Portugal has never been viewed as an exciting European holiday destination until recently. Previously overshadowed by major players of European tourism such as France, Germany and Italy, Portugal – or rather its capital city, Lisbon – has had been a short detour for most tourists travelling in Spain. But Lisbon is now one of the hottest new destinations that offers a rich and varied history, lively nightlife and mostly sunny weather all-year round.
Sitting on seven hills, Lisbon is a treasure chest of historical monuments and grand plazas. To discover a city like Lisbon, you will invariably spend some amount of money on entrance fees to historical monuments, castles and museums, and on transportation to get to those sights. And in all likelihood, you will be spending two or three days maximum in Lisbon, covering as many places of interests as possible within those days before moving on to other destinations within the country.
*Also Read: Student Life and Fado in Coimbra
This means, you will be asking, what is the best possible way to visit many sights at an affordable cost? Consider the Lisboa Card.
What is the Lisboa Card?
The Lisboa Card is a travel card that provides the following:
- Free entry to Lisbon’s 28 museums, monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Free unlimited travel on bus, metro, tram, elevators and funiculars.
- Free travel by train to Sintra and Cascais
- Sintra-Rossio-Oriente line
- Cascais- Cais do Sodré line
- 10% to 50% discount on tourist/cultural attractions and services.
- 5% to 10% discount in various shops selling genuine Portuguese products.
- Complimentary tourist guidebook.
The Lisboa Card is essentially a 3-in-1 museum, transport and discount card.
Types of Lisboa Card
The Lisboa Card is available in 24, 48 or 72 consecutive hour options, and the costs for the respective travel cards are as follows:
- 24-hr Lisboa Card: €19
- 48-hr Lisboa Card: €32
- 72-hr Lisboa Card: €40
You may purchase the travel card based on the duration of your stay in Lisbon. The Lisboa Card is valid for a full calendar year after its purchase date but the duration of the card takes effect at the time when you start using the card (signed with the date and time).
For example, if you purchased the 48-hour travel card on 1st November 2017, the card is valid until 31st October 2018. However, once you use the card on the metro or at the museum on 3rd November (signed with the date and time), the card expires on 6th November 2017.
Lisboa Card can be purchased online or at the Lisboa Tourist Centre (Ask Me Lisboa) in the city centre (Praça do Comércio) or at Lisboa Airport.
What did I use Lisboa Card for?
I had the 72-hour Lisboa Card, and had used the card on my commute from my accommodation in the suburb Odivelas to the city centre – the commute was 20-30 minutes by metro.
Here are some of the sights that I had visited, some of which I enjoyed free access or a discounted fee with the card:
- Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (St Jerome Monastery) in Belém is known for their honey-coloured Manueline cloisters built of limestone with ornate arches, delicate carvings of leaves, vines and knots in turrets and columns. The monastery was constructed in extravagant architecture to celebrate the nautical successes achieved by Portuguese early navigators and explorers, namely, Vasco da Gama who set sail from Belém for distant shores of the Far East and the Orient with crusading zeal, and love and lust for gold and power. Navigators and sailors were said to have sought refuge and prayer in Mosteiro dos Jerónimos before they moved on with their voyage to the Far East.
*Related Post: Top Places to Visit in South Goa
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Situated on the western entrance of the monastery is a church in which you will find the tomb of Vasco da Gama. You can also view the church from the upper choir accessed from the monastery.
Entrance Fees: €10
Lisboa Card: Free (do look out for the separate queue for Lisboa Cardholders)
- Padraõ dos Descobrimentos
Padraõ dos Descobrimentos is a 52-metre high monument located opposite Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. This iconic monument was constructed and inaugurated in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death to commemorate the triumphs of Portuguese explorers during the 15th and 16th centuries.
On both sides of the monuments, you will find statues representing important figures from the Portuguese Age of Discovery, some of whom are Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Bartholomew Dias, Ferdinand Magellan, Alfonso de Albuquerque, St Francis Xavier and others.
At the foot of the monument is a mosaic of the world map, marking Portugal’s discoveries of ports in the Far East – my hometown Malacca in South-East Asia, and a few places in southern India where Vasco da Gama and his motley crew of sailors had first arrived in Calicut after sailing down from Portugal to India around Africa.
