Wanderers But Not Lost

Lisbon travel tips

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal is fashionable. Are we not the only ones to say that. The international tourism community has been rewarding and distinguishing Lisbon as one of the best travel destinations in the world. Lisbon has gradually been gaining a prominent place in European tourism. Many tourists traveling through Europe integrate Lisbon in their circuit and do not regreta it! Lisbon appeals to younger, as well as to more experienced tourists and all those who like places with charisma and where the population boasts a genuine smile.IMG_2339-1024x544

If you wish to know the city quickly, dedicate it three days. However, five to seven days would be the ideal to enjoy Lisbon and a set of amazing places in its vicinity, such as Sintra, Tejo estuary, the beach of Cascais, Mafra Convent, Queluz Palace, or even the Sanctuary of Fatima (which is 1h30 by bus from Lisbon).

General Tips:

– Lisbon has the best hostels in the world. Choose one and you will be satisfied.

– Lisbon has charisma in all seasons. In spring is covered with flowers and colorful; in summer the streets are filled with weekenders to cheer about popular festivals (especially the Santo Antonio). In autumn, the days begin to decrease but the sky is even bluer. And in winter, you can enjoy a sun you will not find in many European capitals.

– Search for a hostel with kitchen; it is always an asset.

– Use recyclable bottles and fill tap water every day in the morning. Lisbon water is of good quality. It’s just a sustainable behavior.

– Use the Youth card or student card for discounts in monuments or in transport.

– Take tram 28 (and 15) as it is one of the nicest ways to travel around the city.

– Visit the main monuments on Sunday morning. Admission is free.

– Dine and spend a night in Bairro Alto or Alfama. These neighborhoods are the face of Lisbon and enjoying the city nightlife is a must.IMG_6944-1024x668

Transportation

How to go: Lisbon airport is an international airport with connections to major European and American cities. There are a number of Low Costs operating, making Lisbon na accessible location to the majority of visitors from European countries. It is also a gateway for those coming from Brazil. The flights of low cost airlines depart from Terminal 2. Accessing this terminal is done by free public bus.

Access to the airport: There are several hypotheses to get to and from Lisbon airport. The Metro (subway) is the fastest, economic and frequent option. Just take the pink line and it takes about 30 minutes from the center of Lisbon. The cab can also be an option. A taxi to the city center costs about 10 euros.

Within the city: There are several options to move within the city of Lisbon: the Metro, tram, bus or suburban train and the boat (the latter two for accessing neighboring municipalities). The Metro tickets are for the Metro network and for the bus. Trams have a higher rate.

Purchase tickets in vending machines available at all stations, cabins, or bus and tram drivers (exact amount). You can pay in cash (notes and coins) or bank card (vending machines only). The normal ticket for travelling by Metro and bus costs € 1.80; the tram ticket costs € 2.65 and tickets for the panoramic lifts of the city are distinct. You can see the prices here.

Metro: The Metro network is suitable to visit the city center. The Metro allows access to the airport and the main bus terminals of the city (Gare do Oriente and Sete Rios), as well as to the main attractions.

The site of CARRIS (the company that manages the urban transportation in Lisbon) allows to plan the trip and see the necessary connections as well as practical information on access to the city from the airport. One can make the simulation of the trip here.  

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Tram: No visit to Lisbon will be complete until you have done a trip on the tram 28 or 15E and 12E. The 28 goes from Campo de Ourique to Martim Moniz and 12E will connect Martim Moniz to Praça da Figueira. 15E goes from Praça da Figueira to Algés. This is a great way to head for Belem and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.IMG_1518-1024x682

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Train: You can take the suburban train to visit Sintra or Cascais beaches and Sado. To plan your trip you can click on the CP site.

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The suburban train to Sintra departs from Rossio station. The train to Cascais departs from Cais do Sodré station.

