Portugal

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EXPLORING LISBON
6
OUTDOOR & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
monuments, including Jerónimos Monastery and other attractions of Belém. It even goes
over the bridge spanning the Tagus, for a panoramic view. Both morning and afternoon
tours leave daily throughout the year.
The most recommended tour of the environs of Lisbon is a daily full-day tour costing
82€ and taking in all the highlights, concentrating on Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril. There’s
also a full-day (and jampacked) tour offered daily of the highlights north of Lisbon—
Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, and Óbidos. This tour costs 86€. Many other tours are offered
that might be more suited for your desires—check with the agency for the current
agenda.
If you want a more personalized tour, check out the offerings of Inside Lisbon Tours,
Avenida Forças Armadas 95 (& 96/841-26-12; www.insidelisbon.com). Patrons are
transported around in small vans and then taken on different walking tours through the
most colorful and historical zones of Lisbon. A popular summer addition is a twiceweekly
pub crawl. The tours are given in English and enough free time is provided to
explore each district in some depth. Only eight people at a time are taken on a tour. The
labyrinths of the Alfama are the most desirable and intriguing of the tours.
7 OUTDOOR & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Lisbon itself has very few sports facilities. Most outdoor activities, such as watersports,
fishing, and scuba diving, take place on the Costa do Sol, north of the city.
If you want to lie on the beach, you can take the train from Lisbon to the Costa do
Sol; the main resorts there are Estoril and Cascais (see chapter 6).
FISHING Head for Sesimbra (see chapter 8), south of Lisbon, where local fishers take
visitors out on boats looking for “the big one.” Fees can be negotiated.
FITNESS CENTERS Some hotels recommended in chapter 4 allow nonguests to use
their health clubs for a fee. It’s always best to call in advance. Outside of the hotels, a
worthwhile fitness club is Ginásio Keep Fit, Av. João Crisóstomo 6 (& 21/793-15-36),
costing 15€ for one-time use of its facilities. It’s open Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm,
and Saturday 10am to 2pm (bus no. 58). Metro: Saldanha.
GOLF The best courses lie along the Costa do Sol and Estoril Coast. The closest course
to Lisbon (but not the best) is at the Lisbon Sports Club, Casal da Carregueira, near
Belas (& 21/432-14-74; www.lisbonclub.com). The number to call for reservations is
& 21/431-00-77. It’s about a 25-minute drive from the center; allow more time if traffic
is heavy. A former playground of royalty, the Atlantic Golf Course lies at Quinta de
Penha Longa at Linho, outside Sintra (& 21/924-90-11; www.penhalonga.com), part of
the Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort. Ranked in the top 30 courses of continental
Europe, the 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by Robert Trent Jones,
Jr. The course opens onto panoramic views of the Atlantic and has been host to numerous
international competitions, including the Portuguese Open. An adjacent course, the
9-hole, par-35 Monastery Course spreads around the core of the resort, often attracting
late arrivals who want a round of golf before the sun sets. For the Atlântico Course of 18
holes, greens fees range from 80€ to 120€. For the Mosteiro Course of 9 holes, greens
fees range from 28€ to 45€.
JOGGING We used to recommend Parque Eduardo VII as the best place for jogging,
but joggers there have recently been the victims of muggings. Daytime jogging in the