My wife and I, and two other couples, decided to take advantage of some great package pricing and will be visiting Lisbon in mid-February 2019.

We will be staying 5 nights in at the Independte Suites & Terraces at Rua de Săo Pedro de Alc ntara 83. I understand this is very centrally located for visitng many of the center city sights by foot. We are all active and enjoy walking, so that seemed like a good fit.

None of us have been to Portugal before, although we are fairly well traveled in western Europe. I am looking for suggestions on walking tours (specific names or persons you have used before), day trips, etc. We are more interested in history, historic sights, beautiful vistas, etc. A half day at a museum would be good, but none of us are what I would call museum people. Any suggestions about restaurants would also be appreciated.

As always, I look forward to the replies and thank all in advance.

Dave Zemens
Rochester, Michigan USA

Day trips - Belem, Sintra, Obidos, Evora. All easy to DIY. I have never used a guide in Lisbon. Even if you are not a museum person, do not miss the Gulbenkian. Click on my name for my profile for my Lisbon TR, old but the sights are still there.

We spent 5 nights in Lisbon this past April. You can click on my name to read my trip report. I agree you don't need a guide, and you should not miss the Gulbenkian.

Thanks to you both. I will seek out both of your trip reports and read them through. Much appreciated.

Yes Belem is a must and is really in Lisbon - take a tram there and the other easy and great day trip IMO would be Sintra - short train trip to see royal town and neat castles. Evora and Obidos are farther afield but research them - Evora especially has lots to offer.

I will research Evora very closely. Thanks for the information PalenQ.

Buses are best for Evora - bus station closer to town center than train station.

Cascais is an easy day-trip by train.

After having read some trip reports and suggestions, we will probably do two day trips: Sintra and Evora. Obviously, we will be traveling on trams, busses and via rail. What is the best public transportation option for a combined pass to accomodate four full days?

There is no pass of use to you - just buy bus and train tickets for those two destinations once in Lisbon.

Hello!
Suggestions - we used TouringYou Lisboa agency for daytrips from Lisbon, have visited with guide Christina - Obidos, Sintra, Nazare, Mafra, Obidos, Fatima, Batalha. It was great! You will love it!

Thanks for the tour guide advise!

I downloaded the Rick Steves central Lisbon walking tour that covered Praca de Commercio, Baixa, and Bairo Alto. It's called "Lisbon City Walk". If you download his Audio Europe Ap it includes a map that you can also follow. I thought it was everything that I wanted for an overview of those neighborhoods with the ability to go at my own pace (eg having a Ginginha at the famous spot and a lunch break). I used a day pass for the public transit system which included the fares for the San Justa Lift and the Gloria Ascencor. I also went to the Alfama but it was overrun with tourists so didn't stay long. The transit pass is good for 24 hours so I also used it to get to Belem the following morning.

I don't recommend riding the overcrowded 28 Tram. I also don't think you need to go to Pasteis del Belem unless you haven't had a warm one elsewhere (my first night's hotel served them hot for breakfast..yum).

To get to Belem you may want to use a taxi or Uber assuming you can all fit in a single car. Uber works very well in Lisbon, there is presently no conflict between taxi drivers and Uber (which may be referenced in some old discussions on Tripadvisor).

If you need an airport hotel, Star Inn worked well for me..and the breakfast buffet was great, starting quite early for Lisbon. I spent my first night there, and then took off for Sintra from the Oriente Station for night two. I definitely recommend an overnight in Sintra, rather than a day trip. Stayed at Casa de Pendoa, also recommended.

My final night's dinner back in Lisbon, I was staying across from Corte Inges, so went to the 7th floor "Gourmet Experience" and ate at Tasca Chic. (And had that shrimp and black rice dish shown here..https://www.elcorteingles.pt/gourmet...tasca-chic/en/)

https://portugalconfidential.com/gou...ingles-lisboa/

The trains to Sintra are about 5 Euros round trip...so really the pass that includes them isn't worth it. If you are over 65 your get 50% discount on the trains and some admissions if showing your passport.

One thing to be aware of is that many Metro stations are not attended. The train stations that are attended, you can use credit cards. But if you try to buy a Metro card at an unattended station (most are not) you need cash and small notes or coins since many US credit cards won't work (they need to be chip and PIN). Same with some admissions..you often need notes smaller than a 20 Euro bill.

Using US credit cards anywhere else is fine..you just have to sign the slip.

Great information mlbg. Thank you!