Portugal's capital spreads over seven hills, with pastel buildings and yellow trams. Enjoy Tagus River views from hilltop lookouts, Age of Discovery monuments in Belém, custard tarts and seafood, plus easy day trips to Sintra and Cascais.
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
Based on recent searches — the price may change when you book.
See round-trip flights for these dates →Lowest saved nonstop round-trip fare per person for a 4-day trip.
See on MyRealTrip ↗No recent round-trip prices for a 4-day trip yet.
Check prices →March to May and September to October are the most pleasant. July and August are hot, sunny and the busiest. In June the city celebrates the Santo António festivities, filled with the smell of grilled sardines. Winters are mild but often rainy.
Starts at Aeroporto station right at the airport. It runs straight to Saldanha; for Baixa and Chiado, change at Alameda (Green Line) or São Sebastião (Blue Line). Buy a reusable Navegante card at station machines and load a single ticket or top it up with credit (zapping).
Carris city buses to the center stop near arrivals and take the Navegante card. Much of the online information on airport-only buses is outdated, so check official information for current routes and service. Awkward with big luggage.
Use the official taxi rank at arrivals and make sure the meter is on. Luggage and night supplements apply. The airport is close to the center, so rides are short.
Four lines cover the main districts. Load credit onto a Navegante card (zapping) to ride the metro, Carris buses and trams, suburban trains and ferries with one card. A 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket costs about EUR 7.25, and the metro also accepts contactless bank cards (check official).
The classic yellow tram winds from Graça through Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela to Campo de Ourique, a sightseeing ride in itself. Tickets bought on board cost more than card fares, and it is always crowded, so ride early in the morning.
Since the Glória funicular accident in September 2025, several historic lifts and funiculars, including the Santa Justa Lift, have been out of service. Check Carris official information for any reopening, and walk or use the metro and buses for the hills.
CP trains to Sintra leave from Rossio and trains to Cascais from Cais do Sodré, each about 40 minutes. From Cais do Sodré, a ferry crosses to Cacilhas in about 10 minutes for views of Lisbon from across the river.
Good for: First-timers, transport hub
The flat, grid-planned center, close to the metro, trams and Rossio station. Chiado is an elegant hillside quarter of cafes, bookshops and theaters.
Good for: Old lanes, viewpoints, fado
Lisbon's oldest quarter, with maze-like lanes, lookouts and fado. Steep slopes and stairs make rolling luggage hard.
Good for: Nightlife, bars
Quiet by day, its narrow streets fill with people and bars at night. Expect late-night noise if you stay here.
Good for: Monuments, museums, riverside walks
The riverside district of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, reached by tram or train. Better for a half or full day of sightseeing than for staying.
Good for: Quiet stays, shopping
Príncipe Real is a calm area with gardens and boutiques; Avenida da Liberdade is a tree-lined boulevard of hotels and shops.
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Lisbon in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
A UNESCO-listed Manueline masterpiece built on Age of Discovery wealth. Closed on Mondays and some public holidays; check official information.
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus that reopened in May 2026 after about a year of restoration. Entry is by 30-minute timed slots, so book ahead, and check official information for closing days.
The castle on the city's highest hill, with views over Lisbon and the Tagus from its walls. Buying tickets on the official site helps you skip the line.
Lookouts (miradouros) such as Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol and Senhora do Monte show red rooftops and the river. Especially beautiful at sunset.
A grand square opening onto the river, with a triumphal arch and pedestrian streets leading to Rossio. Stroll the orderly streets rebuilt after the great earthquake.
A large aquarium in Parque das Nações, the Expo '98 site. It is a walk from Oriente station on the Red Line, handy on the way to the airport.
A UNESCO-listed town of fairy-tale palaces and castles in wooded hills. Pena Palace and others use timed entry, so book ahead on the official Parques de Sintra site. The hills are steep, so allow plenty of time.
A seaside town with Atlantic beaches and a marina, reached by a train that follows the coast. Great for a swim in summer.
Portugal's custard tart in crisp pastry, best warm with a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Salted dried cod, Portugal's national staple, cooked many ways, such as bacalhau à Brás with potatoes and egg or fried pastéis de bacalhau.
Charcoal-grilled sardines, the taste of summer and especially the June festivals, often eaten on bread.
A simple sandwich of pork marinated in garlic and wine, a light and cheap lunch or snack.
A sweet sour-cherry liqueur; drinking a shot standing at a tiny counter near Rossio is a Lisbon ritual.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Praça do Comércio → Baixa → a ginjinha at Rossio → Chiado → evening in Bairro Alto.
Early ride on Tram 28 → São Jorge Castle → Alfama lanes and viewpoints → sunset at Senhora do Monte → fado in the evening.
Belém (avoid Mondays): Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower → pastel de nata → riverside walk → evening ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and back.
Train from Rossio for a Sintra day trip (book palace time slots) → Cascais seaside if time allows, or the Oceanário on your way to the airport.
TipsPlanning a year-end or winter-break trip — where to go and what to do firstDecember to February is peak season for year-end and school-break travel, so earlier…
ComparisonWhere to travel in November — cities with good weather and places to think twice aboutNovember mixes crisp autumn cities with the start of the dry season on some Southeast…
TipsBaggage Weight and Carry-on Rules at a Glance: Liquids, Power Banks and Excess FeesBag allowances depend on your airline and fare. Where to check them, the near-universal…
SafetyLost or Stolen Phone Abroad: What to Do, Step by StepLosing your phone abroad cuts off maps, payments and log-ins at once. Locate and lock…Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.