Solo in Lisbon
Dec 6th, 2015, 01:14 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Solo in Lisbon
Hello all! I'm thinking about going to Lisbon, Portugal. I am wanting to know by your experience if it is a safe place to wander around as a twenty something yr old solo female traveler. I usually travel alone and haven't had any problems yet, fortunately! Also if you have suggestions about places to see, that would be appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
Dec 6th, 2015, 01:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't hesitate recommend going to Lisbon, and I think you will see once you are there that the vast majority of the city is quite safe, with many single women going about their errands and to/from work, no problems, and this includes the underground metro system. You will also see that some areas of the city are medieval warrens with plenty of blind alleys, so you will want to tour those in the daytime, not night. And you also might run across here and there some some seedy "party" streets, with plenty of seedy bars, possibly drug taking, some visible prostitution, and you wouldn't want to hanging out there at night. However, there are also vibrant well lit streets with lots of cafes and people strolling after dark (if the weather is warm!), and you'll feel comfortable there.
But so long as you stay sober and mind your purse (Lisbon does have a pickpocket problem near tourist sights and on public transport) you should be able to go all over Lisbon using whatever awareness you typically employ traveling and running errands in your own home town while alone. Taxis are quite cheap in Lisbon, so if you have any doubts about where you are or how to get back safely to your lodgings, just take one.
Have a great time!
But so long as you stay sober and mind your purse (Lisbon does have a pickpocket problem near tourist sights and on public transport) you should be able to go all over Lisbon using whatever awareness you typically employ traveling and running errands in your own home town while alone. Taxis are quite cheap in Lisbon, so if you have any doubts about where you are or how to get back safely to your lodgings, just take one.
Have a great time!
Dec 6th, 2015, 01:33 PM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife and I spent several days in Lisbon in the fall of 2014 and found it to be a charming city -- but I don't think that it is a place for a solo 20 year old young lady to be wandering aimlessly about in, especially at night. In fact, I doubt that there are any cities anywhere in the world where this would be a good idea.
Having said that, I had no problems in Lisbon, although there are clearly places that you should avoid and there is a great deal of drinking and general carousing at night in the Bairro Alto district. But if you exercise sound judgment and common sense, you should be fine.
As for places to see -- there are too many to list. Get a good travel guidebook -- or better yet, several of them -- and decide what interests you the most. One sort of "off the beaten path" thing that we really enjoyed was taking the fast ferry across the Tagus River to Cacilhas and having a terrific seafood lunch at one of the many inexpensive restaurants (almost all of which have outside seating in nice weather) that you will find there. Just walk up the street from the ferry landing and you will find dozens from which to choose.
Boa sorte!
Having said that, I had no problems in Lisbon, although there are clearly places that you should avoid and there is a great deal of drinking and general carousing at night in the Bairro Alto district. But if you exercise sound judgment and common sense, you should be fine.
As for places to see -- there are too many to list. Get a good travel guidebook -- or better yet, several of them -- and decide what interests you the most. One sort of "off the beaten path" thing that we really enjoyed was taking the fast ferry across the Tagus River to Cacilhas and having a terrific seafood lunch at one of the many inexpensive restaurants (almost all of which have outside seating in nice weather) that you will find there. Just walk up the street from the ferry landing and you will find dozens from which to choose.
Boa sorte!
Dec 6th, 2015, 02:59 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your responses! I have stayed in Paris for 6 days alone and didn't have a problem, despite the bad rep. I guess it just depends. Do you guys know much about the Alfama district? Thank you !!
Dec 6th, 2015, 08:39 PM
#6
Do not know when you are going or when but let mead to sandralist's recommendations.
1. You have to walk from Commerical Plaza down Rua Augusta which is 7 block long to Rossio Square and Figueira Square.
These Squares are side by side.
Rua means street and this street is pedestrianized with shops and bars and cafes along on both sides.
2. When you are at the commercial Square (beside the Tagus River) you will see the lovelt=y Rua Augusta Arch...through the Arch is the beginning of Augusta Street.
3. Pay 3 euros and go to the top of the Arch for great view over the Commercial Square and in the opposite direction....view all the way down Augusta street.
4. About half way down Augusta street is Santa Justa street.
Walk 2 blocks over to the Santa Justa Lift.
You MUST go up here.
Pay 5 euroes to take the man operated elevator tot he top ...exit out to the viewing area for panoramic views over Lisbon.
Because you paid 5 euroes not the convention 3.5 euroes, you can now take the narrow circular stairway to the top for even more terrific views.
one of the views is the Carmo Convent Ruins that sandralist mentioned.
