Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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COMMUNICATION HOLIDAYS
Electricity Official Tourist Website – Lisbon (www.visitlisboa. 1 January – New Year's Day (Ano Novo)
The standard electricity supply in Portugal is 230 com) Carnival (often observed unofficial holiday,
V – 50 Hz AC. The standard socket is the "Type C" More information on Lisbon (www.golisbon. the day before Ash Wednesday)
Europlug with two round pins – this type is widely com) Good Friday, Easter (Sexta-feira Santa, Pás-
used across Europe. You might need a voltage coa)
converter if coming from a non-European coun- 25 April – Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade)
try. Adaptors and converters can be conveniently 1 May – Labor Day (Dia do Trabalhador)
purchased at the airport. 10 June – Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal)
13 June – St. Anthony's Day (Dia de Santo An-
tónio), celebrated only in Lisbon
Languages
15 August – Assumption (Assunção de Nossa
Portuguese is the main language spoken in Lis-
Senhora)
bon, but increasing numbers of people have at
5 October – Republic Day (Implantação da
least some command of English, more so here
República)
than in the rest of the country. Don’t expect
1 November – All Saints Day (Todos os San-
common knowledge of Spanish – people will un-
tos)
derstand to some extent, but the probability of
1 December – Restoration of Independence
encountering an English speaker is higher.
(Restauração da Independência)
8 December – Immaculate Conception (Imac-
Mobile Phones ulada Conceição)
The standard mobile network (GSM 900/1800/GPRS) 25 December – Christmas Day (Natal)
covers the whole country. You might need to All offices and banks close on these holidays;
check the compatibility of your phone and roam- however, major shops and sights usually stay
ing service if coming from a non-European coun- open. In order to be sure, check the respective
try. websites beforehand.
The country code is +351, the city code for Lisbon Opening Hours
is 21. Shops usually open at 9 or 10 a.m. and close at 7
p.m. The lunch break (or siesta) lasts from 1 to 3
Internet p.m. Shopping malls and supermarkets may close
There’s no public Wi-Fi service, but you can easily even later. Restaurants open unusually late, at 7
find a café or fast food joint in the city center that or 8 p.m. but stay open well into the night. Bank
offers wireless connection or a computer with In- and post office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.
ternet access. There are also several cyber cafés to 3 p.m. Restaurants and street shops tend to
that provide access for €2 to €3 per hour. close one day a week, usually Sunday or Monday.
Internet Resources
Official Tourist Website – Portugal (www.
visitportugal.com)
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TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION
Public Transportation Autocoope +351 217 932 756 urban areas and villages – 50 km/h
Metro (www.metrolisboa.pt) – undoubtedly the Teletáxis-cooperativa +351 218 111 100 open roads – 90 km/h
best way to get around the city. There are four motorways – 120 km/h
Regional Transportation It is advised to observe these limits as radar
lines with six transfer stations. It runs from 6:30
a.m. to 1 a.m. Trains – The rail network is operated by a sin- checks are quite common and fines high.
gle company (www.cp.pt) and it covers the main You need an international license to drive in
Trams, Buses, Funiculars, Lifts (www.carris.pt) – cities of the country. There are several classes of Portugal.
their lines conveniently connect to Metro. Ride trains, from international and intercity trains to Seatbelts are mandatory in both front and rear
vintage tram No. 28 for great views of Lisbon’s old regional and suburban lines. Trains are quicker seats. Child restrain seats must be used by
quarters. The network is quite complicated, and than buses but also cost more. children under 12 and shorter than 1.5m.
you should expect delays, especially on the bus The use of a hands-free device when using the
lines. There’s also an extensive network of night Buses – operated by several companies, cheaper phone is mandatory.
buses numbered 200+ that run at least once per and more extensive than trains. The BAC (Blood alcohol content) can not be
hour. Rede Nacional de Expressos (www.rede-expressos. more than 0.05%.
pt) The minimum age to rent a car in Portugal is
A single ticket for the metro is €1.25. You can pur- Renex (www.renex.pt) 23.
chase a magnetic card (for €0.50) and top it up Rodonorte (www.rodonorte.pt)
Walkability
with money to pay as you go. With the card, a Alsa (www.alsa.es)
You will be amazed at how walkable Lisbon is.
single ticket is €1.15 – cheaper and more conve-
Driving The center, where the majority of sights are, can
nient – you should definitely consider it. The more
Portuguese traffic is on the right side of the road. be easily and conveniently explored on foot – you
money you put on your card, the bigger bonus
Driving can be convenient and very tiresome at only need good walking shoes to avoid sore feet.
you get. A one-day ticket costs €5. You should
the same time – it depends a lot on where and And when you’re tired, you can stop and rest in
validate your card when entering the vehicle – the
how you travel. The toll highways are generally in the numerous shady squares or street cafés.
