Lisbon Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Chiado which includes a city and railway items
Lisbon is the westernmost capital of mainland Europe and one of the oldest cities in the world. Visitors throng to Lisbon for its Mediterranean climate, good food, great wines, vibrant nightlife and ancient history.

History

The strategic location of Lisbon at the mouth of the Tagus River has contributed to the city’s importance as a centre of trade between the Mediterranean Sea and northern Europe. It was originally settled by the Celts and subsequently captured by the Carthaginians, Romans, Suebi, Visigoths, and Moors. Christian crusaders later captured the city, forming the long-term Portuguese Royal Family.

Lisbon flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries during the Portuguese Age of Discovery, which lead to the accumulation of great wealth and power. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake destroyed much of Lisbon and further disaster fell in 1807 when Napoleon’s forces occupied Lisbon. However, the city slowly rebuilt over the 19th Century.

In 1910, the Republicans established the Portuguese Republic with the Estado Novo regime, the longest-living dictatorship in Western Europe ruled by Salazar. It was deposed by the 1974 by the Carnation Revolution and Portugal joined the European Community in 1986. Recent improvements to the metro system and the revival of older buildings in the city have transformed Lisbon into one of the trendiest cities in Europe.

Landmarks

Lisbon and nearby Sintra have three sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, in Lisbon and Palácio da Pena in Sintra.

Belém was where Portuguese explorers set off from on their voyages of discovery. Belém Tower is a fortified lighthouse, which stands on a little island on the right hand side of the Tagus. It was originally intended to guard the entrance to the port against invasion or pirate raids, but today it offers incredible views over the city.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a monastery with amazing stonework and burial place of the greatest Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. Sintra is a beautiful dreamy town dotted with tourist hotspots and historic attractions, such as the grand Palácio da Pena: a fairytale-like castle that sits atop a mighty hill, offering incredible views over the town below.

The heart of the city of Lisbon is Baixa. This historic district was constructed after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Its most notable feature is the Rua Augusta Arch, a triumphal arch designed as a gateway to the city. An elevator, located inside the arch, takes you to a vantage point that offers beautiful views over downtown, the Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River.

Lisbon's castle, Castelo de São Jorge, is an incredible piece of architecture that stands on top of the city's highest hill. Not only does it offer cultural and historical significance, but also provides beautiful views of the city and river, making it a fun trip for history-buffs and lay folk alike.

If you’re a fan of modern architecture, pay a visit to Parque das Nações: the newest district in Lisbon. Check out the Orient Railway Station, a truly eye-catching building and one of the main transportation centres of Lisbon. Here you can also find one of the world's longest bridges, the stunning Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Shopping, Restaurants and Nighlife

If it’s shopping you crave then pay Chiado a visit, Lisbon’s traditional shopping area. Here you can buy clothes from trendy designer boutiques, as well as books, crafts and pottery. You will also find plenty of coffee shops and restaurants serving traditional cakes such as ‘Pastéis de Nata’ and typical cod fish dishes called ’Bacalhau’.

As you can probably see, there’s never a dull moment in Lisbon.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Lisbon showing château or palace, views and a city

Lisbon City Center

Avenida da Liberdade and Campo Pequeno Bullring are top sights in Lisbon City Center, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Campo Pequeno Station or Saldanha Station to see more sights in the area.

Lisbon City Center
Carmo Convent featuring heritage architecture

Lisbon Old Town

4/5(777 area reviews)

Lisbon Old Town is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade. See more of Lisbon by jumping on the metro at São Pedro de Alcântara Stop or Elevador da Glória Stop.

Lisbon Old Town
Santa Justa Elevator showing landscape views and a city

Baixa

4.5/5(604 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Rossio Square to Rua Augusta – discover Baixa, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Baixa
Alfama showing a sunset and a coastal town

Alfama

4.5/5(165 area reviews)

Alfama is a destination travellers like for its historical sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at Lg. Portas Sol Stop or R. Escolas Gerais Stop to explore sights like Portas do Sol Viewpoint.

Alfama
Chiado which includes views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Fado in Chiado while getting to know Chiado, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Chiado Stop or Lg. Academia Nacional Belas AR Stop to see more of the area.

Chiado
Default Image

Bairro Alto

4.5/5(153 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the lively bars in Bairro Alto. Spend some time visiting top spots like Fado in Chiado, and catch the metro at Elevador da Glória Stop or São Pedro de Alcântara Stop to see more of the area.

Bairro Alto
Radisson Blu Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes, 390, Campo Grande, Lisbon
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £111 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
£111
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,420 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2024

Radisson Blu Hotel
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Rua Laura Alves 9, Lisbon
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £123 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
£123
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"Pillows and bed"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
5 out of 5
Avenida Fontes de Pereira de Melo, 8, Lisbon
The price is £223 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
£223
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"The hotel was fantastic and well appointed. The room was super clean and incredibly comfortable."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
4 out of 5
Rua de Buenos Aires, 8, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (172 reviews)
"The property was great and the communication prior to arriving was excellent - really easy to find, easy to gain access and in a nice, safe area. The self check-in process was quick and simple. The apartment itself was clean, spacious and modern with kitchen facilities. The bed was comfy and even ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
4 out of 5
Rua Luciana Stegagno Picchio, 12, Lisbon, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (733 reviews)
"Near Benfica stadium"

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
4 out of 5
Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 4, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (585 reviews)
Good for families
"Great accommodation for families allowing for self catering. Hallways can get noisy with small children running around. Lighting is dull at night and full length mirror needed in apartments. Good supermarkets close by. Overall it’s a good location that allows flexibility."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Lisbon

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1154
" "5 - Excellent 68.08259587020649%
4 - Good
496
" "4 - Good 29.262536873156343%
3 - Okay
35
" "3 - Okay 2.0648967551622417%
2 - Disappointing
9
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5309734513274337%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.058997050147492625%

5/5 - Excellent

Taylor
23 Mar 2020

Myself and my partner had an amazing time in Lisbon. The people were friendly, the weather was beautiful and Portugal’s culture is so rich and diverse. We wished we could have stayed longer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Mar 2020

This was our first visit to Lisbon and in fact Portugal and we really liked it. Lovely city to visit and didn't really feel like a normal capital city, it had a more relaxed feel to the place and a fantastic blend between old and new styles.

5/5 - Excellent

Beth
8 Mar 2020

Lovely city to explore . Always lots of walking to do so wear trainers .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Mar 2020

Great place to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Mar 2020

Beauitful and pleasant city with lots of tourist attractions, restaurants, shops and bars. Was disappointed with the amount of graffiti seen across the city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Mar 2020

There is plenty to see and do you just have to get out and about. We are seniors of below average fitness however we coped well with the hills. Buy the Lisboa ticket, worth it especially as we used our Expedia points to reduce the cost.

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