From “12 Essential Travel Tips when Visiting Lisbon, Portugal Guide” by Suitcase Monkey Suitcase Monkey
Lisbon travel tips: tickets, trams, food and Sintra
A practical walk through Lisbon, from tickets to tram rides to Sintra.
Key points
- The Lisbon Card covers unlimited travel and entry to popular attractions for 24, 48 or 72 hours and can be activated at the airport, while the Viva card is usually the cheapest way to get around but means queuing for top-ups. 0:28
- To skip the Santa Justa Lift queue of up to 45 minutes, walk about 5 minutes to Carmo Convent and take the alley on the right to the same viewing platform, and if you ride the lift, go down because the descent is far less crowded. 2:09
- For Sintra, take the train from Rossio Station (about 45 minutes, included in the Lisbon Card), then the 434 bus (about 20 minutes) to Pena Palace, and pre-book palace tickets because the queues were very long. 4:47
- The video's weather guidance is to visit from April to September, with May, June and September the best months, and to avoid November to March, the wettest months. 6:27
- Stay in the area between Baixa and Chiado, which the presenter found central and walkable, and four full days in Lisbon was enough for them, though a week would also have been worthwhile. 4:22
Route through the guide
- 1. Santa Justa Lift and Carmo Convent — The host shows the Carmo Convent route that avoids the lift queue. 2:25
- 2. Tram 28 — Passengers ride a wooden historic tram with the host sharing tips for avoiding crowds. 3:06
- 3. Sintra — The bus stop in Sintra where visitors wait for the 434 bus. 9:44
- 4. Pena Palace — The palace entrance with ticket queues and posted opening hours. 10:21
Small things on screen
- Viva card reader — A blue reader on a yellow gate with the text 'Guarde o seu cartão' on the side.
- Sintra map prices — Map of the Sintra area with the caption '€11.50 for day bus pass or around €7 for return to Pena Palace'.
- Pena Palace opening hours — Sign reading 'Horário Open Daily 09:30 - 18:30' beside the entrance.
Lisbon Card and transport prices
- : Viva card top-up · : 50 cents
- : Bus pass, 24 hours (Sintra) · : €11.50
- : Return bus ticket to Pena Palace · : around €7
- : Restaurant evening meals · : €55 to €80
- : Attractions in Lisbon · : 3 to 10 Euros