Almada Mini Guide
Almada in a Nutshell
Almada is a town and region on the coast of Portugal, to the south of the River Targus and the city of Lisbon.
Getting There
If you are already in Portugal, you can get to Almada by Rede Expressos bus services or by train with Comboios de Portugal. From
Lisbon, you have numerous options, including taking a ferry or using the light rail service. If you have travelled from Europe or further afield, you will probably find yourself at Lisbon Portela Airport – flights arrive there from destinations worldwide. You can take the Carris bus service into Lisbon and then use the metro to get around or drive a hire car, it’s just an 11km drive across the 25 de Abril Bridge.
What Should I see?
Almada’s beachfront is 13km long and popular with Lisbon residents as well as tourists. There you will find sandy beaches lined with acacia and eucalyptus trees and colourful fishing boats. You can try the local catch at one of the fish restaurants along the promenade. See the replica statue of Christ the Redeemer, inspired by the similar statue in
Rio de Janerio and is a symbol of the region. This area is also part of the Caparicas Coast and has protected areas such as the Fossil Cliffs and Medos Woods. Take a ferry from Cacilhas to Lisbon and explore this fascinating city. The city hosts an annual Theatre Festival where dozens of performances are put on at various indoor and outdoor locations around the city.
Just 5km Away…
The centre of Lisbon and many of its attractions are within 5km of Almada. You can visit the Belem Tower, a fortress built between 1515-1519 to protect the city from coastal intruders. Nearby you can see the Monument of Discoveries, a monument built in 1940 to celebrate the age of discovery in the city and all its explorers. Also nearby, is the Jeronimos Monastery, a building of late gothic style that now houses the Maritime Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. Next door, you will find the Belem Cultural Centre, it holds exhibits and is a venue and also has its own Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. A must do, is to discover the old town or Bairro Alto - by day a bustling residential area, by night it is a maze of restaurants and bars and very popular for nightlife in the city.
Where can I Stay?
The Almada Business Hotel is in the centre of Almada and close to the beaches. It has it’s own restaurant serving international cuisine and has a large wine list. The hotel is easily accessible to the local transport systems and for travelling into central Lisbon.