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Plan your next trip to Lisbon
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Lisbon holidays: Visit the colourful Portuguese capital
A city full of colour, incredible culture and delicious food, Lisbon is a holiday destination that never disappoints. And, thanks to how close it is to the UK, the capital city of Portugal is a popular choice for an action-packed city break or romantic getaway.
Whether you're there to soak up the sights, eat your fill of pasteis de nata or listen to the rhythm of fado, you'll never be short of things to do in Lisbon, and the day trip options, like fairytale-esque Sintra, are simply incredible.
To further sweeten the deal, Lisbon has mild to hot weather throughout the year, so there's never a bad time to visit. Find all the best Lisbon holiday deals right here.
Lisbon holiday tips and advice
Whether it's your first time in Lisbon or if you've been there before, there's always something new to discover. We've rounded up all the practical information you'd need before heading off on your Lisbon holiday.
Lisbon at a glance
Flight duration (from London): 2 hours 45 minutes
Main airport: Humberto Delgado Airport
Population: 3 million
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (€)
Socket type: Type F (adapter required)
Time zone: Western European Time (WET); same time as the UK
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Along with many of the other popular holiday destinations in Europe, Lisbon is one of those cities that you can visit all year round, thanks to its annual roster of events as well as its mild weather. Here's what you can expect during the different months in Lisbon:
☀️ July, August, September: Undoubtedly the most popular months in Lisbon, UK holidaymakers flock to the city for their summer holiday. Expect hot weather (sometimes 30°C or more) and higher prices for flights and accommodation.
🌸🍁 April, May, June, October, November: You can expect mild to warm weather during these months. Known as the shoulder seasons, prices will also generally be lower - except for the long Easter weekend, which is always popular!
☔ December, January, February, March: You can expect regular spells of rainfall during these months, but the temperature will still be warmer than in the UK, making it a great winter holiday spot. In addition, Lisbon is a good pick for Christmas or New Year's Eve holidays.
Getting to Lisbon
Most UK holidaymakers fly to Lisbon, thanks to the relatively short flight time of under 3 hours from London. While additional flights may be added during the popular summer season, you can usually catch a direct flight to Lisbon from London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Low-cost carriers operate this route, including the likes of easyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair, as well as other airlines like British Airways and TAP Air Portugal. Once at Lisbon Airport, the easiest way to get to the city centre is to hop on the Metro, which has a direct line to central Lisbon. You can also take a shuttle bus or opt for a private taxi instead.
Getting around Lisbon
While Lisbon is a very walkable city, with many of its most popular landmarks within short walking distance of one another, the Metro is the most convenient and cost-effective way to explore the city more extensively.
But if there's one thing you do, you should hop on one of Lisbon's iconic yellow trams. Tram 28 is one of the most popular lines, as this will take you through some of the city's most beautiful neighbourhoods.
🏴☠️ Our pirate tip: If you're planning to use public transport a fair bit in Lisbon, it may be worth purchasing a navegante card at a Metro station, which will allow you to pre-purchase credit to use for any public transport in Lisbon.
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The best areas to stay during a Lisbon holiday
If Lisbon is completely new to you, you might feel a little bit overwhelmed when trying to choose a base for your holiday there. And that choice really boils down to whether it's your first time in Lisbon and what you plan to do while you're there.
Here are our recommended areas to stay during your Lisbon holiday.
Lisbon for first-time visitors
When you're visiting a new city for the first time, the normal recommendation is to stay as central as possible so that you have quick and easy access to the main sights and attractions. And the same is true for Lisbon!
Most first-time visitors will want to base themselves in Baixa, Chiado or Alfama. Baixa is especially popular as it's set on flat terrain, has excellent public transport links and allows access to a number of popular sights, like the Santa Justa Lift.
Chiado, on the other hand, is hilly, but it will feel a bit less touristy and you'll have easy access to one of Lisbon's most photogenic attractions - Carmo Convent. For something much more romantic and atmospheric, the cobblestone alleyways of Alfama are another favourite base, especially for its restaurants and fado venues.
Lisbon for families
While many holidaymakers travelling with kids still choose to base themselves in the central neighbourhoods of Baixa, Chiado and Alfama, there's another neighbourhood that's becoming increasingly popular for family holidays.
