Category: metro & train

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Family restaurant Marítimo Cascais: terrace shaded by centuries-old trees & seafood

Set under two beautiful centuries-old trees in Cascais, there’s the quiet terrace of restaurant Marítimo, easy to reach from Lisbon.

Restaurant Marítimo Cascais close to Lisbon & Ben Weijers, owner of nearby holiday paradise ‘O Corvo’, in Colares. November 2019

Portuguese family restaurant

Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais is a perfect place for a calm and relaxing meal away from the crowds. Two beautiful centuries old trees create the best atmosfere to enjoy a grilled fish or a fresh salad.

Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais & delicious shrimps ( gambas, 15 euro)

A quiet big square next to the restaurant is an ideal place to let the kids play. The menu is varied and typical Portuguese: from fishes, salads, pasta to shellfish, accomponied by Portuguese wines or fresh made juices and cocktails.

Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais, November 2019

Owned by locals

The restaurant is a family business, owned by locals. Couple Sonia and Abilio are the owners/waiters and in the kitchen is Rosa, preparing all the dishes with lots of love and care.
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Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais & delicious clams (amêijoas, 15 euro)
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Cascais is a famous & chic vacation spot, about 25 km from Lisbon by the Atlantic Ocean ( 30 minutes by train, 15-20 minutes by car). Great beaches, and a promenade that connects Cascais to Lisbon providing one of the most spectacular costal walks (or by bike) available.

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Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais

Restaurant Marítimo
Open every day from 9:00 am – 9:30 pm. Closed on Sunday. Instagram   website
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Restaurant Marítimo in Cascais & the owner’s lovely lazy dog 😉
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How to reach from Lisbon

Cascais is easy to reach from Lisbon by train: ‘Linha de Cascais’ (name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais) from Cais do Sodré, Lisbon’s major bus, metro, ferry and trainstation. Return ticket: cheap.

More about Cascais……..

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Cais do Sodré Lisbon station to Cascais, ferry to Cacilhas & Caparica beach

Cais do Sodré is Lisbon’s major bus, metro, trainstation ‘Linha de Cascais‘ , name of the train line joining Lisbon to Cascais and ferry terminal to Cacilhas , Seixal and Montijo .

Lisbon Cais do Sodre Railway station

Cais do Sodré railway station Lisbon to Cascais

Cais do Sodré railway station is serving westbound suburban route to f.i. Estoril, Belém and Cascais, and subway or bus for any spot in Lisbon. It is adjacent to the Lisbon Metro  station (website incl. network diagram & how to use the metro) of the same name which is the terminus for subway’s Green Line (Linha da Caravela).

Lisbon Cais do Sodre Duque da Terceira square

Statue Duque da Terceira, Cais do Sodré,  Praça do Duque da Terceira 

Cais do Sodré is situated in central Lisbon on the bank of Tagus River. Although the official name is Duque da Terceira Square, everybody knows it by Cais do Sodré. Duque da Terceira was a hero in the Peninsular War (1807-1814) that united Portugal, Great Britain and later Spain against Napoleon.

Ferry to Cacilhas, the river Tagus left bank

From here you can also take a ferry to river Tagus left bank to Cacilhas , for a walk along the river to the elevator of the famous Cristo Rei statue.

Lisbon Caiso do Sodre ferry Cacilhas people

Lisbon, ferry Cais do Sodré

Transtejo (and timetable) is the company responsible for the fluvial crossing of the Tagus River. People from the other side of the river have to cross it every day to work in Lisbon or in the environment. The company offers every 10 minutes a ferry to Cacilhas (Almada, district of Setubal), a return ticket cost 2.00-2.60 euro.

From Cacilhas you can take the bus to the beaches of Costa da Caparica (bus 135 or 124). Ticket €2.40, purchased from the driver.

Lisbon Cais do Sodre ferry view Christo Rei

Transtejo also offers the Tagus River Yellow Boat Tour

Wonderful views on downtown Lisbon!

Lisbon Cacilhas Ferry and fisherman

Ferry in Cacilhas, the other side of the river Tagus.

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From Rossio train-metro Station Lisbon to Pena Palace in Sintra/ Queluz Palace

Rossio train- and metro station (Estação do Rossio) is incredibly unique, located between Rossio and Restauradores in Lisbon.  The beautiful neo-manueline architecture was designed by architect José Luís Monteiro, completed in 1887.

Lisbon Rossio Station at night

Rossio train- and metro station Lisbon

The Neo-Manueline façade dominates the northwest side of the square and is a Romantic recreation of the exuberant Manueline style, typical of early 16th century in Portugal. Its most interesting features are the two intertwined horseshoe portals at the entrance, the watch in a small turret and the abundant sculptural decoration.

Rossio station, Largo do Duque de Cadaval, Lisbon World Cup Football 2010

Near the station you can have a drink at Largo do Duque de Cadaval, which is a really nice square full of open-air cafés.

Lisbon Rossio Station inside Train

Rossio train- and metro station Lisbon

Inside the station, the platform is connected by ramps to the façade level and is covered by a cast-iron structure.  The station is an important example of Romantic (façade) and Cast-iron (platform cover) architecture in Portugal.

