Things to do in Lisbon? (April)
Discussion
We followed a city break to Rome with a trip to Lisbon...what a difference!
After Rome we were worn out, it was non stop 'must-see' stuff. Lisbon was completely the opposite. Really laid back, plenty of stuff to do but for the life of me, can't remember much about it and it was only last October! Central street restaurants were fine, trams and taxis were cheap and easy to use, waterfront was pleasant, Expo site worth a look just to say you'd been there, castle and grounds were nice as was the whole of the old town, used a 3 day bus/tram ticket to get everywhere. Much much cheaper than Rome too.
Apologies if useless but we had a great time there, a real 'break' and totally stress free.
Duncan
After Rome we were worn out, it was non stop 'must-see' stuff. Lisbon was completely the opposite. Really laid back, plenty of stuff to do but for the life of me, can't remember much about it and it was only last October! Central street restaurants were fine, trams and taxis were cheap and easy to use, waterfront was pleasant, Expo site worth a look just to say you'd been there, castle and grounds were nice as was the whole of the old town, used a 3 day bus/tram ticket to get everywhere. Much much cheaper than Rome too.
Apologies if useless but we had a great time there, a real 'break' and totally stress free.
Duncan
A very similar experience to me LFB, we spent a lovely relaxing weeekend there, mostly just meandering, eating and drinking, not that much to see but enough to make it worthwhile. The old part of the city is indeed lovely, with some great views from up high on the hills. A very laid back city indeed, some great nightlife
I would however add a very large note of caution regarding the taxis from the airport - they are notorious for ripping visitors off, it's certainly worthwhile organising something ahead of arrival as the price difference can be astronomical.
I would however add a very large note of caution regarding the taxis from the airport - they are notorious for ripping visitors off, it's certainly worthwhile organising something ahead of arrival as the price difference can be astronomical.
There is a local/old tram (think it is no 14 ? but check, it's in most of the guide books). Great cheap way of seeing the whole town in a rickety old wooden tram, very cheap and easy day out, you can hop on & off as you wish. Tram will take you high in to the hills of the old town, where you can visit the castle, great views across Lisbon.
Take the tram up to the castle and then walk down. Buy lots of cakes and seafood. Cascais is a nice fishing village. Jeronimos def worth a look. I'm often overcharged in taxis and have just accepted it as part of the experience, apart from that everyone is nice and friendly.
A slight off the wall suggestion, this veggie restaurant is very very good (I'm not veggie and I loved it) - http://www.restauranteterra.pt/Terra/Bem_vindo.htm...
A slight off the wall suggestion, this veggie restaurant is very very good (I'm not veggie and I loved it) - http://www.restauranteterra.pt/Terra/Bem_vindo.htm...
I loved Lisbon. Try the Expo centre area, the aquarium was pretty decent. Great food in the Barras area of the old town, above the Tram way. The Bull fighting was a controversial but interesting night out. Plenty of nice gallery's and museums if into that. The old waterfront area has a lively nightlife which starts late. Best get your walking shoes on, it's pretty spread out but enjoyable.
I live just south of Lisboa, and most of the city is quite compact- Stroll from Praco Commercial by the water front via the grid of streets of Baixa to Rosso (properly called Praca Dom Pedro IV, although the statue in the middle of Rossio isn't of Dom Pedro IV- it's Emperor Maximillian of Mexico, who was assassinated in 1867 while the statue was on it's way from Europe to Mexico... suddenly surplus to requirements, Lisbon stuck it on the top of high pillar and named it after their king and hoped no-one would notice); admire the Rossio train station and continue to Praca Dos Restauradores onto to Avenida Libertades (Lisbon's version of Bond Street) for some shopping. Then backtrack a little up to the Barrio Alto via the Elevador da Gloria (a funicular railway on Praca dos Restauradores) for lunch and a visit to the Port Wine Institute (sort of a creche for blokes- SWMBO often leaves me there when she goes shopping in Lisboa). Do some more shopping. Have a look at the ruins of the Igreja da Carno (destroyed in the great Lisbon quake of 1755), and look round the archeological museum next door if you want. Down the Elevador San Justa (a wrought iron lift) back to Rossio.
The Expo site has a huge aquarium, a big, big shopping centre and a cable car ride.
West along the riverfront from Praco do Commerical towards Belem on electrico 15 (an old yellow tram), past the oriental museum towards Jeronimos, the Coach Museum the Torre de Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries.
Tram no 28 up the hill towards the castle (not quite all the way though- you have to make the last bit on foot!). In fact the 28 tram is a good trip all around many of the tourist bits of Lisbon.
Vist the Gulbenkian- one of the finest art collections in Europe, aquired by "Mr Five Percent", Calouste Gulbenkian an oil magnate in the 1920's.
Have lots of coffees and make sure you have a pastel nata (little custard tart) in the thousands of cafes.
And be careful with the traffic.... zebra crossings are just so the drivers know it's their fault when they run you over!
The Expo site has a huge aquarium, a big, big shopping centre and a cable car ride.
West along the riverfront from Praco do Commerical towards Belem on electrico 15 (an old yellow tram), past the oriental museum towards Jeronimos, the Coach Museum the Torre de Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries.
Tram no 28 up the hill towards the castle (not quite all the way though- you have to make the last bit on foot!). In fact the 28 tram is a good trip all around many of the tourist bits of Lisbon.
Vist the Gulbenkian- one of the finest art collections in Europe, aquired by "Mr Five Percent", Calouste Gulbenkian an oil magnate in the 1920's.
Have lots of coffees and make sure you have a pastel nata (little custard tart) in the thousands of cafes.
And be careful with the traffic.... zebra crossings are just so the drivers know it's their fault when they run you over!
Excellent - lots of stuff there. OH will like the Gulbenkian, for sure. And as she's on her college's wine committee, the Port Wine Institute is a great suggestion - will get a visit. Or two. 
Have also discovered a rather useful and not-just-PR-puffery blog at www.golisbon.com
4 days may not be enough...
Have also discovered a rather useful and not-just-PR-puffery blog at www.golisbon.com
4 days may not be enough...
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