How beautiful is Lisbon compared to other european ciites?
Apr 9th, 2016, 10:21 AM
#41
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"There are many inexpensive hotels in Lisbon, and also in Madrid, but if you put in the qualification, "that I like", there is no way to qualify that. There may be no inexpensive hotels in the world that you like. "
No need to qualify .
We know what we like and don't mind paying for it.
No need to qualify .
We know what we like and don't mind paying for it.
Apr 9th, 2016, 03:40 PM
#42
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I do hope you are reading the current trip report on Lisbon! Also if you end up going, I'd suggest some historical fiction - I can't remember names but hopefully Amazon could pull up some names. There are several I've read that are very interesting about Lisbon and WW2 - many folks went there , spies, Jews, it was quite the place of intrigue.
Apr 9th, 2016, 05:21 PM
#44
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I happen to be in Lisbon at the moment (for the first time) and I find it beautiful. It did wow me, and I have been to Paris, Rome and all the blockbusters that you mentioned. After all, it very much depends on your personal tastes and your travelling style.
Why Lisbon has wowed me:
- The Monastery and the Tower in Belem are exquisite, they can hold their old to any other monuments in Europe. I count them as "in Lisbon" because I could go there easily by Lisbon tram (very cute tram, by the way)
- Lisbon does have a rich history, but the reason you haven't heard of it is because its history doesn't have much to do with Central Europe. Things involved in Roman Empire or World War II would sound more familiar to you, but don't ignore Lisbon yet. It has its own story.
- Delicious foods, especially seafood, with cheap price. I don't know about you guys, but my experiences with Lisbon foods are somehow better than with Italian food. None of my meals in Italy are good enough, while all of my meals in Lisbon were excellent, renown restaurants or random bars. I don't blame the Italian meals, perhaps I just fell into dull restaurants, perhaps I didn't have enough time to look for good bars in Rome. I just want to compliment Lisbon for its wealth of foods.
- Tiles. Tiles everywhere, in every colors and shapes, on all kinds of buildings. It's a unique trait that you won't find in any other capitals (as far as I know)
- The Alfama quarter is very interesting. It would require at least one full day to visit the quarter itself. I have always liked hill towns. For your information, the best sunrise view of Lisbon is from Portas do Sol in this quarter and is, in my own opinion, one of the best sunrise view in Europe. The best sunset view is from the Tower of Belem.
- The people there are rather kind.
- It offers sunny beaches! How many capitals could say that?
- Sintra makes a wonderful day trip from Lisbon. Don't miss it, its beauty is legendary.
- I heard Lisbon has the biggest fashion museum in the world? The biggest coach museum in the world? (Don't quote me on that.) I'm not always interested in "biggest" things, but just in case you still need something more to wow you.
I will write a trip report about Lisbon soon, I quite enjoyed the trip.
Please don't think that Europe has only Paris, London, Venice or the kinds to offer. Things different from that are not necessarily lower than that.
About someone mentioning Lisbon poor districts, you do realise that Paris has its poor area too?
Why Lisbon has wowed me:
- The Monastery and the Tower in Belem are exquisite, they can hold their old to any other monuments in Europe. I count them as "in Lisbon" because I could go there easily by Lisbon tram (very cute tram, by the way)
- Lisbon does have a rich history, but the reason you haven't heard of it is because its history doesn't have much to do with Central Europe. Things involved in Roman Empire or World War II would sound more familiar to you, but don't ignore Lisbon yet. It has its own story.
- Delicious foods, especially seafood, with cheap price. I don't know about you guys, but my experiences with Lisbon foods are somehow better than with Italian food. None of my meals in Italy are good enough, while all of my meals in Lisbon were excellent, renown restaurants or random bars. I don't blame the Italian meals, perhaps I just fell into dull restaurants, perhaps I didn't have enough time to look for good bars in Rome. I just want to compliment Lisbon for its wealth of foods.
- Tiles. Tiles everywhere, in every colors and shapes, on all kinds of buildings. It's a unique trait that you won't find in any other capitals (as far as I know)
- The Alfama quarter is very interesting. It would require at least one full day to visit the quarter itself. I have always liked hill towns. For your information, the best sunrise view of Lisbon is from Portas do Sol in this quarter and is, in my own opinion, one of the best sunrise view in Europe. The best sunset view is from the Tower of Belem.
- The people there are rather kind.
- It offers sunny beaches! How many capitals could say that?
- Sintra makes a wonderful day trip from Lisbon. Don't miss it, its beauty is legendary.
- I heard Lisbon has the biggest fashion museum in the world? The biggest coach museum in the world? (Don't quote me on that.) I'm not always interested in "biggest" things, but just in case you still need something more to wow you.
I will write a trip report about Lisbon soon, I quite enjoyed the trip.
Please don't think that Europe has only Paris, London, Venice or the kinds to offer. Things different from that are not necessarily lower than that.
About someone mentioning Lisbon poor districts, you do realise that Paris has its poor area too?
