Winter Break in Lisbon

Lisbon is now on everyone’s radar and it is not so without merit. Lisbon is vibrant, colourful and charming city with plenty of options for everyone. I stayed with Airbnb host in Sao Jose, location which to me was almost perfect – central, yet quiet and only 450 m from Avenida metro. 

Public transportation in Lisbon is good and all the buses, trains and ferries are under same ticketing system which is Viva Viagem. Viva card can be purchased from machines on every metro station for 50 cents so it is easy and cheap. There are multiple options to load on your card and so-called zapping-option is the most flexible. The other good option is 24h all you can travel ticket for 6,40 if your staying only for a short period and traveling the city a lot. There is also one interesting newcomer in Lisbon city transportation market that is worth noting – the electric scooters that can be rented by the minute with a convenient app like Lime. These scooters are an absolute relief for your weary feet after couple of days walking the cobble stoned hills in Lisbon. It is not for everyone, but younger and daring older definitely will appreciate this option. Also worth noting that Google has the schedules of Lisbon 100% under control so all you need to navigate the city is a suitable mobile subscription.

These electric scooters worked wonders for me.

So what to visit then? 

Every article is talking about these same things: Baixa basic sights, Belem tower, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Alfama alleys, Se de Lisboa, Casa de los Bicos, several Miradores, MAAT, LxFactory, Oceanario, both Bridges, Parque dos Nacoes, Sintra, Cascais and so on…

All of this would take at least a week so I did cut some corners, because I’m not really interested waiting in lines or hanging out in the crowds. 

Lights of Alfama during blue hour.

I visited the alleys of Alfama and especially enjoyed doing so in the quiet Sunday afternoon – the atmosphere compared to busy Saturday daytime is totally different. Start from Jardim Botto Machado and make your way towards Baixa through alleys and staircases as the light is changing during sunset.

Baixa after sunset.

I can also recommend going to Belem area for sunset because the scenery behind tower (weather being correct) can also be magical. While I was there I also had a look at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and MAAT after sunset. Both are lit up so they look pretty nice night time – and it is totally free.

Another area worth visiting after dark, if urban lights are interesting to you, is Parque dos Nacoes where some fascinating spots can be found. Belem and Parque dos Nacoes make these electric scooters really a good value for your money since both areas stretch very long to cover by foot.

Torre de Belem.

If you are spending a bit more time in Lisbon, a daytrip to Sintra is totally recommended. I hired myself a jeep and continued avoiding the crowds on the bus tours. Instead I had a customized day around Sintra lookouts and then had a drive over the hills to Cascais. I did make one exception though – Quinta da Regaleira and I will recommend that one although crowds can not be totally avoided. Initiation well and the tunnels are very interesting and also the walk up in the maze-like pathways is fascinating and special.

In the Cascais side there are couple of hidden spots that are amazing. Restaurant Refugio do Ciclista serves the best barbecue meat in Europe. Great taste and original atmosphere at very reasonable price. Everyone is talking about Cabo da Roca which is the westernmost point in continental Europe. However, there is a much more spectacular view just a little bit up north on the coast on top of Fogo. All this is nicely packaged to you by Sintra locals Francisco and Mario whose jeep tours can be found at withlocals.com.

If interested join with this link and get 15€ discount for first booking: http://join.withlocals.com/mJeMWxv/m 

Me and my jeep tour host Francisco at Fogo viewpoint.