Lisbon and-canaries cruise

[del scanlon]

Going on a ten day cruise to Lisbon and canaries on the Eclipse 28 Sep I have never been to Lisbon / Madeira /la coruna Spain / been to Tenerife many times Can anyone recommend something to see and do at these places we have never visited. We have a two day stopover @ Lisbon so hopefully we can explore love history .tips from experience of these places you be much appreciated thanks

[4774Papa]

Going on a ten day cruise to Lisbon and canaries on the Eclipse 28 Sep I have never been to Lisbon / Madeira /la coruna Spain / been to Tenerife many times Can anyone recommend something to see and do at these places we have never visited. We have a two day stopover @ Lisbon so hopefully we can explore love history .tips from experience of these places you be much appreciated thanks

Lisbon is a great city to see. Rick Steves has a small inexpensive guidebook for Lisbon that provides three walking tours. We took a tour there that didn't involve the castle overlooking the harbor. I think it is St. Georges Castle. You can walk from the port up the hill to the Castle. The walking tour and castle take about two hours, perhaps a little more if you stop for a glass of wine.

 

Some distance from the port you will find a monastery, Belem Tower, Monument to the Explorers and a restaurant were they sell the wonderful Portuguese pastries. This is a must see in Lisbon and will take about 2-3 hours.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189158-Activities-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html

[del scanlon]

Thank you for your tips very helpful

 

 

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[CYNSport]

Out of Lisbon we toured Caicas and Sintra. Enjoyed them both.

[DYKWIA]

Caicas is VERY easy to do on your own. Wander along the water front from where Celebrity usually moors for about 20 minutes until you reach the Cais Do Sodre train station. Buy a day ticket for the train (Very cheap) and jump on a train to Caicas (think its the end of the line). Easy to spend a few hours wandering around and then either go back to the station or wander along the seafront for a bit to Monte Estoril or Estoril stations where you can also pick the up the train back to Lisbon. I think train runs about every 30 mins and I think its about 40 mins on the train IIRC.

 

Lots to see also on foot in Lisbon as well

[DYKWIA]

Madeira - the cable car and toboggan is good fun.

 

Go early to avoid queues, we were off the ship as soon as we could

 

Take the ship bus into Madeira, then walk along the front, past the fish market, for about 15 minutes until you reach the cable car station on the waterfront - you can't miss it.

 

Cable Car opens about 0900. Take the cable car to the top - its a long climb and takes about 10 minutes, Cars hold about 6 people and are one arrives every few seconds. When at the top turn left and its a short walk of a couple of minutes to the famous toboggan station. It's a fixed price (Tips are encouraged) and its about a 10 minute exhilarating ride. Important - the toboggan only taken you about 1/3 of the way down the mountain. Unless you are very fit be careful about walking down the mountain from here as its a good hour walk and very steep - if you value your knees pick a taxi up there will be plenty waiting at the bottom of the toboggan run. These taxis are over priced - couple of options, accept it and pay, share a ride with others, walk a short way where you might be lucky and pick up a passing taxi (we were and saved quite a bit), or I think there is a bus back to the city a short walk from the toboggan station.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g189167-d547132-Reviews-Wicker_Toboggan_Sled_Ride-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html

 

Like the Cascais trip above - very easy trip to DIY and no need to book through the cruiseline

Edited July 2, 2017 by DYKWIA

[del scanlon]

Thank you for that information sounds really good . I think I will do that great

 

 

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[SPacificbound]

We did a private 4 wheeler tour with Jeff a couple years ago and it was great fun. He took us everywhere on Madiera.

 

http://www.hittheroadmadeira.com/

 

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189167-d3915655-Reviews-Hit_the_Road_Tours-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html#REVIEWS

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We lived in Cascais, Portugal many years ago. I liked the advice to ride the train to Cascais which is a lot of fun and passes some scenic areas and small towns along the way. It is the last stop of the train.

 

Cascais is a picturesque seaside town. Check out their waterfront. The Praia da Ribeira is a nice beach and fishing harbor. Slightly out of town is the interesting Boca Do Inferno (Mouth of Hell) which is really rugged rock formations beaten by rough waves. There is a pretty park near the beach area. It used to have lots of peacocks, but I don't know if they are still there. There is a pretty little church there too. We sued to go to mass there.

