Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Ana Rita

What is it like to live in Lisbon? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living is Lisbon is a great experience for foreign people I think, we are welcoming people, we have nice weather, we have good food and we like to party! It's a very lovely city with good places to visit. And with a warm culture, I do advice to stay away from very touristic, they are unnecessarily expensive.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

Life as portuguese student has it's moments. We have great student traditions that make it very easy to fit in and make a lot a friends very quick. Our schools usually have good environments but I advise you to look carefully because our school systems are not so brilliant and so make sure it's a good school with good recognitions.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon?

It depends from where you are! If your getting portuguese salary life is a little expensive nowadays. But for most foreign people if you stay away from the restaurants and attractions made for tourist life is not that expensive.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Lisbon? Is there any advice you can give?

Not really, in the center of the city you will pay good money for an apartment but if you try to find a house further away from the center the prices will be more appealing.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Portuguese food is the great! we have a lot of fishes and sea food wich are divine! A lot of small pastries and things like that. But I think the best part is the variety of food you have meat, fish, good vegetables, very good bread and cheese! Snacks are something that we love.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lisbon?

Well it depends on what type of things you like to do but Sintra, Belém and the center of Lisbon, Baixa-Chiado are very full of monuments and museums and good food. And then Cascais has the best beaches and the best places to have dinner or simply a beer overlooking the ocean.

Is it good to eat out in Lisbon? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes it's great! I advise Capriciosa good pizza and the best sangria, Jardim das cerejas if your a vegetarian and don't mind a good and cheap buffet, Budda Sushi cheap good food and near Bairro alto so it's perfect for dinner and a night out, Aprazivel for a good nice lunch in Baixa Chiado with the best ice cream on the next street at Santini. And finally you can't leave without going for a pastel de nata in Belém and visit CCB cultural centre and hang out in the gardens near by.

Is the nightlife good in Lisbon? Where is good to go?

Well I think the key to Lisbon's night life is Bairro Alto, it's a very unique experience and Iv'e never seen any place like it people gather and fill the streets and just have a good time.

What advice would you give future students heading to Lisbon?

Make good friends, portuguese people are nice and friendly, they will provide you a much better experience, it will much easier to get familiar with the city and culture without getting caught in those stupid tourist traps. Try not to get stuck in Lisbon and see all the other places because we have a lot of interesting and beautiful places outside of the capital, like Porto and Alentejo and Algarve. Most important enjoy the food, the people, the weather, all of that. We are small and stuck in a little corner of Europe but we have a lot to offer