LISBON FALL & WINTER GUIDE The best places to eat, sleep and play in Lisbon this fall and winter

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1 LISBON FALL & WINTER GUIDE The best places to eat, sleep and play in Lisbon this fall and winter With more than 50 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 50 million travelers visiting our site each month. Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided.

2 INTRODUCTION TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 50 million monthly visitors to produce a unique series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler, you ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure to check out the guides at You ll find reviews for more than 520,000 hotels, 125,000 vacation rentals, 155,000 attractions and 715,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans. Inside LISBON PACKING TIPS 1. Bring an umbrella, just in case. TripAdvisor Member, Portugal 2. Wear comfortable shoes! Lisbon is built on seven hills, and the Alfama district is all up and down. TripAdvisor Member, Portugal 3. Should you go out at night looking for a club or to a nice dinner, wear a smart casual outfit. No tennis shoes, and try to avoid jeans and T-shirts. TripAdvisor Member, Porto, Portugal From cafés where fado singers draped in black shawls express the nation s deepest sentiments to breathtaking cathedrals and castles, Lisbon is a city with soul. The neighborhoods of the Portuguese capital, which lies on the north bank of the Tagus River, pulse with history and modern sophistication. Visit Alfama, one of the oldest quarters in Lisbon, to experience St. George s Castle and its sweeping hilltop view. Head down to bustling Baixa, a traditional shopping district or prowl the fashionable Chiado. Spend a family day at Parque das Nacoes, site of Expo 98 and the Oceanarium. Bairro Alto, the high quarter, lures nightlife lovers with its abundant restaurants and clubs. Lovely Belem is linked to Portugal s Golden Age of Discoveries and houses a vibrant Cultural Center and the Jeronimos Monastery. Exploring the riches of Lisbon is as easy as boarding a tram and slipping away. tripadvisor.com 2

3 Top VIEWS LISBON S BEST VIEWS If you want great views of the city, then visit St. George s Castle. You get to see most of the city from the castle, which is high above the city center, but still close to it. TripAdvisor Member, Crewe, England St. George s Castle (Castelo de São Jorge), Largo do Chao da Feira Located inside a Gothic-style tower, the Santa Justa Elevator provides wonderful views of the city, particularly the castle and Igreja do Carmo. TripAdvisor Member, Avon, Conn. Santa Justa Elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa), Rua Aurea and Rua de Santa Justa Visit Parque Eduardo VII during the day. There is a magnificent city view from the top of the park. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII), In the São Sebastião da Pedreira parish Where to PLAY TOP 10 Attractions 1. Oceanarium (Oceanario de Lisboa), Esplanada D. Carlos I, Doca dos Olivais, Gulbenkian Museum (Museu Calouste Gulbenkian), Avenida de Berna 45a, Cascais, 30 kilometers west of Lisbon 4. Belem, 6 kilometers west of the city centre 5. Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Praca do Imperio, Alfama District 7. Tram 28, Cristo Rei Statue, Suedufer des Tejo 9. Basilica da Estrela, Largo da Estrela 10. St. George s Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge), Largo do Chao da Feira, FAMILIES Children of all ages would enjoy a trip to the Oceanarium. The exhibits have informative explanations, and the penguins and otters can be seen diving underwater from the lower level. TripAdvisor Member, Estoril, Portugal Oceanarium (Oceanario de Lisboa), Parque das Nacoes, The Lisbon Zoo is a great day out for the family. The zoo is a conservation wildlife park, and there are open enclosures for both the primates and the lions. A wide range of animals, including dolphins and sea lions. TripAdvisor Member, Plymouth, U.K. Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoologico de Lisboa), Estrada de Benfica , Sete Rios 1500, Walk around Parque das Nacoes, where Expo 98 took place. Normally, there are a lot of street shows. It is possible to rent bikes, and you also can find a huge mall and a science center. TripAdvisor Member, Portugal Parque das Nacoes, Avenida D. Joao II, A great day out for the family. ROMANCE The beautiful Edward VII Park offers the perfect location for a romantic picnic. Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII), In the São Sebastião da Pedreira parish Take a day trip to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with parks, gardens and charming architecture. The romantic village is a must-see! TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Sintra Spend a leisurely afternoon surrounded by beautiful fountains and inviting cafes in Rossio Square. Take the time to just sit and soak in the atmosphere! TripAdvisor Member Rossio Square tripadvisor.com 3

