Short Lisbon/London stay
 

I'm taking a cruise that departs Lisbon on May 20 and ends in London (Dover) on May 31. I think I should allot the most time in London. Perhaps 2 days in Lisbon and 4 or 5 in London (sorry, my girlfriend and I probably can't afford more time than that in London). Any must-see/must-do recommendations for Lisbon? I'm considering a bus tour to Sintra for one day and then wandering around the second, prior to the cruise trip's departure.

I would suggest that you at least do a city tour in Lisbon. This will at least give you an overview of the city. Wandering around is always fun. While Sintra is lovely, if you only have 2 days you might just enjoy being in Lisbon. Where is your hotel?
June

Went to LIS/LON over NewYear's a couple of years ago...Had a great time in LIS, and would definitely do it again. I agree tho with JuneAnn's post as to staying in Lisbon rather than trying to put too much in. I "enjoyed" Sintra, but if you only have 2 days, you would be hard-pressed to be bored in Lisbon as well.

Weather should be great in May, and just take a look at the Fodor's site on Lisbon, it'll give you a great overview for the things you want to see....I enjoyed the waterfront, the architecture, the people, and just plain wandering the neighborhoods...

Best wishes for a great trip!! Dave

liriope writes: "Message: ... Any must-see/must-do recommendations for Lisbon? I'm considering a bus tour to Sintra for one day and then wandering around the second, prior to the cruise trip's departure."

Belem is a must! You've got multiple tourist destinations there; Tour buses all stop there. I would take public transit: Mosterio dos Jeronimos, Museo de la Marina, Discoveries Monument, Torre de Belem and Centro Cultural de Belem and the gardens are really nice.

Sintra is nice but I don't thimk it's worth a full day of 2-days in Lisbon. Catch a Tranvia there and back from Cais do Sodre if you want to do a half day there. You could even combine the two (Belem & Sintra).

The Expo'98 site at Metro Oriente is nice: an upscale shopping mall (Vasco da Gama), a cable car and Oceanarium are there. There's also a nice shopping mall at Metro (something Militar).

Try a Lisbon by night tour: they take you to some popular night spots in Barrios altos where you can hear Fado music.
BTW
If Vigo, Spain is a stop for your cruise, try to get a group together to visit Santiago de Compostela.

There is no need to take an organized tour of Sintra. Just go to Rossio Station, walk upstairs, buy a train ticket and go to Sintra on your own. It is so simple, you will be in Sintra in 45 minutes. You can walk to Palacio Nacional de Sintra and take a bus or taxi to Pena Palace. You don't have to spend the entire day in Sintra, 6 hours is good if you have limited time. Go to Sintra, it is beautiful, it is worth it.

In Lisbon, you should vist Castelo Sao Jorge, Jeronimos Monastery-Torre de Belem (they are across the street from one another), wander Alfama and Bairro Alto. You can do Lisbon and Sintra in two days, but, girl, you better put on your running shoes.

thingorjus writes: "... go to Rossio Station, walk upstairs, buy a train ticket and go to Sintra on your own."

Are you sure? I always go to the Cais do Sodre Metro stop, go upstairs to the rail station and catch the Tranvia to Sintra from there.

"... you should vist ... Jeronimos Monastery-Torre de Belem (they are across the street from one another), ..." Do you mean Torre de Belem or Discoveries Monument which is across the Park from os Jeronimos (with a pedestrian tunnel under the roadway)? the Torre de Belem, marking the entrance to Lisbon harbor, is 500m downriver from Discoveries Monument.

Hi,

Thanks, everyone, for the help. I think I'll stick with Lisbon only on this trip. I think the general overview bus tours should get me to the most recommended places. Also, a group outing for an evening of fado sounds great. That should still leave some walking-around time. I'm thinking about this in segments: bus tour, fado outing, St. George Palace and etc. walking tour, collapse from fatigue!

Sounds great!

Thanks again.

Gail

a few clarifications:
- the trains to Sintra depart from Rossio Station, the trains to Cascais depart from Cais do Sodre station.
- the metro station for Vasco da Gama mall and Parque das Nações (former Expo98) is Oriente station
- the metro station for Colombo mall is Colegio Militar

The Belem area has a great interest for historical reasons because it was the departure and arrival point of caravels. For Americans in particular it should be noted that Colombus made two technical stops there when returning from America, before heading to south Spain. The first in the Azores and the 2nd in Belem area.