Photo: Rehman Abubakr · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lisbon
Hills, old trams and free viewpoints over the river, with cheap food and late nights.
A city of steep hills above a wide river: old trams, tiled houses, castle walls and free viewpoints on every hilltop. Belém's monuments are a tram ride west, and the food is some of the cheapest in Western Europe.
Places to see
- Belém TowerSight · A small white limestone fort standing in the water's edge of the Tagus, carved with…≈ A$18
Jerónimos MonasteryChurch · A long pale monastery with a two-storey cloister carved like lace in stone, all ropes,…≈ A$32
São Jorge CastleSight · Thick castle walls and towers on Lisbon's highest old hill, with pine-shaded terraces,…≈ A$26
When to go
- Jan15° / 8°Often wetQuiet
- Feb16° / 9°Often wetQuiet
- Mar19° / 10°Some rainBusy
- Apr20° / 12°Some rainBusy
- May23° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Jun26° / 16°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul28° / 18°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug29° / 18°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Baixa, Chiado and Cais do Sodré. The flat lower town between the hills and the river: central, on the metro and with plenty of hostels.
Flying in
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS): Metro red line, changing to reach the Baixa, about 35 min, ≈ A$3. Plus about €0.50 for the reusable card; the airport bus costs more (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Lisbon; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. The centre is walkable but very hilly. The metro, trams and buses cover the rest; tram 15 or a train from Cais do Sodré runs to Belém (check).
24-hour Carris and Metro ticket (≈ A$12, 24 hours): Metro, buses, trams and the old lifts for a day; worth it with four or more rides, or with tram 28 (check).
Tourist tax
Lisbon's tourist tax: usually €4 a person a night for up to 7 nights; children under 13 usually don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
