HalGreene

Hi,

We have three full days in Lisbon with 1/2 day on our return. We are going mid-March and staying at the Avenida. In reading around it seems that each of these "attractions" is worth a day apiece.

Would this be a good division of our time? We mostly like to go to a place and just explore on foot (we're big walkers). We don't much like guides or tours. We will not have a car.

Can anyone express an opinion? Will we be missing out on something if we do this?

Thanks,

Hal

Robert2533

You can take the commuter train up to Cascais for lunch and walk around, it's a nice area and well worth a visit. There are also a couple of good restaurants.

Sintra requires a full day, and you won't see anything without taking the bus up to the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle Fortress. Taking a tour to Sintra is probably the better option if they provide the transportation and you don't have to wait around for the bus, or your tickets to the Pena Palace.

Pepper_von_snoot

I wouldn't bother with Cascais in March. That is DREADFUL weather season along the coast.

I would go instead to kitschy, "House of Dark Eye Shadows" Fatima.

Really, Miss Thing, a drag queen couldn't have thought this place up.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sally Field came flying in with her 747 wimple.

Belem and Alfama are both neighbourhoods in Lisboa, whereas Sintra (a very beautiful town) and Cascais (pronounced CASH-KIESH) are nearby towns that you have to take the train to.

For Cascais you leave from Cais do Sodre and for Sintra you leave from Rossio.

My ex-husband, Rogerio, was born in Lisboa and currently lives there.

Tschuss,
The Great Pepper--posting in Fodorville for 11 years

francophiletasmania

You could easily spend several days in Sintra-Vila. You need to get a bus from the Sintra station up to Sintra Vila. Byron called it the most beautiful village in the world and he surely got around. It certainly has superb palaces and museums, a touristy but still charming village and the fascinating 16th century Convento dos Capuchos is not far away (Byron mentioned it in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage); though you do need a taxi to get there from Sintra. I agree with Pepper_von_Snoot, not a good time for Cascals.

HalGreene

I will skip Cascais then, thanks. What will the weather be like in the rest of Lisbon? (Trying to pack smart). Also...what are "don't miss" things to see/do in Lisbon proper?

Thanks for your help!


Hal

lobo_mau

What will be the weather in mid-March? I'll tell you in 2 weeks.
Ride tram#28 extensively. Listen to the Fado (Parreirinha de Alfama is a known place, in Alfama, as the name says). Take care of pickpockets.

francophiletasmania

If you love art and visiting galleries our number one destination in Lisbon is the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum). Known as Mr 5% as that was his percentage from his former oil wells, Gulbenkian was immensely wealthy and spent his money on paintings, sculpture, jewellery, Middle Eastern arts etc. The Museum has a separate gallery in the same building which hosts some superb exhibitions. It is a haven of peace for lunch and you can eat overlooking the garden. Short taxi ride but cheap. Details are at http://www.museu.gulbenkian.pt/informacoes.asp?lang=en