Visiting Lisbon by motorhome

It’s late April and we’ve been touring Portugal for some weeks, making our way up the west coast from the Algarve. Visiting Lisbon by motorhome is hopefully going to be a success without too much difficulty, so here goes!

We’ve done a quick search for a place to stay a couple of nights and come up with what we think is the best option for us. This is a motorhome parking in a town across the water from Lisbon at Corroios near Almada. During our stay it’s free to park.

The motorhome parking is next to a park and when we arrive we find there’s only one space available. It’s a strange set up here, because part of the motorhome area is saved for resident storage, so although it initially looks a large parking, much of it isn’t available for visitors.

There’s a decent dump/fresh area which we’ll use before leaving. For now, we feel we just need to park up incase the only space is taken in the process!

How to get into Lisbon – Visiting Lisbon by motorhome

Instead of hanging around at the parking, we decide to go straight into Lisbon. How to get to Lisbon is another matter, but we soon fathom it out.

Walking to our left out of the motorhome parking takes us onto a dirt footpath beside a culvert. We then cross a footbridge and walk towards a swimming pool complex into a parking area. Then, it’s a short walk through a subway which brings us directly to the train station and metro.

After a bit of enquiring, we realise we have to take tram which is ‘Corroios 1 Blue Line’ at the metro and not the train station.

A ticket booth with staff in attendance is where we buy our tickets. These cost 85 cents each one way.

The tram leads directly to a ferry terminal at the end of the line at Cacilhas. Once we reach here, we have go to the ticket desk and ask for a return fare for the ferry.

It turns out to be all very simple, even for us!

The ferry at Cacilhas takes us across the Tagus River directly to the ferry terminal in Lisbon. It’s a great way to arrive in the capital and it’s reasonable too.

Exploring Lisbon

Unfortunately, is chilly and raining quite heavy, so our first impressions of Lisbon aren’t the best.

Nonetheless, we persevere, heading out of the ferry terminal and walking to the old centre and Alfama district.

Narrow streets of cobbles, numerous eateries and shops provide a quaint feel, while visitors shelter from the rain under tiny shop fronts.

Trams glide along the narrow hills and traffic is a little chaotic at times. Other modes of sightseeing include tuk tuk style scooters and electric old look cars, it seems anything goes adding to the buzz.

It becomes really busy, as cruise ship groups appear within the main sights. For us, it’s time for a break, finding a gorgeous pattiserie in the small, but elegant Pasa Sao Miguel. Its pastel green and pink theme is delightful, as are the Chai latte and Earl Grey, along with 3 tasty pastries we choose.

An unusal lift and taste of Ginjinha

The Baixa and Avenida districts flow into the Aflama area and we soon find ourselves merging between.

Long pedestrian streets, numerous churches and shops galore are on hand to keep us occupied. Blossom trees are looking their best on this spring day, lining avenues in glorious displays.

One rather unique feature we come across is an unusual metal street lift. This Elevator Santa Justa dates from 1902 and takes passengers from the lower to upper town. It costs €3 each on our visit but the queue is huge, so we give it a miss.

One thing we must try though is the local tipple, Ginjinha. This deep red cherry liquor turns out to be quite an attraction in itself. It turns out we quite like the taste and enjoy the ambience of the experience!

Timeout food hall

As the day goes by, our minds turn to the idea of food, by which time, we find ourselves at the entrance to the Timeout food hall. This bustling, food and drinks sensation is just fabulous. The vast stalls of immaculate hot and cold food displays along with numerous drinks on offer is a perfect place to end the day.

The only difficulty is choosing what to eat and drink, the choice is just too tempting. Eventually, we opt for a Thai dish, with wine and Sangria to wash it down. Finding a seat at one of the long benches is tricky, as this place is popular and packed! Squeezing into a space and grabbing a stool is one of those must stay put moments for fear of loosing our place.

The food is delicious, the atmosphere just as good, but it’s time to make our way back across the river to the camper.

The return ferry and tram is just as easy, thankfully there’s no getting lost today.

Driving into Lisbon – Visiting Lisbon by motorhome

The following morning, we’re unsure whether to take the tram and ferry again into Lisbon or risk driving in.

We opt for the latter and it turns out to be a great success. Driving over the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge resembles San Francisco’s Golden Gate, giving fine views over to the city and river below.

Thankfully there’s little traffic as we merge onto the waterfront at the Balem district of Lisbon. We didn’t reach here yesterday, but it looks amazing. There’s beautiful looking buildings and a smart promenade type area with parks, fountains and impressive appeal.

Even better, we actually park easily on a waterfront parking area and it’s free. This gives us an opportunity to set off on foot and explore with ease.

Exploring the Balem district

We’re so glad to be able to take a look here, as it turns out to be beautiful. First up though is the 52m high stone monument on the waterfront. This incredible carving depicts various explorers including Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator and is known as the ‘Monument to the Discoveries’.

Wonderful fountains with water displays and gardens of spring blooms entice us towards the impressive architecural extravaganza of the ornate Mosteiro dos Jeronimas. This vast complex with intense detailing to its facade is hard to take the eyes off.

It was built from funding from taxes on spices, gold and precious stones during the times of early exploration in the 16th century and its mesmerising.

Soon we come across the Palacio Nacional de Belem, the residence of the president of Portugal with a pale pink entrance where guards stand.

Before leaving, the time comes to try some rather famous Lisbon tarts of the custard variety – Pastel da Nata. We queue at a shop window for our treats, just one of the sellers offering these popular eats.

They don’t disappoint, we love a custard taste at the best of times, but there’s something about these local varieties that are simply a little special.

For us, with tired legs and feeling ready to drive on up the coast, we return to the camper. Taking to the road again through some extremely affluent areas on the outskirts of the city. Perhaps home to Lisbon’s wealthy, it’s a thoroughly expensive feel and great drive!