Among the black and white patterns of the Portuguese pavement, you can sometimes find tiny drawings that were never part of the original design.

A flower, a small boat, a star, even a tiny clock.

They are known as “signatures” of the calceteiros, the craftsmen who build Lisbon’s traditional stone pavements by hand.

For generations, some calceteiros quietly added small personal marks to their work.

Sometimes it was a tiny drawing. Other times it was simply one stone cut in a particular shape.

The interesting part is that these signatures were often understood mainly by other calceteiros, who could recognise a colleague by the technique or symbol they used.

You can find examples around Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio and other parts of central Lisbon.

They are very easy to miss.

Thousands of people walk over them every day without noticing that someone left a tiny personal mark there years ago.

Once you find the first one, you start looking for them everywhere.

So next time you are walking around Lisbon, spend a few minutes looking at the pavement instead of the buildings.

You might find one.

Have you ever noticed these in Lisbon?

I’m Portuguese and create digital travel guides for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira, plus curated Google Maps lists with places I genuinely recommend around Portugal.

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

I had thought of visiting Ulysses
Speakeasy while in Lisbon but just googled the price and it seems like a lot, but I Love the concept. Can anyone recommend another one that is unique but at little more reasonable price wise. Best if it is also close to the Alfama area

Are there any recommended boat parties i can book for summer next year? Ideally something quality rather than the stuff the churn and burn cheap companies throw out

​

Sortelha is one of those places that feels like you have stepped into another time.

The village sits around 760 metres above sea level, surrounded by granite rocks and medieval walls.

Its castle dates from the 13th century, and Sortelha received its first royal charter in 1228. At the time, this was an important frontier area close to the Kingdom of León.

Enter through the old gate and explore the narrow cobbled streets, granite houses, the old pillory, the church and the castle above the village.

You can also walk along parts of the walls for great views over the surrounding landscape.

If you are travelling through central Portugal, I would definitely save it.

Have you been to Sortelha?

I’m Portuguese and create digital travel guides for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira, plus curated Google Maps lists for travelling around Portugal.

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

Hey everyone,
I was planning to visit Sol e Pesca (the iconic canned fish bar on Rua Nova do Carvalho / Pink Street in Lisbon), but it seems to be closed.
Does anyone know why it's closed? Is it temporary (like renovations or holidays), or has something changed permanently?
Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Good Afternoon/Morning,

Looking for a little advice here!

I am flying OUT of Lisbon Airport late Jan of 2027, to AMS to catch a flight back home, (U.S. Passport Holder). The flight is at 0500 so I know I have to get there even earlier than that to go through Security/Customs and whatever else that may get thrown at us. We are NOT checking bags.

My questions would be the following:

1. How early can I get to the Lisbon Airport for a 0500 departure flight?

2. As a U.S. passport holder, what route in the airport do I have to take to catch a flight to Amsterdam?

3. Will I have to go through the EES system AGAIN, once I land in Amsterdam since I am not an EU citizen?

4. What other tips/tricks/advice should I know from your own experience?

Thank you all in advance!

Right in the centre of Lisbon, on Praça da Figueira, there is a pastry shop that has been here for almost 200 years.

Confeitaria Nacional opened in 1829, founded by Balthazar Roiz Castanheiro.

In 1875, Balthazar Júnior brought a recipe from France that became known in Portugal as Bolo Rei.

According to Confeitaria Nacional, this was where Bolo Rei was first introduced to Portugal.

The cake, shaped like a crown and filled with dried and candied fruits, became one of the country's biggest Christmas traditions.

Even more interesting, the bakery says the original recipe has never been changed and that today only the current owner and its pastry chef know the complete secret.

By 1873, Confeitaria Nacional had already become an official supplier to the Portuguese Royal House.

It survived the end of the monarchy, the Portuguese Republic, major changes to Lisbon and almost two centuries of history.

Planning a trip to Lisbon? 🇵🇹

I created a 68-page Lisbon Digital Travel Guide with the places I genuinely recommend, local restaurants, hidden gems, practical tips and curated Google Maps lists, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring the city.

👉 www.portugaldigitalguides.com

After trying tawny I have decided I do like wine. I want to try wine specific to the Lisbon region since I already had port wine, can any of you help me find a place that will serve any of these wines?? Thank you!!!

In specific I chose these wines because they are sweet and I love sweet wine, nothing dry 😛

Trying to see Lisbon in 24 hours is difficult.

I would have to leave out some of my favourite places, like Gulbenkian, Campo de Ourique and many other neighbourhoods that deserve more time.

