Lisbon Essentials

Lisbon Essentials & Tourist Information

Lisbon Tourist Attractions
The Lisboa Card tourist pass is a good investment for a Lisbon city break as it allows free unrestricted access to the transport system and free or half price entrance at virtually all major attractions. It is good value at €13.50 for 24 hours. The World Heritage monument of Jeronimos Monastery, which was Vasco da Gama's resting place, is simply a must on a Lisbon visit and costs €6. It features magnificent 15th century cloisters and extremely artistic seafaring mosaics and murals and is well worth a visit. It is surrounded by beautiful flower gardens and a series of ancient fountains.

Useful Portuguese Phrases

Lisbon Opening Hours
Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 7pm. Smaller stores will close at lunchtime between 1pm and 3pm however shopping malls and large department stores stay open all day including Sundays until 11pm. Lisbon has plenty of traditional markets which offer a vibrant spectacle and fabulous bargains. The Praça De Espanha market is open Monday-Saturday from 9am until 5pm. The fish and vegetable market of Mercado da Ribeira opens early each day at 6am and closes around 2pm. 

Tipping & Etiquette in Lisbon
More and more restaurants have an inclusive service charge on bills but a high proportion still leave it to diners' discretion. Normal tipping etiquette is to leave money on the table after paying rather than giving it directly to waiting staff. There is no set amount to reward but 5% should be sufficient. In taxis the fare already includes a service charge but an extra euro or two will be very much appreciated. 

Lisbon Food & Drink
The food of Lisbon is characterized by rich, full-flavoured dishes of meat and seafood with seasonings including chili, cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. There are many starchy and wholesome dishes, such as feijoada, a rich bean stew, and açorda, a thick soup served with rice and potatoes. Seafood is always special in Lisbon with shellfish, octopus, hake and swordfish available in several inventive ways and chicken and pork are the meats of choice for locals. Any visitor with a sweet tooth will find much to delight where tempting desserts can be found everywhere. These include simple arroz doce - rice pudding, the celebrated leite-creme, made from egg custard or rich custard tarts known as pasteis de nata.   

Lisbon Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Lisbon – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112

Disabled Access in Lisbon
Due to a series of undulating hills, sightseeing is rather difficult for disabled visitors although the neighbourhood of Belém is flat and the numerous attractions at Parque das Nações are accessible. All public transport vehicles have reserved seating for the disabled but very limited dedicated spaces for wheelchairs. There are abundant lifts to platform level on the metro system and special self service ticket machines for the visually impaired. All public offices are required to conform to legislation providing wheelchair access and services to the disabled, however many city restaurants do not have wide entrances or disabled toilet facilities.

Portuguese Embassies
• British Embassy Rua de São Bernardo 33 1249-082 Lisbon Telephone: +351 21 392 40 00
• Portugal Embassy 11 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8PP. Telephone: 020 7235 5331

Lisbon City Breaks  Getting Around Lisbon

Things To Do In Lisbon  Lisbon Weather