5 Tips For First Timer's To Lisbon, Portugal

 

With a castle-topped hill, lively grand squares, brightly tiled buildings, and endless views, Lisbon is a bustling wonder.  My first time in the colourful  Portuguese capital was a delightful whirlwind that left me longing for more.

Lisbon has been changing over the past 10 years.  Once the Portuguese capital was a European bargain, but the word has gotten out, and Lisbon is as expensive as Rome, Barcelona or Paris. The recent increase in tourism and expats moving to Portugal has caused a lot of growing pains for Lisboetas, driving up housing prices and pushing locals out of the city.  There are still some authentic slices of Lisbon culture to be enjoyed if you know where to look.

For a first-time visit to Lisbon, I recommend at least a 3-night stay; 5 nights would be ideal if you have the time. International travellers will most likely arrive at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.  It's a bustling hub about a 15-20 minute ride from the downtown area. In the arrivals hall, right after you clear customs, there is a tourist information center where you can grab some maps, purchase a LISBOA card, and get up-to-date information that may not be in a guidebook or on any tourist websites.  

TIP #1 THE LISBOA CARD is an all-in-one attraction/transportation card that allows you to use all public transport, like subway, buses, trams, funiculars and even trains, as well as entry into 51 museums and monuments.  The LISBOA card is available in 24 hours for 31€, 48 hours for 51€  and 72 hours for 62€ validity windows. I purchased a 72-hour LISBOA card that lasted the duration of my stay. The card ended up saving me a lot of time, money and hassle of buying a separate public transit card. Many museums let you skip the ticket lines with the LISBOA card, which can save you hours.  The LISBOA card is valid from the first time it is used to enter an attraction or public transportation.  

BE AWARE: MOST ATTRACTIONS IN LISBON ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS!

TIP #2 GETTING AROUND LISBON  I found the best way to get from the airport to central Lisbon is the subway. In 2026, the cost was €1.90 plus a €.50 for the reloadable Navegante card that allows you to zap on and off the public transport.  I used my LISBOA card, which I purchased at the airport when I landed. There are only 4 metro lines that service Lisbon, making it simple to navigate the city, and it only took me 30 minutes during morning rush hour to get to my accommodation.  Taxis are expensive during rush hour, and yes, you can get ripped off easily. It costs about €20 to get from the airport to central Lisbon.  There are also two popular ride-share apps in Portugal: Uber and BOLT.  Bolt is cheaper and more popular than taxis or even Uber, and even delivers food.  For example, it only cost me €8 to get back to the airport when it was time to leave Lisbon.  That's less than half the price of a taxi! 

For all things transportation in Lisbon, there is a really helpful YouTube channel called: "ROAD TRIP SPAIN & PORTUGAL"  linked: HERE 

Tip #3 CHOOSE FOOTWARE WISELY  Like Rome, Lisbon is known as "The City of the Seven Hills," but unlike Rome, these hills are incredibly steep and will leave your calves burning! Be aware that the danger levels increase for slips when the beautiful polished white Limestone and black Basalt cobblestones called calçada become wet with rain or humidity, they turn incredibly slick. Look for Escadinhas da Saúde, which are outdoor public escalators. You can even set your route navigation in Google Maps to wheelchair accessible in your route options, to show you a route using escalators, funiculars and elevators that are sometimes located inside public buildings.  A fun way to take a break from walking is to ride one of the vintage trams back to your accommodations.  If you want to ride the iconic Tram 28, do so early in the day or not at all.  The lines of tourists trying to cram like Portuguese sardines into the tram are not a fun experience.

    

  

TIP #4 GET LOST IN ALFAMA & MOURARIA       These two districts are the oldest areas of  Lisbon that survived the 1755 earthquake.  I stayed at an Airbnb in the Alfama district of Lisbon, so I could explore the Medieval charm and narrow pedestrian streets in the evening after a day of sightseeing.  There are many authentic traditional restaurants called Tasca's in this area.  Lisbon's Castelo São Jorge was a short walk away through the maze-like streets. Arriving in Lisbon on a Monday morning, most attractions covered by the Lisboa Card are CLOSED.  São Jorge Castle is open 7 days a week from 9 am-9 pm, and has some of the most fantastic views of the city.  

