• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • World Map
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure/Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Budget Travel Talk

Road Trips Caravan Camping Australia

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
Robot Man

Exploring Lisbon on Foot

July 4, 2013 By Jan Robinson 26 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


Those of you who follow this blog know that B.H. is a great believer in walking as a form of transport.  I embrace this in theory as well, as a way of really getting a feel for a place, though I have been known to put my foot down (so to speak). 

Like the time in Saigon on a walk from downtown to Chinatown, when the air was so humid I could barely inhale it.  I had just enough inner strength to raise my hand and holler, T A X I. I might add however that we did revert to walking on the return journey.

The hills of Lisbon were to lead us to many tram rides and many BEAUTIFUL MIRADOUROS, but there were no tram rides on that first morning.

It was time for our obligatory “getting to know you walk”.  This particular exploration took us one hour and fifteen minutes and led from our apartment in Graca, one of the oldest neighbourhoods, on the tallest hill, to the Central Placa da Figueira, a mostly downhill route of only two kilometres.  I will assume we had breakfast during that time, although there was that little bag shop I discovered …

We felt our first flutterings of love for Lisbon when Airport Staff rushed us through formalities on landing at 2.30 a.m. after a flight delay of 4 hours from Marrakech.  No doubt they were as eager to get home to bed as we were.  When a taxi driver took us under his wing – offered a (seemingly) good price – and delivered us to our apartment by 3 a.m. we were eternally grateful.  He even took the time to ring the doorbell and speak to the apartment owner, to ensure all was O.K. before leaving us.  We continually found the people of Lisbon to have our welfare at heart.

The next morning we randomly chose a direction and started exploring Lisbon on foot, shorty afterwards stumbling across our first find, one which was to become our regular breakfast stop, just around the corner in Rua Sapadores. 

Pastries for breakfast in Lisbon

I guess it was a bakery, or as their sign said a Pastelaria, that also made delicious pastries and good coffee, and even cheaper even than in Spain.  B.H. was in heaven and we happily deliberated over pastries while the throngs of locals purchased their daily bread.  When successful, we adjourned to the little side bar to devour our chosen pastries and down coffees.  Ah!  That hit the spot.  A quick calculation sadly revealed that we would run out of time to taste the full range.

Our initiation walk transformed those first flutters of love we felt for Lisbon, into a fully fledged holiday romance.


The View from our balcony to the River Tagus.
  The Rio Tagus is a traveller itself, starting  it’s journey 1038 km away in Spain, before eventually gracing Lisbon with it’s presence.

Lisbon Apartment View

The washing seemed to welcome us.

Lisbon Washing

While most of the buildings wore mellow pastel shades, some begged to differ.

Lisbon Yellow and Blue Buildings

How cute was this welcoming Robot and his little Clown Friend?

Robot Man

With buildings like this on every corner, the camera hardly left my hand.

Lisbon Mellow Yellow

Hmm.  Nice Stairs.

Lisbon Steps

Mystery Building.

Mystery building near Placa da Figueira

Placa da Figueira (Square of the Fig Tree) in the City Centre, has been an open space since 1949 and is a popular bus and metro stop.

Praca da Figueira, Lisbon

Exploring on Foot is what we do to get a feeling for a city.  On our walks in Lisbon, concerned locals had warned us to keep our valuables hidden when at popular touristic sites, and one lady probably saved my life by pulling me out of the way of a turning tram.  When I think of Lisbon, I think of our first walk, of the famous Tram 28, of the wonderful views and mostly of the kind hearted Lisbonites.

Budget Travel Tips.

There are FREE WALKING TOURS in most capital cities, and while researching I found this Lisbon tour which sounds amazing.  Although the tours are free, a tip is appreciated – even expected.

From the mouths of  locals – Make sure your wallet is well hidden.  Be especially careful on Tram 28 and crowded tourist venues.  Tram 28 is an old fashioned tram that does a round loop through Lisbon, described beautifully by local Filipa Chatillon on MATADOR NETWORK..  You can buy an all day (hop on hop off) 5 Euro ticket at shops, kiosks and subway.  Just wait for the next one if it is very crowded.

Click on the link to BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX for Travel Photo Thursday.

 

More from my site

  • Experience Heaven and Earth in Hoi An – Post 11Experience Heaven and Earth in Hoi An – Post 11
  • Where to Stay in Marrakech MoroccoWhere to Stay in Marrakech Morocco
  • When to visit the Black Sea Coast and Eastern Turkey plus a Road Trip SurpriseWhen to visit the Black Sea Coast and Eastern Turkey plus a Road Trip Surprise
  • Head over HeelHead over Heel
  • Interview with fellow Aussie Traveller JakeInterview with fellow Aussie Traveller Jake
  • Coloured Glass CongressColoured Glass Congress

Filed Under: Portugal, Short Walks

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: « Tuesday in Townsville: Superboats
Next Post: Views from the Alhambra in Granada Spain Alcazaba Bell Tower»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Muza-chan

    July 4, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    Great photos 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 4, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks Lili.