 

Sintra is a very special place with so much to see. The first time I went there I thought it seemed as if there was a castle in the sky at almost very turn. I suggest a visit to the wondorus Palacio Nacional. The Pena castle. The Santuario de Peninha. And, if you can still go, see Seteais (Seven Ayes) which is so named because the view is so spectacular you will say "Aye" seven times. If you do go to Sintra, I hope you will be able to go up to the town via the oceanside road out of Cascais that passes Guincho beach. That is an interesting ride.

 

Even if you never get out of Lisbon, that is a very special place too with many historic architectual wonders, those that survived the horrendous earthquake and tidal wave that hit about two hundred years ago.

 

I hope you will enjoy Portugal as much as we did living there. Be sure to have a good camera.

[gold1953]

We love Lisbon and walked to the castle.. Warning.. we are avid hill walkers and live in a hilly city .. but we struggled getting to the castle

There is so much to see in Lisbon!!

[del scanlon]

Thanks to everyone who replied . Sounds a great city

 

 

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[capsplace]

In Lisbon, take the trolley ride tour of the city. The music of FADO, unique to Portugal, is great too. Many restaurants in the old part of the city offer Fado music in the evenings. And, if you are into gloves, LUVARIA ULISSES is a must! It is "a glove shop founded in 1925 by Joaquim Rodrigues Simões, an entrepreneur with a profound understanding of the habits of the people of Lisbon. As a Lisbon city council executive between 1919 and 1923, he requested authorization from the Government to construct shops in the neglected area of the Carmo Wall. He kept the space corresponding to no. 87-A, to himself as he immediately envisioned an establishment there that, notwithstanding its small dimensions, would nonetheless constitute a reference for this city, as did ULISSES mythology."

LUVARIA ULISSES

Rua do Carmo, 87-A

1200-093 LISBOA

PORTUGAL

[MarineMoose]

I was born in Lisbon and lived there for 33 years, does that count as experience? ;)

 

Looking at Celebrity's website, I see you only have 24 hours in Lisbon (arrive September 30th at 4PM, leave at 4PM next day - although the cruise terminal site says arrive 5PM, leave 5PM). This will limit what you can do outside the city and still return in time to the ship. Another factor is that most monuments aren't usually open that late (expect closing times between 6PM and 8PM), so doing anything indoors on the first day will be tricky.

 

Luckily, the ship will dock right next to a bunch of interesting stuff within walking distance. This is Lisbon though, so most of the walking is uphill.

 

-- Things to do close to the ship --

 

Sightseeing:

 

Castelo de São Jorge - Saint George's castle, originally built by the Moors mid 11th century (has been renovated a few times over the years!) Great view of the city from the battlements. More info at: http://castelodesaojorge.pt/en/history/

There are buses and lovely, very old yellow trams that go up to the castle. The trams are small and the tourists are many, so it's probably best to walk or take alternative transportation - you don't have hours to waste queuing for a tram. Also, the castle is open till 9PM from March-October.

 

Sé Catedral - roughly a third of the way through your ascent to the castle, there is the Sé Catedral. This is the most important church in Lisbon. Built mid 12th century on top of what used to be a mosque, when Lisbon was conquered from the Moors. Not sure about the opening hours for this one.

 

Panteão Nacional - Barroque church from the 16th century, also called church of Saint Ingracia. It is known now as the national pantheon, and it is where important portuguese people from the 19th-20th centuries (and beyond!) are buried.

 

Terreiro do Paço - a nice big square (and it actually IS square!) facing the river, and surrounded by what used to be the royal palace. Now it's government buildings and hipster restaurants. There's also a big impressive marble arch at the north end. This place is also known as Praça do Comércio. If you go under the arch and continue all the way up that street, you will end up at Rossio square. On the north end there is the Maria II theatre.

 

Elevador de Santa Justa - Saint Justa elevator, designed by a disciple of Eiffel. Beautiful iron structure, with a great view from the top. It connects the lower part of the city with the higher part, so you'll save some uphill walking there!

 

Convento do Carmo - Right next to where you get off the Elevador are the ruins of the Carmo convent. It was destroyed by the devastating 1755 earthquake (estimated 8.5-9 on the Richter scale) and left as-is as a memorial to that horrible day. Legend has that, ironically, the street where all the brothels were survived unharmed...

