Traveling in Europe can be expensive these days- especially for people going there from the Americas or Asia. Lisbon, however, is an ideal and often overlooked European city where one can still enjoy the sights and sounds without feeling like a grubby backpacker.
Don't Waste Money on Transportation
Portugal's own airlines- TAP Portugal and SAPA- both provide low-cost flights from North America that are cheaper than using U.S.-based airlines. Once one arrives in Lisbon, the airport is quite close to downtown and taxi fares are also cheap compared to fares in other countries. A ride from the airport to the heart of the city will only cost 5 to 10 euros with minimal traffic.
The first thing to do is to buy a 24-hour transportation pass, which costs 4 euros and enables one to board all modes of transportation (subway, trams, buses) as many times as required. Although it is an old city, all of the major sightseeing places are linked by public transportation. Public transportation in Lisbon is also cleaner than that of many other European cities, and is fully air-conditioned during the summer. The 28 tram (streetcars that run on electricity) and 15 tram have excellent routes that cover most of the best sightseeing locations. The old district (southern) district is quite pedestrian friendly, and many walking tour routes can be found online.
Interesting Places to See
Lisbon has a very strong cultural heritage. One good place to visit is the Basilica da Estrela, a structure that dates back to 1796. Entrance to the basilica is free, so don't hesitate to go inside and look at the elaborate paintings on the walls. Opposite the basilica is a park and garden (the Jardim da Estrela), which is a nice leafy, photo-friendly place. The Jeronimos Monastery is also a historical place that has beautiful architecture and is the resting place for the famed Portugese explorer Vasco da Gama. Although the cloisters require purchase of a ticket, the church is open for tourists except when it is in service.
Modern architecture lovers may also appreciate the Parque das Nacoe district in the east side of the city. Reachable by subway, this area features futuristic buildings that are completely different from what one may see in the main, older part of the city. Most of the district was built for the 1998 World Fair. The Oceanarium (aquarium) requires admission, but appreciating the architecture is free, as is window-browsing at the Vasco da Gama mall, one of the city's largest shopping centers.
Finding Fine Art in Lisbon
Most museums are have some sort of free admission on Sundays, so check the websites of the major museums for more details. One strong recommendation is the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, which has an excellent collection of Greco-Roman, Far Eastern, and Renaissance art. The museum hosts a Sunday concert series that is free.
For art enthusiasts that prefer more modern works, the Belém Cultural Center is a relatively new art venue that is admirable but overlooked by many tourist guides. The center is a large complex and has a museum with very well-curated modern and contemporary art. The exhibition halls are free.
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