Lisbon
Temperature
7°
Time
7:31 AM
Lisbon
Lisbon's unique mixture of tradition and modernity, of small town and metropolis, captivates visitors from near and far. Excellent shopping, ornate architecture, late and safe nightlife, as well as restaurants with some of Europe’s best seafood are just a few of the reasons to visit this magnificent European capital.Find your trip
São Jorge Castle is one of the oldest structures in Lisbon. This was once a fortress (taken from the Moors in 1147), and now a must-see landmark with a fantastic view of the city. Peacocks and peahens a plenty around the grounds. Humans have been living on the castle hill since at least the 8th century BC, while the first fortifications date from the 1st century BC. Truly a historic place!
Experience Lisbon's rich culture and see landmarks like the Sé Cathedral and Commerce Square on an entertaining and informative guided walking tour. Stroll the historic cobbled lanes and steep inclines of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, Alfama, then head to the elegant Chiado district with its art deco style. Plus, learn about Fado–a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon–and stop by the city's best cafes and boutiques with your expert local guide.
In Belém (situated west of the city along the river) lies Lisbon’s, and possibly Portugal’s, most important historical monument. Here you can see an opulent church and cloistered garden built in the elegant Manuelian style at the beginning of the 16th century, when Portugal was a great seafaring power. Within walking distance of many other sights, the Gothic Jerónimos Monastery is a must-see on any itinerary.
National Tile Museum is devoted to the quintessentially Portuguese tiles seen so frequently on buildings across the country. The collection is housed in a monastery, the varying architectural styles and decorations of which give a quick walkthrough the country's major movements. One of the highlights is an enormous tiled fresco which shows Lisbon as it was just before the big earthquake in 1755.
LxFactory is an art centre with a strong industrial feel in the Alcântara district of Lisbon. Located on the grounds of one of the most significant textile factories dating back to mid-19th century, this complex of hipster delights boasts galleries, shops, restaurants and performance spaces. Slightly off the beaten track, but an absolute must-visit if you want to experience the more alternative and young side of Lisbon.
The area where Expo 98 was held has been successfully transformed into a centre for exhibitions, leisure and culture. The extensive amount of building since the Expo almost overshadows pearls such as Siza Vieira’s Portugal pavilion and Santiago Calatrava’s adjacent Oriente Station. Green park spaces with public art link landmark contemporary buildings like the Camões Theatre and the Lisbon Oceanarium. Trendy waterfront restaurants, the glass-roofed Centro Vasco da Gama mall with shops and cinemas — everything you need for a fun weekend. Kid-friendly exhibits attract families to the Knowledge Pavilion, while the Telecabine Lisboa cable car offers sweeping views with a touch of adventure.
Take a break from city life and catch some Atlantic waves. One of the surfing companies located in the city is Get Stoked, which holds courses for both beginners and advanced surfers.
Lisbon trams have transported people through the city since 1873. Even if today trams compete with the metro, they are still the perfect way to see the city and to get an overview. Tram number 28 is an old-fashioned vehicle that goes around town and you can hop on and off during your trip.
São Jorge Castle is one of the oldest structures in Lisbon. This was once a fortress (taken from the Moors in 1147), and now a must-see landmark with a fantastic view of the city. Peacocks and peahens a plenty around the grounds. Humans have been living on the castle hill since at least the 8th century BC, while the first fortifications date from the 1st century BC. Truly a historic place!
Experience Lisbon's rich culture and see landmarks like the Sé Cathedral and Commerce Square on an entertaining and informative guided walking tour. Stroll the historic cobbled lanes and steep inclines of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, Alfama, then head to the elegant Chiado district with its art deco style. Plus, learn about Fado–a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon–and stop by the city's best cafes and boutiques with your expert local guide.
Fátima Lopes is one of Portugal’s most successful designers, whose clothes are famed for their in-your-face sexiness. Her shop is also a workshop and a bar, with late hours.
Lisbon’s only true department store is Spanish, but the Portuguese put aside their suspicions of their larger neighbour here. The range of goods is quite varied, with international brands and a number of Portuguese designers, together with the store’s own low-price lines. There is a large food hall and gourmet shop downstairs, restaurants and cinemas — and direct access to the Underground.
One of the numerous good pottery shops in Lisbon, it has a longstanding tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Nowadays they produce various copies of old ceramics, but you can also ask for a custom piece and have it delivered to your home. Take the guided tour!
The city’s old centre, Baixa, retains its identity as a traditional shopping district, where you walk on the streets (some of them traffic-free) lined with traditional seafood restaurants and souvenir shops.
Centro Colombo is in fact one of the largest malls in Europe. Here you can find more than 60 restaurants, a cinema, fitness clubs and much more. Lots of visitors come to this mall for the IMAX theatre, too.
Amoreiras Shopping Centre dates back to 1985 and is today one of Lisbon's most icons shopping spots right in the city centre. This is the perfect place to pick up the latest fashion trends at upscale shops, relax at the food court or catch the latest film.
