LISBON.

Lisbon is one-of-a-kind atmosphere of Gothic architecture, mesmerising sights, and narrow alleyways. The awe-inspiring sacral architecture of Lisbon can easily rival the most popular tourist destination in the world while providing something that they lack at the same time - a certain sense of stillness and timelessness. Nothing comes close to the scenic city views from the famous terraces miradouros, like Portas do Sol, da Graça, da Nossa Senhora do Monte or Castelo de São Jorge. And yet, Lisbon is not all about peace and tranquility - once the sun sets, it turns into one of the wildest entertainment hubs you'll find all over the world, with students and adults swarming the streets, pubs, and clubs. Or maybe it is the food that you're after? Worry not, Lisbon does not disappoint on this end either, being one of the favorite destinations among the food buffs. From the traditional bacalhau to the most extravagant and brave haute cuisine restaurants, all the way to fresh seafood, nobody will leave Lisbon hungry. What are you still waiting for? Get packing!

Lisbon Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Best Period to Visit Lisbon

Best Period to Visit Lisbon

Accomodation Tips for Lisbon

Accomodation Tips

Getting Around Lisbon

Getting Around Lisbon

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lisbon

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lisbon

Other Things to See and Do

Other Things to See and Do

Money Saving Tips

Reserve airport transfer before arriving

Not only can it take an exorbitant amount of time to get yourself to the hotel from the airport, all the while trying to figure out the commute system or haggle a price for a taxi, it can also be quite expensive to do so last minute. Make sure to organise a safe airport transfer, which will get you straight to your destination.

Use local commute when travelling around the city

The commuting system in Lisbon is quite cheap when compared to other major tourist cities across the globe, making for an efficient and reasonably priced method of transportation between attractions. The trams provide an additional feature, as the view from them is quite scenic, doubling as a sightseeing activity.

Visit the local bakeries

If you’re in a hurry and have no time to prepare your own meal, you might want to take a hike to one of many local bakeries in Lisbon, which for a small price allow you to taste delicacies which you will not find anywhere else. The most famous of them, the Pastel de Belém, is a type of egg tart served with cinnamon and icing sugar.

Participate in a free walking tour

As most of the tourist-oriented cities in Europe, Lisbon offers free walking tours provided by either companies or local inhabitants. The tradition is to provide a small tip to the guide every time you take a tour, but it is your choice to do so. If you decide for it, five euro is a decent tip, and much less than a normal tour.

Plan your vacation off-season

If you’re looking for the best possible prices, make sure to come to Lisbon in less popular months, as everything, ranging from attractions through food to commute prices, is sure to be much cheaper. You are best to avoid summer months, as well as Easter and Christmas holidays, and the best time to visit is January through March.

Search for last-minute hotels

A good way to save a considerable amount of cash is to either plan way ahead or to book at the last possible moment. While getting a last-minute airfare may not be the wisest idea when travelling to Lisbon, hostels and motels generally have a much lower price for short-term rooms during the last minute of availability.

Do not fly directly to Lisbon

While going directly to the airport you desire straight from the get-go might seem like the cheapest and quickest solution, it often is not. It actually is far cheaper to travel to one of Europe's major airline hubs, like Paris, Dublin or London, and then to find a cheap flight to Lisbon from there, using low-cost providers.

Find accommodation in a pension

This tip will not only save you some cash on accommodation but will also allow you to observe firsthand how the locals live. Pensions in Lisbon are generally small, family-run taverns or apartments which provide accommodation for tourist for a price much, much cheaper than standard hotels.

If you feel like it – walk

Lisbon is one of the best-adapted cities of Europa for pedestrians with its multitude of wide pavements and a number of marvellous parks and gardens to walk through on your way to the nearest attraction or a diner. Stay away from taxis, as they tend to overprice their services, as is common in many larger cities.

Dine out cheaper

A good way to save some money on dining out while in Lisbon is to search for restaurants which provide the so-called "menu of the day." During lunchtime, these restaurants provide a fixed price on their lunch menus, which is much cheaper than what you would normally pay in most of such establishments.

