Lisbon’s enchantment to vacationers is straightforward to grasp. The Portuguese capital boasts unimaginable castles, charming streets, scrumptious meals, a hip music and artwork scene and a lot extra.

However as with every place that has a big tourism trade, the locals are usually not shy to level out the errors that guests to the Metropolis of Seven Hills usually make throughout their stays. We requested individuals who reside in Lisbon, each expats and natives, to share a few of the fake pas they’ve noticed.

From misguided culinary strikes to main communication points, listed below are 13 widespread blunders amongst vacationers visiting Lisbon ― and a few recommendation for avoiding them in your travels.

“Don’t communicate Spanish to the locals. They discover it considerably offensive and don’t prefer to be confused with Spain. It’s an extended story, however it’s higher should you make a horrible try to talk Portuguese.” ― Stéphanie Pons, founding father of Lisbon Insiders

“A giant mistake is to imagine that talking Spanish will earn you brownie factors in Portugal. In truth, most Portuguese don’t prefer to be mistaken for Spanish! (There’s fairly a little bit of pleasant rivalry between the international locations). English is by far the popular language by locals when talking with vacationers. I as soon as stood in line at a museum ticket sales space behind a Dutch vacationer who saved talking in Spanish, to which the workers member simply repeated ‘no, I don’t perceive you’ in Portuguese. Although I think he knew completely effectively what the query was, I feel he merely refused to reply!” ― Marek Bron, journey blogger at Marvellous Madeira

“Ladies, depart your excessive heels at dwelling! Lisbon is called the Metropolis of Seven Hills, so be certain to convey some comfy footwear as a result of you’ll stroll up and down rather a lot. Additionally, we’ve got a specific type of ground, which is known as ‘calçada Portuguesa,’ which consists of various stone varieties positioned collectively to attract a picture when seen from above. It’s gorgeous however makes it tremendous arduous to stroll on!” ― Carol Batista, meals critic and tour information

“A standard mistake I usually witness is the underestimation of the cobblestone pavements right here, often called calçada Portuguesa. Regardless of sporting strolling sneakers or sandals, many individuals nonetheless discover the pavement slippery. Personally, I at all times be certain that my flat footwear, together with my Keds, have outer sole grips for added traction.” ― Britt Moore, author and cook dinner

“Don’t assume that every one ‘pastéis de nata’ (our predominant dessert) are the identical and take a look at it within the first retailer you discover. Portuguese deal with the pastéis de nata as nationwide patrimony, and we’ve got our must-go locations for the proper one. Good choices in Lisbon are the well-known Pastéis de Belém and shops like Manteigaria or Aloma.” ― Batista.

“There are additionally many individuals who search for pastéis de nata in supermarkets and avenue shops, however one of the best ones are bought in shops that solely make pastéis de nata. They’re one of the best.” ― André Nicolau Chaíça, content material creator

“Vacationers needs to be conscious that it’s anticipated for there to be a ‘couvert’ positioned on the desk at most eating places. Often, that is comprised of olives, bread and maybe some tuna or sardine pâté. These things are usually not free, and vacationers needs to be conscious that if consumed even partially, they are going to be charged for the gadgets eaten. Remember this may add up from anyplace from a euro to 5, relying on how fancy the restaurant is and what couvert they’re bringing. It’s value mentioning that these couverts are typically scrumptious and an effective way to develop your love of olives and the totally different home marinades yow will discover them in, so I discover them to be effectively value it. Simply strive to not get all snippy while you get the invoice. You ate it, in spite of everything!” ― Ellis Dixon, co-founder of Atlas Lisboa

“There’s this place downtown referred to as Elevador de Santa Justa, which is kind of widespread for its lovely views of Lisbon, and there’s usually an extended line of folks that pay to go up that historic elevator. Effectively, you possibly can have principally the identical expertise without cost should you go up instantly via its higher walkway, through Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church). There’s a avenue on the precise aspect of the church (Travessa D. Pedro de Menezes) that results in the TOPO Chiado bar and restaurant and likewise the Bellalisa Elevador restaurant. There are some small stairs that, should you go up, result in this final restaurant (not TOPO, these go down), and also you’ll be proper on this higher walkway of the Elevador de Santa Justa, without cost! The view is similar.” ― Alice Trewinnard, content material creator

“Going through the kilometric queue to go up the Elevador de Santa Justa I feel is the largest mistake a vacationer could make in Lisbon. The elevator is charming and filled with historical past, however the climb lasts a couple of seconds along with being costly. The choice is to go as much as Largo do Carmo. You possibly can go up via the streets, via the escalators of H&M or the elevators of Armazéns do Chiado and search for the higher entrance of the elevator ― it’s on the precise aspect of the sq.. From there, you’ll get the identical Lisbon surroundings completely without cost. Bonus tip: Have a drink in one of many bars there!” ― Luli Monteleone, digital advertising and marketing specialist

“Many vacationers who come to Portugal are usually not conscious that ‘thanks’ in Portuguese is said to the speaker and never the one spoken to. Ladies say ‘obrigada’ and males say ‘obrigado.’ And for the love of all issues holy, do NOT say ‘gracias.’” ― Dixon

“Not utilizing ‘obrigado’ while you ask for one thing is a mistake. Portuguese are easy however humble and talkative individuals. We all know methods to adapt to foreigners, however should you attempt to use no less than one phrase from our language we are going to for positive reward you with a pleasant smile and make our day!” ― Batista