*Related Post: Portuguese Connection to Melaka (Malacca)
The Padraõ dos Descobrimentos monument has a viewing platform that offers panoramic views of the municipality of Belém and the Tagus River.
Entrance Fees to the viewing platform: €5
Lisboa Card: €3.50
Note: There is another historical site along the Tagus River in Belém – Torre de Belém or the Tower of St. Vincent. The tower was a fort and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. I chose not to go to the tower for there was a long queue that day (no separate queue for Lisboa Cardholders).
Entrance Fees: €6
Lisboa Card: Free
- Telecabine Lisboa (cable car) at Parque das Nações
Constructed for the 1998 Lisbon World Expo, Parque das Nações (Nations Park) is a redeveloped area on the Tagus River with green spaces, contemporary buildings and amenities such as parks and playgrounds, oceanarium, science centre, entertainment venue, cafes, restaurants, shopping mall and a cable car ride over the park with impressive views of the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the river.
Entrance Fees for cable car: One way €3.95, Return €5.90
Lisboa Card: 10% discount.
- Palace of Pena
Sintra is a picturesque town up in the hills of Serra de Sintra, and is a common destination for day-trippers from Lisbon. The town is known for their colourful and almost whimsical 19th century Portuguese Romanticism style of architecture especially its castles and palaces of which Palace of Pena was one of their finest examples, featuring harmonious blends of Manueline and Moorish elements in architecture and decorative styles.
Entrance Fees: €14 entry to the palace only; €7.50 entry to the palace terraces (exclude state rooms) and park.
Lisboa Card: 10% discount.
- National Palace of Sintra
Situated right in the heart of Sintra town, the National Palace of Sintra was formerly a Moorish palace but was taken over by the Portuguese Crown after Afonso Henriques conquered Lisbon and became the first King of Portugal in 1147. The Moorish links are quite evident in the decorative styles of the palace with the use of ceramic tiles (azulejos) and other glazed tiles with rich geometrical patterns.
Entrance Fees: €9
Lisboa Card: 10% discount
*Also Read: Sintra – Day Trip from Lisbon
Is it worth getting the Lisboa Card?
If you are a history buff and enjoy exploring museums, historical castles and palaces, it is worth the savings to get the Lisboa Card. Imagine not buying the travel card but pay for individual tickets to these historical sites – that’s a lot of money to be spent on entrance fees!
However, if you are planning to stay in the city centre and not keen on historical monuments, it is better do without the card for transportation costs of metro and tram are relatively cheap.
Having said that, Lisbon is so rich in history and heritage that it’s a shame to skip the city’s top attractions. For the full listing of free access, deals and discounts with Lisboa Card, you may click on the ‘Lisboa Card Guide’ here, and decide for yourself if it’s worth buying the travel card.
My 72-hour Lisboa Card was complimentary from Turismo de Lisboa. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
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*Linking with #Citytripping, #FarawayFiles.
I’d always wanted to go to Lisbon, and finally convinced my husband two years ago. We had the best time, and sincerely wished we’d had more time. Such a wonderful city!
Whoops! #farawayfiles
Lisbon is lovely, and so is the rest of Portugal though I had only visited 3 cities in total. Based on other blog posts, there are other hidden gems in Portugal, wish I had the chance to explore and visit those places.
We found the Lisboa Card really useful when we were in Lisbon. It saved us a lot of money and meant that we were able to visit more of the attractions because we wanted to get our money’s worth. Great round up of all the information here. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Thanks Clare 🙂 Even if my Lisboa Card was not sponsored by Tourism Lisbon, I would have bought the card anyway for I honestly feel it’s value-for-money especially for first-timers to Lisbon.
Lisbon is very beautiful and has been underrated. I loved Lisbon and travelling in trams and elevators. Lisboa card is totally worth it. We try and get the card in most of the cities, as it gives an access to Mueseums and travel/transport becomes easier.Enjoyed reading your post. Happy Travelling!!!!
Thanks so much, happy to know that you enjoyed my post 🙂 You have the right word to describe – underrated – I’m so glad that I had the chance to visit Lisbon before it gets too crowded with throngs of tourists like Western Europe.