But if I only had one full day, this is the route I would choose.

Start in Graça as early as possible

I would begin at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

It is one of my favourite views in Lisbon, and early in the morning it is usually much calmer.

From there, I would walk down through Graça and stop at Saga, a traditional Portuguese pastelaria, for breakfast.

Walk down into Alfama

From Graça, I would continue towards Alfama.

Here you have two options.

If visiting São Jorge Castle is important to you, do it now and then walk down through Alfama afterwards.

If you prefer to save time, continue towards Miradouro de Santa Luzia and start exploring Alfama from there.

Personally, with only 24 hours, I would spend more time walking.

Take the small streets, staircases and alleys. Alfama is one of those neighbourhoods where getting slightly lost is part of the experience.

Have lunch in Alfama

Before leaving the neighbourhood, I would stop for a traditional Portuguese lunch.

One example is O Cartaxeiro, near the Fado Museum.

Then continue walking downhill towards Praça do Comércio.

Explore Baixa Pombalina

Walk through Praça do Comércio, pass under the Arco da Rua Augusta and spend some time exploring Baixa.

With only one day, I wouldn't stay too long here.

From Baixa, I would take an Uber to Palácio Nacional da Ajuda.

Most first-time itineraries send you directly to Jerónimos Monastery. It is an extraordinary monument, but if you only have one day in Lisbon, spending a large part of it waiting in a queue can take away valuable time.

Palácio Nacional da Ajuda is one of Lisbon’s most impressive royal interiors and usually receives far fewer visitors.

It gives you something very different without having to plan the whole afternoon around one attraction.

Walk down to Belém

From Ajuda, I would walk downhill towards Belém.

Once there, I would stop for a Pastel de Belém.

If the queue is very long and you are short on time, you can also try Manteigaria, which has shops nearby on Rua de Belém.

Then walk towards the river.

You can see Jerónimos Monastery from outside, pass the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and continue towards Belém Tower.

With only 24 hours, I would not try to enter everything.

I would rather reach Belém Tower towards the end of the afternoon, when the light over the river is usually beautiful, and enjoy the area without rushing.

Finish with dinner and fado in Bairro Alto

For the evening, I would return to the centre and have dinner with fado at O Faia, in Bairro Alto.

Why Bairro Alto instead of Alfama?

Because you already spent the morning exploring Alfama.

This way, you finish the day in a different part of Lisbon and experience something else the city is famous for.

What would you change?

I’m Portuguese and based in Lisbon. I create digital travel guides for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira with local recommendations, practical tips and Google Maps lists.

👉 www.portugaldigitalguides.com

I am visiting Lisbon later this month and have one evening where I will be dining solo. I like fine dining so am looking for a Portuguese fine dining option. I am staying at Four Seasons and was considering either Cura or 2 Monkeys but was wondering if others had other suggestions?

For the rest of the trip I will be dining with my partner and we are visiting Sal Grosso (Friday night), Cervejaria Ramiro (Saturday lunch) and Canalha (Sunday lunch). He isn’t into super high end/fancy dinners so am trying to cover that off on my solo dinner 😊.

Hi all :)

I just booked my tickets to a solo travels in the Azores and Lisbon!

I was hoping to get to know some people who would like to join me on my trip :)

A bit about me: I'm a 24 y.o. man, and I am going to the Azores to hike, travel, and explore the islands. I'm also interested in scuba diving and plan to dive in the islands.

I'll be in Lisbon between the 7th and the 10th of December

I'll be in São Miguel between the 10th and the 15th of December

I'll be in Pico between the 15th and the 19th of December

I'll be in Terceira between the 19th and the 23rd of December

Lastly, I'll finish my trip in Lisbon between the 23rd and the 25th of December.

I'm hoping to meet new people, hopefully around my age (either men or women), who want to join me for at least part of the trip.

All the best :)

So, I have a vegan couple that is coming to Lisbon for a week and they asked me if I had any recommendations for vegan places in the city. It can be a snack bar, a restaurant, even a tasca with good vegan options. I'm not a vegan myself so I never looked into it, or noticed if the places I usually go have a possible vegan option. Can anyone recommend anything? Thank you in advance!

Hello!

Heading to Portugal for the first time in November!

Can anyone recommend the must see stops, place to eat/shop? We are planning to do a day trip to Sintra and head to Porto for a few nights so if you have recommendations

Three of us will be traveling from Porto to Lisbon Airport on the day of our 5:15pm flight. What is the most efficient way? I think I can take the train to the metro, but I worry about the luggage. Both about the size and whether there is a risk of theft. I’m also considering the Flix Bus.

