Lisbon City Guide

Activities in Lisbon

Although costs are beginning to rise as Portugal falls into fiscal step with the EU, this is still one of the least expensive places to travel in Europe. On a rock-bottom budget - using hostels or camping grounds and mostly self-catering - you could squeeze by on about 25-30 EUR per person in the high season. With bottom-end accommodation and the occasional inexpensive restaurant meal, daily costs would hover around 35-50 EUR. Travelling with a companion and timing your trip to take advantage of off-season discounts, you could eat and sleep in relative style for about 50-75 EUR for two. Outside major tourist areas, prices dip appreciably.

When in Rome - well, when in a city that has Roman ruins - do as the locals do: eat, drink and be merry. Soccer aside, exertion in the name of fitness doesn't rate all that highly among the food-and-wine-loving Lisboêtas. If you really must indulge your sporting side, you will find swimming, skateboarding, tennis and even the pseudo 'sport' of ten-pin bowling available. With six major golf courses in the area, those who wish to spoil a good walk are well catered for; river cruises and guided walks are other activities that needn't necessarily prove too much of a cardiovascular strain.

Participate

If you're keen to go swimming but can't make it out to the beach, most of the top hotels have their own pools, while the handiest swimming pool is the small rooftop Ateneu Comercial Complexo de Piscinas.

Golfers are spoilt for choice. There are six major courses in the area, as well as the 18-hole course at the Lisbon Sports Club at Casal da Carregueira, Belas (just north of Queluz). Green fees are more expensive at weekends.

You'll need to book well ahead if you want to reserve a court at popular sports centres such as the Centro Desportivo Universidade de Lisboa at the university; Instalações de Ténis de Monsanto in Parque Florestal de Monsanto; or the newer (but also pricier) Lisboa Racket Centre at Rua Alferes Malheiro, Alvalade.

At Parque das Nações, Bowling Internacional de Lisboa is Portugal's biggest bowling centre. The Playcenter has a 24-lane bowling alley, plus Extreme Bowling, which is played in darkness.

The coolest spots for rollerblades, skateboards and the like are in Parque das Nações and along the riverside promenades of Belém and neighbouring Junqueira. There are special tracks available at Pedrouços in Oeiras and at the riverfront in Algés (accessible by train from Cais do Sodré).

Tours in Lisbon

Tram 28 & Alfama

This viewpoint-to-viewpoint route starts on tram No 28 from Largo Martim Moniz or Baixa, thus taking in the city's best tram route and avoiding uphill slogs.

Take the tram up to Largo da Graça - just to the east of the huge barracks. From here you can walk northwards and turn left behind the barracks to pay a visit to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Otherwise, walk south and turn right in front of the barracks to Miradouro da Graça. Then retrace your steps, walking eastwards to visit the tiled glories of Igreja de São Vicente de Fora, then the cool, echoing Panteão Nacional. If it's Saturday, make a detour to the Thieves Market. Otherwise, walk directly west along Arco Grande da Cima till you reach Largo de Rodrigues de Freita. Take the Costa do Castelo fork, continuing west. This way you can walk right around the outskirts of the castle, along narrow cobbled streets, with some stunning views. Pass in front of Hotel Solar dos Mouros, then turn left up to the castelo and a viewpoint. Next head down the steep lanes to Largo das Portal do Sol, and another fine view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia. From here walk northward, past Igreja de Santa Luzia on your right, and turn right in the atmospheric lane of Beco de Santa Helena. This will take you through one of Alfama's most colourful neighbourhoods, to Largo das Alcaçarias, from where you can take Rua de São João westwards to the sé and the Igreja de Santo António. Downhill from here, your final stop is a gaze at the amazing Manueline façade of Igreja da Conceiça o Velha, just east of Praça do Comercio.