Just been doing a bit of work in preparation from the trip, which included trawling the RAWK Benfica threads for tips. I've stuck the whole lot together here for anyone who is interested. Those in the know please feel free to send in corrections/additions and I'll try and keep it uptodate.
GETTING THEREFrom the AirportTaxi: Metered taxis are available 24 hours a day and are situated outside the Arrivals and Departures areas. Bus: The CARRIS AeroBus no.91 runs to the city centre (journey time: 20 minutes) and to the Cais do Sodré railway station.
Every day between 7.45 a.m. and 8.45 p.m., departures every twenty minutes. Fare EUR 1.10
http://www.carris.pt/en/index.php?area=servicos&subarea=servicos_tur_aerobusFrom further afieldFor those arriving via Faro or Porto and not lucky enough to be on the Cowtown Chara, Portuguese rail details here:
http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgnextoid=87cbd5abe2a74010VgnVCM1000007b01a8c0RCRD&lang=enBenfica1904 gave this additional train advice:
If you coming to Lisbon by train from Porto or Faro, there are 3 train services: Alfa Pendular (AP), Intercidades (IC) and Regional/Inter-Regional (R/IR). Alfa Pendular has less stops and the trains itself are a lot faster and more confortable (TV, headphones, etc), the journey takes less than 3 hours. Intercidades stops at several towns and the trains are slower, the journey can take about 4 hours (Faro - Lisbon). Regional and Inter-Regional stops everywhere, journey can take more than 5 hours. So if you're in a hurry buy tickets for AP trains. When you arrive you can choose between Oriente Station and Santa Apolónia Station (this is the last station), I'd definitely recommend Oriente, because you can get on the underground there, unlike Santa Apolonia (2007 only).
GETTING AROUND – Lisbon Metro
For central Lisbon / Rossio Sq use either Rossio on the green line or Baixa on the Blue Line.
For the stadium use either Alto Dos Moinhos or Colegio Militar / Luz both on the blue line.
If I understand the system correctly, all these stations are in the central zone so you’ll just need a EUR0.70 single ticket. The metro runs until 1am. One final bit of advice from Tetti on getting the Metro to the ground: “Words of warning though - they let people in and out through two gates only at the ground. Takes an age to get in and out I am told. Go early and go to the shopping mall nearby, with some good bars in it.”
Jimbo has also posted this excellent map of Central Lisbon, very useful if you want to find your hotel:
http://www.map2000.de/europe/portugal/lisbon/homeen.htmlBARSThe concensus for a matchday meeting point seems to be Rossio Square (below) or the quieter Praça da Figueira next door:
skcrean adds: “Rossio square should be brilliant during the day/build up to the game but like they say it will be quiet afterwards. As always there is the usual Irish bar which I'm sure will be full afterwards, there are actually 2 near to the Casa Da Sodre (central train station) the best one being Hennessy's which actually backs onto a very ropey red light district (some fo the women here make the girls in the grafton look good!) with all your usual scandanavia bar etc etc plus a strip bar called the Liverpool bar which I'm sure will get some buisness!”
Timeout also recommends the following:
The Bairro Alto is a bar-crawler’s paradise. Among the classics are beery Estádio (Rua São Pedro de Alcântara 11), plush Pavilhão Chinês and the straight/gay mix at Portas Largas (Rua da Atalaia 105). Clube da Esquina (Rua da Barroca 30) is one of the area’s groovy music-driven bars.
Benfica1904s tip for evening drinking and for watching the Wednesday night games are the bars in the Parque das Nações area. Metro stop: Oriente
SCRANFeel the need for some fresh sardines to wash down with that Superbock? There are lots of restaurants in the Rossio, Restaurados, Baixa and Barrio Alto areas. Benfica1904 recommends: On the first map between Rua Augusta and Rua da Prata (right where that red target is) there's a street (rua) full of restaurants and esplanades. No cars there so it's a nice and quiet place. If you want something poshy then Chiado (metro statio Baixa-Chiado) is better.
