Getting Around Lisbon

Lisbon is a city spread out over a string of hills, and the sidewalks are paved with cobblestones, so walking can be a tiring thing even with comfortable shoes.

The cobblestone streets are very impressive but what even impressed us more were the sidewalks throughout Portugal. Most of the sidewalks are also made of small stones and inlaid into these sidewalks are beautiful patterns. These mosaic patterns consist of three-inch cubes of cream colored limestone and dark gray basalt stones. We wondered how these patterns were drawn and one day we found out. It is simple. They use a template. But it is really a lost art. We have watched the workmen for hours sitting on the ground, piecing the stones into the ground, and using a template and different colored stones for the pattern. So on one of our trips we took a picture of these hard working men plying their trade.

Baixa-Chiado Metro Station

Lisboa Metro

Metropolitano de Lisboa

There are plenty of Taxis available in Lisbon. They are clean, have reasonable rates and most of the drivers are very courteous and friendly. Travel time from the airport to downtown Lisbon is 20 - 35 minutes, depending on the traffic. English is spoken by most of the drivers, as it is in most of the country.

Driving in Lisbon is not difficult if you're used to driving in big cities. However, parking is horrible. Do not rent a car until you need it unless your Hotel has parking facilities. My personal observation is that the traffic in Lisbon is getting heavier each year. So please give yourself a little extra time or you may miss your appointment.

While I stress that you can get around Lisbon and its environs using public transportation, You should also consider perhaps using a professional guide such as Peter Feijão at Tel: 011 351 21 4531001 or E-mail him for more information. I have met Peter and I recommend him highly.

EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE SERVICES 

Another tour company that you may consider is Executive Limousine Services & Excursions.

Peter awaits you

They provide transfers to and from the airport, TOURS all over Portugal, daily tours in Lisbon and surrounding localities, and tours of Jewish Heritage dating back to the eleventh century. They have Mercedes Vans and Buses and are fluent in English, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. You may call Peter Feijão at Tel: 351 214 535 299 or E-mail him for more information. 

The Trams are quaint little electric trolleys that sort of remind you of the cable cars in San Francisco. Lisbon's trams are not only vintage vehicles and picturesque in themselves, but many go through the historic parts of the city, providing an inexpensive way to take a tour. These unique trams climb and descend the city's hills along 72 kilometers of track. These romantic vehicles have remained in service far beyond their time. They are now more than just a symbol they represent the city's soul.

It was in August of 1901 that the city of Lisbon awoke to see that the new trams had arrived. The "Americanos" and "omnibuses" - slow mule drawn vehicles that had carried the majority of passenger traffic were relegated to history. The trams themselves are originally of American origin, and were built in the company's own workshops from the 1920's onwards. Today, the trams are considered part of Lisbon's heritage and part of its soul.

Tram in Lisboa

We got on a lot of trams (carro Electrico's) and we just went wherever they took us. It was really a nice way to see the City. You really can not become lost. If you're in doubt, just get off and catch a taxi back to your Hotel.

One holiday, we caught a tram and rode it to the end of the line. I didn't know where we were but soon I noticed we were right across the street from the Alto de São João cemetery, Lisbon's largest. Since it was early in the day, we decided to pay a visit. It was a very impressive place and cemeteries make me nervous. As we were walking around my wife started talking to a nice Old Portuguese woman that was cleaning her little Casa. My wife doesn't speak Portuguese and the woman didn't speak English, but I sensed that they understood each other perfectly. She showed us pictures of her departed family members and the shelve on which she will eventually reside. It was a warm feeling to be invited into another person's home and family. Soon the cemetery was filled with people. The holiday was appropriate, it was Todas os Santos (All Saint's Day).

Alto de São João

Environs of Lisbon

Day trips by car, bus or train can cover many areas that are close to Lisbon. Closest to Lisbon are the fine beaches of Cascais and Estoril only ten miles west. A few miles inland from these beaches stands the forests of  Sintra , a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its charm and fascinating palaces. A little further north is Queluz with its delicate palace and a little further on Mafra with its rich Baroque monastery. 

Whole day trips to Óbidos, Batalha, Nazaré and Fátima are also available. Just south of Lisbon is Setúbal and the beaches along the Arrábida mountain range. 

A train link across the Tagus is also now open. This line links that city with the south bank suburbs via a second deck on the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. You may board at most of the cities railway stations. So enjoy your ride in the ultra modern double deck trains that are equipped with air conditioning and background music.

To assist you in planning your trip, asking questions and saying what you liked or didn't like, I have set up a new forum for this Discover Portugal questions and answers Please visit it.

Oriental Station

Recently a number of people recommended that I take the ride out the new metro line to the Oriental Station. This was the station developed for Expo 98 and now for the new Parque das Nações. 

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