Alfama is also the home of Fado music, a traditional folk blues that is usually performed in restaurants and bars.   I went to Alfama Grill that had wonderful Fado singing starting around 6-7 pm.  If you are interested in the tradition of Fado, don't miss the Museum of Fado: museudofado.pt

Tip #5 ADJUST YOUR EATING TIMES Breakfast in Portugal is quick and light. Your traditional egg custard tarts, called pastéis de nata, are enjoyed with your coffee and later as a snack (lanche) in the afternoon around 4 pm.  Lunch is between 12:30 and 3 pm, often a quick hot pork sandwich on a crusty roll called a bifana that people line up for at a lunch counter.  Dinner is usually at night between 8 and 10 pm, which can be late for many North Americans.  The waiter will bring the table an appetizer called a couvert.  This is not free and will be added to your bill if you do not tell your waiter no thank you.  Dinner in Lisbon is a hearty, relaxed affair when you can linger over delicious house wine and grilled seafood. The menu will always have bacalhau or cod and sardine dishes that are staples in all Lisbon restaurants.

Stay tuned for more practical planning advice for Lisbon and the rest of Portugal!

 I hope these tips have been helpful in planning your first trip to the radiant city of Lisbon.  If you would like to add a tip for folks, please leave them in the comments below.

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Spring Road Trip Through Portugal

 

Lisbon has captivated me since the 2020 pandemic, when my world of travel was confined to books, Instagram posts and my laptop. The more I uncovered about Portugal's abundance of history, vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty beyond Lisbon, the stronger the call to explore this wonderful country became.  2026 was the time to finally answer that call.

Since this was my first visit to Portugal, I wanted to experience as many regions of this beautiful country as possible. I aimed to strike a balance between the excitement of big cities, inspiring historical sites, quaint country villages, and seaside relaxation, all of which would give me a taste of authentic Portugal. However, my dilemma was that I wanted to see it all!

I invested a lot of time into planning my itinerary, leaving little room for flexibility or spontaneous adventures, which is not typical of my "Slow Travel" style. I wanted to explore more of Portugal beyond the popular destinations of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. As I researched my options, I felt overwhelmed by the choices between historical sites like castles, monasteries, and palaces.  Not to mention so many charming villages and natural parks. Ultimately, I decided to create one large circular route that would start and end in Lisbon, heading northward to explore the diverse regions.

The adventure begins in Lisbon, where I spend four days exploring the city and take a side day-trip to romantic Sintra.  Then I pick up a car at the airport and head to the Central Coast surf mecca of Nazaré for some chill time, stopping in the medieval village of Óbidos.  From Nazaré, there are some awe-inspiring historical sights to visit all within a thirty-minute drive: Tomar, Batalha and Alcobaca.

Heading North again, I made a stop in the historic University town of Coimbra for one night before arriving in Portugal's second largest city, Porto.

After spending two nights in the vibrant city of Porto, I headed inland along the Douro River to explore Portugal's most famous wine region.  Pinhão was my base for exploring the Douro River region by boat and a nearby village, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, for an archeological safari.

This is where I started to head south from the Duoro valley, to the Beira Baixa district, into the Serra da Estrella mountain range.  Perched on top of a granite mountain, my next stop is the magical village of Monsanto.

Continuing my journey South into the Alentejo region, I spend a night wandering the whitewashed streets of Évora, taking in the magnificent Roman sights. Nearby, an ancient stone circle on the outskirts of the city begs to be explored.

 

For the last portion of my trip to Portugal, I head to the country's southern coast, spending four days in the Algarve region. Based out of the charming small town of Carvoeiro, I explore the Seven Valley Hiking Trail and the famous Benagil sea caves.  

A trip to the Algarve's South Coast wouldn't be complete without a visit to what was once considered the "End of the World" of Cape Sagres, now a modern surfer haven.  

The journey concludes with returning the rental car to the Lisbon airport and spending my last night in the Olivais district of Lisbon.

Have you experienced the wonders of Portugal? I’d love to hear all about your adventures! Share in the comments what captivated you the most during your trip and your top “must-see” spots for our epic Portuguese road trip! Let's uncover the gems of this beautiful country together!

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10 Tips For Beating JETLAG In Rome!

The first visit to Rome can be overwhelming, especially when you have just had a long-haul flight with one or more connections. Here's how to hit the ground running, without jetlag or burnout...

