Hostelworld Guide for Lisbon

The Essentials

Built on seven hills, Lisbon is quickly becoming one of Europe's most popular capitals. Small enough to
explore in a day but with enough going on to keep you here for a week, it also boasts one of the
continent's most pleasurable climates. Plan your visit here and take one of the old yellow trams past the
city's sights, crunch into a sweet custard pie, enjoy the breathtaking vistas, and treat your hedonistic
tendencies to the countless bars in one of the world's craziest districts, the Bairro Alto.

In this Guide...
Useful Information
After Dark
Places to Eat
Top Attractions
Budget Tips
Where to Shop

Getting There
By plane: Lisbon's airport is remarkably close to
the city centre, located just 7km away. The easiest
way to the city centre is via the AeroBus. The
journey takes 20 minutes, costs 3.50, and
terminates at Praca do Commercio. The ticket is
then valid on public transport for the rest of the day.
By train: If you travel to the Portuguese capital via
train your journey will end at one of five different
train stations around the city centre.
By bus: The city's main bus terminals are Gare do
Oriente at Parque das Nacoes and Sete Rios
terminal beside 'Jardim Zoologico' metro stop.

Getting Around
On foot: Lisbon is a compact city and, while you will
need to use public transport at some stage, much of
the city centre is traversable on foot.
By metro: Lisbon's metro system has five lines.
Trains come frequently and the network is very
useful for getting to different parts of the city.
By bus/tram/elevador: Lisbon's old yellow trams
which rattle through the city centre from morning till
night pass by some of the city's best-known
attractions. You may not need to use buses or
elevadors, but the latter are a tourist attraction in
their own right.

Useful phrases
Hello: Ol
Goodbye: Adeus
Please: Por favor
Thank you: Obrigado
You're welcome: De nada
Yes: Sim
No: No
Of course: Com certeza
Excuse me: Disculpa (Sorry) / Com licena
(with your permission)
How are you?: Tudo bom?
Open: Aberto
Closed: Fechado
What is your name?: Qual o teu nome?
My name is...: Meu nome ...
How much does it cost?: Quanto custa?
The bill please?: A conta por favor?
Hostelworld Guide for Lisbon

Climate
The Portuguese capital boasts a moderate climate
and, with a mean annual temperature of
approximately 17C, is Europe's second-hottest
capital after Athens. Summers are extremely hot
and dry with temperatures regularly climbing over
30C, while winters are wet and windy with
temperatures floating around 10C. Like most hot
capitals, spring and autumn are the most pleasant
months to visit.

Good to know...
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220V/50Hz, 2-pin plug
Telephone Codes: +351 (Portugal), 021
(Lisbon)
Emergency Codes: Police 112 / Ambulance
112 / Fire 112
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time
Central Post Office: Praca do Commercio
Main Tourist Office: Ask Me Lisboa, 25 Rua de
Arsenal, Baixa (open daily from 10am-6pm)

Embassies
USA: +351 (0)21 727 3300
Australia: +351 (0)21 310 1500
UK: +351 (0)21 392 4000
Canada: +351 (0)21 316 4600
South Africa: +351 (0)21 319 2200
Ireland: +351 (0)21 392 9440
Germany: +351 (0)21 881 0210
Spain: +351 (0)21 347 2381
Italy: +351 (0)21 351 5320
New Zealand: +39 (0)6 853 7501*
France: +351 (0)21 393 9100
* Embassy in Rome

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Cheap Eats
Bacalhoeiro, Rua do Sapateiros 224, Baixa
Considering its extremely central location, this
restaurant where fish is the speciality is surprisingly
frequented by mainly locals. Those who do eat
here, come to try the numerous variations of cod,
squid and other types of seafood. Open Mon-Sat
10am-3pm & 6pm-9pm.
Cabacas, Rua des Gaveas 8-10, Bairro Alto
There aren't many restaurants that let you cook
your fillet steak yourself. But ask for the 'slice on the
stone' here and you can do just that. Served on a
piping hot stone, you can let it sizzle until it's
cooked to your liking. Open Tues-Fri 12pm-3pm &
7pm-11.30pm, Sat & Sun 7pm-11.30pm.
Malmequer Bemmequer, Rua de San Miguel
23-25, Alfama Specialising in charcoaled food,
here you can choose from all types of fish, including
the Portuguese staple 'bachalau'. There's lots of
meat too, and the lamb cutlets doused in rosemary
are particularly scrumptious. Open Tues
7pm-10.30pm, Wed-Sun 12 noon-3pm &
7pm-10.30pm.

