Lisbon

gimmick

There is a new Aer Lingus direct flight from Cork to Lisbon. Any ever been? I have heard it is a fantastic place, but is it expensive? Is it a good holiday spot for both doing things and relaxation?

Cheers

pierrot

Yes to Lisbon!

Ponster

pierrot wrote: »

Yes to Lisbon!

I came here to post the exact same thing !

Lisbon is very cheap IMHO compared to other European capitals and it gets cheaper the further north you travel in the country.

P. Breathnach

Lisbon is a great destination. Lots of interesting things to see (including a day out at Sintra, close by). Very good value for money.

rossie1977

i found lisbon quite cheap for food and accommodation. there is plenty to see and do for 2-3 days, not sure if its a great place for relaxation as its a busy and congested thriving european city (a good spot for relaxation would be about 3 hrs drive south ie the algarve)

the underground metro is good but not very extensive, it doesn't go to the airport e.g however city buses to the airport are extremely cheap and very reliable, overground trams (the small ones are cool ) service parts of the city not on the metro line, you would need to take the tram e.g to see some of lisbons main sites such as monument of discoveries, Belem Tower, 5 de Abril Bridge (sister bridge of san franciscos golden gate)

FunkyDa

An equally good spot, for relaxation, might be Estoril/Cascais, out along the coast. It is served by a frequent commuter train service, giving easy access to the city.

Unshelved

An equally good spot, for relaxation, might be Estoril/Cascais, out along the coast. It is served by a frequent commuter train service, giving easy access to the city.

Seconded! Cascais is a really nice spot with some great restaurants. Lisbon is a lot of fun and the nightlife - especially in the Bairro Alto area is terrific - lots of small bars in little pedestrianised streets. There's quite a lot to see and the people are friendly. Don't forget to visit the monastery in Belem and also the gorgeous castles in Sintra if you go.

Just a couple of caveats - there's quite a lot of poverty in Portugal so in the city tourists are constantly being badgered to buy hash (I believe it's actually stock cubes that they sell) or sunglasses or just by run of the mill beggars - it can be a bit of a pain after a while. Also there's quite a bit of petty theft - my handbag was stolen from a bar with my credit cards and mobile phone (the police were very helpful and nice though) so keep your wits about you.

Having said all that it's definitely a city that I'd return to.

acontadino

lisbon people are very funny.

dublin may 5th 2008-

lisbon man with wife and daughter:: i don't feel very welcome here, everywhere i go 'no to lisbon..no to lisbon' LMAO...what a hero.

davros

rossie1977 wrote: »

there is plenty to see and do for 2-3 days, not sure if its a great place for relaxation as its a busy and congested thriving european city

Depends what you find relaxing, I suppose. Big, crowded cities do it for me. Two weeks in the middle of London or Lisbon or Hong Kong is very refreshing. That's probably just me

Lisbon has a great vibe, and is great for just poking around, sampling a custard tart here, a glass of port there. I'd go again. Hell, I'd probably live there.

Third_Echelon

Yeah, Lisbon is a good spot. Accomodation and food/drink etc was cheap enough... Some lovely little family-run restaurants and bars in the old part of town... very scenic..

Probably enough for 2 to 3 days.