About Lisbon
Lisbon spreads across a series of steep hills on the north bank of the Tagus estuary, where the river widens into a broad bay locals call the Mar da Palha, the Sea of Straw. It is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, older than Rome by some accounts, and it was from here that Vasco da Gama and other navigators set out during the Age of Discoveries. Much of the city was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake, tsunami and fires of 1 November 1755, which is why the Baixa district has an orderly grid of Pombaline buildings, among the first in the world designed to resist earthquakes.
Today Lisbon charms with yellow trams grinding up impossible gradients, facades covered in azulejo tiles, miradouros (viewpoints) at the top of every climb and the melancholy music of fado drifting out of Alfama taverns. The light is famous among photographers, the food is built around grilled sardines, salt cod and custard tarts, and the Atlantic beaches of Cascais and Costa da Caparica are under an hour away.
Our three guides explain where to stay without fighting too many hills, which sights and experiences belong on your list, and how to handle trams, the airport metro, the seasons and a Lisbon budget.
Lisbon city guides
- Where to stay in Lisbon
Choosing where to stay in Lisbon is partly about topography. A hotel at the top of a hill gives you views but a climb every evening; one in the flat Baixa makes everything easy but less romantic. Cobbled pavements (calçada portuguesa) are beautiful and slippery when wet, so consider the walk with luggage. The Baixa, rebuilt after 1755 between Rossio square and the waterfront Praça do Comércio, is flat, central and on several metro lines, making it the most convenient base for first-time visitors. Rua Augusta is pedestrianised and busy with shoppers. Uphill to the west, Chiado is elegant and literary, with historic cafés like A Brasileira, where a bronze statue of Fernando Pessoa sits outside, theatres and the Bertrand bookshop, recognised as the oldest operating bookshop in the world, founded in 1732. Both areas have a great range of hotels. Lisbon's oldest quarter survived the earthquake largely intact, so its alleys still follow a Moorish layout climbing towards São Jorge Castle. Alfama is the home of fado and of the Feast of Saint Anthony in June, when the streets fill with grilled sardines and paper decorations. Staying here is atmospheric, with views from Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, but taxis cannot reach many doors, streets are steep and the June festivities are loud until dawn.
- Things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon combines grand monuments with small pleasures: a coffee with a view, an afternoon tram ride or a long seafood lunch. Here are the highlights. The Jerónimos Monastery, commissioned by King Manuel I around 1501 and funded by the spice trade, is the masterpiece of the Manueline style, with ropes, sea creatures and armillary spheres carved into stone. Vasco da Gama's tomb is inside the church. Nearby, the Belém Tower once guarded the river entrance, and the Monument to the Discoveries, built in 1960, shows Henry the Navigator leading explorers; climb it for a view of the giant compass rose map in the pavement. Then queue for pastéis de Belém, made since 1837 to a secret recipe from the monastery. The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill in the old centre offers sweeping views across the rooftops and river. The city's miradouros are free alternatives: Senhora do Monte and Graça for panoramas, Santa Luzia for tiles and bougainvillea, and Santa Catarina for sunset with musicians.
- Practical tips for visiting Lisbon
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is unusually close to the city, about 7 kilometres from the centre. The red metro line runs from the airport to Saldanha and Alameda, with connections to the rest of the network; the journey to Baixa-Chiado takes around 25 to 30 minutes with one or two changes. Aerobus shuttles go to the centre and Cais do Sodré. Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt are inexpensive, typically €15 to €20 to the centre. Lisbon's metro has four colour-coded lines. Buy a rechargeable Navegante occasional card for €0.50 and load single trips, zapping credit, or a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass that also covers trams, buses and the historic funiculars (elevadores). The Lisboa Card bundles transport with free entry to many museums. The Santa Justa Lift is a beautiful neo-Gothic iron lift but has long queues; you can reach its upper viewing platform from the Carmo area instead. The Glória funicular was closed after a fatal accident in September 2025; check current status. Trains for Sintra leave from Rossio and those for Cascais from Cais do Sodré. Lisbon has one of the mildest climates of any European capital, with around 2,800 hours of sunshine a year. March to June and September to October are ideal. June brings the Santos Populares festivals, especially the night of 12 to 13 June for Saint Anthony. July and August are hot, around 28°C or higher, and busy, though the Atlantic breeze helps. Winter is mild, about 14 to 15°C by day, but rainy spells are common and houses can feel chilly.
Destination overview · Lisbon
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What to see in Lisbon
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