O sacred cake
Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belem 84-92,
Belem No trip to Lisbon is complete without
visiting the famous 'Pasteis de Belem', home to
the sacred cake of the same name. There are
only three people living and breathing today
who know the secret recipe. After consumption
you will see why as they really are truly
delightful, and cheap too. Open daily from
8am-10pm.
Casa da India, Rua do Loreto 49-51, Bairro Alto
You would think the chefs here could whirl up a
curry in a matter of minutes, but this isn't the case.
Instead you'll find plenty of 'peixe' (fish) and 'carne'
(meat). But rather than opting for either of the
above try their barbecued chicken which they are
famed for. Open daily from 12pm-3pm &
7pm-midnight.

After Dark
Pavilhao Chines, Rua dom Pedro 89, Bairro Alto
If the door of this bar is closed when you arrive
don't fret - simply hit the doorbell, nod to the
concierge and step inside one of Europe's most
unique bars. Decorated with literally thousands of
collectable items, go and you'll find yourself
studying model aeroplanes, sipping on cocktails
and tapping your feet to the sounds of the 80s.
Open Mon-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 9pm-2am.
Mezcal, 20 Rua Travesa Aqua de Flor, Bairro
Alto This tiny bar in the ever-lively Bairro Alto
serves arguably the best (and cheapest) caipirinhas
and mojitos in town. Opened in 1950 by Manuel,
he'd be lucky to squeeze ten rogues into his
beloved bar. But he never complains as the line
going into his bar for shots and cocktails seldom
shortens. Open daily from 10am-4am.

Gay / Lesbian Lisbon

Lisbon has a relaxed attitude when it comes to
homosexuality and the gay scene is very open.
Most gay bars and clubs are around the city's
Principe Real (note you must ring a bell to get
into most bars). Bric-a-Brac Bar (Rua Ceclio
De Sousa, 82-84) is one of the city's bigger and
better known gay bars, while nearby Bar 106
(Rua De So Maral 106) is a friendly, small
bar. Finalmente (Rua Da Palmeira 38) is one of
Lisbon's most popular gay clubs.
Club de Fado, Rua San Joao D Praca 94, Alfama
A night of Portugal's most famous music 'fado' is
obligatory for those who want to spend one night
soaking up some Portuguese culture instead of
beers and cocktails. This club in Alfama is touristy
but a good place to witness some traditional tunes
nonetheless. Open daily from 8pm-2am.
Lux, Avenida Infante D, Henrique Santa
Apolonia Regarded by many as one of Western
Europe's best haunts, this club part-owned by John
Malkovich attracts Lisbon's coolest kids who flock to
hear the world's top DJs. Not as difficult to make
your way past the bouncers as you would expect,
the hefty admission charge includes a number of
drinks. Open Mon-Sat from 6pm-7am.
Incognito, Rua Polais de Sao Bento 37, Sao
Bento Part bar, part club, Incognito doesn't have a
sign on the front door but inside the atmosphere
speaks for itself. Totally unpretentious, you can try
all sorts of moves on the dancefloor downstairs, or
look at others from the bar on top. Open Wed-Sat
from 11pm-4am.

Hostelworld Guide for Lisbon

Don't Miss
Sao Vicente de Fora, Calcada de Sao Vicente,
Alfama This huge church and monastery high in
the Alfama hills dates back to the 17th century.
Upon entering one can visit the cloisters, the
sacristy and the Royal Pantheon. The classical
music in the church itself makes a visit all the more
dramatic. Open daily from 10am-4pm; admission
free (church)/4 (others).

A city fortress
Castelo de Sao Jorge, Alfama Lisbon's iconic
castle dates back to the 6th century and is
worth a couple of hours of any visit to this city.
Aside from the breathtaking views and walk
around the castle's walls, you can see 360
views through the camera obscura and learn
the history of the castle via a short film in
'Olisiponia'. Open daily from 10am-5pm;
admission 5.
Oceanario de Lisboa, Ave Dom Joao II, Parques
das Nacoes Once home to Europe's largest tank,
Lisbon's oceanarium promotes a concept where
species from all oceans share the same waters.
Four of the five oceans are represented in centres
around the tank that over 1,500 animals like to call
home. Open daily from 10am-7pm; admission
10.50.
Centro De Arte Moderna, Rua Dr. Nicolau de
Bettencourt, Sao Sebastiao Portugal's flagship
modern art museum which opened in 1983 houses
over 10,000 pieces of art. Some of its most
fascinating pieces are by famed local artists such
as Vieira da Silva and Paula Rego. Open Tues-Sun
from 10am-6pm; admission 4.
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Praca do Imperio,
Belem Built in the 'Manueline' style', Belem's
monastery took over 40 years to complete. The
attention to detail is amazing and the site is listed
as a World Heritage Site. Open Tue-Sun from
10am-5pm (winter) & 10am-6.30pm (summer);
admission 4/8.