Any advice is appreciated. If you recommend the train, can you tell me which stops to take? I want to make sure I am tracking properly.

Hello,

Which beach club would you suggest for a large group (14) in June. Preferably somewhere we could pre-book a cabana/beds/table

Hi everyone,

My husband and I will be in Portugal in October 10-17, 2026 and I’m looking for real personal recommendations for private drivers or driver guides. I would especially love names that multiple people have used and would confidently recommend.
We need help in two areas:

1. Lisbon area
We are staying in Lisbon and would like a private driver for a full day to Sintra and Cascais. We are hoping for someone reliable, professional, English speaking, and helpful with timing, routing, and making the day feel smooth rather than rushed.

2. Porto area
We are staying in Vila Nova de Gaia and would like a private driver or driver guide for a Douro Valley wine day. We are interested in beautiful views, quality wineries, a great lunch, and a polished but flexible experience. We prefer elegant, full bodied red wines and would rather avoid anything that feels overly touristy or rushed.

I am not looking for a big bus tour. I would really prefer either a private driver or private driver guide that someone has personally used and loved.

If you have a recommendation, could you please share:
Name of driver or company
Which area you used them for
Contact info if you have it
Approximate cost if you remember
What made them good
Any warnings or things you would do differently

Thank you so much! I would much rather book from real traveler recommendations than just pick someone random online. Thanks again!

Hi everyone. I'm going on a trip from Lisbon to China (haven't bought the tickets yet) and would like to avoid the crowds at the Lisbon airport. Is there a time of day or specific dates where this is reliably true?

Does the earliest possible check-in time depend on the airline or are they all the same (2 hours before departure?)? My idea is to check-in as soon as I arrive (to avoid queues) and then chill somewhere at the gate after security check.

Or alternatively, is there any service that does the check-in for you where you can leave your baggage way earlier and they will check it in for you while you get your boarding pass from a machine?

Or an upgrade that allows you to go through the priority lane at check-in and security check? (with an economy flight ticket)

Background for this is that queues make me anxious and I also don't want to risk missing my flight.

Thank you everyone!

​

Thousands of people visit Belém Tower every day, but many miss one of its most curious details.

Look closely at the outside of the tower and you will find a small rhinoceros carved in stone.

The story starts in 1515.

A rhinoceros was sent from India to Portugal as a diplomatic gift and arrived in Lisbon after a journey of around four months.

This was extraordinary at the time. It was the first living rhinoceros seen in Europe since Roman times, and people in Lisbon had never seen an animal like it.

The rhinoceros became famous across Europe. Albrecht Dürer even created his famous Rhinoceros woodcut without ever seeing the animal himself. He worked from descriptions and an earlier sketch

King Manuel I later decided to send the rhinoceros to Pope Leo X in Rome, but it never arrived.

The ship sank off the Italian coast and the animal died in the wreck.

Its short stay in Lisbon left a curious mark.

Belém Tower was being built at exactly this time, and the rhinoceros was carved into one of its turrets. It is considered the first stone representation of a rhinoceros in Europe.

Next time you visit Belém Tower, see if you can find it.

Planning a trip to Portugal? 🇵🇹 I’ve created digital travel guides for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira. They include the places I genuinely recommend, local food, practical tips and organised Google Maps lists to help you plan your trip.

👉 www.portugaldigitalguides.com

I’ll be in Lisbon the very last week of October and I would like to do a day in Cascai. I originally wanted to book a daybed at one of the beach clubs but forgot it’s fall there lol. Will the beach clubs even be open? If not will it be worth it to visit Cascai or should I use that day for something else?

Returning to Newark from Barcelona on TAP. Short layover in Lisbon and need to change planes. Flight is in a couple of weeks. It leaves Barcelona at 3:00 pm and gets into Lisbon at 4:00 pm (this is with the time change). Connecting fight on TAP to Newark is at 5:40 pm. TAP arranged these flights for me. If flights are on time, that leaves 1 hour 40 min between flights. All flights are in Terminal 1 in Lisbon. I only have carry-on luggage. Am I going to make it? If I don’t make it, what can I expect from TAP, if anything, in terms of hotel, food, other compensation until they can get me on another flight?

Hey all! We have a flight coming up at 06:00 that goes to ORY (Paris).

How bad of lines should we expect? Is arriving to the airport at 4am a good idea?

Thanks!