You can go down to the main observatory level again and just walk over to the Carmo Convent Ruins.
5.In Rossio Square is a monument in the centre for King Pedro IV.
At the other end is the lovely National Theatre with a statue of Gil Vicente over the main entrance roof.. he was the founder of the Theatre.
A nice café here to have a drink and just people watch is Café Nicola.
6. Next to the Rossio Square is the Figueira Square with a statue of King John I ..off to one side.
This statue was once in the centre of the Square...
Why was it moved to the southwest corner of the Square!!?
7.From Rossio Square just walk right into Restorers Square, you will be walking past the lovley Rossio Train Station.
8. You are now in Restorers Square.
Look around at the Eden Theatre building., the Foz Palace and the Hard Rock Café in the pink building.
Okay straight across the square from the Hard Rock café is the Gloria Elevator ( Funicular) , about a euro to take the funicular to the top.... you really should go up here the ride take about 2 -3 minutes.
When you get off the funicular you will walk into a small lovely park with benches and statues and great views back over Lisbon towards the Tagus River.
9. Okay you can walk back down to the Restorers Square.
Once back here look at that nice tree lined street to the left....
that is Liberation Avenue and is a short version of Champs Elysees street in Paris.
Walk down this Liberation avenue about 6 block to the
Marques of Pombal Square and Roundabout.
10.Well you have comes this far so you might as well keep on walking because straight ahead is the very ornate Eduardo VII Park.
Walk right through the middle of this park which has a gentle uphill slope to it as you walk up.
Look to your left at the huge InterContinental Hotel...I stayed here.
Keep on walking in the middle of the park...nice buildings on both sides. At the end of the park, straight ahead you can see the flag poles which is the April 25th Monument Place.
( There is an April 25th B ridge, read why this date is so important).
That's it turn around and star walking back...look ahead of you..nice views down to Lisbon and the Tagus River !!
In the Alfama District you will want to see St. George ( Jorge) Castle, Santa Cruz Church, St. Vincent Monastery, The Thieves Market and the white circular domed Church of Santa Engracia...which is now the National Pantheon.
The view from the top of Castle St. Jorge, St. Vincent Monastery and from the dome of the National Pantheon is just breathtaking.
11. Belem is a whole different region but you will go take either taxi or streetcar and just walk to see all the monuments that made Portugal famous.
One final thing, when you are at Monastery of Belem then half a block away to your right ( as you face the Monastery) is....
....Pasteis de Belem. This pastry shop has been here since 1837 and if you want the best original Pasteis de Belem...then this is the only place to have it.
There is a nice bright blue canopy over the door and windows of the pastry shop.
It would be helpful for you to read a bit about the 1755 earthquake, then you will know why Biaxa ( Lower town) is in grid iron style and why Alfama retains much of its old Moorish syle.
Don't worry your 20 something legs can do all this walking.
1. You have to walk from Commerical Plaza down Rua Augusta which is 7 block long to Rossio Square and Figueira Square.
These Squares are side by side.
Rua means street and this street is pedestrianized with shops and bars and cafes along on both sides.
2. When you are at the commercial Square (beside the Tagus River) you will see the lovelt=y Rua Augusta Arch...through the Arch is the beginning of Augusta Street.
3. Pay 3 euros and go to the top of the Arch for great view over the Commercial Square and in the opposite direction....view all the way down Augusta street.
4. About half way down Augusta street is Santa Justa street.
Walk 2 blocks over to the Santa Justa Lift.
You MUST go up here.
Pay 5 euroes to take the man operated elevator tot he top ...exit out to the viewing area for panoramic views over Lisbon.
Because you paid 5 euroes not the convention 3.5 euroes, you can now take the narrow circular stairway to the top for even more terrific views.
one of the views is the Carmo Convent Ruins that sandralist mentioned.
You can go down to the main observatory level again and just walk over to the Carmo Convent Ruins.
5.In Rossio Square is a monument in the centre for King Pedro IV.
At the other end is the lovely National Theatre with a statue of Gil Vicente over the main entrance roof.. he was the founder of the Theatre.
A nice café here to have a drink and just people watch is Café Nicola.
6. Next to the Rossio Square is the Figueira Square with a statue of King John I ..off to one side.
This statue was once in the centre of the Square...
Why was it moved to the southwest corner of the Square!!?
7.From Rossio Square just walk right into Restorers Square, you will be walking past the lovley Rossio Train Station.
8. You are now in Restorers Square.
Look around at the Eden Theatre building., the Foz Palace and the Hard Rock Café in the pink building.
Okay straight across the square from the Hard Rock café is the Gloria Elevator ( Funicular) , about a euro to take the funicular to the top.... you really should go up here the ride take about 2 -3 minutes.
