For Lobo_Mau!!!!
Feb 26th, 2010, 08:48 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For Lobo_Mau!!!!
Lobo_Mau, You are a WEALTH of information. Thank you for taking the time to give such valuable tips. I actually followed ALL of them on my first trip to Lisbon and came home in love with the city. I am planning to take my husband now (who has never been) and wanted to ask a question as a follow-up to one of your previous posts.
We are quite flexible on dates, and have 5 days in June/July so wanted to ask you - do you recommend going for the Santo Antonio Festival (thinking arrive on June 10 - leave on June 15, with the festival in the middle)??
However - will things like retaurants, trains (to Sintra), trams, castelo etc be shut during this time? Im sure the festival is amazing and special, but I did also want him to experience the everyday life in Lisbon - sitting at cafes and people watching, walking in the Alfama, eating Pastel de Natas at Belem....
So, sorry my question is so long winded, but would appreciate your opinion and advice on whether we should try and go with the festival dates or avoid them.
Thanks as always!!
We are quite flexible on dates, and have 5 days in June/July so wanted to ask you - do you recommend going for the Santo Antonio Festival (thinking arrive on June 10 - leave on June 15, with the festival in the middle)??
However - will things like retaurants, trains (to Sintra), trams, castelo etc be shut during this time? Im sure the festival is amazing and special, but I did also want him to experience the everyday life in Lisbon - sitting at cafes and people watching, walking in the Alfama, eating Pastel de Natas at Belem....
So, sorry my question is so long winded, but would appreciate your opinion and advice on whether we should try and go with the festival dates or avoid them.
Thanks as always!!
Mar 1st, 2010, 04:28 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So sorry to bother you...pls forgive me!! Just waiting on your reply to book Airline tiks and scared that a deal I found will go away....Can u pls let me know what u feel about June 10-15 with the festival in the middle? thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mar 3rd, 2010, 04:36 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear Amirao
I am very sorry for this late answer.
Please understand that my answers are very personal and subjective. Maybe other have other opinions.
As you know, Alfama is the true heart of Lisbon, but on the 13th June evening I refuse to go to Alfama. Just too many people. Difficult to navigate, a lot of "excuse me" and not too funny IMO.
If you are looking for photo ops, then the occasion on 13th eve is the "Marchas" parade and the place to watch them is not Alfama, but Avenida da Liberdade. Each and every district of Lisbon have a group (dancers and band) and a choreography and they repeat it in 3 different parts of the Avenida. It's nice to watch but it lasts for some hours and the outsiders may find every district performance very much alike all the others.
The good thing about Alfama, is that the festivity atmosphere lasts for the whole June. I prefer to go there in any other day of June for some grilled sardines. Usualy the weather is warm (not too much) and after the meal, you may stay seated to enjoy your time, without ppl urging you to leave. This the serenity and quietness feeling you can't experience on 13th eve.
24th eve (St John's) and 28th eve (St Peter's) are days of increased number of visitors in Alfama, but not nearly close to 13th eve.
If you decide to come late in the month (a good option IMO) try to get to Marvila dos Sabores 19 to 21st June - 4pm to 2 am (tastes of Marvila) with displays of handycrafts, traditional food, street old fashioned (pre-soccer) games, local folclore and Portuguese artists to entertain the visitors. One of the Marcha parade groups will be present for some performances, but you see one instead of watching 30.
Regarding your specific questions, trams and trains are working for sure, since they belong to the city transport system. St Georges castle is opened.
Making short a long answer: I'd postpone the presence in Lisbon to a period later in the month of June, with some hours reserved to Marvila (19 to 21st June). You dont need to stay there from 4pm up to 2 am, but considering that the sun falls about 9pm, I think that something around 7pm to 10 or 11 pm is perfect. To go there, take a taxi. You don't need to have diner, before going there, since trying the different "petiscos" is part of the experience. Marvila is in the same area as former Expo98, and so the visit to marvila is easily combined with a visit to Oceanarium early in the day. Take care with pickpockets (the same everywhere), but in this kind of local street animation you need only a limited amount of money and no credit cards at all. However, the camera is mandatory.
I'll keep you updated about other activities in June.
BTW, which tips did you followed in your previous visit? Feel free to ask anything either here or private email.
I am very sorry for this late answer.
Please understand that my answers are very personal and subjective. Maybe other have other opinions.
As you know, Alfama is the true heart of Lisbon, but on the 13th June evening I refuse to go to Alfama. Just too many people. Difficult to navigate, a lot of "excuse me" and not too funny IMO.
If you are looking for photo ops, then the occasion on 13th eve is the "Marchas" parade and the place to watch them is not Alfama, but Avenida da Liberdade. Each and every district of Lisbon have a group (dancers and band) and a choreography and they repeat it in 3 different parts of the Avenida. It's nice to watch but it lasts for some hours and the outsiders may find every district performance very much alike all the others.
The good thing about Alfama, is that the festivity atmosphere lasts for the whole June. I prefer to go there in any other day of June for some grilled sardines. Usualy the weather is warm (not too much) and after the meal, you may stay seated to enjoy your time, without ppl urging you to leave. This the serenity and quietness feeling you can't experience on 13th eve.