Apr 10th, 2016, 04:03 AM
#46
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We were in Lisbon two years ago. I enjoyed it and appreciated that is it so different from Paris or Rome. We did not encounter any beggars or aggressive people. The seafood was wonderful. Maybe it was because of the bridges and the cable cars, but it had a San Francisco feel to me.
Sintra was wonderful and I would love to go back there. We didn't see everything in Sintra.
I loved all the different tiles on the buildings. We were only in Lisbon over a long weekend, but am happy to have visited.
Sintra was wonderful and I would love to go back there. We didn't see everything in Sintra.
I loved all the different tiles on the buildings. We were only in Lisbon over a long weekend, but am happy to have visited.
Apr 10th, 2016, 06:08 AM
#47
Apr 10th, 2016, 06:14 AM
#48
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Loved our visit to Lisbon and combined it with a beautiful train trip to the Algarve. Beggars saw few..no worse than most cities. Loved it because it is fairly compact and so much art and atmosphere..alfama and the fado music still in my memory. That said...we visited a few years back and after many years of doing the "major" European capitals.
Apr 10th, 2016, 06:24 AM
#49
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We are currently in Lisbon, and I do find it quite beautiful. It might not be as majestic as Paris or Rome but it has a quiet charm all of its own. Kind of like the shy little sister that is not paid much attention.
Having said that, I think that it might not be the best destination for a first time visit to Europe. Yes, there are marvelous things to see here, but the emotional impact of seeing the Coliseum, the channels of Venice, Bernini's Duomo or the Sistine chapel for the first time cannot be compared, at least for me.
I have noticed that the beggar issue but I think that it is matter of slight differences in body language. They do thrust their bowls or cups toward you are a little more than in other places, enough that you have to step around them to avoid bumping. But this is not followed up by aggressive behavior by any means.
Having said that, I think that it might not be the best destination for a first time visit to Europe. Yes, there are marvelous things to see here, but the emotional impact of seeing the Coliseum, the channels of Venice, Bernini's Duomo or the Sistine chapel for the first time cannot be compared, at least for me.
I have noticed that the beggar issue but I think that it is matter of slight differences in body language. They do thrust their bowls or cups toward you are a little more than in other places, enough that you have to step around them to avoid bumping. But this is not followed up by aggressive behavior by any means.
Apr 10th, 2016, 05:56 PM
#50
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Portugal was my first trip overseas, and I loved it! I took our kids, who were 4 and 7 at the time, and met up with my DH who was there for a port stop with the military . We had no issues at all with feeling safe, even with young kids. We spent 5 nights in Lisbon and then 3 in Cascais, and did a day trip to Sintra. We would have liked more time in Sintra.
I enjoyed that trip so much it hooked me on going to Europe. I would love to go back, but it is hard since there are so many other great places I want to see too. Not enough time for it all
I enjoyed that trip so much it hooked me on going to Europe. I would love to go back, but it is hard since there are so many other great places I want to see too. Not enough time for it all
Apr 10th, 2016, 07:02 PM
#51
I will second the motion to all that thursdaysd said
Apr 10th, 2016, 10:51 PM
#52
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I flew into Lisbon because I was able to get a very cheap airfare. I only stayed a couple of days because that's just how I had it planned. I wish I had stayed longer and would very much like to go back.
As others have noted, Lisbon is easy on the wallet. Also, although I didn't stay in one it has a number of very nice hostels that are really a cut above anything offered anywhere else in Europe, in that they offer organized social events, often in a very nice setting.
As others have noted, Lisbon is easy on the wallet. Also, although I didn't stay in one it has a number of very nice hostels that are really a cut above anything offered anywhere else in Europe, in that they offer organized social events, often in a very nice setting.
Apr 11th, 2016, 04:11 AM
#53
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I like Lisbon.
It's one of those cities which are like a box of small and not so small wonders.
Maybe Lisbon is more a state of mind than a city
While a lot has already been said, I think no one has yet mentioned the ultimate reason to travel to Lisbon:
Pastelarias!
It seems that Lisbon has more of what cafe - bakery - pastry shop translates only loosely.
No matter if it's for take-away or if you can sit down, you find it at almost every street corner.
No worries about calories - the steep streets will make you lose weight anyway.
Going out at night.
While you may pick a dedicated restaurant for dinner, there is an abundance of bars to sample, e.g. in Bairro Alto. The easiest way is to look at the topography and start at the upper end of a street and just follow the flow downhill (makes it easier after a few wine or beer).
Pittoresque or run-down?
Obviously a subjective judgement. Our Lisbon landlord told us that due to the very strict rent control in the former times, there had been little funds or incentives for owners to renovate their buildings. But houses that look run-down from the outside can have perfectly styled apartments inside.
Crime?
After a day we got used to our neighborhood drug dealers. And they understood that we would not become customers. We stayed near Miradouro de Santa Catarina. I guess what wonders some first time visitors is that the presence of street dealers does not necessarily mean that you are in an unsafe neighborhood. During our stay we never had any issues is all I can say.
