Prime Errors Vacationers Make In Lisbon

Lisbon’s attraction to vacationers is simple to grasp. The Portuguese capital boasts unbelievable castles, charming streets, scrumptious meals, a hip music and artwork scene and a lot extra.

However as with all place that has a big tourism business, the locals should not shy to level out the errors that guests to the Metropolis of Seven Hills usually make throughout their stays. We requested individuals who reside in Lisbon, each expats and natives, to share a number of the fake pas they’ve noticed.

From misguided culinary strikes to main communication points, listed here are 13 widespread blunders amongst vacationers visiting Lisbon ― and a few recommendation for avoiding them in your travels.

“Don’t converse Spanish to the locals. They discover it considerably offensive and don’t prefer to be confused with Spain. It’s an extended story, however it’s higher when you make a horrible try to talk Portuguese.” ― Stéphanie Pons, founding father of Lisbon Insiders

“An enormous mistake is to imagine that talking Spanish will earn you brownie factors in Portugal. In actual fact, most Portuguese don’t prefer to be mistaken for Spanish! (There’s fairly a little bit of pleasant rivalry between the nations). English is by far the popular language by locals when talking with vacationers. I as soon as stood in line at a museum ticket sales space behind a Dutch vacationer who saved talking in Spanish, to which the employees member simply repeated ‘no, I don’t perceive you’ in Portuguese. Despite the fact that I believe he knew completely nicely what the query was, I believe he merely refused to reply!” ― Marek Bron, journey blogger at Marvellous Madeira

“Ladies, depart your excessive heels at dwelling! Lisbon is called the Metropolis of Seven Hills, so be sure that to convey some snug sneakers as a result of you’ll stroll up and down rather a lot. Additionally, we’ve got a specific sort of ground, which is named ‘calçada Portuguesa,’ which consists of various stone varieties positioned collectively to attract a picture when seen from above. It’s gorgeous however makes it tremendous laborious to stroll on!” ― Carol Batista, meals critic and tour information

“A typical mistake I usually witness is the underestimation of the cobblestone pavements right here, often known as calçada Portuguesa. Regardless of sporting strolling sneakers or sandals, many individuals nonetheless discover the pavement slippery. Personally, I at all times be certain that my flat sneakers, together with my Keds, have outer sole grips for added traction.” ― Britt Moore, author and cook dinner

“Don’t assume that each one ‘pastéis de nata’ (our essential dessert) are the identical and check out it within the first retailer you discover. Portuguese deal with the pastéis de nata as nationwide patrimony, and we’ve got our must-go locations for the right one. Good choices in Lisbon are the well-known Pastéis de Belém and shops like Manteigaria or Aloma.” ― Batista.

“There are additionally many individuals who search for pastéis de nata in supermarkets and road shops, however the very best ones are bought in shops that solely make pastéis de nata. They’re the very best.” ― André Nicolau Chaíça, content material creator

“Vacationers ought to be conscious that it’s anticipated for there to be a ‘couvert’ positioned on the desk at most eating places. Normally, that is comprised of olives, bread and maybe some tuna or sardine pâté. This stuff should not free, and vacationers ought to be conscious that if consumed even partially, they are going to be charged for the objects eaten. Have in mind this may add up from anyplace from a euro to 5, relying on how fancy the restaurant is and what couvert they’re bringing. It’s value mentioning that these couverts are typically scrumptious and an effective way to develop your love of olives and the totally different home marinades you will discover them in, so I discover them to be nicely value it. Simply attempt to not get all snippy if you get the invoice. You ate it, in spite of everything!” ― Ellis Dixon, co-founder of Atlas Lisboa

“There’s this place downtown known as Elevador de Santa Justa, which is sort of standard for its stunning views of Lisbon, and there’s usually an extended line of those who pay to go up that historical elevator. Properly, you may have mainly the identical expertise at no cost when you go up instantly by its higher walkway, through Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church). There’s a road on the suitable aspect of the church (Travessa D. Pedro de Menezes) that results in the TOPO Chiado bar and restaurant and likewise the Bellalisa Elevador restaurant. There are some small stairs that, when you go up, result in this final restaurant (not TOPO, these go down), and also you’ll be proper on this higher walkway of the Elevador de Santa Justa, at no cost! The view is identical.” ― Alice Trewinnard, content material creator

“Going through the kilometric queue to go up the Elevador de Santa Justa I believe is the largest mistake a vacationer could make in Lisbon. The elevator is charming and filled with historical past, however the climb lasts a couple of seconds along with being costly. The choice is to go as much as Largo do Carmo. You’ll be able to go up by the streets, by the escalators of H&M or the elevators of Armazéns do Chiado and search for the higher entrance of the elevator ― it’s on the suitable aspect of the sq.. From there, you’ll get the identical Lisbon surroundings completely at no cost. Bonus tip: Have a drink in one of many bars there!” ― Luli Monteleone, digital advertising and marketing specialist

“Many vacationers who come to Portugal should not conscious that ‘thanks’ in Portuguese is expounded to the speaker and never the one spoken to. Girls say ‘obrigada’ and males say ‘obrigado.’ And for the love of all issues holy, do NOT say ‘gracias.’” ― Dixon

“Not utilizing ‘obrigado’ if you ask for one thing is a mistake. Portuguese are easy however humble and talkative folks. We all know methods to adapt to foreigners, however when you attempt to use no less than one phrase from our language we are going to for certain reward you with a pleasant smile and make our day!” ― Batista

