Language
Portuguese with a Lisboeta dialect. It’s a Romance language, so a knowledge of French, Spanish or Italian helps in deciphering the written word. Understanding the spoken word, however, is a different thing altogether. It’s a fiendishly difficult language to get to grips with, at least at the beginning.
English is now the second language and is taught in many Portuguese schools, but an attempt at the following phrases might be appreciated by the locals: sim/não (yes/no); por favor (please); olá (hello); adeus (goodbye); obrigado/obrigada (thank-you, spoken by a man/woman)
Currency And Tipping
The Portuguese use the Euro, made up of 100 cents. In restaurants, the locals will round up the food or drinks bill by a couple of Euros, but visitors are generally expected to pay a bit more. Tip 10% if the service was good and 5-10% in cabs if the driver has been helpful. Hotels often add a service charge, but maids and porters in more up-market places expect something in addition.
Safety
Portugal is still relatively crime-free, but petty misdemeanours and car thefts may occur in Lisbon. Common sense will guard against most eventualities: avoid parks, unlit backstreets and the areas around the station; never leave valuables or luggage of any kind in cars; don’t carry valuables or wear expensive-looking jewellery on the street; beware pickpockets in crowds, markets and on public transport.
Travel
Much of central Lisbon can easily be seen on foot, but if you do need to visit sights further afield, there are Lisbon’s famous rattling old trams (electricos), buses and an underground railway system, the Metro. Large ‘M’ signs indicate the entrance. Bus and tram tickets are interchangeable. They can be bought on board, but it’s cheaper if you buy them in advance from a kiosk. Cheaper still is a book of ten tickets. All tickets must be stamped and validated as you board. The discounted ten-ticket pass is also available for the Metro. Details of transport options on www.carris.pt/en/index.php?area=empresa_visao
Travel tip 1 - A passé turistico (tourist pass) is available for unlimited travel over either four or seven days on buses, trams, the Metro and elevadors (the elevators that save you the climb up some of Lisbon’s steep hills).
Travel tip 2 – The Lisboa Card, available online and in tourist offices in 24, 48 and 72 hour version, provides free access to most forms of public transportation, free entry to 27 sites, discounts to 47 sites and much more. www.europeancitycards.com
Weather
Lisbon offers a mild and temperate climate, with short winters and long hot summers with a maximum temperature of approximately 84F (28C). The warm afternoons are favourable for a nice walk by the river or for some people-watching in one of the many street cafés to be found all over the city. Rain can usually be experienced between December and March. Although temperatures may fall somewhat in the autumn and winter months, sunshine is almost always a constant feature. Temperatures rarely fall to freezing point, even during the coldest months of December and January. Because of its proximity to the sea, mist and drizzly rain can sometimes make Lisbon feel cooler than inland Portugal.
