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[oldsheep]

OH is off to Lisbon next week for a work conference and I've said I'll go along as I've never been there.
I'm going to have to wander around by myself for 2 days and eat somewhere alone the first night, as he'll be at work or at work functions.
I've got an app and google translate (don't know 1 single word of Portuguese).

has anyone been there and got any definite recommendations?  I know they eat a lot of fish. I can only eat some fish (hope the translate app is working!) but love piri piri chicken so am hoping that if we can stay centrally, I should be fine.
Any tips would be great.

[CLKD]

Enjoy!  Go to your Tourist Company for brochures, look at the Tourist advice on line or to the Sat Telegraph travel sections.  Museums, parks, art galleries ………  When I went on trips with DH years ago the event organisers would arrange trips.

I am sure there will be plenty of English spoken  .  Take a good book, Immodium, dry biscuits to nibble if the cafes don't serve what you fancy.  Only open bottled water yourself, don't accept jugs of iced water on the table because there is the chance it won't be what your gut is used to 

Pain relief; medication you are taking; let us know when you get back!

[Joyce]

Check out trip advisor for good restaurants in the area. We did that in Jersey last year as there were so many. Not been to Lisbon, but hear it's great. Enjoy yourself. We had no problems with language when we were in the Algarve.

[littleminnie]

Not been to Lisbon but it's on my list to visit.  As CG says there is no problem with language in the Algarve and the I find the supermarkets are more geared up to English brands than our other European neighbours.

[ellie]

Please be careful especially if you wander out alone at night. As with any big city there will be plenty of pick pockets about......We visited on a cruise and I remember a few people having purses and wallets lifted....Leave your jewellery at home or in a safe.......Lisbon is beautiful, hope you have a wonderful time.....

[Greyhoundgal]

I went about 15 years ago, similar to you, hubby was working and I was just along for the ride.  The Portugese are lovely people and almost everyone you come across will speak English so don't worry about that too much.  Find some good guides on-line or maybe pick up a small travel book and do some research before you go.  Yes, they do eat a lot of fish but I ate one of the best steaks I'd ever eaten while I was there

[oldsheep]

thanks ladies x
I've been lent a DK Travel Guide book. Lots of hills, and says to wear thick rubber soled shoes as it's all cobble stones.
I'm trying to find the portuguese for peri peri chicken a la Nandos    Work is paying for a good sounding, central hotel so I'll just wander about. Only problem is finding something wheat free to eat the first night, when I'll be on my own, but I'll ask at the hotel.
I'm hoping the long term weather forecast I saw was right, as it said 18 and sunshine, which would do nicely.

[CLKD]

Are you taking something to eat in case you are delayed/tired/unable to find somewhere?

[Taz2]

Isn't it amazing how Nandos has Portugese origins but there are no Nandos in Portugal!

Taz x

[oldsheep]

  Nando's was set up by a couple of local hotshot businessmen in Joburg, South Africa. Not Portuguese at all actually! But S Africans eat spicy food and visit Mozambique, and I think they got the idea from there.
I'm quite surprised that they haven't opened a franchise in Portugal.
I've been reading that we can expect cod, endless cod. Don't like cod.
yes, am packing my gluten free ginger biccies and the hotel does gluten free bread.

Last time we went anywhere it was to Paris and we had to eat early in order to get to the rugby at 8  (Paris restaurants only open at 7.30, no all day eating like London). Only place we could find was a Lebanese cafe and I had to eat red meat for the first time in 25 years. Lamb kebab. I was so hungry that I wolfed it down and felt so sick afterwards. I said sorry to the baaaaaa all the way through though.
We are meeting up for lunch on Sunday with a friend of OHs and his brazilian wife so am going to ask her for some tips as she knows Lisbon very well.