How to Reach Lisbon
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is just 7km from the city center. The Metro connects directly in 20 minutes. Lisbon is extensively served by budget airlines from across Europe.
Get a Viva Viagem card for all public transport — metro, trams, buses, and the magnificent Sintra railway all use the same system.
Top Things to See & Do
1. Alfama & Sé Cathedral
Lisbon's oldest neighborhood — a labyrinth of steep cobblestone lanes and Moorish architecture climbing from the riverfront to São Jorge Castle. The Sé Cathedral dates to 1147. Getting lost in Alfama's alleyways is the quintessential Lisbon experience.
2. Belém Tower & Jerónimos Monastery
The twin masterpieces of Manueline architecture sit beside the Tagus River in Belém. Jerónimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama is buried, is UNESCO-listed and breathtakingly intricate.
3. Tram 28
Lisbon's vintage yellow trams traverse Alfama and Graça neighborhoods on routes unchanged since the 1930s, clinging improbably to steep hillsides. Ride it early morning before the tourists wake.
4. LX Factory
A former industrial complex transformed into Lisbon's most creative neighborhood — independent shops, design studios, and the extraordinary Sunday market that has become the city's most vibrant weekly gathering.
5. Sintra Day Trip
40 minutes by train from Lisbon, the UNESCO-listed Sintra is like something from a fairytale. The Pena Palace — a riot of color on its rocky peak — is extraordinary.
What to Eat in Lisbon
- Pastel de nata — the warm custard tart from Pastéis de Belém, eaten with cinnamon and powdered sugar
- Bacalhau — salt cod prepared in 365 ways, the Portuguese national obsession
- Bifanas — marinated pork in a bread roll with mustard, the Lisbon street food classic
- Ginjinha — sour cherry liqueur served in a tiny chocolate cup at hole-in-the-wall bars
Best Time to Visit
April–June and September–October are ideal. June brings the Festas de Lisboa street parties and sardine festivals. Winter is mild, quiet, and atmospheric.