 

Food & souvenirs:

 

Conserveira de Lisboa - a wonderful old school store of canned fish. Tuna, cod, sardines, mackerel, octupus, squid...you name it, they can it. Makes for a lovely gift and/or snack. My favorite is the Tricana tuna in spicy olive oil. If you fall in love with their stuff, I heard they ship internationally ;) http://www.conserveiradelisboa.pt/en

 

A Vida Portuguesa - if it's portuguese, charming and old school, they have it. Ceramics, textiles, cookware, artisanal soaps and cosmetics, jewelry, chocolates, cookies, even flour. http://www.avidaportuguesa.com/

 

Cervejaria Ramiro - if you like seafood, this is the place to go. All sorts of marine creepy crawlies, fish, shellfish, all super fresh and cooked to perfection! It fills up quickly, so make reservations or come early (tip: end your meal with a prego sandwich!) http://www.cervejariaramiro.pt/

 

Confeitaria Nacional - wonderful 19th century pastry shop. http://confeitarianacional.pt/en/mainshop/

 

-- Things to do not close to the ship --

 

Here I do have an order - best to worst, in my humble opinion :D And you most likely will only be able to do one of these on the second day, maybe two if you don't take too long in each place and have transportation planned and ready to go.

 

- Belém -

 

Pros: Lots to see, close to the center, beautiful parks, egg tarts - what more can you ask for?

Cons: You will be forever saddened that you live in a place with no egg tarts

How to get there: tram, bus, taxi

 

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - very big monastery with impressive arquitecture. Opens 10am, closes 5:30pm. More info at http://www.mosteirojeronimos.gov.pt/en/

 

Museu de Marinha - right next to the monastery, the Navy Museum is shock full of everything to do with naval activities. Charts, model ships, all sorts of naval instruments...Don't miss the second building where the actual ships are, including a gilded royal barge (there is a planetarium between the two buildings). More info at http://ccm.marinha.pt/pt/museu

 

Torre de Belém - fortified tower from the 16th century, used to protect the city from sea attacks. Probably one of the most famous Lisbon sights. More info at http://www.torrebelem.gov.pt/en/index.php?s=white&pid=168

 

Padrão dos Descobrimentos - monument to the portuguese discoveries. You can climb to the top to get a good look at the Rosa dos Ventos (compass rose) below, which is a stunning example of traditional portuguese pavement. More info at http://www.padraodosdescobrimentos.pt/en/

 

Museu Nacional dos Coches - coach/carriage museum. Big collection of super fancy carriages used by royalty and the nobility. More info at http://www.museudoscoches.gov.pt/en/homepage/

 

MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Recently inaugurated, I've only visited the old power station exhibit (you can go inside a furnace! Don't worry, it's turned off :p)

 

And last but certainly not least...

Pasteis de Belém - the amazing, delicious pasteis de belém (also known as pasteis de nata)! Little eggy tarts of pure happiness. I miss these so much! This shop will be easy to spot - blue awnings and an enormous queue out the door. Tip: the queue is for takeaway (minimum 6 pasteis), so go in and have a seat, have an amazing little cup of portuguese coffee and enjoy your pastel. And then get in queue anyway because the pasteis are THAT good and you're not leaving without a few boxes. http://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/

(that said...you will find pasteis de nata in any portuguese café. If you don't go to Belém, have a pastel somewhere else. They'll be delicious enough ;) )

 

 

(more on the next post!)

[MarineMoose]

(continued)

 

- Sintra -

 

Pros: gorgeous, lush, palaces and gardens in abundance

Cons: very spread out, farthest from the city center, uphill both ways (only half joking ;p)

How to get there: suburban train, taxi. There is a bus that starts at the Sintra train station and does a circuit stopping at (almost) all these monuments, ending back at the train station. It gets pretty packed and the steep hills are not for the faint of heart!

 

Info about all of these at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/

 

Palácio Nacional de Sintra - 1000 year old royal palace, right in the village center.

 

Castelo dos Mouros - Moorish castle. Up hill.

 

Palácio da Pena - Pena palace, gorgeous romantic palace on the top of a steep hill. Amazing views all the way to the sea if the weather is cooperating.

 

Quinta da Regaleira - what do you do when you're rich and eccentric? You build Quinta da Regaleira. If you've ever seen this picture, that's at Quinta da Regaleira.

