Expert: Joaquim Domingos - 11/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: We will be spending 3 nites in Lisbon around the ist of July 2010 and would like to know what we should see in Lisbon.  We will be renting a car and traveling on to Granada and back to Portugal for a flight to the Azores on the 10th of July to attend a  wedding.  Do you have any recommendations?  Thank you for any help as we have never been to Portugal.  Also where should be eat - local food is what we want to experience.We are on a limited budget.

Barbara Morcey

ANSWER: Hello Barbara
That is really a long term travel preparation!
Please look below for the main points to be seen at Lisbon.
The good thing about Lisbon is that while it is a beautiful, fascinating city, it is quite compact so it's possible to get a feel for it and see most of the top sites in only a few days. Lisbon is the city of seven hills! Most of the nice things to see will force you to go up and down the hills. There's some information about Lisbon on this site http://www.portugal-sport-and-adventure.com/guide-to-portugal.html. Lisbon has lots of historical and cultural things to see but it is also a great city for just sitting outside a cafe and people watching. Please remember that Lisbon(and Portugal as a whole) is very devoted to sea, sun and food.
Use Metro (underground), clean, use to use. Of course, as always take care of your pocket/luggage (during rush hours). Try not to show you are a tourist visitor…
For your first day I'd suggest a trip to the Castle of St. Jorge - as not only is the castle quite interesting but you get to walk up (from the centre) little winding cobbled streets where artists work and from the castle you get a great birds eye view of the old city and river estuary.
Second day, if you fancy doing something different check out the Oceanarium -it's by far the biggest and most beautiful aquarium in Europe. In Parque das Nações - you can get there on the Metro. Also visit that new look of modern Lisbon, walk along riverside, have a look at Vasco da Gama mall and the new big bridge. By the end of the day, may be you still get time to go to the Bairro Alto district (up the hill right from the centre – facing downtown) is probably the most interesting, and coolest place to go out at night with lots of little bars and restaurants.
Third day go for a almost full day at the Belem Area, have a nice meal at Docas (docks) close to the river and the big bridge (the old one). Try Belém cakes (like a custard tart). You will locate the place because of the crowd…
While you're in Lisbon you should eat fish (mainly grilled) and bacalhau (codfish 1000 recipes).
For Fado (local song) go to Club do Fado – a bit expensive but worthwhile (around $150 for the couple…if you do not drink too much)
Don’t worry about English speaking. You will find lots of people speaking reasonable English (like mine).
About eating, tell me first what are yours preferences.
Bye
Joaquim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Joaquim,
Thank you for your quick reply.  Your recommendtion sounds like a good plan. Where shall we stay that is convenient and not too expensive? As for the food we wants to eat where the locals eat.  Also how far away from the airport will we be?  Should we rent a car at the airport since we hope to drive to Granada?

Thank you again for any information you can give us.

Barbara Morcey

Answer
Hi
With a low budget profile I recommend:
Hotel A.S. Lisboa (cheap hotel)
Fax 00351218473034
Modern building, located  3 or 4 kms from downtown. Good  rooms. Hotel door in front of underground station entrance  and nice park.
To eat: Caracol   Bairro Alto   Rua da Barroca nº 13
O Poleiro   Campo Pequeno   Rua de Entrecampos, 30-A (a bit expensive but true portuguese cuisine)
Tromba Rija   Docas   Rua Cintura do Porto, Ed. 254, Armazém 1 - Lisboa (about 35 euros/person) but the best way to taste ALL the Portuguese food on a buffet basis with good quality.
A.S. Hotel is 10 to 15 min.far from the airport. Rent a car just the day before you go to Granada. Pick Up the car at the airport.
Bye!
Joaquim