Best Period to Visit Lisbon

Tourism

Lisbon is the most crowded during the summer when the shores and streets are equally swarmed. Winter, although relatively warm, with around 8°C low, offers some nice accommodation and food discounts, as well as a less crowded experience.

Weather

From June to September, Lisbon is the warmest, with around 28°C high. Winter lasts from November to February, but the temperature rarely goes lower than 8°C.

Money

Lisbon is the most expensive during the summer, which lasts from June to September. For the best discounts on accommodation and food, try visiting between November and March, when the city gets a bit emptier, and entrepreneurs are fighting for the customer.

Events

Lisbon Half Marathon (March)
Lisbon Fish & Flavours (April)
Music Days in Belém (April)
IndieLisboa (April-May)
Festival de Sintra (May)
Out Jazz Festival (weekends in May-September)
Festas de Lisboa (June)
Portuguese National Day (June 10)
Rock in Rio (June)
Arraial Lisboa Pride (June)
Santos Populares (June)
MOTELX - Lisbon International Film Festival (September)

Accomodation Tips

Apartments

Renting an apartment is a great way of gaining accommodation in Lisbon, especially if you plan on staying for more than a few days. Not only does it come with a higher degree of privacy than is the case with a hotel, but also allows you to save money by being able to cook your own meals.

Budget (1-2 star) hotels

A city break to Lisbon doesn't have to be very expensive - especially if you choose from cheap accommodation. Budget hotels in Lisbon can be booked for as low as around €10 per night.

Standard (3-4 star) hotels

If you don't want to pay a small fortune for your accommodation, but still value comfort and convenience, then the middle range hotels in Lisbon are your cup of tea. Prices for such hotels start around €15 and go up to around €150.

Luxury hotels in Lisbon

Luxury hotels in Lisbon offer the best location and impeccable service, catering to all kinds of needs. 5-star hotels in Lisbon can be booked for around €110 euro per night, but the most sophisticated ones charge up to around €600.

Getting Around Lisbon

Tram

There is quite a number of historical tram routes (nine), and three funiculars, which all provide a unique way to traverse the city. You can admire the sights behind the window from comfy seats inside, and the vehicles you travel with are antique-looking themselves, providing an unforgettable experience.
The funiculars drive their routes for a shorter amount of time than trams, so make sure you catch one quite early if you’re looking for a ride.
Make sure to take the tram 28E and 12E, which are well-renowned tourist attractions and take you through the narrow streets of the city, showcasing its beauty.
Most trams run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., but there should be enough night service to get you back to your accommodation later than that.

Taxi

Taxis aren’t exactly cheap, but sometimes they may be your last resort. Many restaurants and social gathering spots in the city have taxi parking lots in front of them, which often have at least one cab waiting.
The universal fare in Lisbon is €3.25 during the day, with an additional twenty percent between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Make sure to keep an eye on the meter, as the taxis in Lisbon have notoriety for trying to scam tourists, especially around the airport.

Metro

As in any larger city, the metro is a very useful method of transportation which will allow you to get from place to place quicker than most other ways. Additionally, it’s also pretty cheap.
You can buy a ticket from any ticket machine, which are plentiful and are in English language, so don’t be afraid to use them.
Make sure to keep your hands in your pockets, as tourists are frequent targets for thieves in the subway, especially during rush hours.

Car

The heavy traffic and jams occurring in the centre of the city should scare you away, but if they haven’t, the reckless local drivers and narrow streets surely will.
If you absolutely have to use your vehicle to drive around, there are two rings which can allow you to skip some traffic: the inner ring (CRIL) and the outer one (CREL).
Parking is quite a big issue in the city of Lisbon, and you will often find yourself struggling with finding a spot. Not only are the parking lots expensive as hell, but there is simply not enough place to accommodate all the drivers. Many machines which allow you to buy tickets for parking are broken anyway so you will have to find another method of buying them, such as on the web.
Parking is free on Sundays, so at least that’s a minor plus.

Bus

Buses are a good alternative to trams and metro if you need to get deeper into the city, where most other public transport methods do not have their stops. The buses generally run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. with some night service after that.
Tourist offices provide free maps with highlighted bus lines, so get one when you can – it’s free after all.

