Lisbon travel, Portugal’s hilly and scenic capital is home to winding roads, ocean views, pastel-colored houses, hilltop views, vintage trams and paved streets The pebbles all make this a very charming place.

Overview of the capital Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital and largest city in Portugal.

Located on the Tagus estuary, it is the westernmost of all European capitals and was once said to be the furthest edge of the world.

Today, Lisbon travel  is considered one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in Europe. Like Rome, it is built on seven hills.

It is characterized by cobblestone streets and hilly neighborhoods run through a tram network that has been operating since the early 20th century.

Lisbon is a city of many balconies and vistas, the most prominent of

which can be appreciated from the many miradouros or terraced lookout points that cover the city’s hills.

Lisbon is home to one of the most beautiful natural harbors in Europe and

an abundance of fresh seafood that rivals any port city in the world.

The vibrant nightlife makes it enjoyable any time of day while the year-round climate makes Lisbon an ideal destination any time of year.

Located along the south of the country’s west coast, the capital city of Lisbon boasts an admirable

mix of museums, historic buildings, eclectic music, wild nightlife, squares and more. charming and relaxing cafe where you can watch time pass by.

Best time to visit Lisbon

Thanks to its milder winters, Lisbon is a great city to visit any time of year. But if you want to go when the weather is most pleasant, it is best to go from March to May or from September to October. The weather is ideal and you’ll avoid the tourist crowds and summer heat.

How to travel to Lisbon?

Lisbon is an accessible city, you can travel to Lisbon by train from Porto but there are many ways to get there depending on your location.

By plane: flying to Lisbon will arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Lisbon Airport is located about 7 km north of the city center.

You can find your way to central Lisbon in one of the following ways.

Traveling by metro is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to reach Lisbon city center from Lisbon airport.

The Lisbon Metro runs from 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and will cost you EUR 1.50 to travel one way.

An Uber between Lisbon airport and Lisbon center will run you around 12-18 EUR.

Because Lisbon Portela Airport is within the city limits, taxi rides are less expensive than in other European capitals. I

f traveling by taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter as they are required by law to use it.

By train: If you’re already in Portugal or in a nearby city in Spain, traveling to Lisbon by train may be the more convenient option.

Trains are fast, comfortable and relatively cheap.

Additionally, it will save you trips to and from the airport

because train stations are often located in the city center.

If you want to travel to Lisbon by train, you can check the train routes on the Comboios de Portugal website.

This is the official railway website of Portugal.

By bus: Like the train, traveling to Lisbon by bus may be a better option if you’re already in Portugal or in a nearby city in Spain.

You can check bus routes and buy tickets on Bookaway. From the bus station, you can then take an Uber to your hotel.

Portuguese food in Lisbon

Portuguese food is a cuisine of Mediterranean origin highlighted by delicacies such as cozido, tripas and arroz de tamboril.

If you want to eat like a local in Lisbon, Portuguese cuisine has a list of the best dishes to eat for you.

If you’re traveling to Lisbon and love food, a visit to Lisbon’s hugely popular Time Out Market should be high on your priority list.

It’s a trendy food court with more than four dozen stalls representing some of the best restaurants, bars and patisseries in Lisbon.

Want some of the city’s best bacalhau a bras, conservas, croquettes and pastel de nata? It’s all here, convenient for you to explore and eat.

Located in the historic Mercado da Ribeira in Cais do Sodre,

Time Out Market Lisbon is extremely popular, it can be difficult to find a seat so you should go during off hours to make it a little easier.

Places to visit in Lisbon

Torre de Belem

Standing alone on the banks of the Tejo River, the Belem Tower is a 16th-century fortress that was once the ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.

Built on the northern bank of the Tagus, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site often considered a symbol of the European Age of Discovery.

It once acted as a point to protect the port and was the point where many explorers began their journey to the new world.

