Things you would want to know before visiting Lisbon
1. LANGUAGE
Portuguese is Lisbon's official language. Although many people working in the tourism sector understand English, it's always a good idea to learn a few simple Portuguese words to respect the local way of life.
Some basic Portuguese Greetings you might need:
- Hello = Olá
- Good morning = Bom dia
- Good afternoon = Boa tarde
- Good evening/night = Boa noite
Common Portuguese Phrases:
1. Please - Por favor
2. I need help - Preciso de ajuda
3. I'm sorry - Desculpe
4. Excuse me - Com licença
5. Thank you - Obrigada (for female), Obrigado (for male)
2. WEATHER
Lisbon experiences hot summers and mild winters due to its Mediterranean climate. The best seasons to travel are Spring (March - May) and Fall (September - October) when the weather is nice and less tourists.
3. SAFETY
In general, people can feel comfortable travelling around Lisbon. Pickpockets are a concern, though, just like in any other big city, especially in busy places and on public transportation. Watch out for your belongings.
4. CURRENCY
Euro (€) is the currency used in Lisbon. I would advise to carry some cash especially when visiting smaller establishments and local markets, though credit/debit card are widely accepted.
5. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The efficient public transport system in Lisbon includes tram, metro, bus, and train. You can purchase the Lisboa Card which gives you benefits like free pass in 39 museums, discounts on local interest and tourists services. For more information, you can visit the attached link " Lisboa Card". You can also call for a Taxi or UBER.
6. EXPLORATION
Lisbon has several neighborhoods, I would suggest to visit Bairro Alto if you want to go for a nightlife experiences, Belém for its historic landmark and museums (you can also visit the famous "Pastéis de Belém") and Parque das nações for its modern architecture, cable car ride, oceanarium etc.
To make your trip worth'it, I would also recommend to visit some places on the other side of the bridge like Costa de Caparica (15 minutes away from Lisbon by car), Setubal for its beautiful beaches and great variety of fresh seafoods (35-45 minutes by car fro Lisbon).
7. FOOD & WINE
Portuguese cuisine would not disappoint you if you pick the right foods in a right restaurants. There are a lot of restaurants that try to make Portuguese food but does not really have that touch in it.
Some Portuguese foods I can recommend are:
1. Arroz de Marisco - It is a tomato-based seafood rice and it includes different types of seafoods like clams, shrimps, mussels etc.
2. Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato - A tasty appetizer I usually order which is clams sautéed in garlic, olive oil, white wine, and fresh cilantro.
3. Bacalhau à Brás - One of the most well known foods in Portugal, a salted codfish which is made with codfish, onions, eggs and straw potatoes.
4. Calde verde - This soup is one of my fave. Its ingredients are simply potatoes, chopped chorizo, kale and olive oil (as garnish).
5. Ginjinha - A classic Portuguese liqueur made from sour cherries, for a sweet treat. Small glasses are frequently used to offer it as an aperitif or digestif.
8. DRESS CODE
Of course, the dress code is whatever you want to wear. Although, be aware that if you intend to visit sacred places you should dress modestly.
Please be respectful of local customs and traditions. Have fun!
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