Lisbon recommendations/suggestions!

[Sammy]

Hi all

I am in Lisbon next week for 5 days and looking for recommendations from you good people on points below. It’s my first time in Portugal:-

• Shall I pre-book tickets to the main attractions – I know some places I need to get there early such as the 28 Tram and get on at the start of the line. I have looked online and the Lisboa card seems a good bet – have people used that before?

• I am doing a day trip in Sintra and will get there early – but what to focus on once there?;

• Food wise – any halal food reccs would be good although not vital – I tend to eat mostly veggie/fish. I know about the Time out market and that’s on my list;

• Anything off the beaten track I could do (bearing in mind safety given it’s a solo (female) trip);

• Any must do’s;

• Anything to avoid/beware of.

Thank you!

[executiveclubber]

Have a great time! I managed to fill my spare time there on a work trip just by wandering around the vintage and pottery shops, so just see where it takes you! Something quite touristy that I’d suggest regardless is a river cruise under the bridge at sunset, it was a highlight for me as there’s some truly grand sights! Only thing to be wary of in Lisbon for me was cockroaches

[davefl]

Lisboa card is essential, I based my wanderings on this article. https://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon/itinerary.html

Get the 15 tram to Belem as well, get off at the monastery which is the one after the famous pastry shop.

Usual stuff to avoid, try not to look like a tourist, watch your bag, watch out for pickpockets etc.

Sintra, it was a few years ago but my notes say:

https://www.sintra-portugal.com/guides/sintra-bus-434.html
434 bus 5euro Circuit De Pena ticket
Stop 1 – Palacio Nacional de Sintra
Stop 2 – Castelo do Moros
Stop 3 – Palacio da Pena and Pena Park.
Head for Saint Maria viewpoint if time. (bear in mind the bus back down can be rammed, so you may not get on the 1st one)
Sintra sites get 10-15% discount with LIsboa card

If you’re not going to visit the sites that the Lisboa card includes then just go for this https://www.lisbonguru.com/viva-viagem-or-lisboa-card-which-card-to-buy/

I also found the Gulbenkian museum really interesting, especially the Lalique collection.

[memesweeper]

In addition to “attractions” Lisbon has thriving performing arts and music scenes. From high brow ballet and opera through to rock festivals and techno clubs. Obviously dates may not line up with your interests (and you’ve already missed this year’s Sonar) but try and catch something.

[Reney]

I did a solo female trip last year for 4 nights, I went for low effort:

I did and liked:

– ate at the time out market twice – great food and very easy for solo
– I paid for a day tour to Sintra was pricey but really well organised. I think it was the number 1 rated tour on tripadvisor for Sintra
– I did two of the free walking tour (i.e you pay a tip at the end) one for the old town and one for the Belem area.
– ate like A LOT of tarts

I went to the LX factory as it was near the Hyatt Regency where I was staying, honestly not that fuss about it.

I used the bus a bit, when I went there was quite a bit of roadworks probably easier to get bolt or ubers as they weren’t that pricey.

Queues at Sintra and that elevator thing (which I never tried) are long so go like very very early.

Eat Cod, it is a big thing for them! I did go to Miss Can and brought some tin fish… mixed review from my mum on them, they were pricey at something like €5 a can.

[ankomonkey]

Been to Lisbon quite a few times. I would add the following:
1. Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra was fun because of the spiral staircase and underground tunnels, but I had kids with me.
2. Belem is a lovely district to spend a few hours in. Go to the Belem Tower as well as the other attractions there mentioned by others.
3. The beauty of the Time Out Market is that there are 20+ different vendors so you can eat there every day and still ensure you are having different things.

[Sammy]

Thank you all!

@executiveclubber – the river cruise under the bridge is on my list – where did you get tickets from/the boat? I will go at sunset too!

[ChrisBCN]

The 28 tram – there will be a huge queue at Martin Moniz as you are expecting. What I don’t get is why those people don’t seem to understand that the tram runs in both directions…. Start at the opposite end (or anywhere else on the route heading TO Martin Moniz) and you won’t have to queue.

[AJA]

Not sure what your budget is but if you can stretch to it I recommend going for dinner at Laurentina. Address is Av. Conde Valbom 71A, 1050-067 Lisboa, Portugal. They specialise in serving cod in variety of traditional Portuguese dishes. It’s wonderful. Reservations essential. +351 21 796 0260 Whatsapp: (+351) 962 959 725

[Sammy]

Thanks AJA

.@ChrisBCN, thanks for that tip. I shall start at the opposite end

[cin3]

memesweeper wrote:

In addition to “attractions” Lisbon has thriving performing arts and music scenes. From high brow ballet and opera through to rock festivals and techno clubs. Obviously dates may not line up with your interests (and you’ve already missed this year’s Sonar) but try and catch something.

This, 100 times this.

Berardo, Popular and Gulbenkian all very good.

The A Cevicheria tasting menu was excellent last time I was there.

[RV]

You can find some interesting bars and restaurants with live music at Bairro Alto (bohemian region). There will be some student bars yes, but you can definitely find some nice, off the beaten track places there as well.

Castelo de Sao Jorge is great for sunsets. It’s a steep way up, but definitely worth the visit!

Pink street: avoid – tourist trap.

If you fancy a different side of Liston, cross the bridge and head to Costa da Caparica for some beach time (20-30 min Uber ride). There’s a large promenade and it’s great for sunsets with good beach huts and healthy food. There’s a good sandwich bar called Marcelino Beach Club in a great spot to watch the surfers!

If visiting Belem, do go for Pastéis de Belem for a coffee and natas. Their cod croquette(pastel de bacalhau) is also excellent!

Solar dos Presuntos has excellent seafood, a bit on the expensive side though. A Portuguese friend took us there and the food was just so good!

Tbh it’s hard to go wrong with food in Lisbon.

Have fun!