The Eternal City has so much to experience, with ruins, museums, churches, parks and galleries.  Rome is also a starting point for many travellers to explore other Italian regions such as  Tuscany, Umbria and Venice, leaving only a few days to experience the capital city.  Here are some tips & tricks I use to make the most of my time in Rome and to hit the ancient bricks running, so to speak.  Tip 1:  Try and get an overnight flight.  If you can, get an overnight flight from North America with no stop-overs.  If you must transfer planes, try to have the last leg to Rome be the longest flight of 5+ hours.  This way, you can sleep, even if you sleep in small, half-hour cat naps.  This will make give you some regularity and make you think you've had a whole night's sleep.  Take a sleeping pill if you have to, and don't worry too much about being groggy-excellent espresso awaits you in Italy.

Tip 2: Set your clock to the destination time as you board the plane.  This will help your brain get used to the new time before you even arrive, and resist the temptation to convert time backwards to your home time.  Nothing is worse than thinking, "Ugh, it's 4 am right now at home!"  It's a sure-fire way to become tired.

Breezing through Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport terminal in Rome is surprisingly simple. What a vast improvement from my trip to Italy! In 2013 the new terminal renovation was not yet complete, so passengers had to deplane on the tarmac and take a bus to the main arrivals terminal.  Now the new international arrival terminal is finished, and the building is gorgeous, bright, and, most importantly: efficient.  I try to get flights that land in the early afternoon, so the Rome rush hour traffic is light.

Enjoying The Train

The Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino Airport with Termini Station, the central train station in Rome.  The ride is 30 minutes, and trains depart every 15 mins to half-hour (depending on the time of day) from 6am - 11pm. Follow the signs in the airport to Stazione/Railway Station" it's about an 8-minute walk from the main arrivals gate.  Buy your ticket from the machine or a biglietteria or "ticket office" and don't forget to validate it in a yellow machine near the track or you could get fined! Make sure you board the train going to "Roma Termini" there are many other stations in Rome!  The one-way ticket price is €14. There is also a bus option.  Tip 3: If 3 or more people are travelling together, catch a cab.  We took a taxi from the airport rather than the bus or train to downtown Rome.  It is not that much more in cost (with the three of us) and makes a lot of sense because we had more bags this time. Plus, we would have to take a bus or taxi from the train station to our flat anyway; it just seemed like an extra hassle at this point. Tip 4: There is a FLAT FEE for taxis from the airport to Rome center.  The 32km trip in March 2017 costs €48.  It is the law.  Make sure you use an official taxi (white cab with a taxi number on the side) and ALWAYS agree on the price before getting into the cab.  Our taxi driver wanted to charge us more, and I said: "No; it's 48 Euro".  He said it was 2 Euro extra for each bag he handled (???).   I told him I will put our bags in his taxi myself then, and started to walk away.  He came after me and said, "Fine lady, you are the boss."  I gave him €50  in the end anyway because he was a great driver and got us really close to our flat.  Tip 5:  The many pedestrian-only streets in Rome make it impossible for taxi drivers to deliver their fares straight to the doors.  This is especially true in the historical centre of Rome. Our flat in Campo di Fiore was one of those neighbourhoods, so make sure you can schlep your luggage a short distance on your own.

Our Sweet AirBnB Kitchen

Tip 6: finding street addresses in Italy is very confusing and also illogical. We learned our lesson from our last trip to Italy.  This time our Airbnb flat was not hard to find because we had the "Maps.Me" App for our phone (and I also stalked around on Goggle Earth from home and found the address image, so I knew what the front door looked like).  The apartment owner Maurizio was there to meet us and show us around and was just so lovely. The top floor flat is just perfect for us- complete with a kitchen, a balcony in the bedroom, a bathroom with a claw foot tub, and a private loft with a water closet (2 piece bathroom) for the teenager.  Maurizio had bought coffee and a box of brioche for us, so we could make a little snack or keep it for breakfast.

Map.Me App

A coffee and a snack, once you arrive at your hotel or lodgings, is a good idea.  In Italy, dinner does not start until 7pm, and it is difficult to find restaurants that open up for the evening meal before then.  Tip 7: Unpack, freshen-up, have a coffee, BUT DO NOT LIE DOWN! FRESH AIR, SUNSHINE & EXERCISE IS THE ENEMY OF JETLAG.  Trust me on this one, I have made a mistake by "resting on the bed" and fell asleep only to wake up at 2 am Rome time and messed up my sleep schedule for DAYS! Get outside for a walk in your neighbourhood to get acclimatized to where the taxi stand, grocery store, tobacco shops that sell bus tickets are.  Become familiar with local street names and find a local landmark.   