4 Where to PLAY BUDGET Visit the Centro Cultural de Belem for contemporary exhibitions and musical performances. The CCB often presents free or low-cost concerts and family activities. Centro Cultural de Belem (CCB), Praca do Imperio, ADVENTURE Dive into local nightlife in Bairro Alto, an area filled with fun and lively bars that were bursting with people hanging out and people-watching. TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario Bairro Alto EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL An interesting museum that kids really like is the Coach Museum in the area of Belem, which features ancient kings carriages. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches), Praca Afonso de Albuquerque, RELAXATION The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is a gem, easily accessible and surrounded by pretty, relaxing grounds. Combine a visit to the collection, which runs the gamut from paintings to tapestries to furniture, with a picnic. TripAdvisor Member, Iowa City, Iowa Calouste Gulbenkian Museum (Museu Calouste Gulbenkian), Avenida de Berna 45A, custard pastries hot from the oven. Built in 1960, to commemorate the achievements of Portuguese explorers, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument features a cortege of thirty-two of the most important figures from Portugal s Era of Discoveries. The views are great, and there is an elevator which will take you to the top of the monument to see the views of Lisbon. TripAdvisor Member Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Santa Maria de Belém, Boredom is not an option at Parque Florestal de Monsanto, which has an obstacle course, skate park, rock-climbing wall and about 300 kilometers. of paths for running or cycling. Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Estrada do Barcal, Monte das Perdizes, If you are into ceramics, the National Tile Museum is a must. The site, originally a convent, dates to the 1500s. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo), Rua da Madre de Deus 4, Visit the legendary Pasteis de Belem near Jeronimos Monastery and savor an afternoon snack of custard pastries hot from the oven. TripAdvisor Member, Boston, Mass. Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belem 84a 92, Put on those walking shoes and step into history in Alfama, one of the oldest quarters of the city. We ve walked up through the wonderful narrow streets of this old part of town and then walked back down after reaching the St. George castle on top. Not to be missed! TripAdvisor Member, Minnesota Alfama Step into Guincho Beach, where it s windy almost all year, and go radical: wind surf, surf, bodyboard or kite surf. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Guincho Beach TripAdvisor members have posted more than 8,000,000 traveler photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. It s almost like being there! The Jeronimos Monastery is a must-see in Lisbon. The architecture is absolutely stunning. Additionally, you ll see the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Camoes. TripAdvisor Member, Vancouver, British Columbia Jeronimos Monastery/Chapel of St. Jerome (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos), Praca do Imperio, Belem, Get away to Setubal, a beach town 30 minutes from Lisbon. One end faces the Atlantic coast and the other, the river Sado. It s a fantastic place that is not hugely touristy. Mostly locals go there. TripAdvisor Member Setubal go radical tripadvisor.com 4

5 What s the TOUR How to Get Around Public transport is reliable and a good value. Buy a single-day ticket or multi-day pass, which covers the entire network of buses, trams, funiculars, the Elevador de Santa Justa and the metro. Book day trips with Inside Lisbon Tours. They offer tours with a minimum of three people and maximum of eight people in a passenger van, rather than a big tour bus. It s wonderful! Look for brochures anywhere in the city or tourism booths. TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey Tram 28 is one of the best ways to get an overview of the city. Because of pickpockets, avoid it when it s too crowded. It s ideal to board the tram at the line start and have a seat. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon WHERE to eat Want more information on Lisbon? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for Lisbon or any other destination you choose. FAMILIES My wife and 7 year old daughter were pining for some simple fare, and we heard about a local spot called Bonjardim. We had the chicken platter with fries and a salad and not a morsel of anything remained! The 10 cost was a bargain, too! TripAdvisor Member, Dallas, Texas Bonjardim, Travessa de S. Antao 11, Sabor Mineiro was delicious and lots of fun! We helped ourselves to the buffet, and then the wait staff started coming round with all sorts of ribs, beef fillet, pork and more. It was fantastic and very good value for all that we ate and the quality of the meats. TripAdvisor Member Sabor Mineiro Churrascaria, Avenida Jose Malhoa 16D, Casanova has a very relaxed atmosphere and the best pizzas one could ever taste! It s very popular with people of all ages. Great for lunch or dinner. TripAdvisor Member, Cambridge, England Pizzeria Casanova, Cais da Pedra à Bica do Sapato, Loja 7, ROMANCE For a special occasion, try A Travessa. It s located in an old convent and is certainly one of Lisbon s coziest and most romantic restaurants. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Restaurante A Travessa, Travessa do Convento das Bernardas 12, BUDGET Primavera is my favorite budget dinner anywhere in the world. Delicious, authentic Portuguese food. Huge portions, reasonable prices, friendly service. It ticks all the boxes. TripAdvisor Member Primavera, Travessa da Espera 34, Bairro Alto, One of the best restaurants in Lisbon is Casa da Comida. It is in an 18th-century garden, with an outdoor patio, delicious food and beautiful setting. TripAdvisor Member, Cambridge, England Casa da Comida, Travessa de Amoreiras 1, Restaurant Novamesa is a real find! The decor is charming, the service friendly and the food was absolutely wonderful. We had some of the nicest food I ve ever had, for a third of the price I would have paid for something similar back home! TripAdvisor Member, Bristol, U.K. Restaurant Novamesa, Rua Marcos Portugal, fantastic and very good value! Not only was the food at Mezzaluna absolutely out of this world, it was the perfect atmosphere for a beautiful, romantic evening. From the food to the interior decorating to the staff, it was a an evening like no other. TripAdvisor Member Mezzaluna, Rua da Artilharia Um, 16, Malmequer Bemmequer is what you want when you think authentic Portuguese cuisine: traditional food without pretense, at a very reasonable price. TripAdvisor Member, Ottawa, Ontario Malmequer Bemmequer, Rua de Sao Miguel 23, tripadvisor.com 5

