Lisbon - what's it like
Discussion
Hi all, looking for a nice city break of 4 nights in October and thinking of Lisbon.
Anyone here been and can give an indication of what is like, places to go (no car), eat, sights etc as well as where to stay to cover most key places on foot.
What's the weather generally like mid Oct?
Anyone here been and can give an indication of what is like, places to go (no car), eat, sights etc as well as where to stay to cover most key places on foot.
What's the weather generally like mid Oct?
Lisbon is a FANTASTIC city
Loads to see and do. You won't need a car. The bus service and Metro is perfectly sufficient (you buy a Viagem card and top it up. Really simple)
It's very very hilly. And they only seem to go uphill.
The trams in the old part of the city are good and shouldn't be too busy in October time.
It's very hilly.
The Zoo is really good.
Food is generally really good (not very Portuguese but Di Amici ristorante is a personal favourite. https://diamici.pt/ementas.html ).
It's very hilly.
Must try a Francescina absolutely must (it's originally a Porto dish)
It's very hilly.
Bars a-plenty.
Rue de Liberdade has some very posh shops as well as some lovely outdoor bars that aren't posh prices. That bit isn't hilly.
Not been in October before so can't say about weather. Probably still way nicer than here.
Did I mention it's hilly?
I'm looking forward to going ther eagain end of this month and hopefully to a Benfica home game with a particular family member.
Loads to see and do. You won't need a car. The bus service and Metro is perfectly sufficient (you buy a Viagem card and top it up. Really simple)
It's very very hilly. And they only seem to go uphill.
The trams in the old part of the city are good and shouldn't be too busy in October time.
It's very hilly.
The Zoo is really good.
Food is generally really good (not very Portuguese but Di Amici ristorante is a personal favourite. https://diamici.pt/ementas.html ).
It's very hilly.
Must try a Francescina absolutely must (it's originally a Porto dish)
It's very hilly.
Bars a-plenty.
Rue de Liberdade has some very posh shops as well as some lovely outdoor bars that aren't posh prices. That bit isn't hilly.
Not been in October before so can't say about weather. Probably still way nicer than here.
Did I mention it's hilly?
I'm looking forward to going ther eagain end of this month and hopefully to a Benfica home game with a particular family member.
We went October half term with the kids. Weather was high teens (shorts/t-shirt during the day) . Lisbon is really easy to get around especially using the underground (You can get direct from the airport). I suggest you do a tuk tuk tour early on to get your bearings of the city - these are a great way to get round to see the city. I recommend a walk down and along to Belem. Also if you have time go to the Olympic park edge of the city to see the cable cars and the Aquarium by here is amazing!
Good few years since I went but loved it. Lots of street sellers trying to flog genuine Ray-Bans 
Usual scam artists around the central squares but nothing too onerous.
I just racked up at the airport with a bag (solo traveller then) and ther helpful Tourist Info office found me a hotel at https://maps.app.goo.gl/ULYAKz9cE5vXsgW28 which was ok - probs changed hands 5 times since then though!
Definately head up the Elevador de Santa Justa and walk up (if you've got good legs) the many steps into the old part of town. Would I go back? Yes I would, worth a trip.
Usual scam artists around the central squares but nothing too onerous.I just racked up at the airport with a bag (solo traveller then) and ther helpful Tourist Info office found me a hotel at https://maps.app.goo.gl/ULYAKz9cE5vXsgW28 which was ok - probs changed hands 5 times since then though!
Definately head up the Elevador de Santa Justa and walk up (if you've got good legs) the many steps into the old part of town. Would I go back? Yes I would, worth a trip.
Zippee said:
Lovely thank you all, mind made up i think. Any good recommendations for where to stay? Decent central hotel.
I'm getting the impression that to someone from east anglia, it may be a little hilly
We've booked a nice Air BnB this time as the relatives we normally stay with have other guests that weekend. But there is plenty of choice. More central the better.I'm getting the impression that to someone from east anglia, it may be a little hilly
Another thing to do that has been highly recommended by Lisbonites themselves is the interactive Earthquake museum/experience. Will let you know how it is end of month
Went there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Definitely do a walking tour, and definitely visit here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_da_Regaleira
I'd thoroughly recommend this place, either as a stay or a stop for lunch: https://www.memmohotels.com/alfama/
The service is a tad on the slow side, but the food's good and the view is spectacular.
Also there's a fantastic (and surprisingly cheap) tasting menu at 'A Taberna Do Mar' nearby, which I would highly, highly recommend. Get the wine pairings and sit at the bar. It needs booking, and you'll need to pay in cash.
The service is a tad on the slow side, but the food's good and the view is spectacular.