Tip 8: It is easy to get lost in the complicated laneways of Rome, so I use the "Maps.Me" App on my phone.  The App uses satellite GPS to find where you are, without using data. Download the maps at home before you go, place a "pin" where your hotel is and use the offline Map to guide you back to your lodgings after exploring.  Try a lovely meal of traditional Roman pasta: spaghetti carbonara (spaghetti with smoked bacon) or cacio é peppe, which is pasta with cheese and pepper or homemade large hollow pasta called rigatoni in tomato sauce.   Tip 9: Eat a heavy meal to last you through the night.  The last thing you want is your stomach growling you awake at 4 am!   

Tip 10:  This is the time to do your after-dinner evening walk through Rome.  This is also called the passeggiata, where all of Rome's citizens are out strolling and socializing.  One thing I like to do is use the Map.Me App to link all the famous monuments of Rome together. To create a scenic night walk of Rome: Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, you can connect the attractions together on the App. This exercise is what grounds me in Rome and the feeling of returning to my favourite city.  It is like running into old friends!

Usually, by this point, the miles are starting to catch up on you.  I try to stay up as late as possible on my night of arrival.   Sometimes I grab a gelato to go for a mobile dessert hoping the sugar will give me a bit more energy. Also, I usually grab a bottle of Tuscan red wine and some breakfast supplies for the next morning from a convenience store. A nice glass of wine and a super comfy bed at the end of a great day of travel usually put me to sleep before my head hits the pillow.  BONUS TIP: I always carry a bottle of Melatonin, which is an all-natural supplement to restore your natural sleep patterns.  I get the dual-action timed release to help me get to sleep and then STAY asleep until morning.   Following these ten "rules" almost religiously helps me to feel refreshed and ready to explore Rome, and I hope they help you cope with jetlag too. 



Do you have any jetlag secrets?  Let me know about them in the comments below!

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This post first appeared in March 2017 as Home Sweet Rome!

Money Hacks To Save For Travel

Travel is expensive, and it takes time.  Many people say to me: "I wish we could travel, but we just don't have the money."  Or   "I wish I could travel, but I only get one week for vacation each year-it's not worth going overseas."  My answer to that is: "Then you don't really want to travel."   The conversation usually ends there.

Occasionally the conversation continues "But I really do want to travel, how do you manage it?" Here are a few of my hacks for fitting travel into your life.  This first post is about saving up money for a trip, and soon I will have a post on saving money while travelling.

Why save for a trip when you can pay by credit card and worry about it later?  Well, if you end up broke a few months after your trip you will blame the travel not yourself because that's what we do as humans.  I recommend saving up for at least your plane tickets, accommodations and some spending money before you depart.  My mother used to say: "If there is a will, then there is a way" and it's true. I was raised by German immigrants who escaped the iron curtain after WWII, so discipline is in my D.N.A, and mental discipline is what it takes to save for a trip.  So before I even start to budget for a trip I go into what my family and I call "austerity measures"  where we cut out all the things deemed unnecessary.

Hours Of Entertainment!

Tip #1  ENTERTAINMENT is the first item to be cut. You can wait for a few months for that new movie that just came out in theatres to appear on Netflix.  I actually haven't had cable TV for over 13 years now. Between Netflix and YouTube, there is more to watch in one lifetime than humanly possible.  I also use the public library for books (and e-books), magazines and movies.  The library also helps save money on costly guidebooks when you are doing research on your travel destinations.  Look, I'm not suggesting playing with a button on a string for entertainment, but there are so many ways we can cut back in this department.  There is always work to be done in our homes and sometimes my chores mix into my entertainment.  Like when I have a food canning session or ironing mountains of clothes; I set up the laptop and binge-watch the latest Netflix series. I can have fun while doing monotonous work.

Spaghetti Is Always Cheap & Fun!

Tip #2 FOOD.  Many people go out to eat as entertainment.  We don't go out to eat in restaurants unless it is someone's birthday.  I pack our family lunches from home (gasp!-I know, like the peasantry). I cook simple nutritious meals at home that don't involve a lot of expensive ingredients and we don't eat much meat.  If you are a gardener, grow your own veggies and preserve them by canning or freezing.  Eat with the seasons-I would roll over and die first before I buy a pint of strawberries in January for $10!  We make our own beer and wine, which saves on our entertaining.  Look, I would rather be having a meal on a piazza in Italy or a pub in Ireland than at the East Side Mario's at the strip mall-just keep reminding yourself of that.

