Lisbon, Portugal. A city to visit for all the right reasons and seasons
If all you have is one day, you’ll wear yourself out trying to get to every attraction in the city. And you won’t make it to all of them. Lisbon is a fantastic city to explore…get a feel of this mariner city and soak it all up
Best way to explore Lisbon
Get yourself on a Tram and just watch the world go by. WALK! Lisbon is a walkers city. Lots of hills and alleyways, so you need to be in good physical shape but the walking exposes you to the real underbelly of the city. The graffiti kind of blends in with all the immense color of the buildings in the city and is not a distraction or has the effect of making the areas feel seedy or grungy. Actually, it kind of enhances the place in a way. I never thought I would say that about non-artistic graffiti.
DO NOT hire a car in Lisbon. You will seriously stress out trying to drive in the city with the many one way streets, narrow roads and finding a car park will be your most time consuming and expensive frustration ever. This was my greatest regret when I went to Lisbon. The car becomes your ball and chain and not the freedom you thought. Rent a car for your last day in Lisbon if you intend to drive to other parts of Portugal the next day.
The Number 28
This tram takes an awesome route if you want to get some sightseeing done. Lisbon is one of the worlds leading city destinations and deserves a good look. The tram winds its way through some of the most famous districts in Lisbon, including Baixa and Bairro Alto,Graça quarter,Alfama and many more. This tram also makes its way up to the Castle (a Lisbon highlight), passing the Lisbon Cathedral.
November is a great time of year to go to Portugal, by the way. It is usually warm (they call it the St. Martin’s summer). Prices are lower as the tourists have generally gone en masse. Very rarely is Lisbon too hot or cold, it is a 12 month destination.
August is probably the month to avoid going, only because a large part of the city closes down in August. This is when many of the restaurants and bars close their doors and locals seek refuge from the steamy city for the cooler Atlantic shores. Spring is early, the buds starting to peek out in anticipation for spring around late February.
Many call it a walking city and it is, but be aware that although small in comparison to most cities, it is built of seven undulating hills. If you are remotely unfit, it will take it out of you.
Lisbon is one of the best city/beach-combo destinations in Europe. The fantastic beaches of Guincho, Adraga and Grande are just a short 30 minute drive from the city as are the many day trips you can take include Sintra, Cascais and Portinho that are a short drive or train ride from Lisbon.
But let’s get back to Lisbon – it is both a night and a day city. In the day, the wonderful attractions of the Baixa district behold, where the Baroque streets house a cacophony of age-old herbalists, haberdashers and tailors sell their wares.
Head up one of Lisbon’s highest hills and make your way up to the Moorish Alfama neighbourhood, where dusty lanes surround the Arabic-styled medieval castle that stands sentry above the terracotta rooftops of the city below.
Nightlife abounds – the epicentre of all things festive is the bar-sprinkled cobbled lanes of Bairro Alto. Party until dawn after a few drinks at one of the Euro houses situated in river facing warehouse clubs.
Lisbon is a city for all seasons and all tastes – from the cultural curiosities of scholars to the party-going excesses of the hedonist. It is indeed a fantastic destination to visit
Have a great trip!
When to go?
A great time to head out to Lisbon is in the early season – March to May or at the ending stages of the season, those being the months of September to October.
The weather is still, by European standards, warm enough at this time. The temps range around the 40 degrees Fahrenheit mark in winter.
The added bonus at this time is that the hotels are less in demand so you have a good chance of getting good rates.
Add to this the fact that there will be less tourists and therefore crowds as opposed to the summer peak months.
Current weather
Daily costs of travel in Lisbon
Inexpensive
When compared to most major European cities, Lisbon can offer the budget minded tourist some great deals and affordable travel.
Low end hotel or hostel – €15-25 per day
Food – €10-15 per day per person
2 drinks per day €5-12
€35-50 : Suggested Daily Budget for ‘bare bones’ travel (hostel rooms, public transport, food from stalls or supermarkets etc) with a few sightseeing highlights per week
€ 80+ Suggested Daily Budget for ‘average’ travel (Mid-range hotels, food from the occasional restaurants and stores, sight seeing attractions and transport .