“Saying ‘gracias’ is unquestionably a no-no. You’ll be able to merely say ‘thanks,’ or if you wish to use Portuguese, this could be ‘obrigado’ when you’re a person or ‘obrigada’ when you’re a lady.” ― Bron

“Vacationers have a behavior of strolling round the primary vacationer areas and searching for typical meals in these areas, which is an enormous mistake! As a result of it’s simply vacationer meals, and never good and typical Portuguese meals. You at all times must search for ‘tascas’ ― small and really typical eating places.” ― Chaíça

“I usually discover vacationers being lured into eating places in Baixa, also called downtown Lisbon, the place servers actively goal them on this touristy space. These institutions are basic vacationer traps ― they cost exorbitant costs, serve low-quality meals and lack authenticity. Right here’s my recommendation: Take the time to analysis eating choices prematurely and don’t hesitate to discover the lesser-known streets and alleys. By doing so, you’ll discover hidden tascas that provide real Portuguese delicacies and a extra genuine expertise. Belief your instincts: If a spot feels touristy and gimmicky, it most likely is.” ― Moore

“Don’t be shy in terms of pushing the door of a conventional tasca. It could be intimidating strolling into a spot which feels very native, however that is the place you’ll uncover the true DNA of Portuguese delicacies. Though the welcome could be a bit of chilly at first, you’ll most likely depart with a brand new Portuguese good friend. Our favourite tascas are Imperial de Campo de Ourique, Das Flores and Zé da Mouraria.” ― Pons

“Those that need to trip the streetcar normally pay the worth of the journey when shopping for a metro card is cheaper.” ― Chaíça

“Don’t take the tram at peak instances.” ― Pons

“Renting a automotive and never exploring the town middle on foot is one other mistake. Lisbon is an absolute must-walk metropolis with a purpose to uncover the previous neighborhoods like Mouraria, Alfama, Graça, Madragoa, and so forth. Doing all by automotive will make it not possible so that you can uncover true gems solely reachable by foot.” ― Batista

“Vacationers depart their electrical scooters scattered throughout city. That is harmful. And so they litter the town with beer glasses all over the place.” ― Mari of Explorar Lisboa

“When folks go to Lisbon, they naturally are inclined to focus extra on its essential points of interest. Whereas it’s crucial to go to sights akin to Lisbon’s Cathedral, Terreiro do Paço or Oceanário, don’t restrict your self to essentially the most well-known locations since you’ll miss out on nice viewpoints, sidewalks, eating places and shops, tiled facades and even the Lisboetas. As a substitute, I like to recommend that you simply do a little analysis beforehand and learn the way a lot we’ve got to supply, create your personal itinerary searching for distinctive corners and experiences, go to locations like Jardim da Estrela, the Royal Treasure Museum, a ship journey on the Tagus, get misplaced within the streets of the historic neighborhoods, have dinner at a Casa de Fados. Let your self be carried away by the magic of Lisbon.” ― Paula Oliveira, govt director of Turismo de Lisboa

“A mistake is vacationers make is that they don’t go to Alfama. There are lots of people who solely go to the Baixa Chiado neighborhood.” ― Mari

“I extremely counsel that vacationers enterprise past Lisbon for a day journey. I’ve spoken to a number of guests who primarily stayed throughout the metropolis. There are stunning vineyards that provide picnics, little seashore cities for surf classes, and a plethora of historic palaces to see. Whereas Lisbon is undeniably great, numerous Portuguese gems lie simply outdoors of the town.” ― Moore

“Don’t eat sardines with a fork and knife. And don’t eat pastéis de bacalhau with cooking cream; it’s actually horrible.” ― Mari

“A mistake is assuming the tremendous fancy canned sardines shops within the metropolis middle are conventional. Plot twist: They don’t seem to be! No Portuguese eats these canned sardines, neither is it one thing associated to our tradition. One other is assuming that the codfish cake with cheese is conventional. It’s not. Identical to the canned sardines, it is usually bought in a brilliant fancy retailer within the metropolis middle however it’s not conventional. The Portuguese eat codfish plain ― and it’s soooo goood!” ― Batista

“One other mistake is to suppose Lisbon is only a weekend journey vacation spot. There’s a lot to see and do this a few days gained’t cowl it! You’ll be able to spend many days exploring the previous middle of Lisbon, however there are additionally so many nice day journeys close by. You’ll be able to go dolphin-watching within the Sado Estuary, see the unbelievable palaces and gardens of Sintra, and there are a number of enjoyable seashore cities inside simply an hour’s drive or so. For instance, the surfer city of Ericeira, or Sesimbra, a terrific place for sea kayaking and coastal hikes. The previous middle of Lisbon has gotten fairly busy with vacationers, however there are a lot much less crowded locations throughout Lisbon that almost all vacationers miss out on.” ― Bron

“Don’t neglect to place Caparica in your map. This lengthy stretch of white sand seashore, positioned 20 minutes from Lisbon, provides nice seashore eating places and superb sunsets.” ― Pons

“Don’t exit to eat with out a reservation. Certainly, to keep away from any frustration and queue, it’s higher to guide your eating places prematurely.” ― Pons

“One other mistake shouldn’t be having cash exchanged. Lisbon is a contemporary metropolis, however you’ll metropolis discover many eating places are cash-only to keep away from paying extra taxes.” ― Batista

“Not utilizing sunscreen in the summertime. Lisbon is a ‘metropolis of sunshine,’ and we’ve got solar for many of the yr. It’s a sort of solar that appears innocent however, when you don’t concentrate or should not used to, will depart purple marks in your white pores and skin.” ― Batista

Quotes have been evenly edited and condensed for readability.