I am travelling to Lisbon with a disabled friend. We want to rent a short term apartment and hope someone can tell me if there is any area that is relatively flat so he can negotiate around more easily. I understand that Alfama is quite hilly with many stairs, which would be a problem. Thanks for any info!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
The Alfama and the Bairro Alto (literally, "high neighborhood") are quite hilly. The Baixa is not ("baixa" means "low" as in below the hills). North of the center, some of the hotels would be in relatively flat areas (I can't be more specific, as I was last there in 2002). Belem is also flat; it has restaurants and reasonable connections to the center, as well as a full day of sights, so staying there is an option. But Lisbon in general is very hilly. Like the old joke about San Francisco, "if you get tired of walking around Lisbon, you can always lean against it." Be prepared for lots of trouble, for having to take lots of taxis, and for having to forgo certain attractions and neighborhoods altogether.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
sara-other potential considerations are be prepared for uneven, cobbled sidewalks in some parts of Lisboa, and some curbs without a curb cut. Hopefully mobility can be worked around. Take care.