The Lisbon Connection

 ”Ask me” centers in Lisbon can help you and are happy to dispense advice, maps and brochures. Their staff is multilingual.

‘Ask me’ kiosque in Rua Augusta, near Praça do Comércio.

The beautiful Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) is located near the Tagus River and still commonly known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), because it was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace (Paços da Ribeira). After the great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, the square was completely remodelled.

This brand new (2008) Lisboa ‘Ask Me’ Center (Praça do Comércio, phone 00351 21 0312815), is open from 09:00 - 20:00 daily. The Lisbon Gay & Lesbian Guide is available as well. Smaller ‘Ask Me’ kiosques are dotted about the Rossio district and the airport.

Praça do Comércio, April 2007. The statue is King José I, who oversaw the rebuilding of Lisbon, after the great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.

Lisboa Card (2008)

The Lisboa Card offers free use of all public transport in the city and free or reduced price tickets to many museums, galleries and tourist attractions. They can be purchased in 24 hour (adult / child: €14.85 / €7.50), 48 hour (€25.50 / €12.75) and 72 hour (€31.00 / €15.50) denominations. They are not very good value unless you plan to visit a lot of museums. Especially so if you are a holder of a student identification card (international or national) since the student discounts to these attractions are often the same as for the Lisboa Card.