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.
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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, Chaido, 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!
With our luxury Lisbon apartments and villas, you'll be at the heart of it all. But if you're hoping to explore more of Portugal, we've got holiday homes to rent in the Algarve, Madeira and along the Lisbon Coast too.
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 (viewpoints). Bring your own drinks and enjoy the live music from Santa Caterina and Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte.
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 ginjinha - 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.
Great for kids: trams, a castle and aquarium - there's so much to stimulate their young imagination throughout the city!
Great for teens: Lisbon is food heaven, allowing more grown-up kids to sample some dishes they'd never get to try back home. Bonus points for those that are social media-friendly.
Great for couples: take a river cruise up the Tagus and admire the city from the water… if you can take your eyes off each other!
Great for large groups: Lisbon is a hotspot for hen and stag dos, but you don’t have to be on one of those to enjoy roaming the city on a beer bike or a segway tour as a group.
Lisboa card: For those hoping to visit multiple attractions, this is a great option, covering 26 monuments and museums plus unlimited public transport.
Due to its position, Lisbon has great weather all year round, with balmy summers and mild winters. That means even off-season visits will be pleasant.
There's plenty to do in Lisbon to keep you busy, but if you want a break from the cobblestone streets, there are several day trips available - and many will be accessible by train. This allows you to take in some gorgeous Portuguese landscapes en route - there's no better way to travel!
Want to extend your trip further? We've got holiday homes to rent along the Lisbon Coast for you to relax in after a busy city break.
Reachable by ferry boat, Barreiro is a former industrial city turned unsuspecting tourist spot. Its white-sand beach, flanked by windmills, is beloved by river surfers who ride the waves created by approaching ferries.
Just 40 minutes away by train, the romantic city of Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. Among its several UNESCO World Heritage sites you'll find the staggering 19th century Pena Palace, reachable by bus or foot - if you fancy a hike, that is! The same is true of the Castelo dos Mouros, which dates all the way back to the 8th century.
Right at the end of the Cais do Sodré-Cascais railway line you'll find this pretty coastal town. Once a busy fishing port, today it welcomes tourists and Lisbon locals alike to the sandy beach. Take some time to wander away down its winding lanes to the Old Town. If you're an art fanatic, visit the Casa das Histórias - a museum entirely dedicated to Paula Rego.
The main attraction here is Casino Estoril; one of Europe's largest working casinos, it also served as inspiration for 007 author Ian Fleming, becoming the setting for Casino Royale. Just 25km from Lisbon, this town also has several golden-sandy beaches. They're on the smaller side, making them perfect for paddling with little ones before exploring the promenade.
Home to Carcavelos Beach, which is the largest beach on the Estoril coast, this seaside town is only 20 minutes away by train. For those who love to get active, you won't have to sit and tan all day: you can take to the sea with a bodyboard or surfboard, while volleyball tournaments are common in the summer months. Then kick back with a glass of local fortified wine.
This white-washed city is a favourite with influencers who love to capture photos in front of its beautiful buildings. However, you'll also find plenty of historical attractions in Évora, including a wonderfully preserved Roman Temple. The Bone Chapel is also something of an icon, though be warned - its name gives a very good indicator of what you'll find decorating the walls...
This charming town looks like something straight out of a storybook, surrounded by medieval walls that contain cobbled streets and idyllic homes. While it dates back to the 12th century, Óbidos is particularly well known for its ginjnha, a sour cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups. Be sure to try some on your visit, but note that the best kinds will be found off the main road!
It's easy to travel to Lisbon, with flights departing regularly from across the UK through easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair. The journey time is under 3 hours.
You can also travel there by coach or train, but it will take you significantly longer.
Once you arrive at Lisbon Airport, it costs just €3.60 to catch the Aerobus shuttle into the city centre, and tickets can be purchased on board.
The best option for getting around Lisbon is by foot, so pack some suitable walking shoes and get going! Allowing you to truly get to grips with the city's somewhat confusing layout, exploring this way also means you'll likely stumble upon your own hidden gems.
Some of the areas are quite hilly, so keep that in mind when planning your itinerary depending on age and fitness level.
There are five different tram routes operating across Lisbon, meaning it's not just a fun way to get around - where else can you ride a vintage streetcar? - but also a convenient one. The number 28 is by far the most popular, running through multiple key areas of the city.
It costs €3 for a single journey, and cash is required.
Taxis are metered in Lisbon and are identifiable by their black exterior and green roof. They come in handy for longer journeys, but can be expensive. Keep in mind that not all of them accept credit cards, so carry cash just in case.
A regular Carris bus service runs throughout the day and until 11pm at night, with some routes also operating later. It's an inexpensive way to get around and see most of the key attractions, and you can pay using cash or the Viva Viagem card on board.
Perhaps the quickest and most convenient way to get around, Lisbon's metro service covers 55 different stations, all marked with a large 'M'. They're clean, air-conditioned and regular, running from 6:30am-1am each day.