Lisbon Station Rossio inside

Rossio train- and metro station Lisbon

Downstairs is Rossio’s metro station (green line). Metropolitano de Lisboa, Lisbon Metro official page (also in English), you’ll find a map with a network diagram and explanation of the metro lines.

Lisbon Rossio Station train to Sintra

Rossio train- and metro station Lisbon

Visit Sintra and Queluz, easy to reach by train from Rossio train- and metro station

The wonderful Rossio train- and metro station is a must see if you visit Lisbon.

If you like to visit Sintra, the famous World Heritage town and the Pena National Palace just outside Lisbon or the National Palace in Queluz, you can take the train here for a cheap price.

From Rossio Station to Sintra station

Sintra Station.

Trains to Sintra (and vice versa) leave every 15 minutes, a 45 minute trip. The access of trains to the Rossio station is made by a tunnel more than 2600 m long. This tunnel was escavated under the city and is considered one of the most important works of engineering of Portugal in the XIX century.

From Rossio Station Lisbon to Sintra station

Sintra Station

Besides: if you prefer to go by car to visit Sintra, the IC19 superhighway takes you directly from the city and it comes to an end at Sintra . Parking is possible, 10 minutes walk from the center of Sintra.

Sintra Palacio da Pena

The Pena National Palace, built by a noble man for his Portuguese wife

A one-day ticket (around 7 Euro) can be bought at Sintra station and will allow you to get on and off at all the main attractions, like f.i. Pena Palace and The Moorish Castle.

Sintra National Pena Palace July 2011. Picture: Maurits Benschop

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Metro Station Lisbon area Baixa-Chiado: free escalators & avoid hundreds of stairs

Metro Station Baixa-Chiado is a unique and impressive subway, opened in 1998, created by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.

Metro Station Baixa Chiado Rua do Crucifixo entrance

Metro station entrance Baixo-Chiado Lisbon, Rua do Crucifixo.

Metro station Baixo-Chiado is one of the most important transfer stations, and one of the most crowded of Lisbon.

Metro Station Baixa Chiado entrance tiles

Metro station Baixo-Chiado Lisbon

Beautiful white tiles are covering the station walls.

This metro station has an entrance in the Baixa city center as well as one at a much higher level in the Chiado district, linked by a series of escalators.

Metro Station Baixa Chiado escalator

Metro station Baixo-Chiado Lisbon

Instead of walking (hundreds of stairs from Baixa to Chiado), an alternative and free way is to use the escalators inside the metro station, reaching the Chiado district ca. 5 minutes later.

Of course, walking is also interesting…..  🙂

Metro Station Baixa Chiado metro lines

Metro station Baixo-Chiado Lisbon

The Lisbon Metro operates from 6h30 to 01.00. Tickets: cheap 🙂

Metropolitano de Lisboa : Lisbon Metro official page.

Metro Linha Azul (blue line) Metro Linha Amarela (yellow line) Metro Linha Verde (green line) and Metro Linha Vermelha (red line).

Also including a special section on subway art of Lisbon Metro stations with stunning examples of contemporary azulejos (Portugues tiles).

Metro Station Baixa Chiado escalators up to Chiado

Metro Station Baixa-Chiado

Escalators up to the Chiado district.

Metro station Largo do Chiado Pessoa

Cafe ‘A Brasileira’, Largo do Chiado, near the entrance of the Chiado metro station.

The bronze sculpture of Portugal’s famous writer and poet Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935),  is extremely popular. More…….

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Santa Apolónia, Lisbon’s International Train Station & Humberto Delgado

International trains arrive in Lisbon every day, mainly to Santa Apolónia Station and to the Gare do Oriente. Estação Santa Apolónia, opened on May 1st 1865, is the oldest railway terminus in Lisbon, situated in the city’s central part on the bank of the Tagus river in the historical district of Alfama.

Santa Apolonia Station Lisbon Alfama building

Santa Apolónia International Train/metro station Lisbon

The station is served by the national rail company CP (train timetables in English and online tickets, including the high-speed train Alfa Pendular) and operates different suburban, national- and international routes. The best thing to do is to reserve a ticket at least one day before your journey.  Alfa Pendular also connects the cities of Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Santarém, Albufeira and Faro, among others.

Lisbon Santa Apolonia train and metro station inside

Santa Apolónia International Train/metro station Lisbon

A taxi from this station shouldn’t cost more then € 5-10 into the city, luggage included. The taxidriver will charge you with for the luggage (if you have luggage that needs to be placed in the trunk of the car). The rates are 20% higher during nighttime, in the weekend and during holidays.

Santa Apolónia Station is a beautiful building. Inside you’ll find several small restaurants and shops.

Lisbon Santa Apolonia international train and metro Station train

Santa Apolónia International Train/metro station Lisbon

International destinations & central/northern Portugal

This station is Lisbon’s main departure point for international destinations and central/ northern Portugal. The other major railway hubs in Lisbon are Gare do Oriente, which is situated on the same track stretch 6,5 km northeast and Cais do Sodré (to Cascais and Estoril) , Rossio Train Station (runs to Sintra) and Entrecampos.