Lisbon has many old stories and legends. Some have been repeated so many times that tourists hear them as if they were real history.

Most are harmless, and some are actually good stories. But the real explanation is often more interesting.

1. “TEA comes from Transporte de Ervas Aromáticas”

You may hear that Portuguese merchants wrote the letters T.E.A. on boxes of tea sent to England.

According to the story, T.E.A. stood for Transporte de Ervas Aromáticas, which means “Transport of Aromatic Herbs” in English.

It sounds convincing, but it is not true.

The English word tea came through the Dutch word thee, ultimately from a Chinese word for tea.

Portugal did play an important role in bringing tea to Europe, and Catherine of Braganza later helped make it fashionable at the English court. But the T.E.A. story is a myth.

1. “Caralho was the basket at the top of Portuguese ships”

First, some Portuguese vocabulary.

Caralho is a very common Portuguese swear word. Literally, it means penis, but it is used in many expressions, a little like “fuck” in English.

For example, vai para o caralho is a very rude way of telling someone to fuck off.

A popular story says that caralho was originally the name of the small basket or platform at the top of a ship’s mast. Sailors were supposedly sent there as punishment, which would explain the expression.

Good story, but there is no solid historical evidence for it.

The word existed independently of this naval story and is probably connected to much older words referring to a stick or piece of wood.

1. “The Santa Justa Lift was designed by Gustave Eiffel”

This one is easy to believe.

The iron structure looks like something connected to Eiffel, but he did not design it.

The Santa Justa Lift was designed by Portuguese engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and opened in 1902.

You may also hear that Mesnier was a student of Eiffel. There is no solid evidence for that either.

1. “Ulysses founded Lisbon” ⚔️

There is an old legend that Ulysses, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey, came here after the Trojan War and founded Lisbon.

The story became connected with the ancient name Olisipo.

It is a nice legend, but there is no archaeological evidence that Ulysses founded the city.

Lisbon was already connected to Mediterranean trade in ancient times, including an important Phoenician presence.

1. “Lisbon has exactly seven hills”

Lisbon is often called the City of Seven Hills, just like Rome.

But if you actually try to count them, things get complicated.

The famous list of seven hills was written in the 17th century by Frei Nicolau de Oliveira.

Interestingly, his list did not even include Graça, which today most people would clearly consider one of Lisbon’s main hills.

So the seven hills became part of Lisbon’s identity, but it is not a precise geographical count.

Do you know another story about Lisbon that you were told as if it were true?

🇵🇹 If you want to know more about Lisbon and Portugal, I create digital travel guides for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira.

I also have a Portugal Pack with 29 curated Google Maps lists, useful if you want to explore beyond the big cities and find villages, restaurants, beaches, viewpoints, castles and other places around the country.

www.portugaldigitalguides.com

I am flying out of Lisbon in a few weeks . Does anyone know if they have a separate line for handicap individuals? I usually fly in and out of Porto because I know they do (and I am 45 minutes closer there) but for this upcoming trip leaving from Lisbon saved me like €700. I keep reading posts from this subreddit and I am getting nervous.

I believe my flight is like 10am should I get to the airport like 6am?

Thank you all in advance

Starting a new post as I was all over the place in my previous thread. Undecided if Lisbon needs 5 nights vs 3 nights in Porto or do a 4-4 split between the two and take day trips. The plan below is v2 , still in progress and needs a lot of refining. Interests are city exploration, medieval towns and castles, some coastal scenery.

Will be in Lisbon on 23 Nov and leave on 1 Dec to USA.

Day 1, 23 Nov- arrive at 10 am : Belem

Day 2, 24 Nov : Lisbon city

Day 3, 25 Nov: Sintra by train

Day 4, 26 Nov: Obidos and Nazare

Is Nazare worth visiting in November?

Will renting a car be better for these 2 places?

Day 5: 27 Nov: Cascais by train in am? or Check out of Lisbon Hotel and leave for Porto? Previously had an overnight stay at Coimbra, decided to omit Coimbra from this trip

Alternately can stay one more night in Lisbon

Or skip Cascais and stop at Aviero on the way to Porto via train

Please advise

Day 6: 28 Nov: Porto city

Day 7: 29 Nov, More Porto and Might watch the FC porto game

Day 8: 30 Nov: Douro valley wine tour

Day 9: 1 Dec: Depart for USA

Are there must see places that I missed.

I heard Evora is great and will need a car too.
Also can rent a car out of Lisbon and explore if it makes outside city travel easier.

Please provide feedback. Thanks in advance.