Lisbon in October
Discussion
Returned Friday evening after 3 days there.
Loved it. Some great architecture and even better restaurants than expected.
Look a bit derelict and neglected in al lot of places but I guess cities around the world have similar.
Did Pink Street. Don't bother. Went there Tuesday night. One dark street with a few insalubrious looking bars, security on one end. Nothing special but apparently during the day a bit of an Instagrammers spot. Used to be the red light district but got 'revamped' back in 2011. Maybe in need of another one.
Visited Time Out market. Was very busy Tuesday night with no free communal seats available. The traders looked great and some wonderful food options available. But too many people just sitting around. So went over the road to Sophie's and had some very decent Italian food.
Struck lucky Wednesday as went to Mini Bar https://www.minibar.pt/en/ and loved it. From 'finding' it to the theatre inside was fantastic.
Thursday night visited https://www.jncquoi.com/en/places/asia/1025/ Again, a very theatrical venue with great food and drinks menu.
Tuk tuk's are extremely over priced as they are everywhere so stayed clear. Used Uber and very impressed with them. All drivers happy, spoke great English and gave decent knowledge of places to avoid etc.
Bonus was we arrived the day the Portugese Classic Rally came to the city.
So thanks for the heads up and ideas. Hopefully the places I have mentioned give others some decent memories too.
Loved it. Some great architecture and even better restaurants than expected.
Look a bit derelict and neglected in al lot of places but I guess cities around the world have similar.
Did Pink Street. Don't bother. Went there Tuesday night. One dark street with a few insalubrious looking bars, security on one end. Nothing special but apparently during the day a bit of an Instagrammers spot. Used to be the red light district but got 'revamped' back in 2011. Maybe in need of another one.
Visited Time Out market. Was very busy Tuesday night with no free communal seats available. The traders looked great and some wonderful food options available. But too many people just sitting around. So went over the road to Sophie's and had some very decent Italian food.
Struck lucky Wednesday as went to Mini Bar https://www.minibar.pt/en/ and loved it. From 'finding' it to the theatre inside was fantastic.
Thursday night visited https://www.jncquoi.com/en/places/asia/1025/ Again, a very theatrical venue with great food and drinks menu.
Tuk tuk's are extremely over priced as they are everywhere so stayed clear. Used Uber and very impressed with them. All drivers happy, spoke great English and gave decent knowledge of places to avoid etc.
Bonus was we arrived the day the Portugese Classic Rally came to the city.
So thanks for the heads up and ideas. Hopefully the places I have mentioned give others some decent memories too.
By the wine is a nice wine bar in Lisbon.
Some great eating in Lisbon nowhere will disappoint tbh.
Trip to Cascais and some seafood on the Marina is a nice choice too.
Time out Market is worth going for lunch.
If it’s a nice day go to Belem and walk back along the river passing numerous bars.
Oh and purchase Pastel de Nata from Near Jeronimos monastery. Absolutely delightful
Some great eating in Lisbon nowhere will disappoint tbh.
Trip to Cascais and some seafood on the Marina is a nice choice too.
Time out Market is worth going for lunch.
If it’s a nice day go to Belem and walk back along the river passing numerous bars.
Oh and purchase Pastel de Nata from Near Jeronimos monastery. Absolutely delightful
Rider007 said:
Went a few years ago for a long weekend.Disappointed tbh. Timeout market was good for variety of food, but couldn't get over the graffiti everywhere, trams, trains. Drug dealers coming up offering, picking you out as tourists. Nice custard tarts though.
We were in Albufeira in 22, no problems with drug dealers in old town, but went to Vilamoura 1 evening, offered drugs 3 times walking round the docks. Its mainly just guys walking fast and talking to themselves, none stopped and gave us a hard time, but agree, its a little off putting, but I've found you get that in most cities these days, sadly.s2kjock said:
Has anyone travelled to Setubal from Lisbon, as considering a day trip the next time we go (probably spring or autumn time)? We've still not gone South of the Targus on our two trips.
Late reply here but yes!I visited Lisbon in September '22 for a few days and booked in a tattoo artist for my last day there who is based in Setubal.
I got the ferry across from Lisbon to Barreiro, which takes about 20 mins and costs a few euros, then the train from Barreiro to Setubal, which is about 30 mins.
I didn't get to see much of the area as I was only there for the tattoo, but it seemed nice and the artist who lives there said it's great, very chilled out and less touristy, still things to see and do though.. Probably worth a day trip..
It looks like you can also get a direct train there that crosses via Almada - that would probably be my preferred route if I was just sightseeing, assuming you can hop off in Almada, have a wonder around there, see the Christ status etc, then hop back on and continue to Setubal.
I think Barreiro is less of a tourist spot, as most of the people on the ferry in the morning seemed to be locals travelling across for work.