Bicycle

While it may be tempting to hop on a bike to avoid traffic jams and paying for the commute, Lisbon is not very cyclist-friendly. Most of the streets are made out of cobblestone, and there are plenty of hills to make cycling even harder. Plenty of streets are also damaged, which further prevents you from having a pleasant ride.
There are quite a number of parks and bike lanes which can provide some entertainment and sights to see, but these generally will not take you anywhere around the city.
There are a couple of rental companies over the city where you can get a bike, but the city’s bike-sharing system is a much better deal. The system has forty-eight stations placed strategically around the city, and the prices are much smaller than you would otherwise pay for renting a bike.

Tickets and Passes

• Lisboa Card – Not only does this card provide some free or discounted attractions, but you will also get unlimited travel by bus, tram, funicular, and metro, which is a very handy addition.
• Day passes – Being a more cost-efficient option than timed tickets, the day passes provide a good alternative if you know you will be traveling a lot. The 24-hour ticket costs €6.15 and allows for unlimited travel via all public transport networks.
• Viva Viagem card – This one, while not giving anything on their own, costs only fifty cents and provides a handy way of storing all of your tickets. You can store your day passes on them, and even separate credit which can be used anytime you enter public transport, so there is no need to keep any change.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lisbon

Tram 28

This unique cable car line in Lisbon stretches from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique and goes along a tourist-friendly route where you can spot many interesting sites. It passes through some of the beautiful neighbourhoods of the city, and even travels along St George's Castle and Alfama – all of that in an old-fashioned, WW2 tram.

Santa Justa Elevator

A great way to see Lisbon in all of its glory is to climb the Santa Just Elevator, which provides an unforgettable view of the cityscape from high above. The elevator dates back to neo-gothic architecture and was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel – the creator of the Eiffel Tower.

National Tile Museum

A visit to the National Tile Museum is a must for everyone who is intrigued by the city's unique architecture. The museum displays various patterns of the vibrant ceramic tiles used around the town, which adorn different buildings, are sold in gift shops for tourists or are used within the walls of the luxurious villas.

St George’s Castle

On the top of the highest hill of Lisbon stands this gorgeous castle, which not only provides a great view of the landscape but also offers you a lesson in the history of the town. The castle was used by Romans as a fortification, and later by the Visigoths and the Moors, who made a palace out of it which still retains some of its ancient relics.

Gulbenkian Museum

The Gulbenkian Museum is a relatively recent addition to the long list of Lisbon’s attractions, dating only around fifty years back. The museum is a host to the world renown collection of art, created by a former oil tycoon, Calouste Gulbenkian, and holds over six thousand different works he has gathered in his lifetime.

Monastery of St Jerome

Being a prime example of Portugals’ Manueline architectural style, the Monastery of St Jerome was built during the period of exploration to honor one of the grates explorers of Portugal – Vasco da Gama – as he began his travel to India. The monastery began as a home for monks, and eventually became a school and later an orphanage.

Oceanarium

One of the most unforgettable experiences one can find in Lisbon is to visit the Oceanarium and marvel at the unique world of sea life. The Oceanarium is Portugal's largest indoor aquarium which holds more than eight thousands different sea creatures, with four exhibits of different fish, birds, and amphibians.

Taste of Lisbon Food Tours

Lisbon is renowned for being the home of Portugal’s unique regional cuisine, which includes pastries and sweets not produced abroad. This unique food tour provides a number of demonstrations and tastings where you can not only see the process of preparing the food but can also taste the products.

Lisbon Hills Electric Bike Tour

This unique tour is a great way to actively spend your time in the city of Lisbon while exercising and staying fit. The tour takes about two and a half hour to finish and scales the seven hills of Lisbon while showcasing the beauty of the sights such as the National Pantheon and Sao Vicente Monastery.

Lisbon Wine Tasting Tour

Lisbon is not only known for its exquisite cuisine, but it is also a renowned wine producer all across the world. Take a tour along the private wine distilleries of the Setubal region with tastings at two wineries. The tour includes a convenient pickup and drop-off at many of Lisbon’s most popular hotels and city spots.

