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Freedom Day April 25

We will visit Lisbon April 25 as passengers on a cruise ship. We dock at 2:00 pm and sail at 11:00 pm. We planned to purchase the Lisboa 24 hour card, but then learned April 25 is Freedom Day, and from what I’ve read it will be hit-or-miss for public buildings/museums/etc. to be open. We were planning on using the trolleys, buses and Metro for transportation. Assuming we dock at the Santa Apolónia cruise terminal we would proceed west to take Tram 15E to Belém, spend perhaps 4 hours there. We would return to the city on Tram 15E, then take Trolley 28E or Bus 737 (?) to Castelo de Sao Jorage, then walk through Alfama, have a later dinner, then continue walking toward the Fado Museum and on to the Santa Apolónia station.

Our question is this: What (if any) public buildings/museums will be open at Belém and Alfama on Freedom Day? For that matter, will restaurants be open? With the holiday, the Lisboa Card doesn't seem the best value. Is there a "transportation only" 24 hour card/pass that included trams, buses and Metro? Can it be purchased at the Santa Apolónia station?

Posted by
1826 posts

All transport and most restaurants will be open. The transport may be on holiday schedules - I know the commuter trains and buses in Cascais are. You might want to check the specific websites, but most major sites will be open. The only thing you might notice is some of the shops being closed.

Posted by
1637 posts

We arrived by cruise ship on same day 2016 and were worried. Hardly noticed it in terms of closures (mind you we didn't hit any museums), but do be prepared for lots of local people out and about. The city was full of local life!

We took a very inexpensive taxi to the castle and did the RS 3 neighbourhood walk downhill. Had lots of time leftover for a bit of shopping.

Enjoy! Lisbon totally exceeded our expectations.

Posted by
768 posts

Thanks for the responses. I'll rest a bit easier.