Many people like to stay in Baixa, The Alfama or Bairro Alto when they visit Lisbon. In March, the temperature is often about 18.7°C. Lisbon can be easily explored on foot, particularly for those tourists eager to see the attractions. However, if one prefers using public transport, obtaining a Lisboa Card is an excellent way to save both money and time. It provides complimentary or discounted entry to the majority of attractions in the city and permits limitless use of all public transport systems across Lisbon.
KevF said:
Returned Friday evening after 3 days there.
Loved it. Some great architecture and even better restaurants than expected.
Look a bit derelict and neglected in al lot of places but I guess cities around the world have similar.
Did Pink Street. Don't bother. Went there Tuesday night. One dark street with a few insalubrious looking bars, security on one end. Nothing special but apparently during the day a bit of an Instagrammers spot. Used to be the red light district but got 'revamped' back in 2011. Maybe in need of another one.
Visited Time Out market. Was very busy Tuesday night with no free communal seats available. The traders looked great and some wonderful food options available. But too many people just sitting around. So went over the road to Sophie's and had some very decent Italian food.
Struck lucky Wednesday as went to Mini Bar https://www.minibar.pt/en/ and loved it. From 'finding' it to the theatre inside was fantastic.
Thursday night visited https://www.jncquoi.com/en/places/asia/1025/ Again, a very theatrical venue with great food and drinks menu.
Tuk tuk's are extremely over priced as they are everywhere so stayed clear. Used Uber and very impressed with them. All drivers happy, spoke great English and gave decent knowledge of places to avoid etc.
Bonus was we arrived the day the Portugese Classic Rally came to the city.
So thanks for the heads up and ideas. Hopefully the places I have mentioned give others some decent memories too.
Disagree about the tuk tuks. Loved it. Some great architecture and even better restaurants than expected.
Look a bit derelict and neglected in al lot of places but I guess cities around the world have similar.
Did Pink Street. Don't bother. Went there Tuesday night. One dark street with a few insalubrious looking bars, security on one end. Nothing special but apparently during the day a bit of an Instagrammers spot. Used to be the red light district but got 'revamped' back in 2011. Maybe in need of another one.
Visited Time Out market. Was very busy Tuesday night with no free communal seats available. The traders looked great and some wonderful food options available. But too many people just sitting around. So went over the road to Sophie's and had some very decent Italian food.
Struck lucky Wednesday as went to Mini Bar https://www.minibar.pt/en/ and loved it. From 'finding' it to the theatre inside was fantastic.
Thursday night visited https://www.jncquoi.com/en/places/asia/1025/ Again, a very theatrical venue with great food and drinks menu.
Tuk tuk's are extremely over priced as they are everywhere so stayed clear. Used Uber and very impressed with them. All drivers happy, spoke great English and gave decent knowledge of places to avoid etc.
Bonus was we arrived the day the Portugese Classic Rally came to the city.
So thanks for the heads up and ideas. Hopefully the places I have mentioned give others some decent memories too.
Maybe over priced but you can haggle it down. For a family of 4 it was by far the best way of seeing all the main sites and reaching the view points, most of which would have been extremely difficult in a car or walking. Our driver explained things, allowed us to look around before moving to the next stop, took pics of us etc.
I think it's a great city to walk around - we do about 40-50 miles when we go there for a 5 day trip normally, although a lot of that is because our favourite bars are not close to the hotel. Public transport is good too, so you never feel it is difficult to get back home and CBA walking back.
It is quite hilly though, with tourist traffic in the central areas pretty intense, so we tend to avoid those more now. Vehicles are allowed to turn right across a "green man" at junctions, so do keep your wits about you at crossings - folk are pretty good at stopping for peds at non-lighted crossings, but you still need to be careful. It also takes me until about the final day of our trip before I get used to which side traffic should be driving on.
I also discovered this year that cold remedies cost a small fortune - a packet of Strepsils I could only buy at a pharmacy and they cost about 11 Euros
Simple things like paracetamol and ibuprufen similar, and c 4-6 euros from memory, so take that sort of thing with you if you think you will need it.
Beers and coffees for 1 euro 50 or so make up for it...............
It is quite hilly though, with tourist traffic in the central areas pretty intense, so we tend to avoid those more now. Vehicles are allowed to turn right across a "green man" at junctions, so do keep your wits about you at crossings - folk are pretty good at stopping for peds at non-lighted crossings, but you still need to be careful. It also takes me until about the final day of our trip before I get used to which side traffic should be driving on.
I also discovered this year that cold remedies cost a small fortune - a packet of Strepsils I could only buy at a pharmacy and they cost about 11 Euros
Simple things like paracetamol and ibuprufen similar, and c 4-6 euros from memory, so take that sort of thing with you if you think you will need it.Beers and coffees for 1 euro 50 or so make up for it...............
Just back from 3 nights in Lisbon.