Other Things to See and Do

Alfama

Being one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods of Lisbon, Alfama is a must-see place for any tourist who wishes to admire the elegant architecture of the city. Alfama is well-known for its narrow cobblestone roads with a plentiful of quaint shops, small-time restaurants, and traditional clubs, made in a historical style.

Belém

Belém is a neighbourhood placed on the waterfront of Lisbon and hosts a number of monuments and museums. Belém was also one of the most used departure points during the Age of Discoveries, and often hosts a plethora of ships in its docks, many of which are open for tourists to get on top and wander around.

The Belém Tower

Located in Belém lies the Belém Tower, which in itself looks like a miniature fortress. The Tower was meant to protect the port of Lisbon in the 16th century, which played a major role during the Age of Discoveries. Today, the structure is a monument and can be entered by visitors to look at the royal quarters.

Sintra

Sintra, located near central Lisbon, is a neighbourhood with a marvellous landscape, featuring rolling hills and vibrant vegetation. Many villas of Lisbon are placed in the vicinity of Sintra, along with its cobblestone-filled alleys. The uneven terrain of Sintra may prove to be a serious workout, but it is certainly worth visiting.

Cascais

The seaside city of Cascais is a short ride from Lisbon, but one sure worth the trouble. It was once a small fishing village but has now become a retreat for the rich and even royalty. Cascais is also known for its beautiful and well-maintained beaches, which are mostly free, providing a low-cost attraction to tourists.

Feira da Ladra

If you’re looking for a souvenir to take back with you from Lisbon, this place is definitely the place to go for that. The biggest flea market in Lisbon, located in the Alfama district, is a host to tens of different vendors who sell their hand-crafted goods, ranging from antique souvenirs, through azulejos tiles, to vintage goods.

Berardo Collection Museum

Being just what art-enthusiasts are looking for in foreign cities, the Berardo Collection Museum, or Coleção Berardo as called by the locals, hosts a number of original works of Picasso, Salvador Dali, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and even Mark Rothko, being one of the most famous modern galleries of Portugal.

Nucleo Arqueologico Museum

While not being like most of the other museums, this one is still a fascinating place to visit for anyone. The museum is hidden underneath a modern bank in the heart of Lisbon's Baixa district and presents antique Roman fish tanks, their burial sites as well as wooden pillars which keep the city of Lisbon from falling down on itself.

Rua Augusta

If you’re looking for a place to go shopping on a Friday afternoon or just need a place to walk along, Rua Augusta it is. It is the main shopping street of Lisbon and links the Rossio square with Praça de Comércio. The place is also visited daily by a number of street performers and musicians, providing additional entertainment.

Jardim do Príncipe Real

This famous garden is a favourite among locals, as they come in here daily to play games, relax on a porch or sunbathe in the hot Portugal weather. The middle of the park hosts an over hundred-year-old cypress tree, which provides shade over the benches. Make sure to visit on Saturday, when a biological market takes place.

Jardim da Estrela

If you're on vacation with kids, Jardim da Estrela is the perfect place to go together with your family on an afternoon. The garden holds two playgrounds, a kindergarten, daycare, and a kiosk. There is also a terrace café where you can unwind after a long day of walking and order a coffee at a reasonable price.

Martim Moniz

Placed among the most degraded neighbourhood of Lisbon lies this hidden gem, known for its immigrant communities. The square of Martim Moniz holds a number of performances and art shows displayed by the immigrants, as well as multiple regional, small-time shops where you can buy products created by the foreigners.

Belvedere of Our Lady of the Hill

Why this marvellous sightseeing spot is still one of the least visited observation points in the city is a mystery, but it is well known that it is the highest point available for anyone to look at the cityscape. You will not find a more breathtaking view anywhere in the city and, above all else, it is free to visit at any time.

Ribeira das Naus

Ribeira das Naus is the perfect place to visit when you are tired after a long day of walking from attraction to attraction and general sightseeing. The long walkway, placed along the river, provides a tranquil road to travel, as well as slanted steps where you can lay down with a book and enjoy the weather.

