We have had extensive discussions about many European cities…I am traveling to Lisbon on for the first time by myself for 4 days. I am looking for some suggestions for hotels, restaurants, must see sights (tours/day trips), shopping.
I prefer 4+ star hotels centrally located where I could walk to various places. I love seafood and I like to shop.
I like The Ivens Hotel and the Fontecruz but I’m a Marriott Convoy person. Pine Cliffs if you head down to Algarve. Check out Alma, Trindade, Ramiro and Feitoria for a nice meal. Terreiro do Paço, Tram 28, Convento do Carmo, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and the Drawbridge for some sightseeing. On your own for shopping but there is plenty!
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It’s been 5 years since we’ve been to Lisbon/Portugal and we loved it…just prepare for lots of walking/stairs. We had rented an Airbnb on the hill across from Saint George’s Castle, within walking distance of the water. I remember taking a taxi to the castle and spending a leisurely walk down. Rick Steve’s book on Portugal was helpful, as well as TripAdvisor.
I would definitely schedule a food tour (you must try pastel de nada, from a recommended place) and maybe check out some fado, if that sounds interesting to you. Sintra is an easy day trip.
Personally I like to schedule a walking food tour early in a stay because it helps you get the lay of the land. You also have an opportunity to ask questions, not only of the tour guide but also fellow tourists.
DS just came back from Portugal with friends and had a wonderful time. We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss the trip in detail, since he had to dive back into work, but they (a group of 5 friends) had no issues…even with an itinerary where they flew home Lisbon to Philly to Lexington to Chicago…on Memorial Day weekend!
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We are hoping to go next year so I’m following along!
We have a day trip planned to Sintra and some of the restaurant recommendations from jpga13 were already on our list so I’m thankful for the confirmation that we’re on the right track.
I hope you post photos and report back @oldfort!
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I have been to Barcelona and other cities in Spain, but have never been to Portugal. This is going to be end of a cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon. I thought I would spend few days there.
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Love Portugal, did a Rick Steves trip there three years ago. Another vote for pastel de nada, our guide says you need to have one every day you’re in Portugal.
No help on the hotels, but there are plenty of very nice ones in Lisbon.
Bumping this up.
Any hotel recommendations? I tried booking the great sounding hotel @showmom858 recommended on another thread but they are booked.
In fall 2019, we stayed at Heritage Avenida Liberdade. Always hard to recommend hotels with so many variables. Here’s what we liked: a convenient, but not hectic, location with good proximity to destinations and subway/tram stops. We walked a lot and found it a good starting point, with many nearby restaurants. Warm hospitality, great breakfasts and attractive, immaculate rooms. Not a bargain hotel, but at the time, we found it a decent value for an anniversary trip. No idea what prices have done in the interim. Happy planning.
I like this hotel, https://www.hotelavenidapalace.pt/
It’s very centrally located.
Not looking for a bargain. We like low keyed but nice accommodations. We want to be in an area that is walkable. I recently had knee surgery so prefer something not up a ton of steps.
There is something in Lisbon our first night as many places don’t have availability our first night.
@oldfort and @travelnut both those hotels also don’t have availability for my first night. Something must be happening May 15th as I’ve now run into that night not being available at multiple places.
DD and S-i-L stayed in this newly renovated hotel in 2022 and loved it. Extremely central location and super proximity to transportation. Quick look suggested some availability.
(Lisbon has both flat and hilly areas, some with a gradual slope and some quite steep with great views. Before you head out for a day, good to know if a taxi/uber/tram would be best for you.)
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Definitely go to Sintra. Also, I strongly recommend food tours (someone up thread suggested),
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Also look at Airbnb, VRBO and other peer-peer rentals. We stayed in one near the Praca Dom Pedro IV. We were traveling with our (grown) kids and their partners and wanted to get a 3 bedroom place so we could have breakfast together, and then either spit up for the day or head out together. Also saw studios and one bedrooms available when we were researching.
It was the perfect place to stay. Very walkable with a taxi stand across the street. We booked a private tour Sintra, but did everything else on our own.
On the recommendation of a friend, we stayed at Memmo Alfama in September and loved it.
The hotel has pastel de nada on the breakfast buffet.
On our arrival day, we did a free walking tour with a company called Chill Out Lisbon and really enjoyed it.
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We stayed at the Memmo Principe Real in Lisbon and Loved it. They had a lovely breakfast served on the patio and a small but nice pool we enjoyed after touring on very hot afternoons.