Belem/Lisbon Port Call Help

[dogs4fun]

Is it easy to get from the Praca do Comercio to Belem and approximately how long would it take and on which tram, assuming one tram goes right through. :confused:

You can catch 15E from Praca do Comercio to Belem ... goes all the way through. It takes about 25 mins. to reach Belem & there are 14 stops between Praca & Belem. You can check-out the times (and stops) on the Carris site:

http://www.carris.pt/en/tram/15E/ascendente/

You won't have any problems ... it is EASY to use the tram. :) We traveled the opposite direction as you will (we went from Belem to Praca do Comercio after visiting Belem).

[hkto]

Just watch for pickpockets on 15E & 28 (Alfama) trams.

[groovechick]

If by the picturesque district you mean the Alfama (medieval, narrow streets, tiled buildings) it really isn't far to walk from Praca do Comercio at all. If you start walking up Rua Augusta and then branch off into the side streets to the right, you're there, although some of the streets are a bit steep. Unfortunately it's no longer as picturesque as it once was (IMHO) - visited 20 years ago and it was gorgeous. Now it looked tired, dirty and run down and a lot of the tiled buildings have been allowed to become very dilapidated. Also the whole area seemed to have turned into a public toilet - there wasn't a street that didn't smell vile. I was so looking forward to showing it to my children...

[cboyle]

Is it easy to get from the Praca do Comercio to Belem and approximately how long would it take and on which tram, assuming one tram goes right through. :confused:

Use tram 15E. The routes are right here: http://www.carris.pt/en/buslines/

[Essexlass2]

If by the picturesque district you mean the Alfama (medieval, narrow streets, tiled buildings) it really isn't far to walk from Praca do Comercio at all. If you start walking up Rua Augusta and then branch off into the side streets to the right, you're there, although some of the streets are a bit steep. Unfortunately it's no longer as picturesque as it once was (IMHO) - visited 20 years ago and it was gorgeous. Now it looked tired, dirty and run down and a lot of the tiled buildings have been allowed to become very dilapidated. Also the whole area seemed to have turned into a public toilet - there wasn't a street that didn't smell vile. I was so looking forward to showing it to my children...

 

Mmm, I think you've made our decision about whether or not to take tram 28 a whole lot easier, thanks Groovechick :)

[groovechick]

You're welcome! Actually I was worried I'd been a bit jaundiced, but I've since looked at the photos I took, and I'm afraid my assessment remains the same.

 

We also stopped at 4 ports in Spain on the cruise, and although Spain has been hit equally hard by the economic/financial crisis, everywhere was spotlessly clean. When we visited Cadiz - and walked extensively - on a Sunday morning even the smallest side street was being hosed down by the cleaning crews. For part of the walk we also followed a youngish man walking a little dog. He may have let it relieve itself at every corner, but at least he had a spray bottle of disinfectant in his hand and religiously sprayed every puddle! lol :D

[Pet Nit Noy]

We will come into Lisbon on the Ryndam. My husband isn't the best walker. I thought it would be best for us to take a taxi to the Belem Coach museum and walk to the Pasteis de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. Will it be easy for us to find a taxi to return to the ship?

 

We just took a wonderful cruise that including a port call in Lisbon. In fact, I'm the poster who started this thread although I've changed my user name since my first post. Here's the information you asked about.

 

We docked at the Jardin do Tabaci port which is not the one for which all the tram information has been provided. This post may be useful for other cruisers who find themselves at the Tobaci port.

 

Rather than the typical help desk set up in the cruise terminal, the city of Lisbon provided an expert on board our ship. When I asked the expert about taking the tram to Belem from our pier, the options resulted in our taking a taxi. In particular, when we were told the price of a taxi ride (somewhat under 5 Euros), we decided that was the best option. We were happy to discover that the predicted price was the actual price both coming and going.

 

How easy it is to get a taxi back to the port depends on where you are when you need to go back to the ship. If you end at the Monastery, you only need to cross the street and there is a large taxi queue waiting in the park.

 

The Discovery Monument is reasonably close -- on the other side of road and through the large park -- so if your husband can walk that distance, you could end at the monument and head to the monastery taxi queue. I didn't get the same sense taxis were available at the Tower of Belem, but someone else may have more information.

 

We didn't visit the Coach museum so I can't be useful on that topic.

 

From Jardin do Tobaci port: To take Tram 15, we would have to take the ship-provided shuttle into the center of the city and pick up the public tram to ride to Belem. Between waits for the shuttle and tram and the rides combined, that would have involved about an hour to travel the 5 miles north to Belem. Another option would have been to take a bus which runs past the port and has stops right in front of the monastery (and the pastry shop) While that sounded appealing, the bus takes an inland route through much of its route, adding time.

 

Some details:

 

o If you are planning on trying the famous pastries of Belem, make that your first stop of the day. The 9:15 AM crowd was considerably smaller; when we left the Belem area in the early afternoon, the line was stretching at well over a block. In contrast, we were able to walk right up to the counter and buy a slightly-warm-from-the-oven pastry. These are tiny -- no more than 2 1/5 inches in diameter -- so you might debate buying more than one per person. Resist the temptation since they are sinfully rich. But definitely try one!

