{"id":3614,"date":"2020-02-28T06:56:29","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T06:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=3614"},"modified":"2020-02-28T06:56:29","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T06:56:29","slug":"layover-in-lisbon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/layover-in-lisbon\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways You Can Visit Lisbon on a Tight Schedule During a Layover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Lisbon airport is a 30-minute metro ride from the city center. So is it worth going into Lisbon on a layover? The short answer is absolutely! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But we\u2019d be lying to you if we didn\u2019t say you have to do a little planning. Making the most of a layover in Lisbon means you\u2019ll have to prioritize your sightseeing. And, yes, of course, you can have a pastel de nata<\/a> no matter how long you\u2019re staying.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n

1. Two hours: visit the east side (Oriente)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By metro, the airport is three stops away from the Oriente station (less than 10 minutes). The eastern side of Lisbon, once an industrial wasteland, became the site of the Expo 1998<\/a>. And although the international fair ended more than 20 years ago, that\u2019s what a lot of the locals still call it. But officially, the name of this urban park full of contemporary architecture is Parque das Na\u00e7\u00f5es.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a short pit stop, but there’s enough time to see the mighty Tagus River and the Vasco da Gama Bridge, Oriente Train Station (designed by Santiago Calatrava), and the Oceanarium. And take whatever extra time you have left to admire the artistic use of glazed tile (azulejo<\/em>) in the metro stations on your way back to the airport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Visiting
The Oceanarium has enchanted visitors of all ages for more than 20 years. Photo credit: Daniel Silva<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Four hours: Alfama self-guided walking tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Four hours in Lisbon is a pretty decent window to explore Lisbon\u2019s most picturesque neighborhood: Alfama<\/a>. Hop on the metro at the airport (red line) and switch to the blue line in S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o. Where to get off the subway is up to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Terreiro do Pa\u00e7o stop is closest to Casa dos Bicos, Campo das Cebolas, and the medieval cathedral (S\u00e9 de Lisboa). Santa Apol\u00f3nia gets you closer (after an uphill walk) to the National Pantheon, Feira da Ladra (the flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays), and the street leading up to the Gra\u00e7a neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both possibilities lead you into narrow streets, colorful houses, tiled facades, and opportunities from seeing Lisbon from the top. The views<\/a> are always worth the climb uphill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Alfama’s famous hills can be intimidating, but braving them is well worth it for views like this.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Six hours: Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa (shopping optional)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With six hours in Lisbon, you\u2019ll need to be strategic. It\u2019s possible to fit in three of the city\u2019s most famous neighborhoods: Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Baixa. But, if you feel you\u2019re rushing it, wake up and smell the coffee (and freshly baked past\u00e9is de nata at Manteigaria<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can take the metro from the airport to Restauradores (switch from the red line to the blue line in S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o), take the Gl\u00f3ria funicular up to S\u00e3o Pedro de Alc\u00e2ntara, see part of Baixa from the top, explore Bairro Alto, and walk down Rua da Atalaia towards Chiado. Shop at Rua Garrett if you have the time, or head down to Pra\u00e7a Restauradores to admire one of Lisbon\u2019s most beautiful cal\u00e7ada portuguesa<\/em> patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Portuguese
Life is so much better with a pastel de nata (or several) from Manteigaria.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Eight hours: tram tour and a neighborhood of your choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might not feel like it, but you could cover a lot of Lisbon in eight hours. Start with a tram tour of the historic center. Just make sure it\u2019s not tram 28 because it’s public transportation, not a tourist attraction, no matter what your guidebook says. Locals have been struggling to reclaim access to a tram they desperately need to cross town, but that\u2019s always packed with tourists. Spread the word! The more travelers know about this, the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paid tram tours (red trams)<\/a> depart from Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio every 25 minutes starting at  9:30 a.m. Take the metro from the airport, switch to the blue line in S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o, and get off at Terreiro do Pa\u00e7o. The refurbished trams follow a similar route as number 28, which includes Alfama, Bairro Alto and Chiado, before returning to the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio, with your back to the river (do say hi to the Tagus before leaving, though), choose to go either left (Cais do Sodr\u00e9), right (Alfama), or straight ahead (Rua Augusta to Pra\u00e7a da Figueira, and then right to Mouraria). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Red
Lisbon Tram 28 is a form of public transportation for locals. To avoid lines and crowds, tourists can use the red tour trams instead.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. 10 hours: riverside west Lisbon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With 10 hours in Lisbon, you can calmly make your way to Bel\u00e9m and back, via a combination of metro and train. Take the subway to Alameda, switch to the green line, and get off at Cais do Sodr\u00e9. Then take the train (Cascais Line) to Bel\u00e9m. It’s a super time-saving alternative that locals use all the time! Traffic to get to Bel\u00e9m can be chaotic, and we can’t wait to see if someone comes up with an idea for river taxis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the train station in Bel\u00e9m, Mosteiro dos Jer\u00f3nimos is 10 minutes away walking distance, and Torre de Bel\u00e9m is 22. Yes, you can stop at Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/a> first for fuel. It\u2019s on the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After admiring these masterpieces of Manueline architecture, you can choose to make your way back to the city center on foot, by bike, or by train. The bike lane is over four miles long, riverside. Walking or cycling back is a great way to see the shift from grand gardens and palaces by the river to the industrial, gritty Alc\u00e2ntara, and Cais do Sodr\u00e9.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The docks of Alc\u00e2ntara show a different side of Lisbon.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

More tips for a layover in Lisbon:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n