Daisy & Sebastian Wedding

Country: Portugal

City: Lisbon

Lisbon Airport code: LIS

The Lisbon airport is 10 minutes away from downtown Lisbon. A cab ride from the airport to the city center should cost no more than 10 Euros, with luggage fees.

TAP Air Portugal flies direct from six US cities to Lisbon. There are regular nonstop flights from Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK and EWR-Newark), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington, D.C. (DUL) to Lisbon.

From Toronto (YYZ), Munich (MUC), and Berlin (BER), TAP Portugal is also most likely your best option as they have direct flights to Lisbon year round.

If you have time and would love to explore other parts of Europe, we suggest you fly into one of the major city hubs (ie: Paris, London, Madrid, etc.) as they usually have cheap flights from most major cities. From there you can find a reasonable flight into Lisbon.

Travelling to Portugal is easy, but there are a few things you need to plan for.

1. You need a Passport!

2. Power outlets  are regular European ones  in Portugal. What does that mean? North American chargers won't work. You will want to buy an adapter before you leave.

3. Portugal uses the Euro. Just something to keep in mind when you're looking at prices online. You will find ATMs everywhere and credit and debit cards are accepted in most places.

4. Even though there is a big chance that Portugal is safer than where you are now, this doesn’t mean that you can just leave your wallet on the table or walk around with your backpack open, especially in tourist destinations. Watch out for pickpockets!

In September, the temperature is pretty mild with an average high of 27°C (80°F) and an average low of 18°C (64°F). Don't forget to pack your swimsuit and sunscreen for a day at the beach, and it might be wise to bring along an extra layer or light jacket for the cooler evenings.

The average day in Lisbon during September has 12.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise at 7:16 AM and sunset at 7:45 PM.

Bring your walking shoes! Lisbon is famous for its winding cobbled streets and steep hills. While some vertical hikes can leave you a bit winded, it is a small and highly walkable city.

Uber is available in Portugal and is a very cheap way of getting around. Download the Uber App and set up an account prior to booking an Uber.

One of Europe’s oldest and most colorful cities, Lisbon’s layout is as winding and varied as its storied past—which dates all the way back to 1200 BCE. Rocked by one of the most destructive earthquakes the world has ever seen, today Portugal’s capital shines with beauty in every tiled building and romantic palace. It’s a city of sprawling vistas, steep hills, and climbing cable cars, where the night air is filled with the beautiful music of heartbreak and the salt of the Tagus River and Atlantic Ocean.

THINGS TO SEE:

- Praça do Comércio

- Torre de Belém

- Monastério de Jeronimos

- Castelo de São Jorge

Where downtown Lisbon meets the ocean - take a walk down the waterfront, have a 1 Euro beer and feel the ocean breeze. Then walk through the Rua Augusta Arch where you will find streets lined with stores and restaurants to enjoy.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site - come learn about the significant role the tower played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries and take in the beautiful views of the Tagus River.

After taking a tour of the Tower of Belem, go visit this beautiful monastery located just steps away. Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was built to honor famed explorer Vasco De Gama. It is definitely worth the wait to get inside with gorgeous architecture build during the Age of Discoveries.

This is the famous castle in Lisbon built by 5th century Visigoths, expanded by the Moors, was a royal palace and a prison, and restored after the earthquake. You can take a cab or walk - the walk is so nice and there are a ton of shops to go to on the way. There are gardens to walk through (with wild peacocks) and there are great vantage point views of the city.

If you’re here for the city’s history, the oldest part of Lisbon is the Alfama district. Alfama is a joy to discover and is often best explored by simply getting lost within its labyrinth of alleys and side streets. Around every corner is a delightful plaza, a trendy café or an independent shop, with steep climbs rewarded by stunning panoramic views.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon. Take in the sights and history and be sure to keep an ear out for the achingly beautiful folk music known as Fado that fill the streets at night.

Most tourist-friendly neighborhood, liveliest and most central area where you can find Lisbon’s main landmarks, shopping, and dining opportunities. This is the real Lisbon downtown area.

