Best tips for traveling to Lisbon for tourism

I have had the opportunity to visit Lisbon and its surroundings several times throughout my life, going back to my first trip to a Lisbon thriving with hope after the disappearance of the Portuguese dictatorship.

During the final period of Francoism in Spain, Lisbon had become a very attractive destination for thousands of Spaniards who took advantage of any bridge to go find out what that was freedom.

I have subsequently visited Lisbon on numerous occasions, and it has always seemed to me a very beautiful city.

And this feeling has not changed after the last trips I have had the opportunity to make.

This even despite the fear of finding a city somewhat depressed by the negative effects of a economic crisis of 2008 that has especially affected Portugal.

What's more, I have returned to a beautiful city full of tourists, cleaner, more European if possible, and so picturesque as usual.

Without a doubt, the bright days that I have always been lucky enough to find in Lisbon have allowed me to enjoy the city better.

The very special Lisbon light Next to the Atlantic coast, it highlights its colorful streets and that characteristic typicality that maintains the mix of a traditional and, at the same time, cosmopolitan city.

Tips for visiting Lisbon

To help you plan a future trip, I am going to give you some tips for visiting Lisbon.

How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon It is a city where from a large part of Spain you can travel by car.

Yes for you trip to Lisbon If you are going to spend four days or more time, it may be worth using your car because you not only have to visit the city, but this way you will have the agility to visit other attractive points of interest. the surroundings.

In surroundings of Lisbon you can see places like Estoril, Cascais, Sintra and the parks and palaces that surround it, Mafra, with its imposing palace that includes a monastery, and even the pretty town of obidos, further north of the Portuguese capital.

Of course, for a Lisbon getaway The best option is to travel by plane and rent a car there.

Or to visit some of the places near the capital mentioned above, you can sign up for one of the excursions around Lisbon.

How to get from the airport to the center of Lisbon

Si you travel to Lisbon by plane, you will find the enormous advantage that the airport is practically in the center of the city.

In fact, I recommend that, if you can, you take a seat on the right side of the plane.

In this way you can verify that the descent to the airport flying over Lisbon and the Tagus Estuary It is truly impressive, and from that side of the cabin you will have the best views.

To go from Lisbon airport to the center of the city It takes just over 20 minutes, fine on the bus Express (3,50 euros) or by taxi (16 euros buying the Taxi Voucher).

Lisbon neighborhoods

The city of Lisbon is distributed into three well-marked areas.

The Baixa

The urban center is known as the Baixa, and it is the most cosmopolitan area.

This neighborhood extends from Avenida de la Libertad, going through the Rossio square, nerve center of the city, to the shores of tagus river, In the Commerce Square.

This area is surrounded by hills.

To the east, the Castle of St. George and the popular Alfama neighborhood; and to the west, the neighborhoods of Chiado y Barrio Alto.

Alfama

The one of Alfama It is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon, and there are various places where you can listen to the typical portuguese fado.

It extends along the slope that descends from the castle to the shore of the tagus river, and in this neighborhood you can visit the Lisbon Cathedral.

Chiado and Barrio Alto

The neighborhoods of Chiado and Barrio Alto, which extend along the hill located west of Lisbon, in front of the castle, have had a great boom in recent decades.

Thus they have become places highly visited by tourists, both during the day to visit their stores, like at dusk to go to its busy bars and restaurant areas.

From the Baixa you can go up to these neighborhoods using the Santa Justa Elevator or Santa Gloria Elevator.

Park of the Nations

Far from the center, and always on the banks of the Tajo, to the northeast you have the Park of the Nations.

It is a leisure area resulting from the Expo 98 Lisbon, whose main attraction is the spectacular Oceanarium aquarium

If you are on your way to Park of the Nations along the shore of the tagus river you will have the opportunity to visit the curious tile museum in the old Convent of the Mother of God.

And to the southwest you find the neighborhood of Bethlehem, where important monuments that you should visit are concentrated.

Viewpoints in Lisbon

Due to the aforementioned layout of the city surrounded by hills, these are arranged several viewpoints What do they offer you? beautiful panoramic views of Lisbon from various perspectives.

The most spectacular views are found from the walls of the St. George's castle.

But you also have beautiful panoramic views from the nearby Santa Lucia viewpoint o el viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcántara, in the Barrio Alto.

And, of course, from the terrace of the aforementioned and historic Santa Justa Elevator, a curious place worth knowing.

If you have little time to visit Lisbonit's essential that you walk through the central neighborhood of the Low, go up to the Castle of San Jorge and you look at the aforementioned Santa Lucia viewpoint.

Belem neighborhood

If you have more time, you should go to neighborhood of Saint Mary of Belém, On the banks of Tagus Estuary, where you should visit at least the Monastery of los jeronimos and Belém Tower.

There you also find the Monument to the Discoveries and Berardo Collection museum of contemporary art.

And, of course, taste the delicious Belém cakes, or cream cakes (they are actually cream…).

For the afternoons/evenings, you should go for dinner and drinks in the large area. atmosphere of the Barrio Alto.

Another of the charms of Lisbon is being able to get around in its traditional trams

But also go up to the upper parts of the city in tram-type elevators, like the ones already mentioned in Holy Glory, or also the Santa Justa Elevator  to see the panoramic views of the city.

Is Lisbon an expensive city?

And, finally, I tell you that in comparison with the prices in Spain, and specifically with those in Madrid or Barcelona, Lisbon is a cheaper city in regards to the visitor's daily life.

Which is appreciated…

Tours in Spanish in Lisbon

If for your trip to Lisbon, instead of visiting on your own, you prefer to join organized groups, here you have the information about tours in Lisbon in Spanish.

Among them, in addition to, for example, a guided tour of Lisbon and Belem, you can sign up for excursions around the Portuguese capital, such as a tour in Spanish to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril, or tour to Obidos and Fátima