Centro Cultural de Belém

If you're looking for some free performances, concerts, and exhibitions, take a hike to the cultural centre of Belém, which is an impressive building which hosts a variety of different events which change on a daily basis. The Belém cultural centre also holds the Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Largo do Chafariz de Dentro

You will not find a more typical and classic neighbourhood in Lisbon than the Largo do Chafariz de Dentro. Here you can take a look at how the locals live their daily lives and engage in a conversation with them, which is sure to provide quite a bit of information, or take a sit in one of the many bars of the area and have a drink.

Church of Saint Roch

A Roman-catholic church, the earliest Jesuit church in Portugal and one of the first in the world. The church served as the home for Jesuits of Portugal for over two hundred years before they were expelled. Today, the church remains one of the few buildings which survived the earthquake of 1755 relatively undamaged.

The Prazeres Cemetery

Being the largest cemetery in Lisbon and one of the most notorious in Portugal, the Prazeres Cemetery, which translates to “pleasures,” was built in 1833 due to the outbreak of cholera. The Prazeres Cemetery is the final resting place for many renowned celebrities, including different authors, politicians, and artists.

Praia de Carcavelos

It wouldn’t be a true vacation in Lisbon if you did not visit the finest beach of all of Portugal, set conveniently near Lisbon. The beach is located approximately twenty minutes from the heart of the city and is a wonderful place to spend your free time, bathing in the warm water or sunbathing on the hot sand.

D. Dinis Wall

While a wide array of cities holds some sort of fortifications or walls in their vicinity, not many do so underground. Being one of the city’s most unusual attractions, the wall stretches for about thirty meters and dates back to the 13th century. Named after King Dinis, this monument can be freely admired in the Interpretation Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hotels for Lisbon city break?

    Our list of the best hotels in Lisbon are: Hotel Mundial Lisbon, HF Fenix Lisboa, Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, Radisson Blu Hotel Lisbon and Tivoli Oriente Hotel. Discover the full list of best hotels in Lisbon.

  • What are the luxury hotels in Lisbon?

    The finest examples of luxury hotels in Lisbon include EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa - The Leading Hotels of the World, Novotel Lisboa, Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade, InterContinental Lisbon, LUTECIA Smart Design Hotel and Figueira by The Beautique Hotels. Discover the full list of luxury hotels in Lisbon.

  • What are the cheap hotels in Lisbon?

    Those trying to visit Lisbon on a tight budget will find everything they need in hotels such as America Diamonds Hotel, Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Baixa, HF Fenix Garden, Hotel Ibis Lisboa Parque das Nacoes, Holiday Inn Express Lisboa, SANA Executive Hotel and Hotel Botanico Lisbon. Discover the full list of Cheap hotels in Lisbon.

  • What is the best period to visit Lisbon for a city break?

    Taking factors such as weather, crowds and prices, the best months to visit Lisbon for a city break are April, May, July and September.

  • What are top 5 things to see and do in Lisbon?

    Lisbon offers plenty of exciting attractions and things to do. Must-sees in Lisbon include: Tram 28, Santa Justa Elevator, National Tile Museum, St George’s Castle and Gulbenkian Museum.

  • How much does an Lisbon city pass cost?

    A city pass in Lisbon costs around €20.

  • How much does public transport in Lisbon cost?

    24-hour ticket for public transport in Lisbon costs around €6.50.

  • What are the best night clubs in Lisbon?

    The best night clubs in Lisbon include: Sabotage Club, MusicBox, Lux, Incógnito and Ministerium Club.

  • What are the best bars in Lisbon?

    Judging on the reviews and customer opinions, the best bars in Lisbon are: Pavilhão Chinês, Red Frog Speakeasy, The Old Pharmacy, Sky Bar and Park Bar.

  • What are the best places to eat in Lisbon?

    Your choice of the best restaurants in Lisbon may vary depending on your taste, however, Feitoria, Pastéis de Belém, O Galito and Landeau Chocolate are some of the most popular choices.

  • What are the top 5 best restaurants in Lisbon?

    Top 5 restaurants in Lisbon include: Coelho da Rocha, Tasca Da Esquina, A Valenciana, Loco and Café de São Bento.