green light indicates a successful validation.
good condition, and drivers are civilized (except
for speeding). The regional streets can be in bad The new trend is to explore Lisbon on bike – there
Taxis are quite a few bike rental shops and the prices
shape, narrow and signposted confusingly – with
As mentioned previously, you are likely to expe- are reasonable. Inquire in the tourist office.
very chaotic traffic. The city centers also often get
rience rip-offs in Lisbon taxis. To avoid this sit-
congested, even outside the rush hours. High-
uation, book a taxi ahead and inquire about the Accessibility still remains a problem in Lisbon,
way tolls can be paid at the registration point in a
price. If you let your hotel to book a taxi for you, mostly because of its ancient streets – they are
booth or through an automatic electronic system
insist on taking a public taxi, not a private one – very narrow, paved and full of steps. Not all metro
(www.viaverde.pt) that needs to be set up in ad-
those usually charge more. stations are accessible – check the transportation
vance. The lane with automatic payment system
is marked with a green V. maps in advance. The number of wheelchair-ac-
There’s a surcharge for taking a taxi after 9 p.m. cessible hotels is growing, though.
and on weekends. There is a surcharge for lug-
We cannot recommend driving in Lisbon and
gage as well. The price starts at €2.50 and every
Porto. The cities are always jammed and there’s
subsequent 162 meters are €0.10.
a serious shortage of parking spaces.
Contact numbers:
Speed limits:
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FOOD EVENTS DURING THE YEAR
The primary characteristic of Portuguese food is February Sintra Misty (www.sintra-misty.com) (world
fish or seafood present in almost every cooked Lisbon Carnival music festival)
meal. The main meal of the day is typically lunch March November
that can last several hours. Lisbon Fashion Week (www.modalisboa.pt) Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival (www.leffest.
Petiscos – Portuguese version of tapas Vodafone Rally de Portugal (www.rallydeportugal. com)
Caldo verde – soup made of onions, potatoes pt) Arte Lisboa (www.artelisboa.fil.pt) (contempo-
and cabbage April rary art fair)
Grilled sardines Lisbon Fish & Flavours (www.peixemlisboa. December
Cozido à portuguesa – pork and vegetable com) (food festival) Lisbon Marathon (www.lisbon-marathon.com)
stew IndieLisboa (www.indielisboa.com)
Chouriço – pork sausages Music Days in Belém
Enchidos – strongly flavoured pork sausages May
Tripas à moda do Porto – tripe with beans Jazz in Lisbon (lasts typically until September)
Mão de vaca com grão – chickpeas with chunks Alkantara Festival (www.alkantarafestival.pt)
of beef (festival of performing arts)
Bacalhau – dried cod Rock in Rio (rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt) (takes
Sun-dried ray fish place every two years)
Cinnamon-flavored rice pudding June
Pastel de nata – custard and cinnamon pie Sintra Festival (festival of classical music)
Drinks Festival ao Largo (www.festivalaolargo.com)
July
Portugal is renowned for its wines. Try Vinho Festival de Teatro de Almada (www.ctalmada.
Verde, a young, slightly sparkling wine. Porto pt)
wine is a must even in Lisbon – its rich flavor goes Super Bock Super Rock Music Festival (www.
well with the wonderful desserts. If you wish to superbocksuperrock.pt)
taste something stronger, go for Aguardente, a Optimus Alive Music Festival (www.optimusalive.
popular local brandy. com)
Cool Jazz Fest (www.cooljazzfest.com)
Legal Age Lisbon’s Oceans Festival
The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18. Smoking August
is permitted in some restaurants and banned in Jazz in August
others (check for the signs on the doors). Smok- September
ing in bars is mostly permitted. Festival Flamenco de Lisboa (www.festivalflamencodelisboa.
com)
MOTELx Festival Internacional de Cinema de
Terror (www.motelx.org)
October
French Film Festival
Doclisboa (www.doclisboa.org) (documentary
film festival)
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THINGS TO DO DOS AND DO NOTS
Free Things To Do DO avoid restaurants on the most touristy avoid this situation is simple: use ATMs during
Monastery of St Jerome streets. If you venture just a little beyond the day. Other scams involving tourists are not
Berardo Museum of Modern and Contempo- them, the food will be cheaper and the atmos- uncommon, though they are easy to spot and
rary Art phere better. avoid – never give money to beggars, never ac-
Town of Cascais DO consider that you will likely be visiting cept any unwanted service from anyone on the
Estrela Park numerous churches and pack appropriate street nor buy any tickets – most likely, they will
Lisbon Cathedral clothes. be fake. After nightfall, you may come across
Ancient Art Museum, National Tile Museum – DO NOT get stressed by the Portuguese way drug dealers as well – just don’t let yourself get
free entrance on Sundays after 2 p.m. of speaking – loud and hastily. It’s the normal mixed up into anything.
