Lisbon

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Lisbon

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Lisbon is the sort of place you'll instantly fall in love with: bustling, charming, and decorated with pretty pastel-coloured buildings. It's also welcomingly compact, allowing you to easily get around without a car, but the terrain can be quite hilly. However, this only means that you can quickly work up an appetite for trying the fresh seafood and sweet pastel de nata - custard tarts - on offer throughout the city.

Why visit Lisbon
Perfect weather, picturesque architecture and an intriguing past: Lisbon rightfully earns its place among Europe's most popular city break destinations. There are several neighbourhoods to explore throughout your trip, including Baixa, Chiado, Alfama and Belém. Each boasts its own unique character, ranging from lively and bustling to laid-back and charming.

Lisbon also offers the perfect balance of history and modernity, allowing you to check out its ancient relics and awesome views while also enjoying the more contemporary city spaces, boutiques and bars. On top of that, it was also voted European Green Capital of 2020 - ideal for the sustainably minded!

Things to do

As one of the most walkable cities in the world, Lisbon is an excellent place for aimless wandering. However, there's also plenty to see and do, meaning a little bit of forward planning will go a long way.

A must-see on every trip, the Castello de São Jorge sits atop the São Jorge hill in Alfama, one of the oldest districts in Lisbon. You'll enjoy stunning views across the whole city – perfect for Instagram! - and if you're lucky, you'll get to see some of the resident peacocks strutting about, or perhaps hiding in the trees.

Other obvious highlights for your first day include a ride on the iconic number 28 tram, and stopping by the Parque das Nações - a futuristic area by the riverside where you can visit the Oceanarium.

Then it's time to cross to the other side of the Ponte 25 Abril bridge and explore the area of Belem. It's home to many museums, a botanical garden, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) - standing at 170ft tall, it commemorates the age of discoveries in Portugal.

Come sunset, for the most enviable views be sure to climb up one of the city’s many miradouros. Bring your own drinks and enjoy the live music from Santa Caterina and Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte.

Food & drink

Of course, the absolute frontrunner of foods to try in Lisbon is the humble pastel de nata - or egg custard tart. Simple and delicious, they've been enjoyed since the 1800s when monastery kitchens made them from extra egg yolks. Head to Pasteis de Belem to try the original recipe.

Other simple classics include bifana, a sandwich stuffed with thinly sliced garlicky pork, as well as fresh sardines. In fact, visit in June and you'll get to partake in the Festo de Santo Antonio, a celebration that sees sardines being grilled right on the street.

Travelling in a large group? Give family-style cozido a portuguesa a try. This hearty dish of beef, pork and an assortment of vegetables is guaranteed to warm you from the inside out. And if you're looking for something lighter, a healthy kale and sausage soup known as calo verde could be just the thing.

Don't forget to wash it all down with ginjnha - a sour cherry liqueur that even has a handful of dedicated bars. In the past, it was thought to cure illnesses, but today this drink remains beloved among the younger generations.

Lisbon

Things to do

Food & drink

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