Hello - I will be going on a Mediterranean cruise this May. One of the cities that we will visit is Lisbon. I would like to see the city by public transportation instead of taking an excursion through the cruise line. Since we will only have one day in port, I am hoping to obtain the thoughts of fellow Fodorites as to their favorite places to visit/things to do in Lisbon. Thank you!

Click on my name and you will find my Portugal trip report of which the last section deals with Lisbon. You might find some ideas of what to do while in Lisbon.

Definitely see the Tile Museum.

Click on my name for my Lisbon TR - I was there for six nights, but you could pick out the sights that interest you most. Certainly don't miss the Gulbenkian Museum, or the tram ride through the Alfama district. Or the delish chicken at Bonjardim!

If you only have ONE day, I would suggest the following:

Monument to the Discoverers
Jeronimos Monastery
Coaches Museum
Stop here--http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/en.html

All of these sites are near one another.

When you have finished with Belem, head to Castelo Sao Jorge. Afterward, you can explore the Alfama neighbourhood. Have a meal at a restaurant with a view of the Tagus.

The Gulbenkian is fantastic, but you don't have time for it. Spend your day seeing Lisboa, not the inside of a museum.

Thin

Tram 28 is part of the public transportation network and it goes through many of the most interesting neighborhoods, up to the Alfama, down to the flat Baixa area, and up again to the Chiado.

catch the bus to the Villa Rosa, one of the most stunning art deco buildings in the world

We'll be going to Lisbon in August as part of a cruise too. What's your thoughts on the Lisboa Card? Anyone of you use it?

I'll be looking at the trip reports too. Thanks!

Michael and thursdaysd - your trip reports are fantastic! I love that you both put so much detail into them. I think that I will take the train to Sintra first thing in the morning and spend a couple of hours there. When I get back to Lisbon, I am going to try to spend the majority of my time in the Belem area. The Tile Museum looks beautiful, but I don't know if I'll be able to fit it in. Perhaps another trip to Portugal is warranted? Thank you so much for all of your help.

Sintra deserves more than a couple of hours. I guess you could spend an hour in the National Palace and an hour walking around the town but you will miss the Pena Palace - Sintra's highlight IMHO.