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Alfama & Belem for +70

We are staying in Sintra and would be going Lisbon on 2 different days.
We were thinking of going to Belem on the first Sunday of April because the museums are free.So we would be coming with the train from Sintra and arriving in Rossio train station. we were thinking of taking tram 15 to Belem ( whould this be a good idea and where can we take tram 15 it best from Rossio station? Should we spend the whole in Belem?
The second time we would come Lisbon.We like to see the things around Baxia and Alfama. Can someone give us advice what we should visit in these areas? We can still walk pretty good but we are both + early 70th.(But we rather walk doun hill then up hill.
I was thinking of taking tram 28 somewhere close to Rossio sation but were would be the best place? Second were is the best place to get off tram 28 and then walk through Alfama and the get back to Rossio Station

Posted by
1654 posts

Tram 15 doesn't go that close to Rossio. However, it's a nice flat walk from Rossio to Praca do Commercio, where you can pick it up. Any map of the city will show you Praca do Commercio, and it's a lovely place to sit for a drink gazing at the river and people watching. The streets in Baixa (where you will be walking) are interesting for their cobblestone patterns but you don't want to eat a meal at the restaurants with the staff hawking you to sit down! Also, the Millinium Bank in Baixa has a free tour of roman ruins under the bank. If you've never seen roman ruins, it's very much worth your time.
Be aware that both tram 15 and 28 are prime pickpocket areas, as is Praca do Commercio.
Belem could fill most of a day if you visit the monastery, tower, discoveries monument and eat lunch. The good news is that it's flat for easy walking.
Now to the Alfama. Rossio is not very close to tram 28 either, but again, you can walk a few blocks in Baixa and catch it going up into Alfama. However, it is very crowded and there are times you would not even be able to get on it in Baixa. If you get on 28 in Baixa, you can take it all the way to Montim Moniz (where you have to get off and catch next one going back), or get off at São Jorge (the castle). There is a great miradouro at this stop, but you might want to avoid days when cruise ships are there, as they impair the view.
The other option for Alfama is a tuk-tuk. There are many at Praca do Commercio and they give a pretty good tour of Alfama. I used one before moving here when I was not accustomed to the hills and feel it was worth the money.
One last thing - purchase a day pass or zapping card for the days in Lisbon and you will save significantly.

Posted by
3 posts

Hi again,
I was wondering if it would be a good idea if we would walk from Rossio station to Montim Moniz ( or is this to far) and then take tram 28 to the Sé de Lisboa and the walk to Praca do Commercio and from there to Rossio station? Or would this be to far?
Thank you

Posted by
1499 posts

You could walk from Rossio to Martim Moniz. Googlemaps says it's about a 6 minute walk to where the bus stops but it might take you longer. We were there in September and I think it's a flat walk. Walking from the Ze to Praca do Comercio is a bit different as you will be walking downhill from the Ze to the Praca. Googlemaps shows a 7 min walk. From the Praca to Rossio is about 11 minutes walk and pretty flat. You need to take all these times with a grain of salt as you will be walking slowly and looking at the buildings, etc., but googlemaps gives you a good estimate of how long you might spend walking.