6 WHERE to eat HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CeleiroDieta is a vegetarian supermarket and restaurant chain with locations all over Lisbon. They are full of all kinds of vegetarian/natural snacks, burgers and meals. I m not a vegetarian, but I shop there because the food is so tasty and natural! TripAdvisor Member CeleiroDieta, Multiple locations around Lisbon Sit on the shady patio at Terra for a vegetarian feast that incorporates Mediterranean and traditional Portuguese flavors. Terra Restaurante Natural, Rua da Palmeira, Principe Real, 15, Hit the food court at the Armazens do Chiado shopping mall for buffet-style choices that feature plenty of salads and fruit. The top-floor location adds city views at no extra charge. Armazens do Chiado, food court, top floor, Rua do Carmo, HIDDEN GEMS What a treat Senhora Mae is! The atmosphere is wonderful, the wines are fairly priced and delicious, the wait staff is unobtrusive but knowledgeable, and the food is incredible! TripAdvisor Member, Sedona, Ariz. Senhora Mae, Largo de Sao Martinho 6, It oozes good taste Porto de Santa Maria, located about 25 miles from the city center, overlooks the ocean. It oozes good taste and offers impeccable service. It s wonderful for fish and seafood. TripAdvisor Member, Portugal Porto de Santa Maria, Crismina Beach, 2 km. from Guincho Beach, Fabulous libations are the focus at Cinco Lounge, but with all the fresh fruit, the drinks are almost like a meal. It s a great place for cocktails and sushi. A real gem in the city. TripAdvisor Member, London, England Cinco Lounge, Rua Ruben A. Leitao 17-A, Principe Real, SPECIAL EVENTS Get a glimpse into the world of international art during Arte Lisboa, Portugal s largest contemporary art show. The event includes exhibitions from the world s top galleries, as well as panel discussions and programs for children. (November 23 27) Arte Lisboa, Feira Internacional de Lisboa, , Immerse yourself in Portuguese culture during the Musidanças, a festival organized by the Institut Franco-Portugais and dedicated to celebrating the art, music, cuisine and traditions of the Portuguesespeaking world. (December) Musidanças, Institut Franco-Portugais, , Join in the New Year s festivities during Noite Mágica. The year s end celebration at the Torre de Belém features concerts by Portuguese bands, a fireworks display and a massive party that lasts well into the morning hours. (December 31) Noite Mágica, Torre de Belém, (Tourist info line) The Lisbon Half-Marathon is the largest in the world and promises a beautiful run as the course begins on the 25 de Abril Bridge and follows the Tagus river, ending at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos cathedral. (March 25) Lisbon Half-Marathon, 25 de Abril Bridge, Put on your running shoes and join the Lisbon Marathon, one of the most popular footraces in Europe. The primary race is 42 kilometers, but for those who can t make it the full distance, there s also a halfmarathon and a mini marathon, where everyone gets a medal for participating. (December 4) Lisbon Marathon, Praça do Comércio, tripadvisor.com 6