“Saying ‘gracias’ is unquestionably a no-no. You possibly can merely say ‘thanks,’ or if you wish to use Portuguese, this might be ‘obrigado’ should you’re a person or ‘obrigada’ should you’re a lady.” ― Bron

“Vacationers have a behavior of strolling round the principle vacationer areas and searching for typical meals in these areas, which is a giant mistake! As a result of it’s simply vacationer meals, and never good and typical Portuguese meals. You at all times must search for ‘tascas’ ― small and really typical eating places.” ― Chaíça

“I usually discover vacationers being lured into eating places in Baixa, also referred to as downtown Lisbon, the place servers actively goal them on this touristy space. These institutions are basic vacationer traps ― they cost exorbitant costs, serve low-quality meals and lack authenticity. Right here’s my recommendation: Take the time to analysis eating choices prematurely and don’t hesitate to discover the lesser-known streets and alleys. By doing so, you’ll discover hidden tascas that provide real Portuguese delicacies and a extra genuine expertise. Belief your instincts: If a spot feels touristy and gimmicky, it in all probability is.” ― Moore

“Don’t be shy on the subject of pushing the door of a conventional tasca. It is likely to be intimidating strolling into a spot which feels very native, however that is the place you’ll uncover the true DNA of Portuguese delicacies. Though the welcome is likely to be a bit chilly at first, you’ll in all probability depart with a brand new Portuguese good friend. Our favourite tascas are Imperial de Campo de Ourique, Das Flores and Zé da Mouraria.” ― Pons

“Those that wish to experience the streetcar often pay the worth of the journey when shopping for a metro card is cheaper.” ― Chaíça

“Don’t take the tram at peak instances.” ― Pons

“Renting a automotive and never exploring town middle on foot is one other mistake. Lisbon is an absolute must-walk metropolis as a way to uncover the outdated neighborhoods like Mouraria, Alfama, Graça, Madragoa, and so on. Doing all by automotive will make it unattainable so that you can uncover true gems solely reachable by foot.” ― Batista

“Vacationers depart their electrical scooters scattered throughout city. That is harmful. They usually litter town with beer glasses all over the place.” ― Mari of Explorar Lisboa

“When individuals go to Lisbon, they naturally are likely to focus extra on its predominant points of interest. Whereas it’s crucial to go to sights comparable to Lisbon’s Cathedral, Terreiro do Paço or Oceanário, don’t restrict your self to essentially the most well-known locations since you’ll miss out on nice viewpoints, sidewalks, eating places and shops, tiled facades and even the Lisboetas. As a substitute, I like to recommend that you simply perform a little research beforehand and learn how a lot we’ve got to supply, create your individual itinerary seeking distinctive corners and experiences, go to locations like Jardim da Estrela, the Royal Treasure Museum, a ship journey on the Tagus, get misplaced within the streets of the historic neighborhoods, have dinner at a Casa de Fados. Let your self be carried away by the magic of Lisbon.” ― Paula Oliveira, government director of Turismo de Lisboa

“A mistake is vacationers make is that they don’t go to Alfama. There are lots of people who solely go to the Baixa Chiado neighborhood.” ― Mari

“I extremely recommend that vacationers enterprise past Lisbon for a day journey. I’ve spoken to a number of guests who primarily stayed inside the metropolis. There are lovely vineyards that provide picnics, little seaside cities for surf classes, and a plethora of historic palaces to see. Whereas Lisbon is undeniably fantastic, a variety of Portuguese gems lie simply exterior of town.” ― Moore

“Don’t eat sardines with a fork and knife. And don’t eat pastéis de bacalhau with cooking cream; it’s actually horrible.” ― Mari

“A mistake is assuming the tremendous fancy canned sardines shops within the metropolis middle are conventional. Plot twist: They don’t seem to be! No Portuguese eats these canned sardines, neither is it one thing associated to our tradition. One other is assuming that the codfish cake with cheese is conventional. It’s not. Identical to the canned sardines, additionally it is bought in an excellent fancy retailer within the metropolis middle however it’s not conventional. The Portuguese eat codfish plain ― and it’s soooo goood!” ― Batista

“One other mistake is to suppose Lisbon is only a weekend journey vacation spot. There may be a lot to see and do this a few days received’t cowl it! You possibly can spend many days exploring the outdated middle of Lisbon, however there are additionally so many nice day journeys close by. You possibly can go dolphin-watching within the Sado Estuary, see the unimaginable palaces and gardens of Sintra, and there are a number of enjoyable seaside cities inside simply an hour’s drive or so. For instance, the surfer city of Ericeira, or Sesimbra, an excellent place for sea kayaking and coastal hikes. The outdated middle of Lisbon has gotten fairly busy with vacationers, however there are a lot much less crowded locations throughout Lisbon that almost all vacationers miss out on.” ― Bron

“Don’t neglect to place Caparica in your map. This lengthy stretch of white sand seaside, positioned 20 minutes from Lisbon, affords nice seaside eating places and wonderful sunsets.” ― Pons

“Don’t exit to eat with out a reservation. Certainly, to keep away from any frustration and queue, it’s higher to ebook your eating places prematurely.” ― Pons

“One other mistake is just not having cash exchanged. Lisbon is a contemporary metropolis, however you’ll metropolis discover many eating places are cash-only to keep away from paying extra taxes.” ― Batista

“Not utilizing sunscreen in the summertime. Lisbon is a ‘metropolis of sunshine,’ and we’ve got solar for many of the yr. It’s a type of solar that appears innocent however, should you don’t concentrate or are usually not used to, will depart purple marks in your white pores and skin.” ― Batista

Quotes have been calmly edited and condensed for readability.