We enjoyed it, but the weather wasn't good. day 1 was 24C, the we had 3 days of wind, rain and overcast. The rain on Weds was torrential.
In terms of the city, its a nice enough place, plenty to see, probably more of an outdoorsy type place in my opinion. Plenty of churches and stuff to see if that's your thing, and lots of good lookout points high up.
We did pink st, which in reality is a bit of a dump, and pretty small, but had to get a pic, timeout market was ok, LX factory nothing special, feels like these places know they're trendy areas, and charge accordingly really. We only went once to both.
Food was good, plenty of choices, and not too badly priced. Drinks really varied in price. Wife was on the aporel spritz, 6.50-15E in some places. We had a terrific meal at a small restaurant called O'chiado. Also, a cracking pizza at Pizza Romana.
We caught the train and went to Sintra for the day, felt a waste of time, and basically, they know they have a few touristy type things to see and do there, and charge accordingly. The weather wasn't great when we went, which didn't help. But spent 10E each on the bus, another 10E each to walk round the gardens of the Pena palace, (the palace was another 10E each to go in), 30E on a sandwich and a drink. The train was cheap as chips though, lol.
Got offered drugs usually 3/4 times a night, every night, people don't hang about when it happens, but its not nice really. Fair few beggers, and no shortage of people selling sunglasses, handbags or umbrellas (depending on the weather)
Overall, we had a good time, 4 days was too long though. Doubt I'd go back. Portugal always feels expensive to me, having been twice in last 3 years, probably wont rush back. We stayed just off Rossio square. We spent around £700 in 3 nights, without doing excursions or Tuktuk ride. I think I just felt a bit ripped off. Very easy to spend 10-15E on a couple of drinks, 10E on an ice cream, or 5E on a custard tart.
We enjoyed it, but the weather wasn't good. day 1 was 24C, the we had 3 days of wind, rain and overcast. The rain on Weds was torrential.
In terms of the city, its a nice enough place, plenty to see, probably more of an outdoorsy type place in my opinion. Plenty of churches and stuff to see if that's your thing, and lots of good lookout points high up.
We did pink st, which in reality is a bit of a dump, and pretty small, but had to get a pic, timeout market was ok, LX factory nothing special, feels like these places know they're trendy areas, and charge accordingly really. We only went once to both.
Food was good, plenty of choices, and not too badly priced. Drinks really varied in price. Wife was on the aporel spritz, 6.50-15E in some places. We had a terrific meal at a small restaurant called O'chiado. Also, a cracking pizza at Pizza Romana.
We caught the train and went to Sintra for the day, felt a waste of time, and basically, they know they have a few touristy type things to see and do there, and charge accordingly. The weather wasn't great when we went, which didn't help. But spent 10E each on the bus, another 10E each to walk round the gardens of the Pena palace, (the palace was another 10E each to go in), 30E on a sandwich and a drink. The train was cheap as chips though, lol.
Got offered drugs usually 3/4 times a night, every night, people don't hang about when it happens, but its not nice really. Fair few beggers, and no shortage of people selling sunglasses, handbags or umbrellas (depending on the weather)
Overall, we had a good time, 4 days was too long though. Doubt I'd go back. Portugal always feels expensive to me, having been twice in last 3 years, probably wont rush back. We stayed just off Rossio square. We spent around £700 in 3 nights, without doing excursions or Tuktuk ride. I think I just felt a bit ripped off. Very easy to spend 10-15E on a couple of drinks, 10E on an ice cream, or 5E on a custard tart.
Edited by andyjo1982 on Friday 29th March 13:10
Edited by andyjo1982 on Friday 29th March 13:10
The touristy bits are really not especially great and it sounds like you have had the worst of that. Duff weather doesn't help. We've been 4 times in either Feb or October and been lucky each time with mostly dry warm conditions. It's all relative to where I live normally though
We avoid the tourist areas now and just enjoy walking around other parts of the city, being able to sit outside and drink cheaply, and having nice meals at reasonable prices. Culturally it seems a much more pleasant country to be in than the UK. If we hadn't found some nicer parts of town to spend time in we would probably not have gone back.
We avoid the tourist areas now and just enjoy walking around other parts of the city, being able to sit outside and drink cheaply, and having nice meals at reasonable prices. Culturally it seems a much more pleasant country to be in than the UK. If we hadn't found some nicer parts of town to spend time in we would probably not have gone back.
10 euros on an ice cream, where did you go? lol
When I go I like to walk along the coastal path, get the overland train from Cais do Sodre, get off at Parede and walk until I get to Cascais. If the weather is nice that is.
There are a few bars along the way where a meal and a few beers while the sun goes down is a nice place to be.
When I go I like to walk along the coastal path, get the overland train from Cais do Sodre, get off at Parede and walk until I get to Cascais. If the weather is nice that is.
There are a few bars along the way where a meal and a few beers while the sun goes down is a nice place to be.
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