7 Where to STAY FAMILIES Great apartments, great pool (outside and indoors) and great service make for a winning combination at Solplay Apartment Hotel. It s on the outskirts of Lisbon, but the hotel s transportation is an excellent service. TripAdvisor Member, Kenilworth, England Solplay Apartment Hotel, Rua Manuel da Silva Gaio 2, Linda-a-Velha, ROMANCE The Heritage Av Liberdade is like staying at a luxurious home. But in spite of all the 5-star treatment, the overall ambiance is cozy and elegant, with a vintage touch and service that make all the difference. TripAdvisor Member, Lisbon Heritage Av Liberdade, Avenida da Liberdade, 28, Everything was perfect The Sana Park Lisboa offered so much more than we expected. The rooms were spotless, including the spacious restroom with a shower head I wanted to take home. Our package included breakfast and the offerings were complete. The location is great, and the front desk staff was friendly and helpful. TripAdvisor Member, Houston, Texas Sana Park Lisboa, Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, 8, Everything was perfect at the Pestana Palace, from the helpful staff to the relaxing pool to the gorgeous gardens to the restaurant that started each day with a wonderful breakfast. TripAdvisor Member, New York Pestana Palace, Rua Jau 54, I, with my two teenagers, spent a few nights at the Real Palacio. It was no problem for them to book a double room with an extra bed for one child. Great breakfast with many choices, even for picky persons. TripAdvisor Member, Gothenburg, Sweden Real Palacio, Rua Tomas Ribeiro, 115, Have questions about Lisbon? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours. The 1940s Art Deco decoration throughout the Britania Hotel is charming, the rooms are huge with a beautiful marble en-suite, and the service is excellent. TripAdvisor Member, London, England Britania Hotel, Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 17, BUDGET If you are looking for a unique, well-priced B&B, Casa Costa do Castelo is it. The owner is superb, the rooms are tastefully decorated, and the view of Lisbon from the terrace is breathtaking. TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario Casa Costa do Castelo, Costa do Costelo 54, LUXURY For high-maintenance travelers, the Lapa Palace is the place to stay. The property is beautiful and well-maintained, and the concierge services were superb. TripAdvisor Member, Washington, D.C. Lapa Palace, Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4, Sete Colinas is a great hotel for the price. It is clean and newly refurbished and only three subway stops from the center of town. What more can one ask for? TripAdvisor Member, London, U.K. Sete Colinas, Av. Almirante Reis No. 67, Attention is paid to every detail Attention is paid to every detail at the Sofitel Lisboa. In a city where beautiful old buildings and palace hotels are the competition, this contemporary hotel more than holds its own. It s wonderfully relaxing and in a superb location. TripAdvisor Member, United Kingdom Sofitel Lisboa, Avenida da Liberdade 127, In one word amazing! The Lisbon Calling hostel is in one word amazing! Very good location, uniquely decorated, incredibly cozy, friendly and interesting staff with loads of good local tips. Try to stay in the top bed of the blue room for a special view when you wake up. TripAdvisor Member, Brussels Lisbon Calling, Rua de Sao Paulo 126, 3D, Space is part of the luxury at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, which has large rooms with natural sunlight. Don t forget to visit the top floor; an outdoor running track awaits! TripAdvisor Member, Seville, Spain Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca 88, tripadvisor.com 7

8 Where to STAY HIDDEN GEMS Chiado 16 is an extremely stylish refurbishment of an old Lisbon townhouse, splendidly designed with beautiful views over the tiled roof tops to the Tagus and beyond. The rooms are spacious and spotless, and the owner knows every good restaurant, bar and club in the city. TripAdvisor Member, London, England Chiado 16, Largo da Academia das Belas Artes 16, Zuzabed was the most incredible B&B experience of my life. The beautiful and very comfortable rooms made me feel at home, with cozy and luxurious details you don t imagine for a B&B. TripAdvisor Member, Madrid, Spain Zuzabed and Breakfast, Calcada do Duque, 29-2, The small boutique-style Solar Do Castelo is hidden inside the walls of a Lisbon castle. The staff is charming, and the setting was picturesque, with fantastic views. TripAdvisor Member, Cambridge, England Solar Do Castelo, Rua das Cozinhas 2, spacious and spotless About TRIPADVISOR TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 50 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 50 million reviews and opinions of 675,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 93,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever. Edited/compiled by LoAnn Halden This brochure and its contents are copyright 2011, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. This brochure contains reviews, comments, photographs and other content regarding destinations, accommodations, airlines and other travel products and services submitted by users of tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings represent the opinions of such users. TripAdvisor does not sponsor or endorse any user content and therefore is not liable for any statements, representations or other information contained in such user content. Further, reference to any products, services, processes or other information of any third party does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of or affiliation with, such third party by TripAdvisor. Such third parties are owned and operated by independent retailers or service providers, and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that you will be satisfied with their products, services, business practices or provided information. TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party. tripadvisor.com 8