Tips for Lisboa

At the request of friends and colleagues I started a small guide on the “must do’s” in Lisboa.

I live in Germany for many years but I still visit regularly my hometown, Lisboa. I have my favorite places and whenever I am there I get to rediscover and get up to date.

Lisboa is and will always be my favorite town and place to be in the world, as they say “you can take a Portuguese out of Portugal but you will never take Portugal out of a Portuguese”.

Lisboa “Must Do’s”

Highlights & MUST-SEE places/things to do

The castle, from up there you have the most amazing view over Lisboa, the bridge, the rooftops and the hills.
Walk around Lisboa hill neigbourhoods, Chiado, Bairro alto, Alfama, Castelo, Graça, with lots of incredible viewpoints, amazing sights over the rooftops, the river, the bridges.
The “Sé” is the oldest Catedral from Lisbon, beautiful place.
Best way to get to the castle and the “Sé” is the famous tram (Nr 28) starting in the downtown center of Lisboa (Martim Moniz Square), very cool and fun ride in the old tram going up hill in the narrow streets of Lisboa…You will like this one, get out on top at the “Sé” or at the “Portas do sol” and enjoy the view, from there you can walk up to the castle.
Belem (Tower of Belem, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Monumento dos descobrimentos) very beautiful area near the river, “Mosteiro dos Jeronimos” it’s a huge monastery, resting place for Kings and Poets…”Tower of Belem” is the symbol of Lisboa. (In Belem there is a bakery where you need to go and eat “pasteis de belem” (nata), best place to eat them, they are just delicious, it is one of the oldest bakeries\pastries in Lisbon)
Bairro Alto, the oldest quarter from Lisboa, very beautiful, with some nice restaurants and bars.
Baixa, Chiado, Rossio – Old shopping area, starting in a beautiful square (Terreiro do Paço) near the river (Rio Tejo) and running until another wonderful square, Rossio…nice place to walk around, you can also go up in the Arch in Rua Augusta for a nice view over the town and the river. Close by, Miradoro da graça and igreja de santa ingracia are must see places.
Avenida da Liberdade, One of the large nice avenues from Lisboa, with lots of shops, Theater’s, Cinema’s, restaurants, at the top one of the most beautiful parks in Lisboa (parque eduardo VII).
Zona da Expo, the new modern Lisboa, amazing new architecture, and it has an amazing Oceanarium (sharks and other amazing sea creatures in the biggest oceanarium in europe, with or without kids it is worth a visit), Museums and plenty of attractions, restaurants and bars.
Museu dos choches (old kings time chariots) worth a visit
Museu do azulejo (tiles)
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian – one of the biggest art collections in the world.

Around Lisboa

Sintra:
If you have time you should go to Sintra, highly recommended UNESCO world heritage city about 30 mins with the train from Lisboa, really beautiful place…One of my favorite places in Portugal, this small city is an open air museum, with castles, palaces and much more. Walk around and be amazed. while in Sintra make sure you visit – Palacio da Pena (also known as Moon palace), Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish castle) and Quinta da Regaleira (this place is magical, find more here).
Cabo da Roca:
Is a not only a cape, it is the westernmost point of continental Europe, but more than that, it is a beautiful place, amazing coast line, scarps, sea…
Praia do Guincho:
Amazing beautiful beach close to Cabo da Roca
Almada
Not much to see in this town but still, the huge monument Cristo-rei that you can see from Lisboa on the other side of the river, close to the bridge, stays there. You can go to the top and from there you have the best and most amazing view over the river and Lisboa.
Cacilhas:
You can get the a cacilheiro (boat or ferry boat) in Lisboa (Cais do Sodre) and go to Almada side of the river, Cacilhas is where the boat stops, walk near the river direction bridge and enjoy a beautiful view of the city, plus at the end in the pier you have 2 great restaurants with an amazing view of the bridge and Lisboa (Ponto final and Atira-te ao Rio). Also near by you have a street full of bars and fish restaurants, with many recommended places. Use to opportunity to visit a old navy sail boat (Fragata D. Fernando II e Gloria) and see a submarine in exhibition near by.
Costa da Caparica:
Close to Almada, If it is summer and you want to go for a swim, then this is the place to go, 20 km sand dunes and sea, surf schools and good food.
Portinho da arrabida, Figueirinha, Troia and Comporta:
Amazing paradise beaches in a natural park, about 30-45 mins drive from Lisboa.
Cascais:
Nice small town with a beautiful bay

Recommendations for restaurants / Bars

Food:
The food in Portugal is generally very good and cheap.
- Marisqueiras: Fish, Shell fish (Ameijoas, cadelinhas), shrimps, Gambas, sea food (Sapateira)… always nhammy!!
- Try Bacalhau (cod, stock fish, salted), our national fish, we portuguese love it, there are 1000 ways of preparing it and it is very tasty!
  - Bacalhau á Bras, Bacalhau a gomes de sá, bacalhau grelhado, bacalhau com broa, bacalhau com natas.
- Grilled fish: Sardines, sword fish and much more, we have a huge variety in Portugal
- If you prefer Meat, there is good quality of meat in Portugal, I recommend:
  - Porco Preto (black pig) for something less usual
  - Bifanas (pork meat sandwich)
  - Prego (cow meat sandwich)
  - Carne assada (cow meat portuguese way)
  - Carne de Porco á alentejana (Pork meat with potatoes and mussels)
  - Bitoque (traditional cow steak with egg and potatoes)
- Our national stews, caldeirada de peixe, cozido a portuguesa, Cataplana de peixe
- Deserts: the sweets in Portugal are amazing, a world apart, try, try, try….TRY, as much as you can!!!
Bars
Bairro alto/Cais do sodre
“Docas” de santos
Expo area
Beach bars around Costa da Caparica