I had Lisboa card for 72h and made a lot of use of it!:) #farawayfiles
Awesome Tanja! Lisboa Card is certainly handy and value -for-money for first-timers to Lisbon 🙂
I’m always trying to decide if the travel cards are worth it, but it definitely seems like you got your money’s worth on this. On another note, your photographs of the architectural details are lovely. I feel like the city has a blend of east and west elements, which would make it al the most interesting for me to visit! #citytripping
Thank you for your comment on my photos – the rich heritage in Lisbon is fascinating. Hope you get to travel to Portugal soon!
One of my favourite cities – and the cards can save so much money too. On my first visit, I went to pretty much the same places as you and saved a fortune, so it was really useful. The second visit had a lot less sightseeing and more hanging around but I think it still worked out with the travel and visit to Belem. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
I didn’t bother to get the city card for Porto because my time spent in Porto was mainly for food and wine 🙂 But Lisbon – yeah, there were a number of museums, castles, palaces that I wanted to visit, so the card came in handy.
This sounds like a good deal! I like that it gives you discounts in SIntra too. I can’t wait to visit Portugal. Hope I can do that soon. #citytripping
And I’m sure you will come up with fantastic itineraries on ways to discover Portugal 🙂
It’s great the Lisboa card contains so many options for site-seeing and transportation. My family recently traveled to Portugal and raved about it. I’m glad I learned about this card with all of its options in case I make a future visit! #citytripping
Good to hear that your family found the card useful – that’s great! Hope you get to travel to Portugal soon 🙂
Loved this post! So much helpful info. My boyfriend and I are heading to Lisbon in May so we’ll definitely look into the Lisboa Card. Cheers! 🙂 #citytripping
You’re welcome, glad that you found the post useful 🙂
We used the Lisboa Card when we visited last January. I agree, it can be very worthwhile but it’s a personal choice as to whether it’s worth the investment.
You were right not to bother queuing for the Torre de Belém. We did and were disappointed. It’s a beautiful building on the outside but there are more queues inside as you have to queue to go up the stairs to each level. I found it a little claustrophobic.
We didn’t get the chance to go to Sintra and I wish I’d made time for it now as it looks stunning. Will just have to go back next time!
#citytripping
A local Portuguese friend was with me in Belem and she advised not to bother with Torre de Belem. After reading your comment, I’m glad that I didn’t go! Yes, pls visit Sintra if you do come back to Portugal again 🙂
Interesting to hear a balanced view on this! I quite like these cards as I try to do as much historical and cultural stuff as possible on some trips – but for others, I just prefer to wander and explore so you’re right, sometimes it’s not needed. #citytripping
I agree, sometimes it’s not needed. I didn’t bother to get one in Porto as I had no intentions to visit some of the historical sites there – was more interested in food and wine 🙂
Definitely agree – we didn’t get a Porto one either. Food, drink and general chilling was more important. 🙂
Yes, I totally agree with you. Though since I am a culture freak and husband and I are frequent public transport users, this card was really worth the investment!
#CityTripping
Absolutely! 🙂
I visited Lisboa many, many years ago, but was there for work, so didn’t get to see all I wanted to, so need to go back. I always forget about the city cards. Could probably saved a lot of money on my travels… #citytripping
If it helps to save, let’s say, 50 bucks, why not? 😉
50 dollars here, 50 dollars there…
Definitely sounds like the Lisboa card is worth it when visiting so many of the main attractions! Will keep that in mind should we visit soon!! #CityTripping
If you enjoy history and heritage, then it might be worthwhile to purchase the Lisboa Card 🙂
This is a useful guide as to whether it is worth buying the card – I’m visiting Lisbon later in the year so I will have to do the maths! #citytripping
Yeah, have a think first in terms of what you plan to do/see in Lisbon and do some comparisons to see if it’s worthwhile buying the card.
I have a couple of friends who have recently visited Portugal. It was never on my bucket list but your pics are great! And now, the wines keep popping up in my wine magazines as quite good. Hmmm . . .
Portugal was never on my bucket list too but I have a Malaysian friend living in Lisbon and she has been asking me to visit her for many years. I finally made that decision early this year 🙂 Wine in Portugal is superb for sure!