At first glance, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) might strike you as just another European capital. It stands on seven hills like Rome. It’s the second oldest capital after Athens. Looks couldn't be more deceiving, though. For starters, it’s perched on eight hills not seven, granting Lisbon the moniker of “the city of miradouros”, or the “city of viewpoints”. It has no bad angles and there’s no bad time to visit: blessed with the mildest climate in Europe, Lisbon is a perfect year-round destination for city breaks and beach holidays – or both at the same time. With its 2,700 years of history and wealth of fairytale castles and palaces, the city gives off some serious Old World vibes. But its creative energy and undefiant spirit have once again turned Lisbon into an economic and cultural powerhouse, attracting waves of tourists, artists and entrepreneurs.
A city full of life, colour and character
Be it because of its heritage charm, Insta-worthy corners or growing foodie scene, the Portuguese capital has gone through a renaissance of late. Making a comeback, of course, happens to be Lisbon’s forte. In 1755, it was busy living its second golden age and erecting Baroque churches all over town, thanks to a generous influx of gold and diamond from Brazil. On 1 November, however, the city was hit by one of the greatest earthquakes ever recorded, followed by a tsunami and raging fires. In the face of utter destruction, the survivors quickly rallied to rebuild what they’d lost. Due to the zealous rehabilitation efforts spearheaded by legendary statesman Marquis of Pombal, the city of Lisbon was reborn in a year. Today, Pombal’s bronze statue tops Avenida da Liberdade, overlooking his masterpiece.
Old meets new and they get along great
Lisbon’s tram no. 28 is the only tour guide you’ll ever need to discover the many faces of the Portugese capital. The closest thing Lisbon has to a symbol, the iconic amarelos da Carris connect Martim Moniz Square with Campo de Ourique and pass through Lisbon’s most charming neighbourhoods, including Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. Get off at Castelo de São Jorge for jaw-dropping views of Lisbon and the west-flowing Rio Tejo. The Moorish castle has splendid gardens, courtyards and peacocks, plus quite a few mentions in history books, having served as the seat of power for Portugal for over 400 years. There’s more to the Alfama district than its famed castle, though. Getting lost in its maze-like alleyways is something you certainly won’t mind – or forget. Make your way to Belém for a sneak peek into Portugal’s storied golden age, adventurism and rich seafaring heritage. It was here where many pioneers of Europe’s Age of Discovery set off to find new land and sea routes to India, East Africa and Brazil, including Vasco da Gama in 1497. The lavish Jerónimos Monastery is the epitome of Portugal’s power and wealth during this period, along with the UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), built at the height of the Portuguese Empire,during the reign of King Manuel I. Make Museu Coleção Berardo your next stop in the neighbourhood. Lisbon’s premier contemporary art museum houses a bold collection of works by Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon and the like.
Fifty shades of bacalhau and one pastry to rule them all
Another thing you shouldn’t miss out on while in Belém is pastry. Not just any pastry, mind you. We’re talking about pastel de Belém here. At Pastéis de Belém, the epitome of pastel de nata, aka Portugal’s signature egg tart pastry, is still made based on the original – and secret – recipe first created by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery in 1837. Enjoy it with Portugal’s national drink, coffee. Seafood lovers will be in for a treat in Lisbon, no doubt. Here’s a fun fact to go with your bacalhau: Portugal’s favorite salt-dried cod is not actually native to Portugese waters. That didn’t stop locals from coming up with 365 (!) ways to eat it. Hit Lisbon’s Time Out Market and try Bacalhau à Brás, a combination of cod, potatoes, eggs, onions and olives or Bacalhau com Natas, aka grilled cod with cream. If you think Portugese viticulture starts and ends with Porto, think again. Anything that comes bottled from Colares, often referred to as the ‘Bordeaux of Portugal’, will certainly not disappoint. Europe’s westernmost wine terrain is also one of the most peculiar ones, best known for the robust red wine it produces from the locally grown Ramisco grape.
Ode to The Brazilian Lady
Shopping in Lisbon is whatever you want it to be. Bag some tinned fish in one of the many specialty shops in Pombaline Baixa, some of them run by the same families for centuries. Looking to splurge? Find all your big-hitting brands along the tree-shaded Avenida da Liberdade in Chiado, Lisbon’s pulsating commercial and cultural centre. Don’t miss Livraria Bertrand on Rua Garret. Proudly serving bibliophiles since 1732, the shop holds the Guinness record as the world’s oldest bookstore still in business. Got your retail urges covered? Recharge with a quick bica at Café A Brasileira. The famous coffee house was once a favorite haunt of local intellectuals, including the great Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. Truth be told, he was there for the absinthe rather than the coffee. Ready to hit the town like a local? Live your best nightlife exploring the bar-studded streets of Bairro Alto.
Lisbon beaches: something for everyone
Trying to squeeze as much of the city’s cultural and historic riches into your Lisbon itinerary as humanly possible, it’s easy to forget that Lisbon is only a stone throw’s away from some of Portugal’s finest beaches. It’s neighbours with four coastlines, no less, ranging from surfer-friendly to toddler-friendly. Catch a train to reach the soft, sandy beaches and serene waters of the Oeiras-Estoril-Cascais strip. In no small part thanks to its easy accessibility, Praia de Carcavelos is by far the most popular beach around – and usually the most crowded one, too. With its steep cliffs, unspoilt scenery and hefty waves, the Serra de Sintra coastline is more of a hiking and water sports paradise. Its crown jewel, Praia do Guincho, is a picture-perfect surfing beach with strong northern winds for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Lisbon airport
Humberto Delgado Airport, also called Lisbon Airport or Portela Airport, is located 7 kilometres northeast to the city centre of Lisbon. Find the Aeroporto Metro station at the southern tip of Terminal 1 and take the Aeroporto Saldanha line to reach the capital in just 20 minutes. Alternatively, get on a city bus to arrive at Marquis of Pombal Square or Amoreiras. Aerobus, airport shuttle, taxi and car rental services are also available.
Lisbon weather
Albeit fast-changing, Lisbon has one of the mildest climates on the continent. Winters are short and forgiving, with temperatures averaging at 15°C during the day and 9°C at night. Summers are dry, reasonably warm and usually last from May to October. The city is bathed in almost 2,900 hours of sunshine per year and has an average annual sea temperature of 17.5°C.
FAQs for booking flights to Lisbon
How to get cheap flights to to Lisbon?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Lisbon flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
The best time to take a trip to Lisbon is the first few months before Summer (March-May) or the last (September-October). During these months hotel rates are cheap-cheap, there are smaller crowds, and the weather is still warm to fit in some fun beach days. Lisbon has one of the mildest climates on the continent. Winters are short and forgiving, with temperatures averaging at 15°C during the day and 9°C at night. Summers are dry, reasonably warm and usually last from May to October. The city is bathed in almost 2,900 hours of sunshine per year and has an average annual sea temperature of 17.5°C.
How to get from Lisbon Airport to Cascais?
Lisbon Airport, or Humberto Delgado Airport, is 7 km northeast of Lisbon’s city centre. You can reach the city by taking the Aeroporto Metro to Saldanha in 20 minutes, or by city bus, Aerobus, shuttle, taxi, or rental car. To get from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, the recommended route is a subway to Alameda and a train from Cais do Sodre, taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The cheapest option is the line 750 bus and a train, taking 1 hour and 25 minutes. The fastest way is a 24-minute town car ride, or a taxi.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Lisbon flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Lisbon flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