More info at: http://www.regaleira.pt/

 

Piriquita - pastry shop selling traditional Sintra pastries called queijadas and travesseiros. It's uphill of course (but that burns calories, so you can have another pastry) More info at: https://www.piriquita.pt/?lang=en

 

- Cascais -

 

Pros: used to be a quaint fishing village, now it is a posh address for people of means. Nice beach and delicious italian ice creams at Santini

Cons: not as much to see as Belém or Sintra. Still lovely though!

How to get there: suburban train, taxi

 

I actually don't have much to say about Cascais. It has a fortress, the beach, a marina... It is a good place to relax and enjoy the view. Do not miss the delicious ice cream at Santini! That said, there is a Santini shop in the center of Lisbon...

 

I'm sure I forgot about a ton of other interesting things. But feel free to ask if you have any questions!

[chemmo]

We loved Lisbon and plan to visit again later this year. It is the sort of city you can just enjoy wandering around. Be warned, however, it is a real pick pocket centre....We consider ourselves world aware and were still (very professional) picked.

 

Don't let it put you off, the Portuguese themselves are very friendly and frustrated by the crime in their city.....just be very alert.

[DYKWIA]

We loved Lisbon and plan to visit again later this year. It is the sort of city you can just enjoy wandering around. Be warned, however, it is a real pick pocket centre....We consider ourselves world aware and were still (very professional) picked.

 

Don't let it put you off, the Portuguese themselves are very friendly and frustrated by the crime in their city.....just be very alert.

 

Interesting, on our first med cruise the only place we heard of problems with pickpockets was in Lisbon. Lady in the cabin next to ours was robbed within 5 minutes of getting off the ship - 2 young students pretending to want help understanding a map. Parts of Spain can be bad where some police forces no longer record minor pickpocketing as an offence - so there is no pressure to solve the problem - local shop keepers will point the pickpockets out to you.

[del scanlon]

(continued)

 

 

 

- Sintra -

 

 

 

Pros: gorgeous, lush, palaces and gardens in abundance

 

Cons: very spread out, farthest from the city center, uphill both ways (only half joking ;p)

 

How to get there: suburban train, taxi. There is a bus that starts at the Sintra train station and does a circuit stopping at (almost) all these monuments, ending back at the train station. It gets pretty packed and the steep hills are not for the faint of heart!

 

 

 

Info about all of these at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/

 

 

 

Palácio Nacional de Sintra - 1000 year old royal palace, right in the village center.

 

 

 

Castelo dos Mouros - Moorish castle. Up hill.

 

 

 

Palácio da Pena - Pena palace, gorgeous romantic palace on the top of a steep hill. Amazing views all the way to the sea if the weather is cooperating.

 

 

 

Quinta da Regaleira - what do you do when you're rich and eccentric? You build Quinta da Regaleira. If you've ever seen this picture, that's at Quinta da Regaleira.

 

More info at: http://www.regaleira.pt/

 

 

 

Piriquita - pastry shop selling traditional Sintra pastries called queijadas and travesseiros. It's uphill of course (but that burns calories, so you can have another pastry) More info at: https://www.piriquita.pt/?lang=en

 

 

 

- Cascais -

 

 

 

Pros: used to be a quaint fishing village, now it is a posh address for people of means. Nice beach and delicious italian ice creams at Santini

 

Cons: not as much to see as Belém or Sintra. Still lovely though!

 

How to get there: suburban train, taxi

 

 

 

I actually don't have much to say about Cascais. It has a fortress, the beach, a marina... It is a good place to relax and enjoy the view. Do not miss the delicious ice cream at Santini! That said, there is a Santini shop in the center of Lisbon...

 

 

 

I'm sure I forgot about a ton of other interesting things. But feel free to ask if you have any questions!

 

 

 

That's for your very detailed reply great thanks. Hope you enjoyed writing it as I did reading it many thanks

 

 

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[Mytravellove]

MarineMoose, I love your detailed description of everything to see and do in Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. I had been to Portugal (for the Lisbon marathon) in 2004/2005 and after the marathon took a few weeks to travel around Portugal. Reading your description brought back beautiful memories. Great descriptions with great sense of humour. Will save this for when I visit Portugal again.