City guide - Lisbon
Essential tips
“Seven Hills” Means Suitable Shoes
Lisbon is famed for its hilly terrain, which offers beautiful lookout spots. However, such scenery requires a bit of a climb. Even if you’re staying towards the “Baixa” or base of the city, the topography has twists and turns everywhere. Skip the heels and opt for sneakers.
The Path to Authentic Fado
Fado is a unique Portuguese music style characterized by profound vocals and melancholic lyrics. To embrace authentic Lisbon life, visit a fado house. Be cautious of tourist traps; if the menu has photos or isn’t primarily in Portuguese, it’s probably not authentic.
Schedule Who?
The Portuguese are friendly, welcoming, funny, and wonderful, but punctual they are not. It’s not uncommon for a Lisboan to arrive a few minutes late, but always with a smile! If you’re running a bit behind schedule, don’t worry—they probably are too.
Communication
While English is widely spoken in Lisbon, locals appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak Portuguese. Even if you know no Portuguese before coming to Lisbon, here are some simple phrases to get you started:
Local festivities and traditions in Lisbon
Celebration is synonymous with Lisbon, a city with around 15 bank holidays and famous festivals in each neighborhood. Here’s a look at some of the key holidays and festivals:
San Antonio - June 12th
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On this warm summer night, the entire city flocks to the streets to celebrate San Antonio, the patron saint of Lisbon. Enjoy open-air concerts, street festivities, grilled sardines, and decorations outside every house.
São Martinho - November 11th
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As the story goes, Saint Martin was a soldier who gave a piece of his cloak to a cold beggar, and he was rewarded with warm days in November. Lisboans soak in the final days of late summer, enjoying dishes made with freshly ripened chestnuts and a special wine called água-pé.
Dia da Liberdade - April 25th
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This “Day of Freedom” marks the fall of the dictatorship. The streets are covered in carnations, and many historic and national traditions are carried out.
Peixe em Lisboa
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Lisboans love their fish, and this “fish festival” is a testament to that. The streets are filled with the smell of charred sardines and other seafood delights.
Carnaval
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Much like in Brazil, the Portuguese love a good Carnaval party. Hit the streets, dress up, and enjoy the performances during Lisbon’s Carnaval.
Indie Lisboa - April 28 - May 8
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Lisboans are creatives and artists, and they love their indie films. This festival boasts an impressive number of movie showings.
Transportation in Lisbon
Lisbon is a very walkable city, but the hills can be tiring at times. If you need a break from trekking up and down the hills, there are plenty of public transportation options available, including buses, metro lines, as well as ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt. Here are your options for public transportation tickets:
SINGLE RIDE TICKET
≃ €1.80
- Unlimited journeys on metro and Carris
- Valid for 60 minutes after first validation
- Cannot be used for consecutive journeys on the Metro
1 Day Ticket – Carris/Metro
≃ €6.80
- Unlimited journeys on metro, bus, and trams
- Valid for 24 hours after first validation
1 Day Ticket – Carris, Metro, and CP
≃ €10.80
- Unlimited journeys on Carris buses, the metro, and CP trains
- Valid for 24 hours
Monthly Ticket
≃ €40.00
- Unlimited journeys across all public transportation networks in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area
- Valid for one month
EPE has more fare options dependent on your individual needs. If you want more information, feel free to have a look on their website.