This is the sun-soaked capital of Portugal and one of the most captivating cities in Europe, Lisbon. Situated on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean and flanked by seven hills, Lisbon stands out as a strikingly beautiful city which exudes unexplainable charisma that can only be described as a harmonious blend of beautiful history, lax atmosphere, and bright modern culture. Having the buildings painted in a gentle pastel color scheme, shaking yellow trams, music Fado full of hearts, and cobblestone lanes, Lisbon is the city that does not forget about the heritage of the past and exists in the present simultaneously. This comprehensive guide will inform you the entire facts you should keep in mind as you plan your great trip to Lisbon: the reasons to visit the capital, what you will see, where you will eat, how you will move, and most practical tips to enjoy your fantastic journey.
The Question is: Why Go to Lisbon?
The Lisbon city is a sensorial city. It is renowned to have balmy weather, friendly local people, as well as an exclusive taste. The reason why you need to include Lisbon in your travel list:
Culture: The culture in Lisbon is a lovely banquet of the older and more ancient Moorish castles to Baroque churches and museums of the highest caliber.
Picturesque sceneries: The miradouros (viewpoints) that abound in the city are worth visiting because of their stunning landscape.
Food and wine: Portuguese cuisine is hearty, good, of fish-predomination, lots of olive oil and wine, and, above all, the famous Pasties de Nata.
Active neighborhoods: Lured by the possibility of all that wonderful choice of neighborhoods (With Alfama, there is a soul, with Bairro Alto, one can party endlessly, etc), each comes with its own special something.
Sea nearby: The city is just a short distance away to beaches, palaces and even hiking trails which make it a great place to go on day trips.
Ideal Season to Travel Opportunities
Lisbon enjoys good Mediterranean climate thus it is a resort all year round.
Spring (March–May): It is great time of the year to sightsee with jacaranda trees in bloom and warm weather.
Summer (June–August): It is a time of sun and busy streets, ideal to take a vacation and an island retreat.
September–October: A golden season when it is warm, and the tourists are not many.
Winter (November–February): It is the low season which is a lower-priced period. It is not likely to be too cold in Lisbon, but a rain might happen.
Aliwi Goes to Lisbon
By Air
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is situated only 7 km away from the city center and provides easy access to the most significant world aviation centers.
Metro: There is a red line that connects the city and the airport.
Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt, Uber and taxi can be found outside the arrivals.
Aerobus: A bus connection that is connecting the airport to the central districts.
By Train
Santa Apolonia and Oriente stations in Lisbon provide the connection to other regions of Portugal, as well as Spain.
City Transportation
Trams and Buses: Trams, carrosses in the traditional yellow color and particularly Tram 28, modern buses go everywhere in the city.
Metro: Clean and fast; convenient to get around between big neighbourhoods.
Walking: Much is footable except that the city is hilly—comfortable shoes are a must.
Tuk-Tuks: It is an entertaining (but expensive) means of getting around on steep slopes.
Lisboa Card: It includes unlimited transport, entrance in lots of places either free or with special prices.
Accommodation
Lisbon has accommodation of all styles and budgets. There are favorite neighborhoods such as:
Baixa/Chiado: Mid-way and posh and near to everywhere.
Alfama: It is the oldest area having a romantic, rustic note.
Bairro Alto: Perfect place to enjoy a nightlife.
Principe Real: Fashionable and not so touristic.
Belém: More peaceful with great historical attractions.
Must-See Attractions
Belem Tower (Torre de Belem): UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the 16th century to defend the port of Lisbon. Today an icon of Portuguese Age of Discoveries.
Jerónimos Monastery: This is another UNESCO building, being a magnificent Manueline style monastery, right next to it is the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Alfama District: A maze of tiny streets, tiled buildings and typical Fado houses. Do not forget to see the miradouros or to visit the Sé Cathedral.
São Jorge Castle: It is situated on the top of the hill, with amazing panoramas of Lisbon with its pitched red roofs and the Tagus River.