Finally, if you follow the coastline to the Vasco da Gama Bridge,

you’ll come across the rather impressive Gare Do Oriente,

which is one of the new architectural masterpieces in Lisbon.

Jerónimos Monastery

Along with the Belem Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited Lisbon attractions.

Completed in the 17th century, this is the former monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and was built to commemorate the return of Vasco de Gama from India.

The tombs of the famous explorer and Luís de Camões, a Portuguese poet and writer, are located in the church.

Jerónimos Monastery is located in Belem, about 7 km (4.3 mi) west of the city center.

It’s a beautiful waterfront area near some major tourist attractions like the Belem tower and the Monument to the Discoveries.

Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio or Commercial Square is the main public square in Lisbon.

Located on the banks of the river, it was built on the site where the old Royal Palace once stood before it was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. The most prominent feature in the square is the Arco da Rua Augusta or “Arco Rua Augusta”.

Completed in 1873, it was built to commemorate the reconstruction of Lisbon after its devastating earthquake.

Santa Justa Elevator

This beautiful elevator called Elevador de Santa Justa or Santa Justa elevator serves two purposes.

Not only does it offer great views of the city, but it’s also the fastest way to get from Baixa to the Bairro Alto neighborhood.

The Santa Justa Elevator was inaugurated in the early 20th century as one of the city’s first public transportation systems.

With Lisbon built on seven hills, its steep hills make traveling between upper and lower Lisbon very difficult but the Santa Justa lift makes it much easier.

São Jorge Castle

Castelo de Sao Jorge or Sao Jorge castle is a historic castle and one of the most iconic landmarks in Lisbon tourism.

It sits atop São Jorge hill, the highest hill in Lisbon and home to the stunning Alfama district.

Castelo de São Jorge began as a small fortress built by the Visigoths in the 5th century.

It was expanded by the Moors in the 11th century and reached its peak of splendor between the 13th and 16th centuries when it occupied by both the King of Portugal and the Bishop.

Sao Jorge Castle has 11 towers, museums, bars and restaurants, not to mention some of Lisbon’s most breathtaking views.

You can tour the castle on your own or through a guided tour.

Explore the surrounding area, Alfama

Lisbon is a city made up of many interesting districts, perfect for tourists to come and explore but not

so ideal for a short visit when there is so much to choose from.

One place you must visit is the Alfama neighborhood, which is one of the oldest areas of the city even though

it was originally located outside the city walls about 700 years ago.

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes and explore the winding and hilly streets of the neighborhood and enjoy lunch or dinner after walking around the neighborhood!

Sintra

About 30 minutes from the city, this is a great area to see the historic palaces and castles perched elegantly in the hills.

Sintra is the most popular destination for day trips from Lisbon. Located less than an hour by train from Lisbon,

it is a town and municipality famous for its 19th-century Romantic architecture, royal palaces and gardens, and historic villas.

The entire town as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is much to see and do in Sintra and must-see sights are the Pena palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the castle of the Moors.

Cascais

Cascais is a municipality of Lisbon located on the Portuguese Riviera.

This is a former fishing town that has become one of the most popular holiday destinations along the Lisbon coast. Historically, it was a summer retreat for many members of the Portuguese royal family and nobility.

Today, Cascais is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Portugal. It’s a beautiful seaside town with lavish villas, cobblestone streets, interesting museums, and plenty of restaurants and bars.

Miradouro da Graça

One great thing about Lisbon is that its hilly nature gives way to lots of small Miradouro’s (terraces) popping up all over the city.

Head through Miradouro da Graça for stunning views across Lisbon and even Lisbon Castle. It’s a beautiful place to sit back, relax and enjoy while planning other places to visit in Lisbon.

Arrábida Natural Park

If you enjoy being outdoors in Lisbon, then one of the best day trips you can take from Lisbon is to Arrábida Natural park.

Located about 40 minutes south of central Lisbon, this is a protected area on the Setúbal peninsula with lush mountains,

white sand beaches and some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Lisbon.