Why you shouldn't pay for a picturesque view and speak Spanish: mistakes tourists make when visiting Lisbon
Lisbon's appeal to tourists is easy to understand. The Portuguese capital boasts incredible castles, charming streets, delicious food, a trendy music and art scene, and much more.
We asked people who live in Lisbon, both expats and natives, to share some of the mistakes they've seen, Huffpost writes. From misguided culinary techniques to serious communication problems, here are 13 common mistakes among tourists visiting Lisbon and some tips on how to avoid them in your travels.
Trying to communicate in Spanish
"Don't speak Spanish with the locals. They find it somewhat offensive and don't like being confused with Spain. It's a long story, but it's better if you make a terrible attempt at speaking Portuguese." - Stephanie Pons, founder of Lisbon Insiders.
"It's a big mistake to think that knowing Spanish will give you extra points in Portugal. In fact, most Portuguese people don't like being mistaken for Spaniards! (There is a certain friendly rivalry between the countries). English is by far the favorite language of the locals in communicating with tourists," - Marek Bron, travel blogger at Indie Traveller.
Wearing high-heeled shoes for walking
"Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes because you'll be walking up and down a lot. In addition, we have a special type of pavement called 'calçada Portuguesa', which consists of different types of stones placed together to create an image when viewed from above. It's stunning, but very hard to walk on!" - says Carol Batista, food critic and guide.
Buy "Pastéis De Nata" in the first store you see
"Don't assume that all pastéis de nata (our main dessert) are the same, and don't try them in the first shop you see. The Portuguese treat pastéis de nata as a national treasure, and we have our own must-try places to find the perfect dessert. In Lisbon, good options include the famous Pastéis de Belém and shops like Manteigaria or Aloma." - Batista.
Assume that the "couvert" is free
"Travelers should know that in most restaurants there must be a 'couvert' on the table. Usually, it's olives, bread, and maybe some tuna or sardine paste. These foods are not free, and travelers should be aware that if they eat even part of them, they will be charged for what they have eaten. Keep in mind that this can be anywhere from one to five euros, depending on how fancy the restaurant is and what kind of bill they brought with them!" - Ellis Dixon, co-founder of Atlas Lisboa.
Paying to see a beautiful view
"There's a place in the city center called the Elevador de Santa Justa that's quite popular for its beautiful views of Lisbon, and there's often a long line of people paying to go up this old elevator. But you can see this view for free," - says Alice Twinnard, content creator.
"Standing in a kilometer-long line to go up the Elevador de Santa Justa is, in my opinion, the biggest mistake a tourist can make in Lisbon. The elevator is charming and full of history, but the ride takes a few seconds and it's expensive. An alternative is to go up to Largo do Carmo. You can go up through the streets, the H&M escalators, or the Armazéns do Chiado elevators and find the upper entrance to the elevator - it is on the right side of the square. From there you will get the same Lisbon view for free. Bonus tip: have a drink in one of the bars there!" - Luli Monteleone, Digital Marketing Specialist.
The wrong way to say "Thank you"
"Many travelers who come to Portugal don't know that 'thank you' in Portuguese refers to the person who is speaking, not the person who is being addressed. Women say 'obrigada' and men say 'obrigado'. And for the love of all that is holy, do NOT say 'gracias'." - Dixon.
"It's a mistake not to use 'obrigado' when you ask for something. The Portuguese are simple but modest and talkative people. We know how to adapt to foreigners, but if you try to use at least one word from our language, we will definitely reward you with a sweet smile and make our day!" - Batista.
Dine in touristy places
"Travelers have a habit of going to the main tourist spots and looking for typical food there, which is a big mistake! Because it's just tourist food, not good and typical Portuguese food. You should always look for "tasca" - small and very typical restaurants." - Andre Nicolau Chaisa, content creator.
"I often notice tourists being lured to restaurants in Baixa, also known as the center of Lisbon, where waiters actively target them in this tourist area. These establishments are classic tourist traps - they are overpriced, serve poor quality food, and lack authenticity. Here's my advice: take the time to research your food options in advance and don't hesitate to explore little-known streets and alleys. This way you'll find hidden tascas that offer authentic Portuguese cuisine and a more genuine experience." - Britt Moore, writer, and cook.
Don't choose your transportation carefully
"Don't take the tram during rush hour." - Stephanie Pons, founder of Lisbon Insiders.
"Renting a car and not exploring the city center on foot is another mistake. Lisbon is a city that must be explored on foot to discover the old neighborhoods like Muraria, Alfama, Graça, Madragoa, etc. If you do it by car, you won't be able to discover the real gems that can only be reached on foot." - Batista.
Limiting the route to the main attractions
"When people visit Lisbon, they naturally focus more on its main attractions. While it is very important to visit sights like Lisbon Cathedral, Terreiro do Paço, or Oceanário, don't limit yourself to the most famous places because you will miss out on great viewpoints, sidewalks, restaurants and shops, tiled facades, or even the Lisbon Towers. Instead, I recommend that you do your research in advance and find out how much we have to offer, create your own itinerary in search of unique corners and experiences, visit places like Jardim da Estrela, the Museum of Royal Treasures, take a boat trip on the Tagus, get lost in the streets of the historic neighborhoods, have dinner at Casa de Fados. Allow yourself to plunge into the magic of Lisbon." - Paula Oliveira, Executive Director of Turismo de Lisboa.
Misunderstanding traditional food
"Don't eat sardines with a fork and knife. And don't eat pastéis de bacalhau with cooking cream, it's really awful." - Marie from Explorar Lisboa.
"It's a mistake to think that the super trendy shops with canned sardines in the city center are traditional. A plot twist: it's not! No Portuguese eats these canned sardines, and it has nothing to do with our culture. Another mistake is the assumption that cod pie with cheese is traditional... Portuguese people eat cod just like that - and it's delicious!" - Batista.
Thinking you can cover everything in a weekend
"Another mistake is to think that Lisbon is a place you can only go for a weekend. There's so much to see and do here that you won't be able to do it in a couple of days! You can spend many days exploring the old center of Lisbon, but there are also many great day trips nearby. You can watch dolphins in the Garden Estuary, see the incredible palaces and gardens of Sintra, and there are some fun beach towns just an hour away. For example, the surfer town of Ericeira or Sesimbra is a great place for kayaking and hiking along the coast." - Bron.
Come to a restaurant unprepared
"Don't go to dinner without making a reservation. Indeed, to avoid disappointment and queues, it is better to book tables in restaurants in advance." - Pons.
"Another mistake is not to exchange money. Lisbon is a modern city, but you'll find that many restaurants only accept cash to avoid paying more taxes." - Batista.
Don't take sunscreen with you
"Don't skip sunscreen in the summer. Lisbon is a 'city of light' and we have sun for most of the year. This sun may seem harmless, but if you don't pay attention or get used to it, it can leave red marks on your fair skin." - Batista.