"Best hidden gem"?
My personal favorite was to take the ferry to Casilhas in the afternoon. Walk right along the Tajo river towards Ponte 25 de Abril. The quay sometimes looks as if it's not leading anywhere, but it does. Almost when you reach the bottom of the elevator to Miradouro Boca do Vento (nice view plus coffee shop, elevator not pricey) you reach the restaurant Ponto Final. A quirky place with tables right on the quay and a grand vista of the city on the other side of the river and of the bridge. Especially when the lights go on.
It does not have its own website, but you find it on Tripadvisor and Google.
It's one of those cities which are like a box of small and not so small wonders.
Maybe Lisbon is more a state of mind than a city
While a lot has already been said, I think no one has yet mentioned the ultimate reason to travel to Lisbon:
Pastelarias!
It seems that Lisbon has more of what cafe - bakery - pastry shop translates only loosely.
No matter if it's for take-away or if you can sit down, you find it at almost every street corner.
No worries about calories - the steep streets will make you lose weight anyway.
Going out at night.
While you may pick a dedicated restaurant for dinner, there is an abundance of bars to sample, e.g. in Bairro Alto. The easiest way is to look at the topography and start at the upper end of a street and just follow the flow downhill (makes it easier after a few wine or beer).
Pittoresque or run-down?
Obviously a subjective judgement. Our Lisbon landlord told us that due to the very strict rent control in the former times, there had been little funds or incentives for owners to renovate their buildings. But houses that look run-down from the outside can have perfectly styled apartments inside.
Crime?
After a day we got used to our neighborhood drug dealers. And they understood that we would not become customers. We stayed near Miradouro de Santa Catarina. I guess what wonders some first time visitors is that the presence of street dealers does not necessarily mean that you are in an unsafe neighborhood. During our stay we never had any issues is all I can say.
"Best hidden gem"?
My personal favorite was to take the ferry to Casilhas in the afternoon. Walk right along the Tajo river towards Ponte 25 de Abril. The quay sometimes looks as if it's not leading anywhere, but it does. Almost when you reach the bottom of the elevator to Miradouro Boca do Vento (nice view plus coffee shop, elevator not pricey) you reach the restaurant Ponto Final. A quirky place with tables right on the quay and a grand vista of the city on the other side of the river and of the bridge. Especially when the lights go on.
It does not have its own website, but you find it on Tripadvisor and Google.
Apr 13th, 2016, 07:15 AM
#55
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I like tiles so I love Lisbon. It is near some great resorts - Cascais, Estoril, Quelez and Sintra. The food is delicious and I find the people very nice. It isn't Paris or London but it has its own unique charm. Ride the ferry across the Tagus at sunset for a view of the seven hills.
Apr 13th, 2016, 03:22 PM
#57
For me Lisbon was a wonderful experience. I'd love to go back again.
(Was there twice.) However, if this trip would preclude you're visiting the other major cities mentioned, I'd think twice. But, if you can afford to just dip your toe in the water and then go on to other things later, I'd go for it.
No one has mentioned a lovely museum in Lisbon… the Gulbenkian. Not the Louvre or British Museum but very interesting.
(Was there twice.) However, if this trip would preclude you're visiting the other major cities mentioned, I'd think twice. But, if you can afford to just dip your toe in the water and then go on to other things later, I'd go for it.
No one has mentioned a lovely museum in Lisbon… the Gulbenkian. Not the Louvre or British Museum but very interesting.
Apr 14th, 2016, 03:09 PM
#58
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Thank you again guys for all these replies. I still haven't made a decision yet on where I will travel (my time off is September/October), but if I do not pick Lisbon this time around, then the comments, pictures and info in this thread have definitely made me add it on my to-visit list. It looks very interesting.
Basically if it's gonna be a 1 week trip then I will choose Lisbon + day trips to Sintra, Caiscas... But if it's a 2 week trip then I will probably choose Rome, Florence, Venice with a day trip or two if needed. Of course budget wise both trips will be different. lol But these are 2 trips that I hope to eventually do.
Basically if it's gonna be a 1 week trip then I will choose Lisbon + day trips to Sintra, Caiscas... But if it's a 2 week trip then I will probably choose Rome, Florence, Venice with a day trip or two if needed. Of course budget wise both trips will be different. lol But these are 2 trips that I hope to eventually do.
Apr 14th, 2016, 04:33 PM
#59
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My family (adult children) loved and enjoyed Lisbon (incl. Sintra and Belem),Nazare, Fatima, Coimbra, Douro Valley, Porto and Madeira. We've been to almost all European cities and when we were thinking of a European trip in November, the only logical place to go was somewhere warmer... that's how we ended up in Portugal (plus Madeira). And, we fell in love with the food, the informality, the warmth of the people, the tiles and for me I felt comfortable. We stayed in Bairro Alto (1/2 a block from Mantegaria de Nata) but just saw one or two beggar and yes it's gritty but I thought the city felt so alive, real and down-to-earth. Would come back in a heartbeat given a chance!
