WHAT TO DO IN LISBON
Avoid bringing a car to the city center.
If you come to Lisbon by car, it is difficult to find parking. Parking lots are expensive. We recommend car only when you have trips outside of Lisbon, because it gives you much more freedom to explore places where other tourists don't go.

Public transport.
The easiest way to buy the Lisbon transport card is at the vending machines in all Metro stations. The card is individual (one per person) and costs €0.50.
- It can be charged with individual journeys and is valid for one hour for the Metro, Carris buses, trams and funiculars.
- It can be charged in zapping option, with an amount of your choice corresponding to each means of transport used being discounted every time you use it. It is also valid for trains and ferries.
- It can be charged for 24 hours, to be used within the municipality of Lisbon, or for higher prices to also include trains to Sintra or Cascais, or ferries to cross the river.
- Avoid taxis at the airport, prefer the Metro or Uber-type companies.

Parking the car.
If you are coming by car for the tour, there are a few options to avoid driving in the city center and paying for parking. 
- Look for the map in https://www.emel.pt/pt/onde-estacionar/via-publica/tarifarios/, which shows the gray areas where parking is not paid. The ideal is to leave the car near a Metro station.
- The Bela Vista shopping center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/H5Ju8Q5VNZmuoBA77) has free parking during the day and is close to the Metro station of the same name. It will be necessary to take the car out before 10:00 pm.

We recommend comfortable shoes.

City of hills! We recommend walking, because it is the best way to get to know the Lisbon's historic neighborhoods. But you should bring the most comfortable shoes you can. There are many climbs to reach the viewpoints, many stairs, and the traditional pavement tends to be slippery (especially when it rains).


Beware of pickpockets.

Where there are tourists, it's normal, there are pickpockets. Lisbon is no exception. Particular caution is recommended in crowded areas, such as public transports, and highly visited tourist sites. Don't leave your bags or backpacks open and try to put something bulky on top of the important things (a rolled-up jacket or sweater makes it difficult to access by those putting their hand in). Prefer to have your backpack in front, pickpockets are very subtle, and you don't notice when they take something away from you. 


In restaurants, check the bill.
In Portugal, "starters" appear on the table without you asking for them. They are not free. If you eat them, you pay. Even the bread is paid separately. What you don't want, ask to be removed.
You should also check what they serve you, lest the wine be much more expensive than the one you ordered. In the end, always check the invoice and that only what you asked for is there.

Avoid tourist traps. 
Many restaurants and shops, especially in Baixa, are traps for tourists but claim to be "authentic" or "typical". Look for the restaurants where the Portuguese go (handwritten dishes of the day in Portuguese is a good sign). Buy Portuguese products where we buy them, at the supermarket.

Cross the river to Cacilhas. 
Something underrated about Lisbon is the magnificent view of the city from the other side of the river. Take a ferry to Cacilhas, Almada’s lowest part, with restaurants right by the river, where dining with a view of Lisbon by the waterfront is really spectacular.
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