short break in lisbon

1618 · 23 May 2008 at 8:32AM

Just booked a 5 day break at a hotel called Fontana Park in Lisbon,anyone been, what is it like and any suggestions on what to do whilst there and any tips would be gratefully received.

whu · 23 May 2008 at 9:19AM

dont know the hotel but been to lisbon - would suggest you get the bus tour from the main square which will take you around-hop on hop off service- good way to get an overview and then go and see anything else you want to in more detail - as you have 5 days you could get the train out of lisbon and spend a day at Cascais which is about half an hour out of lisbon and is pretty peaceful and has a beach - also you could get the train to Estoril (which has a casino if you are interested) which is a couple of stops before Cascais on the train

spiro · 25 May 2008 at 7:57AM

Just remember that Lisbon is like Rome in that it is built around 7 hills but because of the river they are all on one side so walking around can be quite energetic. There is a boat trip that takes you up and down the river so se the city from that side. Can't remember how much it costs. Also from the main square they still operate a couple of the very old small trams which take you up the streets that the modern ones dont fit on. The views over the city from the castle are great. Find yourself one of the very small bars in the back streets that have a BBQ outside cooking sardines, they are great.

trisontana · 25 May 2008 at 8:10AM

Tram number 28 is the one to take. This winds its way through the narrow streets of the old town.

Another short day-trip is to Sintra (the old summer residence of the former royal family). This is easily reached by a 45 minute train journey and contains a stunning palace, a castle and a nature park.

On the edge of Lisbon is the the Parque das Nações (the site of the 1990 Expo). The main attraction here is one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

Details here :- http://www.strawberryworld-lisbon.com/lisbon/places/expo-park.html

pcg2001 · 25 May 2008 at 11:44AM

Hotel reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189158-d674862-Reviews-Fontana_Park_Hotel-Lisbon_Estremadura.html

You might want to go to Sintra for 1 day. Lovely town, and up the hill through a gorgeous garden, you reach the romantic Sintra Palacio da Pena and Moors Castle. There are several mansonry connections in the Town and there is the Quinta da Regaleira, which is a villa with masonry history featured in the Roman Polanski Ninth Gate movie.

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189164-Activities-Sintra_Estremadura.html

sunderland1 · 25 May 2008 at 12:29PM

Hi 1618

Try Ryanair website, you can download (pdf file) a guide of the area showing places of interest etc.

Good luck and have a nice break.

trisontana · 25 May 2008 at 12:46PM

One thing you must try while in Lisbon is the custard tarts. Some shops have their own secret recipe, the most famous of which is Antiga Confeitaria de Belem where you can eat them still warm from the oven.

Another "must see" (or hear) is Fado music. This is the Portuguese version of the blues. Best place to hear it is in a small bar or cafe. The line-up always consists of a vocalist, accompanied by one Spanish guitar and one Portuguese guitar (a kind of lute). It's a unique experience.

short break in lisbon

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