I have walked more in the last month than I have walked this entire year put together! Since everything is relatively close by in Lisbon, sometimes it is easier to walk 30 minutes than to figure out a subway or bus. And even if you take the bus and subway, you oftentimes have to walk 5-15 minutes to get to the station or bus stop! So you get a lot of exercise in without even realizing it.
I love using the public transportation here. The buses and metro (subway) are so clean, and there are always so many interesting people to see. Like many big cities, public transportation is a place where people from all different backgrounds and statuses come together in one place, and I love how it makes you feel like a local. It has taken a little bit of time for me to get use to the schedules, maps and routes, but now that I have a better hang of the transportation near me, getting around in Lisbon is like second nature to me!
Some people say that public transportation is the great equalizer, meaning that people from all backgrounds and economic standing meet in one place. This is true of Portugal, as this country really is a melting pot of cultures, which you can best observe when using public transport. As for the electric trams and trolleys, they are a staple of Lisbon culture and society. They are almost more of a tourist destination than a means of travel!