In France, This Is Called "Window Licking"

Tip #3  DO NOT GO TO THE MALL!  Don't do it; just don't.  The only time I go into a mall is when I have to do my Christmas shopping or when I need my shoes repaired (my cobbler is in the mall and yes, I pay to repair a pair of expensive shoes rather than toss them and buy a new pair).  Malls are designed to make you want to spend your vacation dollars by buying that latest "Made In China" gadget, or crappy "Made In Bangladesh" fast fashion item or even gulp down an overpriced coffee. If you knew the real price of some of these things you would choke on your $5 latte (that cost 75¢ to make).
OK, I know we do need clothes and some stuff like pots and pans.  I avoid department stores where you have to walk by what I call the "Glamour Gauntlet" (the cosmetic department, jewellery, fashion)  to get downstairs to the basement where the pots and pans are kept.  Seriously, it's like running the gauntlet of lux and the temptation is too strong for me!  Here's another alternative, go to Kijiji or Craigslist and I love going to the thrift store. I find designer brands that are practically brand new!  Cashmere sweaters, velvet dresses, designer jeans, leather boots, jewellery, purses-I could go on and on.  It doesn't hurt that I know how to sew to make a few repairs or alterations on the clothes, but really I don't bother buying things I need to alter anymore unless the item is really special.  For all other things like intimates, I just shop online to avoid the mall.  I have a note on my phone with all my family's measurements & shoe sizes so if there is an online sale somewhere I can pick up what we need.  It's good for the environment too; reduce, RE-USE, recycle, baby!

Tip #4  EARN MORE CASH!  This applies to everyone. I don't care if you have three letters behind your name; if you can't afford your travel dreams, then you need more cash in your travel fund.  Our family of three lives off of one income and my business income of sewing belly dance costuming pays for our travel.  In the past, I have also taken on part-time retail jobs, babysitting jobs, custodial jobs, cleaning jobs and now our farm income trickles into our travel fund as well.   I am not above hard work of any kind to get me out travelling in this world.  This quote by Jerry Rice sums it up so well for me: "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't".   On a trip abroad I have often thought, WOW I am sitting on this lovely square having a glass of wine all because someone else was too lazy to scrub their toilet or wash their windows.  CHEERS!




Tip #5 EMERGENCIES! It happens once in a while, that we need to dump a bunch of cash down on not so fun stuff.  Car repairs, hot water tank, etc.  Well, I have several bank accounts with purposes for each.  One is called:  "Travel Fund", the other is "Working Account" and one is called "Boring S**t".  Boring S**t is the emergency fund where I would use the money to buy a sump pump because the basement flooded (true story).  I keep a set amount of money in there that makes me feel secure in case of a household emergency.  This is a different fund than say if one gets sick or injured and we have no income for 6 months, then that would be the "Holy F**k!" account.  Toronto Dominion Bank I apologize for my profane account names, but I'm sure you're ok with it, knowing how much money in service fees you make off me.

Now here's one thing that was life-altering for me: DYI  YouTube videos.  Washing machine repairs, sump pump instalments, how to build a chicken run-whatever.  You can save hundreds of dollars a year from going into the "Boring S**t" account and instead, put the money into your "Travel Fund" account.  I try to do things myself rather than hire someone to do the work for me.  I also don't own fancy things.  For example, our furniture is mostly Ikea, or used, or even used Ikea.  Until 18 months ago I drove a 20-year-old Volvo station wagon.  Yes, I put repairs into her, but we do not spend 30+ thousand every few years to get a new car.  Do you know how many trips you could go on for that kind of cash!?!  If you live in a city, take public transit, ride a bike or walk; you will save hundreds of dollars!

I Would Rather Be ↑

I almost make a sport of saving:  I just saved $50 by colouring my own hair!    I just saved $40 by doing my own oil change on the car!  As long as that cash you save ends up in the Travel Fund; you're golden!
This last tip sums it up.  Ask yourself this: do you know how many ______ you can get for ______?  For example: Do you know how many espressos you can get in Florence for your Grande Chai Tea Latte at the mall?  Do you know many pints of Guinness you could buy in an Irish Pub for your two-four of Bud Light at the Liquor Barn?  EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS.  This thinking process is what helps to motivate me to stick with my goals.

See you on the piazza! 

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This post first appeared in 2017 as: How do we afford to travel? Part 1: Saving