Lisbon Portugal

With temperatures hovering around 60 degrees and an overcast sky, we arrived in Lisbon shortly after 8am and the ship was cleared around 8:30am. Based on an article we had read in Travel Tips newsletter we had booked a private all day walking tour of the city by a local resident. At only 50 Euros for 1-6 people (total, not per person) we didn’t quite know what to expect but the price was certainly reasonable. Through emails our guide (Alice Moura) had told us where to meet her which we near the city center.

A word of warning for those cruising to Lisbon. The center of the city is about 1.5 miles away and the ship does not provide a shuttle. To get from the ship and out of the terminal is about 200-250 yards. Once outside you will be met by taxi drivers trying to sell you a tour with them. When we asked about a taxi into the city we were told it would be 10-12 Euros. If you walk about two blocks straight away from the terminal, you can catch a bus or train into the city. We opted for the train which was 1.20 Euros per person and took about 10 minutes.

At the end of the day Alice suggested a taxi back to the ship. When we told her what we were told in the morning she said that it should only be around 5 Euros. Sure enough, a taxi back in a metered taxi was 5.45 Euros. I’m not sure if we were simply given the wrong information, or perhaps the cost to somewhere else within the city or what. But I do suggest checking very carefully.

I have to say that Alice was simply delightful. A young lady very passionate about her city, she is very knowledgeable and very flexible about where to take you. We did go to three different churches including the main cathedral, but we primarily spent most of the day walking around the old part of the city. Because we had mentioned that we were avid photographers she concentrated on showing us several places for good views of the city and river, along with some very photographic buildings and plazas.

Around 1pm we stopped for a light lunch at a restaurant run by a Circus Clown School that was only open for lunch. The restaurant was terrific with a wonderful view overlooking the river and very reasonably priced. The picture today is the entranceway to the restaurant and Alice.

Even though we had some light rain on and off all day, it was an excellent tour. It was very tiring as the city does have a lot of hills, and I would not recommend it for anyone with limited mobility.

If you don’t mind a lot of walking, I highly recommend a tour by her.

Tomorrow is a very necessary rest day, and then we dock at Ponta Delgada Azores. Cheers!!