About 20 minutes out of central Lisbon but with excellent transport links, Belem is spacious, full of green spaces and has its own host of attractions. Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery and the ever-popular Pasteis de Belem pastry shop are just a few. With so much going on for it and a spot that's nice and quiet after the daytrippers leave for the evening, it's not surprising that more and more families are choosing Belem as their Lisbon holiday base.
Lisbon for nightlife
If your primary goal is to experience the nightlife in Lisbon, then there are two neighbourhoods to consider - depending on what kind of nightlife you'd like to experience! For traditional fado venues, Alfama is the place to be. For modern nightclubs and bars, base yourself in Bairro Alto.
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The best things to do in Lisbon
1. Castelo de São Jorge
This 11th-century fortress is located high above Lisbon and can be seen from almost everywhere. Given this fact, it's one of the best viewpoints in all of Lisbon, whilst simultaneously housing loads of historical artefacts from past centuries.
📍 Tram stop: S. Tomé
2. Belem Tower
A visit to Belem Tower is essential.The tower dates back to 1521 and has withstood wind, weather and even earthquakes. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tower was once used as a lighthouse, welcoming sailors, merchant ships and explorers of the New World.
📍 Tram stop: Lg. Princesa
3. 25 de Abril Bridge
Yes, we know that the 25 de Abril Bridge looks very similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco! At 2.2km long, it's the third-longest suspension bridge in the world. While the bridge itself isn't accessible most of the time, you can access it once a year during the Lisbon Half Marathon.
📍 Best view from the Tejo Promenade
4. Christ the King monument
This is another sight that looks familiar - we're thinking about the Christ the King statue in Rio de Janeiro, of course! Lisbon's version may be 30 metres shorter than its Brazilian counterpart, but it's worth a visit. And don't worry - you can take the elevator up and be rewarded with one of the best views in Lisbon.
📍 Tram stop: Almada
5. Tram 28
Undoubtedly the most popular tram line, Tram 28 takes passengers through Lisbon's most beautiful neighbourhoods and past some of the city's best sights too. It's a leisurely way to get acquainted with Lisbon, especially as the tram traverses gradients of 13.5% in places.
📍 From Martim Moniz tram stop to Campo Ourique
6. Carmo Convent
With its stone arches framing the sky above, we happen to think that Carmo Convent is one of Lisbon's most stunning attractions. Forever damaged by the infamous earthquake of 1755, the church is now a historical attraction that houses a small museum filled with artefacts from near and far.
📍 Tram stop: Sta. Justa - Lg. Carmo
Check out more things to do in Lisbon
The best beaches near Lisbon
Even though Lisbon's coastline is technically located on the Atlantic Ocean, you won't find beaches within the city itself.
However, you'll be happy to hear that you can reach a large number of gorgeous beaches via public transport or by car. Here are some of the top beaches near Lisbon.
Beaches accessible by train from Lisbon
Carcavelos Beach
Conceicao Beach
Caparica Coast
Beaches accessible by car from Lisbon
Praia do Creiro
Magoito Beach
Guincho Beach
Lisbon holiday FAQs
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Lisbon?
A: Holidaymakers with a British passport do not need a visa to visit Portugal for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. As with any country, it's important to stay up to date with the latest entry requirements.
Q: Is Lisbon a safe holiday destination?
A: Yes, Lisbon is considered to be a generally safe destination. As with any popular holiday destination, petty crime can occur in busy areas.
Q: Which local dishes/food should I try in Lisbon?
A: For those with a sweet tooth, pasteis de nata are a must. Other local delicacies include bacalhau, or salted cod, as well as bifana, a pork sandwich often sold from street food vendors. Grilled sardines are popular too.
Q: Should I tip in Lisbon?
A: While tipping isn't compulsory in Lisbon, it is appreciated. You should tip 10% of the bill at restaurants/cafes and round up to the nearest euro when taking taxis.
Q: What are the best day trips from Lisbon?
A: Thanks to its top-notch transport connections, there are so many great day trip options. Sintra is by far the most popular, but you could also easily visit Estoril or Cascais.
Q: How many days should I book for my Lisbon holiday?
A: Due to the city's many attractions and sights, we'd recommend a minimum of three to four days. Add extra days if you plan to do any day trips or visit any of the beaches in the surrounding area.
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