24th eve (St John's) and 28th eve (St Peter's) are days of increased number of visitors in Alfama, but not nearly close to 13th eve.
If you decide to come late in the month (a good option IMO) try to get to Marvila dos Sabores 19 to 21st June - 4pm to 2 am (tastes of Marvila) with displays of handycrafts, traditional food, street old fashioned (pre-soccer) games, local folclore and Portuguese artists to entertain the visitors. One of the Marcha parade groups will be present for some performances, but you see one instead of watching 30.
Regarding your specific questions, trams and trains are working for sure, since they belong to the city transport system. St Georges castle is opened.
Making short a long answer: I'd postpone the presence in Lisbon to a period later in the month of June, with some hours reserved to Marvila (19 to 21st June). You dont need to stay there from 4pm up to 2 am, but considering that the sun falls about 9pm, I think that something around 7pm to 10 or 11 pm is perfect. To go there, take a taxi. You don't need to have diner, before going there, since trying the different "petiscos" is part of the experience. Marvila is in the same area as former Expo98, and so the visit to marvila is easily combined with a visit to Oceanarium early in the day. Take care with pickpockets (the same everywhere), but in this kind of local street animation you need only a limited amount of money and no credit cards at all. However, the camera is mandatory.
I'll keep you updated about other activities in June.
BTW, which tips did you followed in your previous visit? Feel free to ask anything either here or private email.
Mar 6th, 2010, 08:00 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope you don't mind if I tag along on this thread...
Lobo, we will be in Lisbon from June 30 to July 4, 2010. We are staying in an apartment on Rua Garrett.
Are there any events taking place at this time? Can you recommend inexpensive, good value restaurants in this area?
Thank you for your help!
Laurie
Lobo, we will be in Lisbon from June 30 to July 4, 2010. We are staying in an apartment on Rua Garrett.
Are there any events taking place at this time? Can you recommend inexpensive, good value restaurants in this area?
Thank you for your help!
Laurie
Mar 7th, 2010, 05:31 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Laurie. At the lower end of Rua Garrett, there is the Armazens do Chiado which is a mall of shops. It really is a building of about six stories which has been converted into shops.
On the top floor, there is a food court with a couple of actual sit down restaurants along with the small take away places.
This is a great place for a quick sandwich. We have eaten in a couple of the places, one is Portugalia and the food was reasonable and fine. There is also a soup bar but I cannot remember the name. I would skip the McDonalds there.
So when you walk down from your apartment as if going to Baixa you will come to the building.
In the morning we liked to walk down to the coffe kiosk for a quick cup.
Now, this is not the same as sitting out side a nice cafe and watching people as you have a pastry and coffee. But for a quick snack it is great and very reasonable. Also it is nice for a small lunch if you only care for a soup or bite and do not want to invest time in a long lunch or dinner.
On the top floor, there is a food court with a couple of actual sit down restaurants along with the small take away places.
This is a great place for a quick sandwich. We have eaten in a couple of the places, one is Portugalia and the food was reasonable and fine. There is also a soup bar but I cannot remember the name. I would skip the McDonalds there.
So when you walk down from your apartment as if going to Baixa you will come to the building.
In the morning we liked to walk down to the coffe kiosk for a quick cup.
Now, this is not the same as sitting out side a nice cafe and watching people as you have a pastry and coffee. But for a quick snack it is great and very reasonable. Also it is nice for a small lunch if you only care for a soup or bite and do not want to invest time in a long lunch or dinner.
Mar 8th, 2010, 06:04 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Laurie. We have had the great pleasure of being in Lisbon three different times. One of the times we stayed on Rua Garrett.
We really like the area. We have also stayed on Rossio and near Rua Augusta.
We liked the Rua Garrett location because there are two very convenient subway entrances one at the lower end and one at the upper end. There are always taxis waiting at the upper subway stop and it is easy to get to the airport or anywhere else. The subway is a main line with easy transfers anywhere you would wish to go.
You are close to the Bairro Alto. And there is a very good restaurant Adega Sao Croce, I think. If you want to treat yourself have the cataplana which is a seafood stew. It is wonderful. The cost for two with wine, bread and butter and water will be about $50. This is reasonable for the quality of the food. LReynolds told us about the restaurant and all of her suggestions are solid.
Have a wonserful trip to Lisbon.
We really like the area. We have also stayed on Rossio and near Rua Augusta.
We liked the Rua Garrett location because there are two very convenient subway entrances one at the lower end and one at the upper end. There are always taxis waiting at the upper subway stop and it is easy to get to the airport or anywhere else. The subway is a main line with easy transfers anywhere you would wish to go.
You are close to the Bairro Alto. And there is a very good restaurant Adega Sao Croce, I think. If you want to treat yourself have the cataplana which is a seafood stew. It is wonderful. The cost for two with wine, bread and butter and water will be about $50. This is reasonable for the quality of the food. LReynolds told us about the restaurant and all of her suggestions are solid.
Have a wonserful trip to Lisbon.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Chotzi
United States
8
Jun 1st, 2005 10:51 AM
lmsa_mc
United States
7
Feb 19th, 2005 01:01 PM
