Uhm, no. This is NOT Spain. People don't take "siestas". Siestas, flamenco and other typically Spanish traditions stop at the border. Although Portugal may be Spain's neighbour - and yes, the language may be similar - the countries are different. Traditions are different. And things are done differently. Remember that when you step into Portugal :)

Lisboa has a very big coffee culture. People go for a coffee and stay in the café for hours and hours. What happens in between the finished coffee and the time you leave, you ask? Talk, gossip and other useless yet reassuring conversations take place in this time. It is very common for students to go to meet up at the café to 'study'. The amount of times that people actually study may be questionable, nonetheless the intention is there.

Then there is the different types and names for coffee: bica, pingado, garoto, galão, meia de leite, cortado, carioca, italiana, café duplo, café cheio, café curto, descafeinado, abatanado, clarinho... and I'll stop for now. To be honest, not even we know what each and every one of the different types of coffee mean. But if you ask for a "café", they will bring what you know as an "expresso". Or what the lisboetas know as "bica". Or the people up north know as "cimbalino". We got you confused, didn't we? Good. Cuz this isn't Starbucks where you go up and order your "latte to go". Oh, and bad news for you Starbucks lovers: there is not a single Starbucks in Portugal. Good news for coffee lovers: the coffee is a LOT better AND cheaper :)

The Lisbon nightlife is very concentrated into specific areas. The main one is Bairro Alto, with the uncountable number of small bars, cafés and clubs in the area. Other ones include Santos and Alfama. Then there is crappy touristy areas like the Docas and Parque das Nações - places that, trust me, you do not want to go. Check our Play! section for more info on bars, clubs and restaurants in the Lisbon nightlife.

Except the occasional strike (or some other excuse for not going to work), the metro is reliable. And comfortable. And very modern. Most places around inner Lisbon are within reach of a metro, although work is being done to reach other areas in the city. Buses, on the other hand, reach most places in Lisbon but aren't too reliable due to excessive traffic, especially in peak hours. And taxis are very expensive - but worth it when you're drunk, wasted and tired in the wee hours of the morning.