My girlfriend and I will go to Lisbon 2 days before our RS tour of Portugal starts. We are staying at the hotel used for the tour. I was wondering if anyone had already done the tour and would have any suggestions on what they would do in Lisbon that isn't covered in the tour. I know that the start of the tour is 3 nights in Lisbon, and we will be adding 2, so it is a long time in one city. Any dining suggestions would also be appreciated.
Muito obrigado
Danabob
Posted by
Mountain House
83 posts
We did a day trip to Sintra, which was a lot of fun. Took the train in the morning, visited several of the castles & gardens, had dinner, then the train back. We also used tuk-tuks while there to make it faster & easier to go from site to site since they are spread out and it is a LOT of walking. The shuttles were generally very crowded so it helped with that as well. They were all fun rides. We were able to visit Pena Palace, Quinta De Regaleira, the National Palace and Monserrate.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3494 posts
I highly recommend a visit to the Gulbenkiam Museum. A varied and interesting collection. And they have a wonderful cafeteria!
Posted by
Michigan
608 posts
Seconding a day trip to Sintra. If I recall correctly, Castelo de Sao Jorge is not on the tour, although you do walk through the Alfama district. If it's a nice day, that's a great viewpoint. The tile museum is also not on the tour (or wasn't). Wandering through Rua Augusta, the pedestrian shopping street is touristy but fun. If you are staying at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza, there was an excellent Indian restaurant up the hill from there, I think it was called Tamarind. We also had great Peruvian food at QOSQO.
Posted by
TX
3568 posts
Lisbon is beautiful and interesting. There is so much to do that five nights is not a lot of time. You will not get bored.
Just walking around Lisbon is a joy but there are four or five hoho bus routes. Each route is different and you pay for each one separately.
Belem is another place to consider if it is not included in your tour. You could easily spend a wonderful day there. A lot to do and see.
Posted by
Michigan
608 posts
I believe Gulbenkian and Belem are included on the tour...
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
547 posts
The Gulbenkian Museum and the Tile Museum are both temporary closed.
The Castelo de S. Jorge has a guided tour included in the ticket price, it’s pretty good.
Posted by
Sicily
5 posts
I would look in your tour book and make a list of sights you will actually physically visit on the tour. Then research what else you might like to do that's not on the tour and aim to see those sights.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
2319 posts
You could visit the Coach Museum in Belem.
Stop at several miradouros for drinks and to enjoy the views.
Visit Sao Roque Church - one of Portugal's first jesuit churches with a simple facade and very ornate interior.
Visit Mosteiro de Sao Vicente de Fora. Interior is filled with gorgeous blue and white tiles. Follow the signs for the towers and rooftop terrace, where you will have awesome views of Lisbon and the River.
For dining, we loved our seafood meals at Cervejaria Ramiro, recommended by the late Anthony Bourdain. Also enjoyed Bonjardim Restaurante, known for their roasted chicken with piri piri sauce.
It's too bad the Gulbenkian and the Tile Museum are closed. I know there are other smaller museums around Lisbon. Don't remember the names.
And a visit to Sintra, even for a day, is well worth it.
Posted by
OP
147 posts
I appreciate all the responses and suggestions.
Thanks,
3D
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1544 posts
I don't know if they are on your tour, but I wouldn't visit Lisbon without seeing https://oceanario.pt/en/ and https://www.telecabinelisboa.pt/en_GB
Posted by
1 posts
The National Coach Museum is very interesting. It's close to Belem. The museum displays beautiful royal coaches/carriages from the 16th - 19th centuries. Provides historical information about Portugal's royal past.