Mark Your Calendar

February - Festival das Musicas e dos Portos
For this ten-day festival in February, Lisbon invites
another city port to exchange music and culture.
The Portuguese capital always uses it as an excuse
to showcase its famed 'fado' music.
March - Lisbon Half Marathon This race is the
most important athletic event in the city and attracts
thousands of athletes, with the finishing line at
Mosteiro do Jeronimos in Belem.
May/June - Lisbon Village Festival This festival is
a digital cultural event divided in three areas Village International D-Cinema Festival, Village Art
and Village Lounge. Innovative film, music and
more is showcased throughout the festival.
May/June - Rock in Rio in Lisbon In 2004 the
Portuguese capital decided to stage its own version
of the iconic festival and it hasn't looked back since.
Lenny Kravitz and Metallica have appeared here.
June - Festos dos Santos Populares Arguably
the biggest festival on the Lisboan calendar, streets
around the city are decorated in celebration of the
patron saints of Lisbon. Street festivals and more
take place everywhere.
July - Superbock Superrock Festival This music
festival which is now held in Parque das Nacoes,
was the first international rock music festival to take
place in the city. Beck, Mika and Duran Duran have
all performed here.
July to September - BaixAnima Street Festival
This is one of the year's most colourful events and
takes place every weekend from July to September.
It is also one of the most central, taking place in the
city's Baixa district. Enjoy street drama, circus acts
and more for free.
August - Festival dos Oceanos The annual
'Oceans Festival' is held in areas such as Belem
Tower and Parque de Nacoes and stages music,
drama and dance performances.
August - World Bodyboard Championship Held
in Praia Grande in Sintra, just outside Lisbon, this is
now one of the main events on the international
bodyboarding circuit.
December - Noite Magica While there are parties
held throughout the city, the best place to ring in the
New Year in Lisbon is at Belem Tower in the suburb
of the same name.

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Neighbourhood Watch
Bairro Alto Ask any respecting Lisbon native
where is the best place to party and they will reply
with two words - Bairro Alto. Its two main drags,
Rua da Italia and Rua da Barroca, are lined with
bars, but instead you'll find that all the fun takes
place out on the streets. At weekends it's hard to
walk two meters without having to dodge
somebody.

A maze of labrynthine lanes

Alfama With its distinct Moorish influences,
narrow streets, and numerous vantage points,
Alfama is one of the most enticing parts of the
Portuguese capital. After idling through S
Cathedral and Castelo de Sao Jorge, one can
wander aimlessly around its streets for hours.
Alfama is also famously the home of the largest
concentration of 'fado' bars.
Belem Pronounced 'Belei', Belem is twenty minutes
from the city centre via tram #15. Most who take the
trip to the district do so to visit the monastery and to
indulge in tasty little cakes, although not enough
stay to appreciate its peaceful location on the banks
of the River Tagus. Best appreciated by a visit to
the monastery, a cake in 'Pasteis de Belem' and a
stroll down to the Golden Gate-esque Ponte 25 de
Abril.
Baixa/Chiado These two districts side by side
collectively make up the area that is downtown
Lisbon. In Baixa the emphasis is on shopping, and
its main thoroughfare Rua Augusta is Lisbon's
premier shopping strip which ends at Praca do
Commercio, the city's best known square. Next
door in Chiado you'll encounter cafs on streets
such as Rua Garret and squares like Largo do
Carmo.
Parque das Nacoes Pretty much founded when
Lisbon hosted Expo '98 ten years ago, this part of
town contrasts to the rest of the city greatly which is
all thanks to the architecture. Here buildings such
as Oceanario de Lisboa and Pavilhao Atlantico
have a far more modern edge to them.
Hostelworld Guide for Lisbon