Santa Apolonia Station Salazar victims
 Humberto Delgado, General sem medo (the fearless general)
 In memory of Humberto Delgado, the fearless general

Mark of honour from the city of Lisbon to General Humberto Delgado and to all who fought for Portugal’s freedom during Salazar’s dictatorship (from 1932 to 1974).

Short tribute film (by Bruno de Almeida) to General Humberto Delgado in memory of his legendary arrival at Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia Station in 1958, where he was meet by Salazar‘s fascist police. How many people were killed is still a secret. The General and his Brazilian secretary, Arajaryr Moreiro de Campos, would be murdered on 13 February 1965, after being attracted to an ambush by the regime’s secret police (PIDE)

Lisbon Santa Apolonia Station metro

Santa Apolónia’s metro station

Santa Apolónia’s rail station is connected to the Lisbon Metro station of the same name (blue line, Linha Azul ).

Metropolitano de Lisboa, Lisbon Metro official page, webiste (also in English) including a map with a network diagram and explanation of the lines.

Lisbon metro station Praca do Comercio

Metro station Terreiro do Paço at Praça do Comércio near the Tagus River, opened in 2007. This square is one of the most beautiful in Europe! More and Lisboa Card info

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High-speed train Alfa Pendular from Lisbon Oriente station & online reservation

Station Oriente is a very beautiful and very famous station, the hub for the various networks of public transportation serving the eastern area of Lisbon, with a metro station, trains, buses, taxis and easy airport links.  The station was created by master architect Santiago Calatrava with a roof of glass and steel.

Oriente Station

Station Oriente. A ticket from Lisbon Oriente Station to Faro (or vice versa) cost about 19 euro.

Alfa Pendular train

The Alfa Pendular is a very comfortable, fast and luxury train.

Address station: Ed. Gare do Oriente, piso 1 – Av. D. João II. You can buy a ticket via internet, also from International station Santa Apolonia. The best thing to do is to reserve a ticket (and a chair number) from 30 days to at least one day before your journey.

Alfa Pendular connects the cities of Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Santarém, Lisbon, Albufeira and Faro, among others.

Website Alfa Pendular (online ticket reservation, from 30 days to at least one day before your journey.)

Aquaduct Lisbon

View from train Alfa Pendular

You can overlook the fine views (picture: Aquaduct in Lisbon) during the 3 -hours trip, or work: sockets for laptops are at many of the seats.

Public transport Alfa Pendular train view 25 April Bridge Lisbon downtowm

View from train Alfa Pendular : April 25 Bridge on Lisbon downtown

In the Alfa Pendular train there’s also a buffet car, mini bar, audio and video channels (ear-phones are distributed), toilets and special places reserved for reduced mobility passengers.

Alfa Pendular view Alcantara Lisbon

View from Alfa Pendular train

Alcantara Lisbon cruise port just beyond the April 25 bridge.

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Transfer from Lisbon airport Portela to the city, a hint & long term parking

taxi-lisbon-portugal-airportThere’s three ways of getting to the center of Lisbon from the Portela airport. A taxi is not necessarily more expensive then the bus connections. It depends on the number of persons you’re travelling with. Portela airport is located at about 7 kilometers from Lisbon’s city center, a ride to the city in normal traffic shouldn’t take longer then 15 minutes.

It is possible taxidrivers will try and charge more for the ride than the normal price. Make sure they switch on the meter. It is illegal for taxidrivers to charge more then the official rates in Portugal and there are penalties. So if you encounter a problem, make sure that you let them know that you might contact the police.

Hint about taking a taxi at the airport: if the queue is too long at the arrivals you just have to go upstairs to the departures area and take a taxi there.

Lisbon airport Portela tourist information center taxi voucher

Airport Portela Lisbon, Tourism information center – Arrival Hall.

Here you can buy a voucher for pre-paid taxi transfers to the city center with fixed prices. Each taxi carries up to 4 (or more) people, including all the luggage that can fit in the trunk.

If you travel by car: Long term parking information

A taxi to the center shouldn’t cost more then 12-14 euros, luggage included. The taxidriver will charge you for the luggage (if you have luggage that needs to be placed in the trunk of the car).

Buses

There’s a special bus (Carris Aerobus 91) that brings you to the city in about 20 min. From 07:00 to 23:00, costs € 3.50 one way or € 5.50 round trip. You can buy the ticket inside the bus, free use of the metro’s and other buses in the city during the same day is included. You can also take normal buslines, which are a bit cheaper. The buses 5, 22, 44, 45 and 83 will take you to areas in or around central Lisbon.

Metro (subway)

The (new in 2012) airport metro station is located just outside the arrivals and departures building. From 6 am to 1 am, it costs around 2 euro to Lisbon’s city center.

Map of all metro stations in Lisbon. The new aeroporto (airport) station: red line (linha vermelha).

Website metro Lisbon