Also there's a fantastic (and surprisingly cheap) tasting menu at 'A Taberna Do Mar' nearby, which I would highly, highly recommend. Get the wine pairings and sit at the bar. It needs booking, and you'll need to pay in cash.
Zippee said:
Lovely thank you all, mind made up i think. Any good recommendations for where to stay? Decent central hotel.
I'm getting the impression that to someone from east anglia, it may be a little hilly
It's rather hilly yes.I'm getting the impression that to someone from east anglia, it may be a little hilly
Plenty of excellent food to eat (very similar to spain but without the hype). the portugese version of iberian ham is pretty much the same thing so load up (porco preto iirc is the portugese version, look for the secreto or other cuts grilled as well and not just the ham).
Anywhere around the centre-ish as a place to stay that you can easily walk down would work tbh. good luck and enjoy the trip!
Every day a journey said:
Lisbon is a FANTASTIC city
Loads to see and do. You won't need a car. The bus service and Metro is perfectly sufficient (you buy a Viagem card and top it up. Really simple)
It's very very hilly. And they only seem to go uphill.
The trams in the old part of the city are good and shouldn't be too busy in October time.
It's very hilly.
The Zoo is really good.
Food is generally really good (not very Portuguese but Di Amici ristorante is a personal favourite. https://diamici.pt/ementas.html ).
It's very hilly.
Must try a Francescina absolutely must (it's originally a Porto dish)
It's very hilly.
Bars a-plenty.
Rue de Liberdade has some very posh shops as well as some lovely outdoor bars that aren't posh prices. That bit isn't hilly.
Not been in October before so can't say about weather. Probably still way nicer than here.
Did I mention it's hilly?
I'm looking forward to going ther eagain end of this month and hopefully to a Benfica home game with a particular family member.
Excellent post.Loads to see and do. You won't need a car. The bus service and Metro is perfectly sufficient (you buy a Viagem card and top it up. Really simple)
It's very very hilly. And they only seem to go uphill.
The trams in the old part of the city are good and shouldn't be too busy in October time.
It's very hilly.
The Zoo is really good.
Food is generally really good (not very Portuguese but Di Amici ristorante is a personal favourite. https://diamici.pt/ementas.html ).
It's very hilly.
Must try a Francescina absolutely must (it's originally a Porto dish)
It's very hilly.
Bars a-plenty.
Rue de Liberdade has some very posh shops as well as some lovely outdoor bars that aren't posh prices. That bit isn't hilly.
Not been in October before so can't say about weather. Probably still way nicer than here.
Did I mention it's hilly?
I'm looking forward to going ther eagain end of this month and hopefully to a Benfica home game with a particular family member.
We are driving down through Spain at the end of May and will remember this.
We arrived late in Porto a few years back, there were not many restaurants still open but our taxi driver had mentioned a Francescina. My wife had one and did not feel the need to eat much the following day. Sort of the biggest all-day breakfast you could imagine.
We will be doing a walking tour but it sounds like Nordic walking poles might be a good idea also.
The Italian looks good, but we will be looking out for fish restaurants, if anyone can make a recommendation.
We've just got back from a city break there, to echo the comments above, it's a really nice city, lots of stuff to see and do 
And in case you haven't figured, it's quite hilly 
We stayed at: https://www.hoteldabaixa.com/en/
It was truly excellent - really nice personal touches like the free city walking tour every day, good breakfast, great service etc. Really good location as well close in the old part of town.
There's a sister hotel (https://www.blueliberdadehotel.com) which looked nice as well.
And in case you haven't figured, it's quite hilly We stayed at: https://www.hoteldabaixa.com/en/
It was truly excellent - really nice personal touches like the free city walking tour every day, good breakfast, great service etc. Really good location as well close in the old part of town.
There's a sister hotel (https://www.blueliberdadehotel.com) which looked nice as well.
seiben said:
I'd thoroughly recommend this place, either as a stay or a stop for lunch: https://www.memmohotels.com/alfama/
The service is a tad on the slow side, but the food's good and the view is spectacular.
Also there's a fantastic (and surprisingly cheap) tasting menu at 'A Taberna Do Mar' nearby, which I would highly, highly recommend. Get the wine pairings and sit at the bar. It needs booking, and you'll need to pay in cash.
We’ve been to Lisbon and Porto this last two years. Memmo Alfama was a great stay and in a good position and great for a bottle of wine on the excellent terrace. The service is a tad on the slow side, but the food's good and the view is spectacular.
Also there's a fantastic (and surprisingly cheap) tasting menu at 'A Taberna Do Mar' nearby, which I would highly, highly recommend. Get the wine pairings and sit at the bar. It needs booking, and you'll need to pay in cash.
By the wine is a cool place too try!!
We actually like Lisbon more than Porto tbh. Porto was just rammed and that was in end October.
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