Lisbon Travel Forum

I'm spending 5 days in Lisbon at the start of July - my first visit to the city and I'm staying in accommodation very near to the Restauradores. I have a few questions to ask and would be really grateful for any help and advice;

(1) I intend to explore the Alfama area quite thoroughly starting from the Castelo de Sao Jorge and working downwards. What tram or bus no goes from the Restauradores area right up to the Castelo?

(2) Are there any cheap supermarkets on the Avenia da Liberdade or in the Restuaradores area?

(3)What is the cheapest one day travel pass I can get that includes travel on all trams, metro, funiculars and buses?

(4) I intend to go to Sintra for a daytrip. Do the trains depart from Rossio station? And what's the earliest departing train on a weekday morning? And what time do they leave Sintra when returning back to Lisbon on the late afternoon or early evening?

(5) What transport leaves the Resturadores area for Belem (ie. buses and trams etc - and what number or destination names are they?). Plus, does the metro go from Resturadores to Belem as well?

(6)Are any of the musuems etc shut on a Monday?

(7)What nice parks or off-the beaten track places in Lisbon would you recommend?

(8) Is the Aerobus from the airport called number 91? And does it stop at the Resturadores? Likewise when returning to the airport whereabouts in Lisbon can you get the Aerobus and what times do they leave during the morning?

(9) Finally, day by day, how would you spend your 5 days in Lisbon?

Lots of questions, I know, but any help and advice at all would be most welcome!

Thanks!

A couple of things I can answer - I am 'doing' Lisbon for a few days myself next week.

1 You can get all the Lisbon bus and tram information you need at www.carris.pt in English if required. There is a little bus that goes up to the castle - I saw it as I walked up there last year. Heck of a climb!

2. Not that I have ever found on my previous short trips!

3. See 1

4. Yes they do - train times at www.cp.pt the trains run at least every 20 minutes from 6am to midnight. www.cp.pt and look for 'Urbanos' 'Lisboa' for the exact timetables. NB your Lisbon pass will not include this line.

5. See 1. The metro does not go to Belem, but the number 15 tram does. There are also trains from Cais do Sodre station every 20/30 minutes.

6. Don't know that one.

7. Haven't done that yet.

8. Yes and yes. The timetable and route map showing all the stops for the 91 is at www.carris.pt also there are other buses from the airport to the city which cost less.

9. Haven't figured out that one myself yet - a lot will depend on the weather as it has been a bit iffy lately in Portugal (where I live).

Trust that helps and enjoy your trip.

Lisbon is a great walking city, if you are up for it. It's uphill on the way there and on the way back! From the Restauradores you can walk to St. George's castle, but again, it's uphill. But, in my opinion, part of the fun of Lisbon is exploring and getting a little lost, expecially in the Alfama.

My stays in Lisbon have usually been short. And I think 5 days just in Lisbon is a lot, so definitely take your trip to Sintra.

One thing that you absolutely must do is Fado.

I believe Monday's are bad for museums in Lisbon. I beleive the following are closed: Gulbenkian Museum, Museum of Ancient Art, National Tile Museum, Monastery of Jerónimos and Coach Museum, - Sintra's Pena Palace.

For food, personally - and people may certainly disagree with me, I have had too many mediocre food experiences on the pedestrian street of Rua Das Portas De Santa Antao and some of the other pedestrian streets in the Baixa.

Have a great time.

Thanks for all the help, guys. It's much appreciated. As regards the bus that runs up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, any idea what number it is or where it departs from in the Restuaradores area?

I am now in Lisbon, it's 28C and everyone was partying last night following Porugal's win over Turkey.

The tourist office advised me yesterday that almost all the museums etc are closed after 2pm Sunday and all day Monday.

The number 37 bus goes up to the Castle. This starts from Praca Figueira, just down from Restauradores area - timetable and all bus stops listed at

http://www.carris.pt/horarios/a037_1.pdf

Buses run every 15 minutes except on Sunday mornings when they are every half hour.

Complete bus and tram network map is at

http://www.carris.pt/downloads/Mapa%20Rede%202008_A4.pdf

Hope that helps.

Thanks, cubsur, for that information. Glad you having a great time in all that 28c weather!

Do not forget to get a map in the airport!

They are very nice and you have the underground lines there too!

I think you will love Lisbon....I´ve loved!

ANSWERS:
1- it looks ok!

2- Mini-Preço, Ponto Fresco, Modelo Bonjour and little groceries between Rossio and Baixa Chiado. Next to the Rossio station there is a Street where you have Modelo Bonjour and Celeiro (diet and vegan stuff).Ask someone there and probably people will know it.

3- Check: http://www.carris.pt/en/index.php?area=balcao&subarea=balcao_tarifario_proprios

4- YES they depart from metro stations of Roma/Areeiro, Jardim Zoologico/7Rios, Entrecampos Check: http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgnextoid=9ee56e29d6b74010VgnVCM1000007b01a8c0RCRD and search to Sintra...Maybe the easiest station could be Roma/Areeiro because Jardim Zoologico/7Rios its a little tricky you have to go out somewhere to the street i dont know exaclty how.

5- To Belém you can go to Praça do Comércio and catch the tram 15 (there is an old little one and a new one with air conditioner).From Restauradores do Praça do COmércio it a 10minutes walk, always straight to the river area.

6- About the museums you should see which one you wanna see and check theri website if its opened or not.Usually the websites have all the information in English. It depends on what kind of museums do u like.

7- This PDF have all the information that you want about the parks and gardens: http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/docs/ficheiros/parques_e_jardins_de_lisboa.pdf

8- Yes...From the Airport: http://www.carris.pt/en/horarios/a091_2.pdf.
To the Airport: http://www.carris.pt/en/horarios/a091_1.pdf

9- Uff....You have enough days i'm sure you will see everything you want ;)*

Have a nice trip*