Retail Therapy
Rua Augusta, Baixa Lisbon's flagship shopping
strip is a pedestrianised street laid with Portugal's
unique ceramic 'Azulejo' tiles. While it is minus
many of the world's best-known brands, this simply
lends to its charm as many stores are stocked with
local goods. In saying that, you will still find a few
recognisable brands, such as H&M and Zara.
Centro Vasco da Gama, Avenida Dom Joao II,
Parque das Nacoes One of the city's largest malls,
yet still not unmanageably big, this mall is
frequented by locals who visit to shop and eat, and
tourists who are en-route to the nearby Oceanario
de Lisboa. Stores are spread out over two floors
and some of those brands that might ring a bell
include Timberland and Levis. Open daily from
10am-midnight.
Feira da Ladra, Campo de Santa Clara, Graca
Lisbon's best-known flea market (it means 'thieves
market' when translated) has been taking place
every Tuesday and Saturday since 1881. On the
market's numerous stalls you will find everything
from vinyl to vintage clothing. Open every Tuesday
and Saturday from 8am-1pm (Tues) & 5pm (Sat).
Avenida de Liberdade Lisbon's answer to the
Champs Elysees (it was modelled on Paris'
boulevards) is awash with designer boutiques and
chic cafs. Worth a stroll at least if you're not in the
market for some designer clothes.

The rebirth of cool

Bairro Alto The stores in the funky Bairro Alto
stock some of the coolest threads in the city and
are easily missed at night when crawling from
bar to bar. The self-explanatory Sneakers
Delight (Rua de Norte 32) is one of many
stores along Rua de Norte specialising in
sneakers. Others include Mister Geek (Rua de
Rossa 130) and Global Effect (Rua de Rossa
80) which both stock funky t-shirts and more.

Budget Tips
Visit museums on Sundays If your visit to Lisbon
is at the weekend, save yourself a few Euro by
leaving the museums until Sunday when many of
them are free. This includes the city's premier art
museum Museu Calouste Gulbenkian and Centro
de Arte Moderna which are both in Sao Sebastio,
and Alfama's Museu Nacional do Azulejo which
tells the history of Portugal's celebrated tiles.
Chill out in Lisbon's parks While the Portuguese
capital isn't as busy and bustling as some other
European capitals, it's still nice to get away from the
crowds and chill out in one of the city's parks. The
most central green areas are Parque Eduardo VII
at the top of Avenida da Liberdade and Jardim
Botanico just north of Bairro Alto.

Jump on board
Take a trip on tram #28 Rather than spending
over 15 for a tour on Lisbon's red tourist tram,
jump aboard tram #28 somewhere along Rua
do Loreto in Bairro Alto. Make sure it's going in
the direction of the city centre, then sit back,
relax, and enjoy a journey by S Cathedral, Sao
Vicente de Fora and more landmarks. The
journey will cost you just 1.40.
Invest in a day-ticket for transport If you're
planning on utilising public transport during your
stay (it's pretty inevitable that you will), don't waste
your time and money by buying single tickets.
Instead invest in an all-day ticket. Costing 4, they
cover the metro, tram, and the city's elevadors
which are a tourist attraction in their own right.
Visit Lisbon's churches Many of Lisbon's most
beautiful buildings are its cathedrals and churches,
and thankfully most are free to enter. S Cathedral
in Alfama is the city's best-known cathedral and a
must-see. Others worth visiting include the Baroque
Igreja de Loreto and Igreja de Encarnacao which
are both on Praca Luis Camoes.

A Day in Lisbon...
Start your day in Lisbon's best-known square Praco
do Comercio. Once home to the royal palace, it is
still widely referred to as 'Terreiro do Paco' (Palace
Square).
Walk under Arco da Victoria and take a right up
Rua de Conceicao until you reach S Cathedral.
Explore the cathedral and don't miss the cloisters at
the back.
From here go further up into the Alfama district and
visit the historic Castelo de Sao Jorge. The castle is
fascinating and the views of the city are
breathtaking.
Walk up to Largo das Portas do Sol for an aerial
view of the Alfama district before jumping on tram
#28 back into the city centre for lunch in
Bacalhoeiro.
Stroll through the Baixa district to Praco do
Comercio and get on tram #15. Enjoy the view of
Ponte 25 de Abril before jumping out at Mosteiro
dos Jeronimos in Belem.

After wandering through Belem's famous monastery

give your feet a rest with cup of tea or coffee and a
famous 'Pasteis de Belem' in the caf of the same
name.
That evening dine in 'Cabacas' in Bairro Alto. Their
specialty is steak, but they have lots of fish to
choose from also.
Bairro Alto is undoubtedly one of Europe's most
hectic areas at night. Jump from bar to bar along
Rua da Atalia and Rua da Barocca.
If you are in the mood for really making it a day to
remember, finish the night off dancing in 'Incognito'
or 'Lux', two of Lisbon's coolest clubs.

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