Last Tuesday I flew to Lisbon with my mum as my carer for a work conference for 3 days and 4 days to relax after.
Lisbon airport is part of an amazing service called MyWay. https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/special-needs/my-way
This amazing service meant that when we arrived on the tarmac and all other passengers disembarked down steps and onto buses an enclosed cabin lift took me from the aircraft door and down to a waiting mini bus. I was then pushed all the way through the airport where were got our luggage and a MyWay person continued to get us all the way to a taxi. This service meant from the moment we landed to getting in a taxi we were escorted. This took a massive weight off our minds and with the same thing going home it meant the journeys were easy.
Travelling around Lisbon though was not. There are many blogs about wheelchair travel and how difficult it is but we still gave it a go.
The hotel that we stayed at was found by the conference organisers with a reduced mobility bathroom which had a shower seat and rails which was brilliant. The Pestana CR7 was brilliant with great food and the staff were so helpful getting me into taxis each day.
The conference was brilliant, meeting people I’ve been emailing for years and hearing some really interesting talks.
Our 4 days relaxing involved an unsuccessful visit to the castle (uneven cobbles on a hill) a trip to a panoramic view 18 floors up (amazingly windy), Lisbon zoo, (lots of animals but they needed more enrichment), Jeronimos monestry (from the outside) and Belem and some shopping.
If you’re going to Lisbon in a wheelchair I would advise booking some wheelchair friendly tours so that each day you see what you want to see with the assistance you need.
Also the wind can be incredible so wrap up warm with a scarf especially.
Staying near Praco de Comercio means it’ll be flat where your hotel is (important so you don’t roll away when leaving the hotel)
So in summary I would say travelling round Lisbon in a wheelchair is difficult but if you plan ahead then possible.
How Rare? 