A few days ago I shared a list of things I personally don’t recommend in Lisbon.
Many people asked for the reasons, so here are a few of them.
- Why do I recommend Uber or Bolt instead of a taxi from the airport?
Simply because there are still many cases where visitors are charged much more than they should be.
Sometimes the route is longer than necessary, sometimes the fare feels excessive, and unfortunately there have been cases where tourists felt taken advantage of.
With Uber or Bolt, at least you know the price before the trip starts.
- Why don’t I recommend spending an afternoon at LX Factory?
LX Factory is not a bad place.
I just think it has become the type of place you can find in many European cities. Cafés, concept stores, bars and coworking spaces.
If you only have a few days in Lisbon, I think there are more interesting places that feel more connected to the city.
- Why not stay in an Airbnb in the historic centre?
Areas like Alfama are beautiful, but they can be difficult.
Many streets are steep, narrow or inaccessible to cars. If you are carrying luggage, arriving and leaving can be a challenge.
Many buildings don't have lifts and some apartments were never really designed for modern tourism.
I also think these neighbourhoods have been heavily affected by short-term rentals and deserve to keep some of their local character.
- Why don’t I recommend lunch at Time Out Market?
For similar reasons to LX Factory.
It is busy, noisy and, in many ways, offers an experience that feels similar to food halls you can find elsewhere.
One of the things I enjoy most about Portugal is sitting down in a tasca and having a proper meal. Thankfully, there are still many of them around Lisbon.
- Why not only visit pastel de nata places?
Pastel de nata is Portugal's most famous pastry, but Portuguese pastry goes far beyond that.
Sometimes I see people visiting Manteigaria, Pastéis de Belém and Fábrica da Nata on the same trip.
Nothing wrong with that, but I would also suggest visiting a traditional pastelaria and trying other pastries.
A queijada, a bola de Berlim, a pão de Deus or whatever catches your eye in the display.
That is how many Portuguese people actually experience a pastelaria.
Do you agree or disagree with any of these?
Planning your trip to Lisbon?
My digital travel guides include practical PDFs, curated Google Maps lists, local restaurants, viewpoints, hidden spots, day trips and useful information to help you make the most of your time in Portugal.
www.portugaldigitalguides.com
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