When you get off the funicular you will walk into a small lovely park with benches and statues and great views back over Lisbon towards the Tagus River.
9. Okay you can walk back down to the Restorers Square.
Once back here look at that nice tree lined street to the left....
that is Liberation Avenue and is a short version of Champs Elysees street in Paris.
Walk down this Liberation avenue about 6 block to the
Marques of Pombal Square and Roundabout.
10.Well you have comes this far so you might as well keep on walking because straight ahead is the very ornate Eduardo VII Park.
Walk right through the middle of this park which has a gentle uphill slope to it as you walk up.
Look to your left at the huge InterContinental Hotel...I stayed here.
Keep on walking in the middle of the park...nice buildings on both sides. At the end of the park, straight ahead you can see the flag poles which is the April 25th Monument Place.
( There is an April 25th B ridge, read why this date is so important).
That's it turn around and star walking back...look ahead of you..nice views down to Lisbon and the Tagus River !!
In the Alfama District you will want to see St. George ( Jorge) Castle, Santa Cruz Church, St. Vincent Monastery, The Thieves Market and the white circular domed Church of Santa Engracia...which is now the National Pantheon.
The view from the top of Castle St. Jorge, St. Vincent Monastery and from the dome of the National Pantheon is just breathtaking.
11. Belem is a whole different region but you will go take either taxi or streetcar and just walk to see all the monuments that made Portugal famous.
One final thing, when you are at Monastery of Belem then half a block away to your right ( as you face the Monastery) is....
....Pasteis de Belem. This pastry shop has been here since 1837 and if you want the best original Pasteis de Belem...then this is the only place to have it.
There is a nice bright blue canopy over the door and windows of the pastry shop.
It would be helpful for you to read a bit about the 1755 earthquake, then you will know why Biaxa ( Lower town) is in grid iron style and why Alfama retains much of its old Moorish syle.
Don't worry your 20 something legs can do all this walking.
Dec 8th, 2015, 11:59 AM
#10
Vonse:
No problem walking in the Baixa (lower town)..but don't try walking up to the Castle which overlooks Alfama and Lower Town !!
As you walk down Augusta Street from Commercial Square to Rossio Square you will enjoy this beautiful tiled street.
You must abd will go Belem where all the major monuments are walking distances from each other.
Make sure you have Portugal's most
famous pastry at Pasteis de Belem.(yummy)
No problem walking in the Baixa (lower town)..but don't try walking up to the Castle which overlooks Alfama and Lower Town !!
As you walk down Augusta Street from Commercial Square to Rossio Square you will enjoy this beautiful tiled street.
You must abd will go Belem where all the major monuments are walking distances from each other.
Make sure you have Portugal's most
famous pastry at Pasteis de Belem.(yummy)
Dec 8th, 2015, 01:51 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I was actually thinking the same. Taxi for late nights. I read that they are not very expensive either.I can't really stay in after dark either, considering it gets dark at 5pm these days haha!
Dec 16th, 2015, 05:18 PM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, Jf! Im a female on my 30's and i went solo-travelling in Lisbon last October. I was a little worried about safety, just like you.
Lisbon was my last city during my Portugal trip and i can tell you: the whole country is REALLY safe. Portuguese people are real welcoming and they are always ready to help you.
I spent my time in Lisbon at Cais do Sodré and i felt totally safe walking around Bairro Alto, Chiado, Cais do Sodré and Alfama at night, all alone. There are plenty of people walking around the streets and many groups of female girls walking by themselves. I also took the metro at night and wondered around Martin Moniz.
There's just this thing about Lisbon that is kinda weird, but not a problem: people are gonna offer you marijuana on the streets. Just say no and walk by: they offer it to old couples as well.
So, i wouldnt worry at all. Just pay atention to the surronds, and nothing will happen.
Enjoy Lisbon, it's such a lovely city.
Lisbon was my last city during my Portugal trip and i can tell you: the whole country is REALLY safe. Portuguese people are real welcoming and they are always ready to help you.
I spent my time in Lisbon at Cais do Sodré and i felt totally safe walking around Bairro Alto, Chiado, Cais do Sodré and Alfama at night, all alone. There are plenty of people walking around the streets and many groups of female girls walking by themselves. I also took the metro at night and wondered around Martin Moniz.
There's just this thing about Lisbon that is kinda weird, but not a problem: people are gonna offer you marijuana on the streets. Just say no and walk by: they offer it to old couples as well.
So, i wouldnt worry at all. Just pay atention to the surronds, and nothing will happen.
Enjoy Lisbon, it's such a lovely city.