 

o After eating our pastry sitting on a park bench, we walked to the Discovery Monument. The most challenging part of that walk for someone for mobility issues is likely going to be the tunnel that passes under another major road that includes tram tracks.

 

o We next walked to the Belem Tower, a distance of less than 1/2 a mile. That's the structure that is surrounded by a considerable amount of scaffolding. However, the Tower is open and people were visible on all levels. While we were looking at the outside, we noticed how slowly the line moved to enter the place. We chose not to go inside so I can't really comment in it for visitors with mobility issues. I can say that it is a reasonably low tower as towers go. Definitely lower than the Hercules Tower in La Coruna.

 

o We walked back to the Jeronimos Monastery and toured there. Hint: The line to enter can be very, very long. If you're with someone with mobility issues, walk alongside the line on the left and turn left into what looks like a fairly ignored entrance desk. This is the entrance for a museum -- not the monastery. An employee told us to wait while she alerted her colleagues at the monastery. She, then, escorted us past the long line and we bought our tickets. (My husband has limited vision and walks with a white cane. We've discovered that many people think his cane is a walking stick for mobility problems and we sometimes luck into this sort of courtesy. He can't see, but frankly he can stand in line and walk with the best of us.) The best part of the visit to the monastery was the cloister. Absolutely gorgeous!

 

Lisbon is a very hilly town and visitors with mobility issues should be cautious about making plans. What looks close on a two-dimensional map has no relationship to the physical challenge considering the up and down terrain. Belem is right along the river and it is very flat, although I can't say whether my description applies to the coach museum.

[2ptu/000]

Thanks Pet Nit Noy very helpful.

[Tampa Girl]

You can use this link to check where your ship will be docking in Lisbon.

http://www.portodelisboa.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_PORTO_LISBOA_ING/CRUZEIROS/CRUISE_TERMINALS

 

We were on Azura at the start of August, and docked at the Jardim do Tabaco, which is absolutely brilliant for the centre of town/shops and Alfama, being a 5-10 minute level walk to Praca do Comercio and the Rua Augusta Arch. You can see the arch and building façade from the berth. Unfortunately, as we were there on a Monday, most things were closed apart from the Castle and Cathedral. I know the attractions at Belem are closed then.

 

 

How does one use this site? It looks like you need to sign in to get the necessary information

[Cornishpastyman1]

Thanks Pet Nit Noy very helpful.

In case it helps, this shows the proximity of the Monastery, Discoveries Monument and Belem Tower to each other

The Discoveries Monument has an elevator but there are a few steps up to the viewing point. All the best, Tony

[dogs4fun]

How does one use this site? It looks like you need to sign in to get the necessary information

You don't need to sign in. Here is the link for the info regarding where your ship will dock:

http://www.portodelisboa.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_PORTO_LISBOA_ING/CRUZEIROS/PREVISAO_NAVIOS_CRUZEIRO

[cboyle]

How does one use this site? It looks like you need to sign in to get the necessary information

You need to click on the "Expected Arrivals" link in the right-hand sidebar. Then enter the ETA date range in the pop-up window. Be aware that the information is not always complete.

[aquilegia]

In case it helps, this shows the proximity of the Monastery, Discoveries Monument and Belem Tower to each other

The Discoveries Monument has an elevator but there are a few steps up to the viewing point. All the best, Tony

 

Thanks for the link! That's a really helpful video.

[Cornishpastyman1]

Thanks for the link! That's a really helpful video.

Thanks - here's a couple more from earlier in the day - this one shows, among other things, us riding the famous 28 tram

and here we are at Castelo de Sao Jorge

[etsdas]

1) Tram stop is opposite port on Av 24 de Juhlo.

2) Correct - enter underpass on Av. Brasilia.

3) No - newsstand is on corner of Av 24 de Juhlo .

4) Yes - €6 for all day pass

 

When you come out of the Alcântara terminal walk straight ahead (with park on left) to Av. Brasilia. You'll see the underpass entrance ... Go down & all the way through the tunnel to the other end. There will be stairs to your right, and stairs and escalator to your left. Take the stairs or escalator to your left

As you exit the tunnel, and without crossing any streets, continue down this pedestrian boulevard. After about 220 yard, just before you come to the a cross street (24 de Juhlo), you will see the newsstand on your left.

 

I have the exact walking route from the terminal to the tram stop on the map I created. It shows where you enter & exit the underpass & the walking route down the ped path to the newsstand. If you would like the link, feel free to email.

 

Thanks for the offer. I would also like the link. I clicked on the "email to..." but am not sure how that works - it showed us having a closed email address.

Correct: edschultz11 (at) gmail (d0t) com

 

By the way, does doing email addresses this way really make it more secure? Or, probably more correctly, does writing the exact email addy cause problems?

[shemp2000]

Pasteis de Belem

:D

[Onelung]

Maps links have been sent to all who requested them ... check your emails. :)

Remember that on Google maps, you can "zoom in" and "zoom out" & toggle between "satellite view" and "map view". You can also use "street view" on the Lisbon map by dropping the little yellow man somewhere along your route ... very useful tool.

