Lisbon is the magnificent capital of Portugal and is one of the most charismatic and lively cities in Europe.
It is a city that effortlessly combines a traditional heritage with striking modernism and progressive thinking.
As a holiday destination, Lisbon offers a rich and varied history, a lively nightlife and enjoys a pleasant climate all year round.
This article shows you the reasons why you should visit Lisbon, and how to make the most of your holiday.
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Why visit Lisbon?
Lisbon is a lively and exciting city, which offers a wide choice of fascinating activities and tourist attractions. The city exudes a welcoming and open atmosphere, while being faithful to its deeply rooted heritage and remarkable history.
Lisbon will appeal to tourists of all ages; it can be a destination for a cultural trip, an extravagant nightlife, a family holiday, a relaxing city getaway or serve as a starting point for a beach holiday.
The Portuguese capital is renowned for being one of the largest cities in the world, a statement confirmed by the "Lonely Planet" guides, who rank Lisbon among the ten best cities in the world.
Surprisingly, Lisbon is still one of the least visited capitals in Europe, but this changes quickly as new visitors discover the attraction of Portugal.
Top 10 sites and monuments in Lisbon
1. Castelo de São Jorge (St. George's Castle)
2. Torre de Belém (tour de Belém)
3. Elevador de Santa Justa (ascenseur de Santa Justa)
4. Cristo Rei (Christ Roi)
5. The Palacio da Ajuda (a national palace)
6. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (monastery of the Hieronymites)
7. Praça do Comércio (Trade Square)
8. Padrão dos Descobrimentos (monument to the Discoveries)
9. Igreja de São Roque (Saint-Roch church)
10. Ponte 25 de Abril bridge (suspended bridge of April 25)
Best activities and things to do
1. Ride on tram 28
2. Tasting of a pastel de nata in the place of origin of this flan
3. Big evening in the Bairro Alto district
4. Visit of the Oceanário de Lisboa
5. Relaxation on the beach of Carcavelos
6. Visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
7. Visit of the Feira da Ladra market
8. Visit of the LxFactory craft center
9. Listening to a fado performance
10. Ferry ride or cruise on the Rio Tejo
The interactive map below shows you the location of these sites and activities. The blue labels indicate the 10 best sites, while the yellow labels indicate the 10 best activities.
How much time to spend in Lisbon?
It takes about three days to discover Lisbon. It is the ideal destination for a weekend in the city.
Your stay in Lisbon can last up to seven or ten days to enjoy all the day trips to the surrounding area. These excursions include the cities of Sintra, Cascais, Obidos and Setubal, all of which can be easily visited by public transport.
Near Lisbon is a coastline of beautiful sandy beaches, and your trip to Lisbon could also include a few days of relaxation on these beautiful beaches.
Here is a suggested itinerary for your holiday in Lisbon:
A three-day city getaway in Lisbon
Day 1 - The neighborhoods of Alfama, Baixa, Cais do Sodre and Chiado
Day 2 - The neighborhoods of Belem and Alcântara, with an evening in Bairro Alto
Day 3 - Parque das Nações, and the districts of Estrela and Principe Real
A week of vacation in Lisbon:
Day 4 - Excursion to Sintra
Day 5 - Excursion to Cascais
Day 6 - Excursion to Setubal or Sesimbra
Day 7 - Excursion to Obidos or Mafra and Ericeira
When to visit Lisbon?
Summers in Lisbon are hot and dry, springs and autumns are pleasant, winters are mild, but sometimes humid.
The best time of year to visit Lisbon is in late spring (May-June), when the days are bright and sunny, without excessive temperatures.
The high season is between June and August, and if you visit the city at this time of year, you should expect the city to be very busy. The weather is good to enjoy the beaches from May to the end of September.
Significant rainfall can occur during the winter months (November to February), but the city is not to be outdone and offers many activities for rainy days.
The Portuguese capital attracts visitors throughout the year, and tourist attractions are accessible all year round.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
If you are visiting Lisbon for the first time, it is recommended to stay near the historic center, especially in the neighborhoods of Baixa, Alfama, Chiado, Bairro Alto and Avenida da Liberdade.
These neighborhoods are popular with tourists and are just a stone's throw from the main sites and attractions. Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre are the two trendy and perfect neighborhoods if you want to party.
Alfama is an old neighborhood full of character, but the narrow and steep streets can become very painful in the heat of summer. The Mouraria district and Avenida Almirante Reis are cheaper options for hikers and low-budget travelers, but this area is not really recommended for our parents.
If you are traveling for business, opt for the Parque das Nações district, which has many modern business hotels and is close to the airport.
Lisbon for 2023
The Portuguese capital expects a sold-out tourist season for 2023, as visitors are looking for safe destinations in Europe.