LX Factory: An old industrial zone transformed into a hip zone with fashionable restaurants, designer shops and street art, a place which is inspiring to creative people.
Bairro Alto and Chiado: Business centers by day with little shops and cafes; Bairro Alto turns out to be a clubbing paradise at night.
Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira): An arranged food hall with the best Lisbon gourmet chefs and products.
MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology): A modern maritime museum located on the seaside with interesting presentations in a beautiful location.
Parque das Nações: The new faces of Lisbon, with the Oceanario (the largest aquarium in Europe), cable cars and walk alongside rivers.
Rossio Square and Praça do Comércio: Famous squares that are great for sunbathing or shopping and simply observing people.
One Day Outings Around Lisbon
Sintra: One of the most magic city of palaces and gardens. They are the colorful Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and the Quinta da Regaleira.
Cascais: Fashionable seaside town with beaches of gold and superb seafood.
Évora: Évora is a UNESCO site in Alentejo that has both a Roman temple and a macabre, osteological Bone Chapel.
Arrábida Natural Park: Cliffs, beaches and hidden coves make up this marine getaway less than an hour outside of Lisbon.
Food and Drinks
Food lovers should go to Lisbon. These are some of the meals and beverages that you can never skip:
Must-Try Dishes
Bacalhau à Brás: Salted cod, eggs, potatoes and olives.
Sardinhas Assadas: The grilled sardines, mostly on summer festivals.
Polvo à Lagareiro: Octopus with garlic, olive oil and potatoes.
Caldo Verde: A comfort kale soup and chouriço sausage.
Bifana: Grilled pork sandwich which is usually accompanied by mustard and beer.
Sweets
Pastel de Nata: Famous egg tart custard. Pastel de nata is known as Pastéis de Belém.
Travesseiros de Sintra: Almond creme filled puff-pastry part of Sintra.
Drinks
Ginjinha: Sour cherry liqueur in small cups made of chocolate.
Vinho Verde: You consume it as a white wine with a certain fizzy quality.
Port Wine: A luxurious fortified wine—good at the setting sun.
Lisbon à la Nuit (Lisbon by Night)
Fado Houses in Alfama: You can hear intensely beautiful Portuguese music in small, dark dwellings accompanied by candle lights.
Bairro Alto Bars: Encore place, rooftop bars and live music.
Rooftop Bars: Want to feel like you are on top of the world? Try Park Bar or Topo.
Locality, Culture and Recommendation
Tipping: It is not essential but it is heartily welcomed. Tip 5–10 percent in restaurants.
Language: The Portuguese is the official language. Tourist regions have many English speakers.
Safety: As a whole, Lisbon is safe. In a crowd, look out against pickpockets.
Currency: Euro (EUR). Visa cards and Mastercards are accepted.
Dressing Code: Informal to smart informal. Wear something to walk with comfortably.
An Example of a 5-Day Visit Programme
Day 1: Historic Core
9.00 a.m.: Alfama and the Cathedral of Sé
Afternoon: Tram 28 to the top of the city, São Jorge Castle
Evening: Dinner and Fado in Alfama outdoor
Day 2: Belém
Morning: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower
Afternoon: Pastel de Belém tasting and MAAT Museum
Evening: Sunset at the riverside walk
Day 3: To Culture & To Shop
Morning: Visit of Time Out Market and Chiado for shopping
Afternoon: Exhibition at National Tile Museum or Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Evening: Rooftop bar in Bairro Alto
Day 4: Day Trip to Sintra
Pena Palace, Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira
Evening: Dinner in Principe Real
Day 5: Modern Day Lisbon
Morning: Oceanarium and Park of Nations
Afternoon: LX Factory and last-minute shopping
Evening: Farewell wine tasting dinner
Final Thoughts
The city of Lisbon is not only beautiful; it is also soulful. This type of feeling that comes over you when you are lost in the maze of the Alfama streets or when you are taking a custard tart by the edge of the Tagus or when you are seeing those golden sunsets on a miradouro, makes you feel something eternal about Lisbon. It is not a city which screams, it tells me things softly in my heart.
save pin for later
