Lisbon, Portugal with a day trip to Sintra Feb 2023

 Lisbon, Portugal with a day trip to Sintra Feb 2023

LISBON, PORTUGAL


ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Lisbon Feb 2023 Itinerary

PHOTOS: See Photos here on Instagram

Day 1-5 of Ten Day Itinerary through Portugal/Spain

Traveling to parts of Spain? See Madrid, Spain Itinerary or Seville, Spain Itinerary

TRANSPORTATION: Taxi Apps to Download : (1) Bolt (2) Uber
  • We thought Bolt > Uber, but both worked very well!
  • Bolt app will not work while you're in the USA. Recommend downloading in USA and activating once you're in Portugal

LISBON AIRPORT:
  • Where to catch Uber/Bolt: collect bags from baggage claim, take elevator up to departures & go past the check-in counters and make a left to go outside. Look for the P1 Sign Kiss & Fly. You have to cross a couple lanes to get there.
  • Lisbon airport is hard to navigate. Leave yourself plenty of time on departures.
  • Highly recommend putting an Air Tag or Samsung Tracker in your suitcases/backpacks to ensure your luggage is with you 
  • Note: To help with jet lag, highly recommend downloading Time Shifter App. With a mix of coffee & melatonin (optional), you'll be guided a week in advance on how to prevent jet lag

HOTEL: Anywhere on Avenida Da Liberdade

PAYMENT METHODS:
  • CASH: Recommend bringing $50 euros for (1) tipping tour guides and (2) euro coins for bathrooms
  • CREDIT CARDS: Accepted everywhere
    • Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
    • Always charge your credit card in euros instead of USD (better conversion rate)

SAFETY:
  • We felt very safe as long as you use typical precautions

WHAT TO BRING:
  • Good Excellent walking shoes - Lisbon has many steep hills
  • Print color copies of passport to carry in wallet
  • Converter is needed coming from the USA

LANGUAGE: English was sufficient 
  • Download Google Translate App if needed to help communicate

RANDOM TIPS:
  • Download WhatsApp to communicate with tour guide/groups
  • If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends/holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit.
    • MONDAYS: Most tourist destinations are closed on Mondays. However, Sintra sites are open on Mondays. 

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD: 
  • Vegetarian/vegan: This a vegetarian/vegan paradise. There are tons of options including vegan buffets. It is also very reasonably priced. Our favorite vegetarian-friendly places to eat were A026, Jardim, & Jarim de Cerejas
  • Coffee: Search on google maps for "Specialty coffee." If getting espresso drinks, be sure to ask for double shot of espresso.
  • Portuguese food items to try: (1) Pastel de Nata - Portuguese egg tart (2) Ginjinha - Cherry liquor (we didn't like it!) (3) Francesinha - Portuguese sandwich with bread, cheese, sauce and "meat"
Pastel De Nata
Coffee!
Ginjinha Cherry Liquor

Vegan Francesinha


LISBON RECOMMENDATIONS: 
  • 1) Visit all the viewpoints "Miradouro" you can around Lisbon


  • 3) Belem Neighborhood - would only go if you have time. Everything closed on Mondays. Very crowded. Go first thing in the AM. Buy tickets online.

    • Get Pastel de Nata from Pasteis de Belem 

      • There’s 3 lines - go the line all the way on the right side to try a pastry

    • JERONIMOS MONASTERY (Entrance Fee)

      • Line was too long on a Sunday; unable to get inside without a very long wait. Recommend purchasing tickets beforehand and go first thing in the morning.

    • Walk along riverfront to PADRÃO DE LOS DESCUBRIMIENTOS 

      • Famous portuguese monument 

    • Walk to BELEM TOWER  - We were recommended to not go inside, take picture outside 
    • Walk onto the rooftop of the MAAT museum for incredible views of the 25 DE ABRIL BRIDGE 

  • 4) We were recommended to skip Sao Jorge Castle (Lisbon Castle)

  • 5) Don't go up the Santa Justa Lift (outdoor elevator): Instead - for the same viewpoint, google map and walk past Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau restaurant and you'll see the same view for free :)

  • 6) You will hear about Fado (type of Portuguese singing) - the history behind it is very beautiful

Rua Augusta Square

Observation point: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

SINTRA RECOMMENDATIONS:  
  • Sintra day trip is really worth it! There's several palaces / estates to visit. Look online to decide which ones are the right ones for you =)
  • Transportation to Sintra: (1) Train (2) Uber/Bolt
    • We recommend Uber/Bolt. You get dropped off directly to your destination much faster.
  • Get to Sintra no later than 9am or else it's very crowded
  • Be sure to book the tickets ahead of time for any of the Castles/estates you want to visit

Quinta Da Regaleira Estate
Pena Palace in Sintra
Moorish Castle 

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