisbon is the only place I’ve tried to get a flight out early.
its just dull
queues to get in anywhere when the cruise ships are in.
the constant offer of drugs.
it was just dire

Went in early July and didn't find it hard to get into places at all.
Sintra is a good place to visit as pp said. We saw the castle / hillfort Sao Gorge, went on a tram, visited the aquarium and which was fab.
Corte Ingles if you want to see a shopping area.
We were told we should have visited Cascais , but we didn't get time.

I'm in Portugal for 4 weeks in September can"t wait!

Travelling to Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Evora, Sintra and Albufeira 😎😎

Not technically Lisbon, but near, Cascais. Here at the moment, v lovely. Would recommend. Surfed at a nearby beach which we cycled to on the public e bikes. Just at a restaurant called Hifer. Best food we’ve had in a long time. Lisbon also amazing, was there last year.

I don’t recognise this at all. We loved it when we were there last year. Beautiful city. Loads to do and amazing food. Would go back again definitely.

We stayed in Cascais/estoril, very easy to get in and out of Lisbon by train about 30 minutes, an easy drive up to Sintra and beyond, the beach is nice if you want a day to relax. There's also some nice museums etc in Cascais itself. We were not there for nightlife though we went when I was 6 months pregnant. We only did two days in Lisbon itself; Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Bélém Tower, Praça do Comércio, Alfama, just wandered around a lot, ate nice dinners, amazing ice cream , there was a shop that only sold tins of sardines which was odd.

Did Sintra in a day but it was a very long day, a day seeing the sights in cascais itself , a relaxing day at the beach/by the pool when my swollen pregnant ankles couldn't take anymore and a day driving up the coast visiting , boco da inferno, cabo da Roca the most Westerly point of Europe and stopped into some little villages. We'd planned a vineyard tour but scrapped it when I found out I was pregnant.

We are both happy driving abroad and I think it made the trip much nicer and more relaxing too be able to do that especially for Sintra and getting away from the city. I remember it being quite cheap too.

I agree with a PP the food in Cascais was amazing especially the seafood and we found an incredible Indian restaurant which wasn't expected. Also of course the piri piri chicken I could not get enough spice when I was pregnant and was liberally dousing everything in chilli oil with a lovely older Portuguese man telling me lady no the baby won't like it! It's very very hot, then just laughing and shrugging when I happily tucked in. The thing that struck me was how considerate people were of the fact I was pregnant, always offered a chair, told to go to the front of queues etc. It was a shock coming back to London!

There's an incredible immersive show running at weekends in Lisbon. They keep extending, so it may well still be going in the autumn. A Morte do Corvo - Edgar Allen Poe theme in an old military hospital a few minutes walk from a great food market. I would second Sintra, particularly Quinta da Regaleira. The main cemetery is worth seeing and the LX Factory is nice for lunch and a browse. The fort is also worth a visit, and there are some lovely little restaurants in the old city.

I forgot the Fronteira Palace which is less touristy then most places but amazing to visit.

The local people here are so lovely, waiters/ shopkeepers/ hotel staff - all genuinely lovely. Like they’ve been brought up so well, with manners/ morals and family values. That’s what I’ve really noticed. As well as lots of American tourists with really loud voices 🤣.

Take the train to Sintra. Absolutely incredible, so much to see , it’s magical.

Wow, you’re all so helpful, thank you so much!

Cascais - in particular the Paula rego gallery is fantastic. The aquarium is incredible and very mindful of ecological issues. Best thing we saw was the tile museum (Museo de azulejo) Really well designed and accessible- history of tiles ancient and modern.

The main thing I can advise is comfy shoes. The hills are absolute killers and very, very slippy if it rains so bear that in mind for whatever you choose to pack.

I would agree with that. The streets are tiled - I couldn't wear my walking sandals that are usually grippy enough as I felt I was slipping. Had to wear trainers and this was when it was dry.