Guide Portugal Travel – Best tips

Lisbon is the stunning capital city of Portugal, and is one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities of Western Europe. It is a city that effortlessly blends traditional heritage, with striking modernism and progressive thinking. As a holiday destination, Lisbon offers a rich and varied history, lively nightlife and is blessed with a glorious year-round climate. This Portugal travel guide will provide an introduction to Lisbon, by answering some of the common holiday questions.

So why visit Lisbon and Portugal?

Lisbon city perfectly reflects the Portuguese culture, which embraces modern culture whilst maintaining its unique heritage and traditions. Lisbon is constantly recognised as one of the greatest cities in the world, a claim confirmed by the Portugal travel guides like this , which named Lisbon as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit. Surprisingly enough, it still is one of the least visited capital cities in Europe.

How long to spend in Lisbon?

Lisbon is ideally visited as a long weekend break (three days), which allows visitors to spend a day in Baixa and Alfama, a second day in Belem and Estrela and a final day exploring Parque das Nações and North Lisbon.A holiday to Lisbon can also be easily extended into a seven day vacation by including popular day trips, such as Sintra, Cascais, Mafra, Obidos or Sesimbra, or by coming Lisbon with a couple of days relaxing on the beautiful beaches.

When is it best to visit Lisbon?

Lisbon has long hot summers, pleasant spring/autumn seasons and mild, but unpredictable winters. It is recommended to visit Lisbon in the spring (March- May) when the days are bright and sunny but the temperatures are slightly cooler.

The winter months (November – February) are a mixture of cloudy and sunny days but the winter season does offer exceptional value for money. Lisbon remains active throughout the year and all tourist attractions are open in the low season.

Where to Stay in Lisbon?

It is generally recommended that tourists should stay close to the historic centre of Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto or close to the southern end of Avenida da Liberdade. These areas are the heart of Lisbon and all of the main tourist attractions are within walking distance. Bairro Alto is one of the main nightlife districts so it is highly recommended for those wishing to experience Lisbon nightlife. Accommodation in the central historic area tends to be more expensive and those on a budget should look slightly further out although it is recommended to stay close to a metro station for ease of getting around the city.

Lisbon for 2018

After many years of being overlooked, the city has finally been discovered by mass tourism; with journalist, influencers and bloggers endlessly writing it’s praises. Now there is a flurry of excitement about Lisbon, which is expected a sell-out 2018 season. For tourists visiting in peak season it is recommended to book well in advance and last minute deals are very rare.

Is Lisbon and Portugal an expensive destination?

Lisbon does offer exceptional value for money for food, drink and travel. Hotels are generally cheaper than most other European cities but the inflated peak season prices mask the overall lower costs. All entrance fees are sensibly priced and all of the major low cost airlines fly directly to Lisbon Airport. Overall, Lisbon provides a good value holiday destination but accommodation and flights should always be booked well in-advance.

Are there beaches close to Lisbon?

Lisbon is close to a stunning coast lined with beautiful sandy beaches, which are only a short bus or train ride away. There are two easily accessible coastal regions from Lisbon; Cascais-Estoril region (to the west of Lisbon) and Costa Caprica (to the south of Lisbon).

What are the Popular day trips from Lisbon?

There are many enjoyable day trips from Lisbon, the most popular being the charming hill-top town of Sintra and the royal fishing town of Cascais. Slightly further day trips include the pretty beach town of Sesimbra, the colossal palace of Mafra and the picturesque walled town of Obidos. Due to the excellent public transport network around Lisbon it is even possible to visit the Alentejo Region and Evora as a day trip.There is also the opportunity to get to know the more natural and humane side of portugal living experience in agricultural production. Learn more here

Where to fly into?

Lisbon Airport is the main international airport of Portugal and provides direct connections to all major European cities, via the established airlines or the no thrill, low-cost alternatives. The airport itself is conveniently located within the city limits, and onward travel is extremely easy by taking either the metro or Aerobus bus service.The airport has undergone a major expansion with the construction of a new terminal building, and this handles all of the departures (not arrivals) for the low-cost airlines. Terminal 2 is very basic, with lots of standing around in long queues, and is only connected to the main terminal building by a limited bus service.

Will Language be an issue?

English is widely spoken by all of those who work within the tourist industry, and tourists who only speak English will not encounter any language barriers during the duration of their holiday. All transport hubs have English as their second language and this includes railway, the metro and the airport. While dining out, most restaurants and cafes will be able to provide an English menus. The Portuguese rarely expect foreign visitors to speak any Portuguese, but are always cheerfully surprised if a few words can be spoken!

Should I rent a car while in Lisbon?

Lisbon has an excellent and inexpensive public transport network and a rental car is not needed for a holiday in this region. Driving in Lisbon can be stressful demanding due to the erratic driving of the Portuguese, the poor traffic markings and the heavy traffic. Parking is also very limited and expensive.Car rental is not needed to visit the popular day trips (Sintra, Cascais or Mafra) as there is an excellent and inexpensive public transport network. However, a rental car can be useful when exploring further from Lisbon and into regions with limited public transport, such as Setubal, Sesimbra or Evora.

Is Lisbon suitable for Families?

The Portuguese have a family focused culture and young children are welcome everywhere. There are also plenty of child-friendly activities throughout the city to choose from.