Things to Know for your Visit to Lisbon
Lisbon is a beautiful city to explore. If it’s your first time visiting the city, these tips may make your visit go a bit easier.
Language
Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal can sometimes seem to exist in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Spain. You might be tempted to let a gracias slip from your tongue. However, Portugal has its own distinct culture and language. The people of Portugal speak Portuguese. While many people do speak English, there are a few phrases that could be useful to know.
Ola | Hello |
Bom dia | Good day/good morning |
Obrigado | Thank you (man speaking) |
Obrigada | Thank you (woman speaking) |
Por Favor | Please |
Sim | Yes |
Getting Around
Lisbon is an extremely walkable city. However, it was built on seven hills, so some of the streets can be pretty steep. It can make for a tiring on excursion, depending on where you’re headed. Fortunately Lisbon had a couple of options that make things a bit easier on the feet of a wandering traveler.
Elevators
If you are using Google Maps to find your way around, you may find that it runs you right into a building. This is not a mistake. If your destination is uphill or downhill, instead of the many stairs it may take to get there, there are elevators that operate as public transportation. Most are free. Just hop on and press the button and you will save yourself a lot of effort (and potentially some confusion).
Trams
The trams and trolleys around Lisbon around iconic. The yellow cars are immediately recognizable. They are not, however, just for tourists. Yes, the trolley line #28 can be a great way for tourists to see the city, but they can also be useful way to get around. Even the trams make getting up steep streets a bit easier. You can use your transit card on the trams and trolleys are well. Save your feet and hop on.
Metro
While Lisbon is walkable, the metro is efficient and easy to use. It can be useful getting to and from the airport or train stations. Or, it can be useful if you are staying areas beyond the center. The price of one journey is €1.85.
Tip: Hang on to your metro card. It can be reloaded if you need. Then you won’t have to pay for another card.
Coffee
There are many great coffee shops in Lisbon. You can choose from a historic cafe like A Brasilia or a modern roaster like Hello Kristoff. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll want to know how to order your coffee. There are a couple of specific Portuguese words that might leaving you scratching your head, especially if you had your coffee yet.
Bica
Abatanado
Espresso
Very long espresso (6oz) – Can also have water added like a traditional Americano
Meia de Leite
cafe au lait / caffe latte – milk with coffee
Time
The time in Portugal/Lisbon is one hour earlier than the rest of Western Europe. If it is 1:00pm in Madrid or Paris, it is noon in Lisbon. Portugal is in the same time zone as London. It is 8 hours ahead of LA/San Francisco and 5 hours ahead of New York.
Hopefully the above tips will prove to be useful things to know for your visit to Lisbon.
Also see this post for a 3 day itinerary in Lisbon.