Sintra National Palace – free entrance on Sun- way of communication here.
days DO NOT forget to take enough sunscreen and You should also expect the worst from taxi dri-
Belem Tower – free entrance on Sundays comfortable shoes. vers. Always insist on them turning on the me-
Design and Fashion Museum ter and watch the journey carefully, they might be
Safety
Alfama – charming old neighbourhood, best taking you for a ride. Try to find out the expected
Lisbon can generally be deemed a safe city. The fare in advance. If you get ripped off, it sometimes
explored on tram no. 28
only thing you need to care about is your belong- helps to threaten to call the police.
Belem – lovely waterfront district
ings – pickpocketing is very common in crowded,
touristy areas and on public transport. Don’t for- The tap water is safe to drink.
Shopping
get to exercise the usual precautions: never keep
The most popular shopping street is undoubtedly
anything valuable in open pockets and backpacks,
Avenida da Liberdade where the major brands
keep a hand on your purse and don’t flaunt any-
and expensive boutiques are concentrated. If
thing expensive.
you’re looking for something different, head for
the Baixa district for more local shopping. Typi-
There have been reports that violent crime is on
cal souvenirs include beautiful blue-painted tiles
the rise, but there’s no need to worry. There are
and Barcelos roosters (believed to bring good
some areas in Lisbon where these things occur,
luck). Also highly prized is Portuguese embroi-
but these are off the regular tourist paths and
dery – how about table linen? Definitely don’t
you’re simply unlikely to end up there in the mid-
leave without Vinho Verde, olives, olive oil or goat
dle of the night. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to
cheese.
listen to your intuition and avoid badly lit, unpop-
ulated areas. It’s always better to walk in a group
or with at least one other person, never alone.
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DOS AND DO NOTS ACTIVITIES
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ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
Commerce Square Lisbon / Praça do Comércio Lisboa Santa Justa Elevator / Elevador de Santa Justa
C G
A vast waterfront square, where the royal palace stood until the 1755 Great The only vertical urban lift of Lisbon is 45 metres high. This glass and metal
Earthquake. The Triumphal Arch is its dominant. structure was completed in 1902 and is still operating.
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ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
Belém Palace / Palácio Nacional de Belém House of the Spikes / Casa dos Bicos
J K
Consisting of five buildings, this palace complex is a beautiful architectural Notice the facade of this house, covered with diamond-shaped stones! It
gem. It also houses the Presidential Museum. was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and then restored.
Afonso de Albuquerque Square, 1300 Lisbon, Portugal R. dos Bacalhoeiros, 1100 Lisbon, Portugal
GPS: N38.69858, W9.20073 GPS: N38.70915, W9.13265
Opening hours: Opening hours:
Summer (Apr-Sep): Mon – Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.)
Mon: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Admission:
Tue – Wed, Fri – Sun: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Adults: €3
Thu: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Students: €2
Winter (Oct-Mar): Children (up to 12), Seniors (over 65): free
Tue – Sun, except Fri: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Guided tours are available. Jeronimos Monastery / Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
L
Sat: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Designed in Portuguese late-Gothic style, this spectacular religious complex
Sun: 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. consists of a church and a convent. It's listed by UNESCO.
Admission: Praça do Império, 1400 Lisbon, Portugal
Combined ticket to the museum and the Belém Palace: GPS: N38.69736, W9.20707
Adults: €5 Phone:
Students, Seniors: €3.50 +351 213 620 034
Children (up to 14): free Opening hours:
Museum: Oct – Apr: Tue – Sun: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (last admission at 5 p.m.)
Adults: €2.50 May – Sep: Tue – Sun: 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last admission at 6 p.m.)
Students, Seniors: €1.50 Themed visits designed for students are available on Mon and Wed (except
Children (up to 14): free Jun and Aug) at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sun: free admission Prior booking is necessary.
Closed on Mondays, Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and Dec 25.
Admission:
General admission: €7
Seniors (over 65): 50% discount
Children (15-18) with parents: 50% discount
Students with student cards: 60% discount
Children (up to 14): free
Admission to the monastery is free on Sundays and holidays till 2 p.m.
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ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
Church of São Roque / Igreja de São Roque Liberty Avenue Lisbon / Avenida da Liberdade Lisboa
M O
Although the exterior of this church is quite simple, its interior is elabo- The main thoroughfare of Lisbon is lined with stores of luxurious brands
rately decorated. It boasts 8 splendid chapels and 3 altars. and marvellous buildings. It connects two important squares.
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ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
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ACTIVITIES
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