LisbonTravel Guide

Whether you can afford to glam it up in boutique hotels, or you’re more about the home-away-from-home experience, Lisbon offers a variety of options when it comes to accommodation. 

So many attractions, where to start? Whether you explore the city on foot, hit the tourist hotspots, or wine away some time at the vineyards, we're pretty sure you'll fall in love with Lisbon.

Home to some of the best eateries in the world, Lisbon dishes up loads of flavour. From Portuguese cuisine at family-run restaurants to fine dining or street food, there’s something for every palate. Here are our favourites:

 Lisbon offers a variety of shopping experiences, from high-end to budget, indoor to outdoor. For those with expensive taste, head to the most luxurious shopping street in the city,  Avenida da Liberdade. The tree-lined boulevard is home to many of Portugal’s most exclusive stores (think Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Cartier) and some of the finest bars and restaurants in Lisbon. Are malls your thing? Centra Vasco da Gama in the Parque das Nações neighbourhood is a multilevel mall with international retailers, eateries, and a cinema. The modern shopping centre is easily accessible by metro, a web of bus routes or taxis from the city centre. Sometimes there’s nothing better than hanging out at a market all day and browsing the stalls. Feira da Ladra is Lisbon’s bi-weekly flea market, which dates back to 1272, when it was held in various parts of the city before settling permanently at its current location. Traditionally dedicated to selling second-hand items, these days you’ll find antiques and handicrafts among the bric-a-brac. A must-see for visitors who enjoy a cultural injection while souvenir shopping.  

 It’s easy to explore Lisbon on foot, along the city’s cobblestone streets, or by using public transport like a bus, tram or ferry. Most of the city is connected via the metro. Look out for Lisbon’s unique elevators – both national monuments and tourist attractions. They are very popular and can get you up the hills quickly and cost-effectively. Buy your ticket on board. You should also get yourself a Viva Viagem card − a quick and easy way to pay for trips using public transport, and it can be loaded with as much credit as you think you will need during your stay. You can find Ubers and other ride share services in Lisbon, which offer a convenient way to get around a new destination. Word of warning: if you call an Uber to fetch you at the Lisbon Airport, the car can’t stop outside the Arrivals Terminal, and there may be some confusion in figuring out your pickup location. 

Did you know? Lisbon is the only European capital with Atlantic Ocean beaches, and it has more than two dozen Blue Flag beaches to boast about. Blue Flag beaches are classified as such for their high environmental and quality standards, so you know you’re heading to a beautiful place!  With a shoreline stretching for 1.5km, Carcavelos beach is one of the longest on the Lisbon coast and is just 20 minutes from the city by train. It’s one of the most popular beaches with locals and tourists alike, as well as families. Surfers also like to go here to do their thing. And yes, it’s been “blue-flagged”. If you prefer a more secluded beach, we recommend Praia Dos Galapinhos. Awarded the 2018 European Consumers Choice Award of 'Most Beautiful Beach in Europe', it can be found tucked into the Arrábida Natural Park near Setúbal. With calm waters, ideal for swimming, it also has a forest as its backdrop. Just a heads up that getting to the beach is a little challenging – either walk down what locals call a ‘goat track’ or you’ll need to wait until low tide to climb over rocks to get there. But all part of the fun, we say! The Estoril coastline on the outskirts of Lisbon is dotted with many stunning beaches, and you’ll also find some Blue Flags here. Estoril was Portugal’s most famous resort during WWII and is also home to one of the continent’s biggest casinos, which inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond character and the novel Casino Royale.

 This capital city has no shortage of green spaces where you can stroll, jog, picnic or simply sit on a bench and enjoy the outdoors. Parque Eduardo VII (Edward the VII Park) is to Lisbon a bit like what Central Park is to New York, surrounded by residential areas, but more manicured! It’s a formal park with hedges shaped into boxes, rolling lawns, statues, and a great view from the top of the hill down to the river. Several greenhouses on-site are open to visitors and showcase cacti and exotic plants. One of Lisbon’s most extensive gardens is the Mário Soares Garden, the size of 11 football fields! It features a lake with boats, walking trails, table tennis, paddle tennis courts and several restaurants and bars, so you could easily spend a whole day here. Tucked into the Príncipe Real district, about a six minute walk from the Rato Metro Station is Lisbon’s Botanical Garden. Established in 1873, it’s home to thousands of plants, including exotics. The best part (we think) is the butterfly greenhouse where butterflies are bred – and it’s open to the public. Another lovely park we encourage you to visit is the Jardim da Estrela. With a duck pond, a café, and a children’s playground, families love to come here. The park is also a venue for markets and the annual jazz festival. Walking towards the north of the park, you’ll come across the 300-year-old British Cemetery where author and playwright Henry Fielding is buried. The cemetery has a fascinating history and is a tranquil place to walk through (but if you find this too creepy, we understand!)