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Cascais line

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Sado line

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Sintra line

Boat: Lisbon is a city facing the river and there are several boats that make the connection between the north shore and the south shore. You can move from the Praça do Comércio, Cais do Sodré and Belém, on the north bank of the Tejo, for Montijo, Barreiro, Setúbal, Cacilhas, Porto Brandão and Trafaria on the south bank. The boats are operated by TRANSTEJO and SOFLUSA. You can view the timetables and fares here.IMG_1466-1024x682

TRANSTEJO also offers a two hour boat trip along the river, operating from April 1 to October 30.

Lisbon view from the River: takes passengers up the river Tejo to the Parque das Nações and then down the Tejo towards Belém. The trip takes two and a half hours and costs 20 €. Departs from the river terminal at Praça do Comércio, at 3pm.

Circuit of Descobrimentos: It takes passengers to Belem, with departures from the River Terminals of Cais do Sodré and Praça do Comércio. There are daily ships in the morning at 11.15am (Praça do Comércio) and 11.30am (Cais do Sodré). In the afternoon, ships only leave from the River Terminal of Cais do Sodré at 4.15pm. The journey takes about 1 hour. It costs 15 €.

Coach (bus): Lisbon has a dense and complex bus system but for those who will spend much time in town it can be a good option bus. Buses provide a visual information of the name of the next stop which is quite useful.

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In the streets you can find bus stops looking for a yellow pole with numbers and itinerary of the bus at the top. There are regular buses from 7am until 10pm. To download the full map of the network of bus Lisbon click here. At night, buses are less frequent but also operate in the main arteries of the city. You can see the map here. To see the detailed timetable of the bus that suits you can access the site of CARRIS.

Elevators and lifts

IMG_2084-1-1024x682The Santa Justa Lift (1902) is the only vertical lift in Lisbon. A work by architect Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard,  it is made of cast iron, and embellished with filigree. It is classified as a National Monument. The ticket costs 5.00 € (purchased on site, valid for return trip, includes access to the Gazebo). The only access to the Mirador de Santa Justa costs 1.50 €.

Operating hours:

– Winter (October to May): 7am – 10pm (9.45pm last climb)

– Summer (June to September) and Easter: 7am to 11pm (last climb at 10.45pm)

Opening hours of Mirador de Santa Justa:

– Every day: 8.30am – 10.30pm

IMG_8773-1024x682The Elevador da Gloria was launched in 1885 and was the second one of its kind in Lisbon. It is the busiest lift in the city and was classified as a National Monument. Connects Praça dos Restauradores to Bairro Alto.

Operating hours:

– Mnday to Thursday (except eve of public holidays): 7am – 11.55pm

– Friday (except holidays) and Eve of holidays: 7am – 0.25am

– Saturday (except holidays): 8.30am – 0.25am

– Sundays and holidays: 9am – 11.55pm

– Sunday (if eve of public holidays): 9am – 0.25am

IMG_1281-1024x682The Elevador da Bica was established in 1892 and its route is regarded as the most picturesque of the city. It was classified as a National Monument and connects the Rua de São Paulo (Rua Duarte Belo) with Largo Calhariz.

Operating hours:

– Monday to Saturday: 7am – 8.55pm

– Sunday and holidays: 9am – 8.55pm

The Elevador da Lavra is the oldest in the city of Lisbon and was inaugurated in 1884. It ransports for free over 3000 passengers per year and is a National Monument. Connects Largo da Anunciadato Rua Câmara Pestana.

Operating hours:

– Monday to Friday: 7.45am – 8.00pm

– Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9am – 8pm

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Carla Mota

I am a tirelessly curious portuguese world wanderer and also a travel photographer. My main passion lies in capturing disappearing ancient cultures, human condition and amazing nature wonders, challenging situations. My passion for travel photography has taken me to more than 80 countries which has helped me to create a vast collection of images of people and places from around the world.

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  • Very good article. I am experiencing many of these issues as well..

    • Carla Mota

      Thanks

  • Thanks for the tips! We are planning a trip to Lisbon this summer!

    • Carla Mota

      We hope that this can help you. Thanks.