phieaglefan

Hi all,

DD and I are heading to Germany to visit family. After we part with them, we'll have 3 nights to spend in Lisbon before heading back to the states. This trip will be in mid-late January. I know 3 nights isn't enough, but it's all we can do this trip.

After looking at hotels and apartments, I think we've decided on an apartment. I like to get up very early and putz around, and an apartment allows this better than a hotel room.

I would naturally be drawn to the Alfama area, and there are many cute options in the neighborhood. My question is, for such a short stay, should we stay more central - Baixa, Chiado, Barrio Alto? Would it make much of a difference?

For the record, we're both healthy and mobile.

Any thoughts? All input is appreciated!
H

thursdaysd

Lisbon has excellent public transport, you can take the tram to get to other areas from Alfama. However, I always stay near the Rossio station, which is what I think of as the center, and is walking distance to plenty of cafes and restaurants, the waterfront, and the metro.

phieaglefan

Thanks thursdaysd. I really hadn't thought about using the tram. I had read a few trip reports and a few people said they just walked all over Lisbon and only took public transport for Belem and Sintra. It's nice to know that's an option.

From the neighborhoods map I looked at, it seems Rossio would be closest to Baixa and perhaps parts of the Barrio Alto, does that sound right?

Thanks again,
H

HappyTrvlr

We stayed up the hill from Restauradores Sq, near Rossio,a very convenient location. We rented from US ex-pats at www.visitingPortugal.com

thursdaysd

Well, I suppose you could just walk, but I certainly used public transport. Lisbon is HILLY... and not that small. I wouldn't want to walk from the castle to the Botanical Gardens and back, for instance.

Yes, Rossio is next to Baixa, and an elevator ride from the Barrio Alto.

lauramsgarden

any suggestions of favorite hotels near Rossio?

HappyTrvlr

Avenida Palace, Sofitel.

thursdaysd

I stay at the Residencial Florescente, but if I had the money I'd stay at the Avenida Palace. Or there is the Eden, but some rooms are better than others. I haven't stayed here, but it looks interesting: http://www.brownsapartments.com/

damient

If you want originality, history, the greatest sunrise in the city, stay in Alfama! avoid the bairro alto, the smell on the weekend is terrible! beer and vomiting all over! the baixa and chiado are nice but more expensive and not so popular, not many ppl lives in these areas.

Lisbon_Eagle

"few people said they just walked all over Lisbon"

Wow

I'm sorry, but, or they are athletes or they don't know the real size of the city.

dedlaw

I'm no athlete, and I walked all over Lisbon -- except for trip to Belem. Certain things are a hike (Gulbenkian for example), but everything else is really not that far from the "tourist core" from Rossio area. We stayed on Rua Garrett just up the hill (a short hill) from Rossio, and walking to castle in the Alfama was no more than 20 minutes.

I wouldn't count Sintra as part of Lisbon -- it's a day trip about 17 miles from Lisbon.

All that said, there is public transportation to a wide variety of areas, and taxis are plentiful and inexpensive if you decide to walk and get tired.

Lisbon_Eagle

I wasn't talking about the "tourist core", but the entire city.

Did you visit anything in northern Lisbon from Rossio and... by foot?

And Rossio-Alfama-Castle are only a small part of Lisbon.

Sintra is not Lisbon, indeed.

Tabernash2

DH and I LOVED our stay in Lisbon, where we did walk a LOT in the city, but grabbed a cab once or twice because they are cheap. We took the train to Sintra and to Cascais, for day-trips. We loved the friendly and laid-back feeling of Lisbon. People there seemed happy to see tourists and went out of their way to help.

We stayed next to the Rossio station, at the Hotel Avenida Palace which is a wonderful hotel. Very elegant and beautiful, with unstoppable customer service and a gorgeous breakfast room with an over-the-top buffet every morning (included in our room rate).

Even if you want to get up early and wander a bit, the hotel has several rooms for that, including a little lending library, and beautiful sitting rooms.

Lisbon_Eagle

So you walk to what places, out of curiosity?

Barb

I just returned from 10 days in Lisbon. Loved every minute. Lisbon is a wonderful city with so much history, lovely people, delicious food and a very laid back feeling. I stayed at Residencial Florescente also. Stayed there last year as well. For the money it can't be beat both in location and amenities. Would I like to stay at the Avenida, yes, but if you are on a budget, like me, it's great value and the staff were most helpful. I would not hesitate to recommend the Florescente. I walked most of the time, but the metro, trams, funiculars and cheap taxis are also a good alternative.

BomDiaLisbon

Dedlaw, Rossio to Rua Garrett doesn't count as a hill I hope you made it a bit further uphill, at least to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for the breathtaking view over Lisbon. If not, you must return!

opaldog

We recently spent 4 nights in Lisbon, our first visit. We chose to stay in the Alfama and absolutely loved it. We stayed in an apartment and were provided a great map by the owner of the Alfama and still we managed to get lost a few times the first day. You can take the tram from Alfama and get to other parts of the city and then walk or bus and metro from there. I plan to go back and will definitely be staying int he Alfama.

Travelbound44

My wife and I spent all of September in Lisbon and stayed in the Baixa-Chiado neighborhood and absolutely loved it. We are in late 50's so being in the flattest area of Lisbon was a plus. Everything you would need or want is within walking distance. Public transportation is exceptional. We never had a car, didn't need one. Rossio area is fine but you can take a short stroll to the river every night to just chill from B/C. Most of the ferry's to the areas across the river are also close by. Highly recommend seafood across the river in Cecilhas. Moderate pricing and the fish is very fresh. We ate at Farol's twice and would go back again in a heartbeat

dedlaw

BomDiaLisbon:

I said Rua Garrett is up a short hill from Rossio -- yeah, short. And we made it to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara several times, again, while it's uphill it doesn't exactly call for hiking boots and a walking stick. The closest big city to me is San Francisco, so I understand "hilly." Flat is boring.