Lisboa cheat sheat, Pt. 1

There's always a hostel groupie at Oasis Backpackers Mansion in Lisboa. Granted, i was...and probably still am one...evidenced by the fact that I'm in the Hostel's top 8.

Regardless, one of the best things about Portugal for the independent traveler is that the hostel situation in major cities could hardly be improved in any way other than simply increasing the number of beds out there. Among the hostels that i look for - generally charging between 15 and 20 Euros/Night - free internet, hot showers, comfortable bed/common space and a friendly staff/environment are standard. I'll write about how I go about chosing the hostels that i end up at a bit later. One thing you should do, however is book directly with the hostel. It will save you a few Euros for sure. For now, lets focus on the two places of accomodation that i have experienced first hand in Lisbon, Portugal.

Those are: The Lisbon Lounge (at http://www.lisbonloungehostel.com/) and Oasis Backpackers Mansion (at http://www.oasislisboa.com/). Both hostels are in or slightly outside of the Chiado area - i would suggest that if you end up looking elsewhere for accomodation, you should keep in mind that Chiado is a quick walk to basically all of the nightlife in Lisbon. Prices are comparable, Oasis is 18/night. Lounge is either 18 or 20, i forget. I'll talk about The Lisbon Lounge first, just because I would like to spend more time with Oasis.



The Lisbon Lounge is located a 3 minute brisk walk away from the Cais do Sodré metro stop and train/ferry station (Yellow line, i think) and an easy downhill get from Praca Rossio. The hostel is a bit difficult to find - it's on the second (third, for Americans) floor of a nondescript building, so you have to find the right doorway, hit the buzzer, go through another doorway and then walk upstairs. The staff is really nice, the rooms are alright, and the bathrooms are shared a la dorms. There are about 3 showers and 3 toilettes. The lounge/living space has a dvd player and a (very slow/old as of Fall '06) computer with free internet.

The hostel is small. The beds are pretty tightly packed. People smoke in the lounge and for me, non smoker, the smell was nauseatingly strong. I may have also gotten bit by bed bugs here (i could have been bitten at the previous hostel). My own experience with Lisbon Lounge was lukewarm, however others who i met along the way swore by it. Part of their reasoning was the staff: very friendly (again) and laid back. They also got some of the guests i spoke with "laid back" with them, so if you're into being really relaxed, it might be a good hostel for you.

OK. So clearly i prefer the other hostel. Maybe that's because Oasis is nicer than many hotels that would cost you more than twice as much.

Oasis sets the bar pretty high. It is run by an American dude named Damien and currently staffed by a number of fantastic people. They, the people, are one of the reasons this building is so inviting. They are also the reason i became a groupie. If you need anything, just ask.



The building itself is 3 stories high, and has 5 rooms for something like 30 guests. Recently, they have renovated two spaces outside of the main building to increase the number of beds available. Some rooms have bathrooms ensuite, and some share with one other room. Regardless, the bathrooms are the most amazing things ever. ever. The shower heads are about a foot in diameter. They all work. They all have hot water. They are private! Each bed has a locker that's activated by your key (think hotel lockers) and then a 4 digit pin. I felt very safe.

The common spaces are on the second floor. There is a full gourmet kitchen (see the photo at the beginning of the entry), a dining room which doubles as a work/study space for students who are studying in lisbon, and a living room with 2 computers/free internet. They usually work, but since the hostel uses a wifi connection that's run out of the reception area, the signal has a tendency to cut out. If you, for some reason, need wifi, access is free as well. Outside there is a private courtyard with tables and Tyler runs the bar in the evening. Tyler is pretty ok, and makes a good Caipirosha (caipirinha sem cashaca com vodka). You should see him dance, too.

And finally, they cook dinner for you. That's right. Home cooked meals every night for only 5 euros. Two days a week, a "portuguese mum" comes in. Wednesdays is Brazilian night, and her Feijoadas are amazing. Other days of the week, a rag tag bunch of traveling chefs stir up interesting recipes for what's usually around 20 or 25 guests. Everyone generally eats together, so it's a very nice time to socialize.

OK. So you're going to Portugal. When i decided to go to Portugal, i bought a ticket to Lisbon and booked a night in Oasis on the assumption that i would figure shit out once i got there. I ended up staying in Lisbon, at Oasis, almost a week. BUT HOW DID I DO IT?

Possibly the best thing about oasis is their commitment to the backpacker's lifestyle. While they are often completely booked, they hold 2 or 3 walk-in beds every day on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are also 3 couches in the living room which they sometimes allow excess backpackers to sleep on for a discounted price. I suggest the leather one. Basically, once you're in, you can pretty much guarantee yourself a bed or couch for however long you want to stay.

The other plus is that the walk-in policy means that backpackers who are traveling the way it should be done - planning today for tomorrow - are in supply. We're a fun crowd.

OK. Where To Next. Once you get your pernas planted on the ground and are ready to depart, you will find that the two major destinations for travelers in Portugal are on opposite ends of the country: Lagos and Porto.

Lagos is a beach. You go there to sit on the beach. And relax. It is refreshing, but pick your hostel wisely. You don't want to end up at The Cameltoe... Porto is near a beach on the Atlantic, but don't go there for the ocean. Go there for the beautiful river which you cross. As a reward, you're showered with free port and a very specific education.

Recap: go to lisbon, it's fucking amazing. I'll post cool things i've found around the city later. Stay at oasis. Worst case scenario, you'll never leave. I am actually not joking. Many travelers end up getting stuck in Lisbon for longer than they had anticipating. It's a good thing.