 

If this post is still active I'd appreciate this information:

 

frances.stone@hotmail.co.uk

 

Thanks

[webecruzin2]

Just a heads up....Be aware of pick pockets and unscrupulous taxi drivers. We ended our TA last year in Lisbon and other than the long line to get into customs and the loooonnng line to get a taxi (total 2 1/2 hrs) we had a great time wandering around the city.

Of course that was after the taxi driver from the port ripped us off and tried to drop us off on a side street in the city and leave with our luggage.

And after we spent 2 hrs. in the Tourist Police Station (yes, they have a police station just for tourists) filling out a report on him.

Then a woman tried to take my wallet at an ATM right next to the police station.

According to the police, crime on tourists is up due to the bad economy. We saw 3 other people from our cruise ship filling out reports in that police station that day.

Other than that we loved Lisbon.

Lisbon is a beautiful city, great food and 99.9% of the people are lovely.

Like I said, just a heads up.

[roothy123]

Yes, I've read that pickpockets, especially on the trams frequented by tourists (15, 28, etc.) are really aggressive and skillful. They work in teams and a LOT of precaution should be taken. I've read about them not just on Cruise Critic but other sites (Virtual Tourist and Trip Advisor) as well. So, good idea, webecruzen, to warn about them. As to the taxis, I haven't taken one yet, so can't comment. However, perhaps there are a few transfer/car companies in Lisbon that can provide rides from the airport to a hotel so you don't have to worry about being cheated. That's one thing I was going to look for next....

 

Frances, not sure if I can help on the map requested from this old thread, but just wanted to mention that one excellent source I've found for maps is an app called OSM and. You can download a bunch of maps for free onto a computer, Kindle, tablet, etc. and don't have to be on the internet to view them. They are very detailed for Lisbon and I am very happy to have found them. If interested, go to Toms Port Guides on the internet and look in the Travel Tips section. Guy who writes the guides is Tom Sheridan and I believe you just run that title together, add dot com, and you'll find them. He has a Lisbon guide that's helpful.

 

Of course, given the problems with thefts against tourists in Lisbon, I would NOT take out a tablet while waiting for a tram or in any other area where bad people may be lurking.

 

One excellent source for maps and getting an idea of your surroundings is Google Earth - not google street views but Google Earth. You have to download the program and then you can pull up great maps, streetviews, etc. Of course, you would need to have a computer for this - probably wouldn't work on a smartphone or tablet or reader.

 

Lisbon port site shows ships in port, but they only post schedules about a month or a bit more in advance. I've noticed that 3/4ths of cruise ships dock around Santa Apolonia, which is a little NE of Alfama. There's good public transportation there. I've heard that the taxis by the port can be unscrupulous - charge more than if you get one elsewhere. Also, no tipping needed in Lisbon, or if you do, just a euro at most.

[roothy123]

Oh, and if you're interested in Belem, Pocket Rough Guide to Lisbon has a map that shows the two underpasses that go across the highway to the discoveries monument and torre de belem. It looks pretty easy to find them and do it...maybe you can google the book and find the page on Amazon or something. Also, it's possible the OSM map will show them. Those seem to show quite a bit of detail.

[roothy123]

delete - posted twice by mistake

Edited August 5, 2014 by roothy123

[Onelung]

Many thanks guys

 

I have now got the info from Dogs4fun - thank you.

 

Thanks for the comments about pickpockets - unfortunately this is a fact of life in all cities these days. I am always very careful about such things and never take credit cards off the ship. I only take a small amount of local currency to cover the things we need that day i.e. drinks, entrance fees etc. I will, however, be extra vigilant on the tram!

 

Frances

[Dom Peres]

Lisbon is only partially hilly and in many parts the city is flat.

 

In my opinion, the main reason about the crime on tourists is not because of the bad economy but probably because tourists forget most of the times that Lisbon is just any other capital city, in certain aspects.

 

You don't need to be extra vigilant on trams, just take the necessary precautions. Warning: The yellow trams in Lisbon are not tourist trams! Those are everyday transports so anybody can take them to go to school\work or whatever. You don't take a public transport with your wallet opened up, right?

 

The proper tourist trams in Lisbon are the red one (Hills tramcar tour) and the new green one (Castle tram tour) and the double deck buses.

[roothy123]

Just got back from our trip. Loved Belem and Lisbon, but sorry to report that the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrao) is STILL being worked on and much of it is under scaffolding and wraps. I had to take a picture of one small part of it - sigh!

[Dom Peres]

Reading this thread quickly made me realize that the typical mistake done by tourists probably is around, i think. So...

 

Listen, Belem is Lisbon. When you are in Belém you are still in the city of Lisbon.

 

Don't get fooled by taxi drivers (if they try to change to other fares numbers like suburbans you are being robbed - i'm not saying they do this, i'm just making a warning), or pay anything different from\to the city centre for transports you are being robbed too.

 

All fares within the city of Lisbon are the same! Only the type of transport have their own fare system, but they don't change when in the city. You only pay the time\distance.