In view of the expected influx, it is advisable to book your flights and accommodation as soon as possible, before prices increase dramatically.
As it is a popular destination for relaxing weekends, Friday evening and Sunday/Monday flights tend to sell as a priority.
Are there beaches near Lisbon?
Lisbon is close to a breathtaking coastline, composed of beautiful sandy beaches and spectacular natural landscapes. Most of the most beautiful beaches in the region are only a short distance by bus or train from the center of Lisbon.
Two sandy coasts are easily accessible from Lisbon: the coast of Cascais-Estoril (west of Lisbon) and the Costa da Caparica (south of Lisbon).
A little further (provide a car to visit them), are the wild beaches of the coast of the Serra de Sintra and the paradisiacal beaches of the Serra da Arrabida.
Our Opinion: The beaches of the Lisbon region have nothing to envy to those of the Algarve, it is not necessary to travel hundreds of kilometers to find beautiful beaches.
Is Lisbon suitable for children and families?
Lisbon is a good choice of destination, if you want to organize a weekend in the city with your family. It offers many tourist attractions suitable for children, such as the oceanarium, tram rides, the Lisbon Zoo or the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (interactive science museum).
Children are welcome in all restaurants, hotels and shops, because the Portuguese have a family-centered culture. Lisbon is a relatively safe city, but very high summer temperatures are the main factor to take into account when it comes to children.
What are the best day trips from Lisbon?
From Lisbon, it is easy to make day trips, which can considerably extend a stay in the city. The most popular day trips are those of Sintra and Cascais.
Sintra nestles in the refreshing hills of the Serra de Sintra and is the birthplace of many wonderful palaces and villas, including the Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. As for Cascais, it is a charming seaside resort, with a charming historic center and surrounded by beautiful beaches.
Other day trips include the pretty seaside town of Sesimbra, the magnificent palace of Mafra, the picturesque fortified town of Obidos and the port city of Setubal. All these destinations are easily accessible by public transport.
Is Lisbon an expensive destination?
Lisbon is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe and offers exceptional value for money for restaurants, drinks and public transport. The prices of entrance tickets to historical monuments are reasonable, but gadget tourist activities (Tuk-tuks, bus tours) are expensive.
The Portuguese capital has many places where you can eat and drink at a good price, especially the Tascas. These cheap and no frills family restaurants usually serve a "meal of the day" for less than €7 and can be found in almost every street in Lisbon (and Portugal!).
Overall, Lisbon offers excellent value for money, but accommodation and flights must always be booked well in advance to get the lowest prices.
Lisbon is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe to visit and, in comparison with other very large cities, it offers an absolutely exceptional quality-price ratio. While there are good standard accommodation at reasonable prices, public transport, restaurants and visits really give our money's worth.
In general, a tourist with an average budget will spend about €100 per day spent in Lisbon. This sum does not include accommodation (€70 to €150 per room per night), flights or overpriced fanciful visits. It takes three days to explore Lisbon in its entirety. The estimated budget for these three days is €290 (we detail it at the end of this article).
Backpackers and backpackers with a tight budget can get by with €55 per day (€25 pocket money and €35 for a drinking hostel), but the costs increase greatly when you travel during the high season or if you go out to party a lot.
This article details the typical costs of a holiday in Lisbon and suggests ways to make the most of your budget.
Where to go by plane to Lisbon?
Lisbon airport is Portugal's main international airport and offers direct connections to all major cities in Europe and many of the largest cities in the world. The airport itself is ideally located within the city limits, and it is very easy to get there, either by taking the subway.
The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 manages all international arrivals and most departures, while Terminal 2 manages departures (only) from low-cost airlines. Terminal 1 is a little dated, but has all the facilities expected from a large international airport, Terminal 2 is very basic and you may spend a lot of time waiting in long queues.
Summary: Portugal is a relatively small country, with an excellent express train network connecting Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve. It is not difficult to fly at one of Portugal's three airports (Lisbon, Porto and Faro) and go by train to another region of the country.
Is Lisbon a safe city?
Compared to many other major cities, Lisbon is a relatively safe city.
The only risks that tourists may face are pickpocketing or opportunistic thieves, but you should not have problems if you use the same common sense as at home.
Do you have to rent a car during your stay in Lisbon?
Lisbon has excellent public transport and inexpensive taxis, which makes it unnecessary to use a car in the city. Driving in Lisbon can be very stressful because of the erratic driving of the Portuguese, poor road markings and very cluttered roads.
Similarly, it is not necessary to have a car to make the most popular excursions, such as Sintra, Cascais or Obidos, because they are well served by public transport from Lisbon. A car can be useful if you want to venture beyond Lisbon or in regions where public transport is limited, such as the Serra da Arrábida, the Serra de Sintra or the Alentejo region.
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