Lisbon’s bohemian and alternative neighborhoods and the most central location. If you're in the mood to enjoy Lisbon nightlife, this is the neighborhood you want to be in. Filled with bars, restaurants, cafes, and hostels. This is where everyone hangs out on Saturdays. Whether you want dinner and a cocktail or to party at the club until 7AM, Bairro Alto has it all. PLUS, take the historic Lisbon trams.

Avenue da Liberdade runs through the heart of the city and offers easy access to restaurants, shops and sights as well as some of the best luxury hotels in Lisbon. Avenida da Liberdade ends at Praca do Comercio, a large harbor facing square and is the largest square in Lisbon. It is the Soho of Lisbon with lots of high-end stores for shopping.

Sintra - one of the most unique places in Portugal - is known for its green microclimate and fairytale castles and estates. The town is an ideal day-trip from Lisbon as it is an hour away by train or a 20 euro trip by Uber. You can wrap up a long day of sightseeing by grabbing a drink and a bite to eat in the charming town center.

Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle high atop the mountain are a MUST for any Lisbon/Portugal first timers!

Cascais lies just 30km west of Lisbon. Once a quaint fishing village and now a colourful, pretty and cosmopolitan holiday town with elegant pedestrianized streets, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars. The coastline surrounding Cascais offers a variety of beaches from family friendly with calm waters and soft sands to wild and rugged surfing beaches.

The magnificent famous sandy beach of Guincho is within easy reach. While Tamariz beach is best for those wanting to relax. Many of the beaches are within walking distance of the town centre while others can be easily reached using public transport or hiring a car.

Ericeira is part of the municipality of Mafra, and it is home to some of the country’s most beautifully gorgeous and important beaches for their historical and sporting significance.

Ericeira is a fishing town turned surfing destination with a relaxed daytime vibe and fun nightlife. It is the perfect day trip, only 40 minutes from Lisbon. Ericeira hasn’t truly been discovered by tourists and provides an authentic Portuguese experience.

Ericeira was declared a World Surfing Reserve back in 2011 and still remains the only place in Europe acknowledged by the organization. The best surf season is October!

You’ll find the best restaurants in a small square, called Jogo da Bola, surrounded by pastries stores and ice-cream places. Because this is a land of fishermen, don’t forget to try the seafood or the fresh fish. Sea urchins are a delicacy here.

Mafra is another nearby destination that shares the bus line with Ericeira. Head to the National Palace of Mafra. It is a monumental building in the Baroque style, where you will find what is considered to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world!

The official language is Portuguese. Even though Portuguese people generally have a good level of English, and you’re unlikely to have problems communicating, here's a list of useful Portuguese words and phrases.

Greetings

• Hello – Olá (oh-la)

exactly like the Spanish equivalent

• Goodbye – Tchau (chow) or Adeus (ah-day-oosh)

• Good morning – Bom dia (bone dee-uh)

• Good afternoon – Boa tarde (bo-uh tar-day)

• Good night – Boa noite (bo-uh noyt)

Pleasantries

• Please – Por favor (same as the Spanish “por favor”)

• Thank you

• For men: Obrigado (o-bree-god-oh)often shortened to “brigado”

• For women: Obrigada (o-bree-god-ah) – often shortened to “brigada”

• You’re welcome – De nada (dee na-duh) – often shortened to “nada”

• Sorry – Desculpa (day-shkool-puh) – if apologizing for something

• Excuse me – Licença (lee-sense-uh)

• Yes – Sim (seen)

• No – Não (now)

Inquiries

• “Do you speak English?” – “Fala inglês?” (fah-luh een-glaysh)

• “What time is it?” – “Que horas são?” (kay or-ahs ow)

• “Where is the bathroom?” - “Onde fica a banheiro?” (own-day fee-kuh ah bahn-

yair-oh)

• “How much does it cost?” – “Quanto custa?” (kwan-too koosh-tuh)