      Reply
  2. Life Images by Jill

    July 4, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    exploring on foot is defintely the way to go if you want to see a city properly.
    Oh I so long to go back to Europe – now I have another place to add to my list – it is getting to be a long list!
    Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 4, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks Jill. Definitely go to Lisbon. Next time I am nearby I want to visit Oporto as well. 🙂

      Reply
  3. jenny@atasteoftravel

    July 4, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Walking is the best way to get to know a city especially if it includes a visit to the markets but I’ll have my hand up for a taxi too if its too hot and steamy! No way!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 4, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Totally Jenny. It was so incredibly hot and humid in Saigon. It was like walking in a sauna 🙂

      Reply
  4. Marcia

    July 4, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I agree with BH and you: walking is the best way to get a feel of a place. I do it on most of my trips. It also orients me as I’m famous for getting lost.
    Lisbon is a beautiful city and that tram tour sounds like something I’d love. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 8:50 am

      It is true Marcia – walking is a good way of getting your bearings, which is important when travelling alone.

      Reply
  5. Marisol@TavelingSolemates

    July 4, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    Hi Jan, thanks for taking me on a lovely walk of Lisbon with you. I love Lisbon and had very fond memories of it, especially of its people. I was traveling by myself and like you, they seemed to have my welfare at heart. When people saw me looking at a map during bus rides they would asked where I wanted to go and they made sure that I got off the right stop. Some people I asked direction didn’t only pointed to where I should go, they walked me to my destination. And I can’t forget the lady on the bus stop who I asked how much the bus fare was, instead of answering she gave me her bus ticket instead and with a look of worry that I was traveling alone.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 8:49 am

      I know what you mean Marisol. To find this in a big city is heart warming.

      Reply
  6. Jackie Smith

    July 5, 2013 at 12:47 am

    Oh we’ve done a similar walking tour of Lisbon and I remember feeling so accomplished when we’d reach the top of an area and have a spectacular view of the city. Lovely photos!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 8:48 am

      I know Jackie, Discovering the Miradouros was ample reward.

      Reply
  7. Lisa Goodmurphy

    July 5, 2013 at 1:16 am

    Beautiful photos of Lisbon – and you can’t get those if you’re in a cab or on the metro! I love to walk everywhere too – you never know what you’re going to happen across.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 8:47 am

      I know Lisa, it is so exciting and entertaining and helps wear off those holiday indulgences 🙂

      Reply
  8. noel

    July 5, 2013 at 3:53 am

    Lisbon is one of my favorites so old, quirky and charming, loved visiting again through your post

    Wanted to invite you to a Monday photo linkup called Travel Photo Mondays on my blog, come and join us on Mondays.

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 8:37 am

      Thanks Noel, Love a good link up. Will have a look.

      Reply
  9. Johanna

    July 5, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Ohh, what some wonderful architecture and your walking escapades around Lisbon sound like a lot of fun. Definitely the best way to explore a city, and I too believe that ‘Shanks Pony’ is the best transport. Out! Out ! damn Tarts Trotters I say, and on with the comfy Flats!!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 5, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      I started out wearing flats, but they had smooth soles that slipped on the cobblestones on the hills. Believe it or not I went into H & M (local fashion place) and purchased a pair of thongs (for the feet). They were very comfy and didn’t slip – I am wearing them now 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sophie

    July 5, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Walking is the only way… except when there are trams. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 6, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Ha ha – trams and hills go together like scones and jam 🙂

      Reply
  11. denise

    July 6, 2013 at 8:57 am

    This place looks beautiful. I agree with you on walking, and often in a city with so many beautiful things on its streets I find I don’t have to spend a sent on sightseeing – but, like you, I just can’t manage walking in tropical cities – Singapore was hard and Ho Chi Minh city even harder!

    Reply
    • Jan

      July 6, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Totally Denise, Walking is the best budget travel tip out there, and provides such personal memories.

      Reply
  12. Lisa Wood

    July 6, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    oh that bakery sounds so heavenly! And good coffee…I am so there 🙂
    Love how the People of Lisbon took you guys under their wing, and helped you out so much. Sure makes travelling to a new city so worth it. The walk sounds incredible….and your photos share the place beautifully.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Australia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Townsville Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Bosnia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Cambodia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Canada Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Croatia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Italy Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Laos Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Montenegro Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Morocco Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to New Zealand Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Slovenia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Spain Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Turkey Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to the United States of America Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Vietnam

Pinterest

Visit Budgettraveltalk's profile on Pinterest.

Top Australian and New Zealand Blogger for 2017

Im-a-Top-Australian-and-New-Zealand-Travel-Blogger-for-2017-Medium-Rectangle-300x250px (1)

Mature Bloggers Australia

Mature Bloggers Australia

Footer

Most Popular Posts

Whitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven Beach

Romantic Things for Couples to do in Rome including Valentines Day

Things to Do in Huskisson and Jervis Bay

Hobart to Bruny Island: Tours from Hobart or Self Drive Bruny Island?

Ferry to Eyup Istanbul for Pierre Loti views and Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque 2018

About Jan & Marty

We are Jan and Marty and we love travel.

The best thing about being in our 60’s is that our travel budget is flexible, allowing us to enjoy great experiences, good food and fun people. As with most things in life, it’s all about priorities.

Copyright © 2022 Budget Travel Talk - Journey. Destination. Experience.