At least that’s the plan.
Nog and I had been planning to go to London for an h2g2 meet at the end of April, with the proceeds from our big translation project, but we just finished it last weekend and don’t know when we’ll be paid – there might still be a few revisions to do first. So we’ve decided to go to Lisbon instead (another of my dream cities).
We originally thought about going June 7-10 because the 7th is Corpus Cristi here and a local public holiday. So as we’d have that day off anyhow it made sense to go then and take a ‘puente’ (bridge) extra long weekend. But it turns out that there are no direct flights to Lisbon that Thursday, so we’re now thinking of going Wednesday afternoon and staying for four nights. What the heck.
So just wondering if anyone has ever been to Lisbon and can recommend places to see, good restaurants, day trips, etc.
casa azahar 
The Gulbenkian Museum. At least it was nice 30 years ago when I visted it during a school trip to Lisbon.
Then there was this cake shop not far from the statue of Henrique o Navegador (not sure of spelling.
The old town Sintra with the Moorish Csatle I’ve visted both times I’ve been to Portugal.
Estoril and Cascais if you are in the mood of something touristic.
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We definitely want to go to Sintra – surely there must be buses that go there?
Must check out how far O Porto is as it might make a nice day trip, since we are now planning to be there for four days.
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When I was there, 30 years ago on a school trip (DragonQueen, we have to talk!), we saw the highlights of the city, but we also went to Cascais — I think the small port town right close by.
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J and I were there 10 years ago for my birthday treat. It’s a lovely city – and the Portugese are amiable people.
We bought three-day travel passes for the buses, trams and elevators – and just wandered at will, getting on and off things just to see where they went.
It’s worth browsing a good guide book before you go – just to orientate yourself and work out what you might like to see/do.
The Gulbenkian is definitely worth a visit – we went because J’s godmother had worked for the foundation most of her life. The tapestries were what impressed me most.
Also, the Torre Belem, Monument of the Discoveries and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, complete with Tomb of Vasco da Gama – all worth a look.
Loads of lovely cafes – with fab pastries etc. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
Apologies if this is turning into a bit of a travelogue – but I was astonished that there was so much poverty in a European capital city. Our plane flew over the favela before it landed. It was like something from one of the poorest parts of South America – in the middle of mainland Europe. There were a lot of beggars around, none of them aggressive – including old women and children.
Perhaps being in the EU will help.
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(Gosh, I’m envious.)
While you’re there, please find out if Portuguese (roast/grilled) chicken is in fact as fabulous as it’s said to be…
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Oh all right then …
Honestly, the things I do for friends. 😉
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And I really appreciate the suggestions, everyone – makes it more interesting to google recommendations from friends than just any old stuff, you know?
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This morning we got a big fat envelope from Turismo de Lisboa full of interesting stuff. Best of all – a city map.
“I was astonished that there was so much poverty in a European capital city. Our plane flew over the favela before it landed. It was like something from one of the poorest parts of South America – in the middle of mainland Europe.”
I’ve been thinking about this, Teuchter and you say you were there ten years ago – 1997. I have a feeling that, as when Sevilla held the EXPO in 1992, Lisbon probably ‘cleaned up’ a lot for its own EXPO in 1998. Of course, this mostly means that the poor were shoved somewhere else ‘out of sight’.
At the moment we are looking around for a holiday apartment rather than a hotel. Four nights in a hotel just seems like it would be a bit claustrophobic somehow, and it’s nice to have a small kitchen to prepare snacks as neither of us likes to have to ‘eat out’ three times a day.
Anyhow, some of the places we’ve looked at so far seem quite pleasant. In the centre of town and costing between 65-90 euros a night for one or two bedroom apartments. There are a lot of loft-type one bedroom places – good use of those high-ceilinged older buildings. Just wonder if we’ll end up with any unwanted creepy crawly visitors . . .
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We found that the portions of food in restaurants were huuuuuuge.
The hotel we stayed in – Tivoli Jardim – had a fab breakfast buffet, which meant that lunch wasn’t strictly necessary.
(At the time, J was doing a lot of business flights so we accumulated loads of airmiles which paid for most of the trip.)
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I had a look at the Tivoli Jardim. There was an offer which would have made 4 nights there about 540 euros. We’re hoping to not go over 400, but we also want something nice.
Although the apartment hotels don’t include brekky we can probably find a cheap toast & coffee place nearby, then have one meal out a day and something snacky ‘at home’.
We kind of like the look of this one.
I also think we should book something soon before we lose the flights and apt options.
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Damn! It’s booked that weekend (wasn’t booked a couple of days ago).
Anyhow, this got us off our butts to book the flight … just done. Eep!
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In Spanish it’s Tiburón. I actually love that film and have seen it many times. Robert Shaw is so great in it.
I also noticed in the photos that the apartment seems to have the very same IKEA sofa bed that Nog & I have just purchased. In fact, we recognised it in a few of the places.
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Okay, after a bit of looking around – and seeing that since the other day almost everything has been booked for that weekend we’ve decided on this place.
It’s totally central and located in a pedestrian street. Plus the apartment looks quite clean and cheerful. Wow, can’t believe we’re now all booked!
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Looks nice 🙂
I took a glance at the map. Seems as you’ll be not too far from Avenida Liberdade. Somewhere in the middle (I think) on the right side (when you come from the “upper roundabout” where my hotel was)there is this HUGE cinema with three floors.
May 1977 I saw “Jaws” there with portugese subtitles. I still remeber that shark is Tubarão. Which on the other hand is one of the few word I know in portugese. 😛
I didn’t like the film. I only watched it because I had a row with the girl I shared room with.
Hey, I was 17 and on a school trip. Then you’re allowed to escape a few hours when your room mate is a real jerk.
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I’m so glad you’re going on this trip! It looks like a nice place, and you definitely don’t need to stay in the room the whole time — defeats the purpose entirely of going somewhere. 🙂
I hope you’ll have a wonderful time while you’re there, and *take lots of piccys*! That’s an order! 😉
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