Chiado is close to Baixa, and has the reputation of being the city’s finest shopping district. Chiado successfully manages to combine the gallery model with open shopping, blending the best of both worlds. Rua Garrett is the main shopping avenue of the area with its high-end boutiques, restaurants and the 1700s Bertrand Bookstore.
This ocean themed shopping centre with over 170 stores has everything you need for a solid shopping spree. Besides the 170 stores, you can also find restaurants and a cinema here.
Fátima Lopes is one of Portugal’s most successful designers, whose clothes are famed for their in-your-face sexiness. Her shop is also a workshop and a bar, with late hours.
Lisbon’s only true department store is Spanish, but the Portuguese put aside their suspicions of their larger neighbour here. The range of goods is quite varied, with international brands and a number of Portuguese designers, together with the store’s own low-price lines. There is a large food hall and gourmet shop downstairs, restaurants and cinemas — and direct access to the Underground.
Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport, is conveniently located near the city centre, providing quick, easy, and cost-effective transfers. Two Aerobus lines, operating from 7:30 am to 11 pm, provide efficient connections. Line 1 connects the airport to Cais do Sodré, a major transport hub and vibrant cultural spot, with buses departing every 20–25 minutes. Similarly, Line 2 links the airport with Avenida José Malhoa, the heart of the city's financial district, on the same schedule. Alternative public transportation options include the metro and city buses. The direct 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' metro line whisks you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. While city buses also serve the airport, please note that the maximum baggage size permitted on these buses is 50x40x20cm. If your luggage exceeds these dimensions, the airport-specific Aerobus or Airport Shuttle services are recommended. For direct travel, taxis are readily available. Typically, a ride to the city centre will take between 20 minutes to half an hour, though times can vary with traffic conditions, particularly during nights and weekends. If you're planning to explore beyond Lisbon, Gare do Oriente, the city's main train station, is a brief metro or bus ride away. This station offers comprehensive rail connections to destinations across the country. Of course, taxis are also available for added convenience.
Lisbon enjoys a pleasant climate year round, with mild winters and very hot summers. During the summertime people head for the seaside for vacation and the beaches can get very crowded, especially during high season (July–August). Lisbon's location by the ocean means that the temperatures never get too high, and there is often a gentle breeze coming from the Atlantic. The best time to visit Lisbon is definitely mid to late spring (April–May), when the weather is nice and warm and the city is not yet packed with tourists. The most important festivities are held in early June, when the whole city celebrates the patron saint, Saint Anthony, (on June 13th), and other revered saints. During the celebrations the city is full of people, with music, street dancing and traditional grilled sardines sold at kiosks along the streets.
Lisbon is well connected with public transport, including buses, underground, local trains, ferries, trams and funiculars. The latter two are the least efficient but most entertaining. Tickets can be purchased both at ticket offices and on board with an extra charge. Buses and the underground stop running around 1 am, there are night buses but it is easiest to take a taxi for late night journeys. Metro trains run daily from 6:30 am to 1:00 am. Buses run daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am, after which you should consult the night busses schedule.
Taxis can be stopped on the street, taken from stations, requested by calling or via an app. Taxi tariffs in Portugal are officially set by cities or districts. You can use an online fare calculator to know how much your trip will cost, more or less. The basic fee is €3.25, the kilometre price is €0.47. For standing and waiting time, €14.80 is charged per hour. Nighttime fees are a bit higher. Surcharges may apply. In central Lisbon, empty taxis circulate frequently, except during rush hours or when it rains. Tips are not mandatory, but are appreciated even if they are small. You can install and use apps like Bolt (Taxify), Free Now (My Taxi), and Cabify, and more taxi apps are launching all the time. Uber remains the most popular one.
Post offices are generally open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 6 pm and Saturdays until 12:30 pm. The main post office at Praça dos Restauradores has longer opening hours on weekdays but is closed on weekends.
Generally, pharmacies in Lisbon are open on weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm; some pharmacies close for lunch. On Saturdays, pharmacies close around 1pm. Each district will have a 24 hour pharmacy (farmácia, with a green cross) according to a schedule posted in the windows of all closed pharmacies.
Country code: +351 Area code: 21
Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport, is conveniently located near the city centre, providing quick, easy, and cost-effective transfers. Two Aerobus lines, operating from 7:30 am to 11 pm, provide efficient connections. Line 1 connects the airport to Cais do Sodré, a major transport hub and vibrant cultural spot, with buses departing every 20–25 minutes. Similarly, Line 2 links the airport with Avenida José Malhoa, the heart of the city's financial district, on the same schedule. Alternative public transportation options include the metro and city buses. The direct 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' metro line whisks you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. While city buses also serve the airport, please note that the maximum baggage size permitted on these buses is 50x40x20cm. If your luggage exceeds these dimensions, the airport-specific Aerobus or Airport Shuttle services are recommended. For direct travel, taxis are readily available. Typically, a ride to the city centre will take between 20 minutes to half an hour, though times can vary with traffic conditions, particularly during nights and weekends. If you're planning to explore beyond Lisbon, Gare do Oriente, the city's main train station, is a brief metro or bus ride away. This station offers comprehensive rail connections to destinations across the country. Of course, taxis are also available for added convenience.
