Lisbon, Portugal: travel guide
Seven hills, yellow trams and tiled lanes above the Tagus
Capital of Portugal, a hilly Atlantic city of trams, tiled facades and the historic Belem district.
About Lisbon
Lisbon climbs a series of hills above the Tagus estuary, and much of its charm lies in the climbing: yellow trams rattle through Alfama, viewpoints open onto red roofs and river, and azulejo tiles cover façades on almost every street.
Things to do in Lisbon include the Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries along the Belém waterfront, a long lunch at the Time Out Market, and slow evenings in Bairro Alto and Alfama listening for fado. Parque Eduardo VII gives you a green pause and a wide view back down to the water.
The city suits first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who enjoys walking. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Lisbon, when the light is soft and the streets are comfortable to climb.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Nearest airport
- LIS
Last updated
Top places to visit in Lisbon
Jerónimos Monastery
monastery · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry €15 (≈ ₹1,600)
The supreme achievement of Manueline architecture — a 1502 UNESCO-listed monastery in Belém whose intricate stone carvings of ropes, anchors and exotic plants celebrate Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Sintra — Palace of Pena
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · entry €20 (≈ ₹2,130)
The extraordinary 1854 Romantic palace perched atop the Serra de Sintra — a riot of yellow and red turrets, Moorish and Manueline details, and views to the Atlantic beyond.
Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry €10 (≈ ₹1,070)
The iconic 1519 Manueline fortress built on the Tagus as the ceremonial gateway to Lisbon — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with finely carved stone rhinoceroses on the base.
Praça do Comércio
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Lisbon's grand waterfront square — the ceremonial entrance to the city from the Tagus, anchored by the triumphal arch, the equestrian statue of José I and the yellow ministry buildings.
Alfama Neighbourhood
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood — a maze of medieval Moorish lanes tumbling down to the Tagus, with fado houses, miradouros, the cathedral and an unhurried old-world atmosphere.
Sintra — Quinta da Regaleira
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · entry €15 (≈ ₹1,600)
A fairy-tale 1910 Romantic estate with an esoteric palace, underground Initiation Well, grottos and terraced gardens — one of the most mysterious properties in Portugal.
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Pastel de Nata)
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The original home of the pastel de nata — since 1837 the Confeitaria de Belém has been baking custard tarts to a secret recipe and serving them warm, dusted with cinnamon.
São Jorge Castle
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry €15 (≈ ₹1,600), Adult €15; reduced €7.50; under-10 free
The Moorish hilltop castle dominating Lisbon's skyline, with ramparts offering the finest panorama of the city, the Tagus and the red rooftops of Alfama below.
Sintra Historic Town Centre
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The UNESCO-listed hill town 40km from Lisbon — a landscape of palaces, gardens and Romantic architecture, with the National Palace dominating the town square.
Praça do Rossio
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Lisbon's historic main square, with wave-pattern cobblestones, the Teatro Nacional and the column of Dom Pedro IV — the city's social heart for 700 years.
Rua Augusta & Arco Triunfal
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Lisbon's main pedestrian shopping street connecting Rossio to Praça do Comércio, anchored by the 19th-century Triumphal Arch with a lift to a viewpoint over the Baixa grid.
Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário)
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's finest aquariums in the Parque das Nações — a central 5-million-litre open-ocean tank visible from all sides, with sunfish, sharks, manta rays and otters.
Things to do
- Belem Tower & Jeronimos Monastery Heritage · 3 h · from EUR 20 per person
- Lisbon Tram 28 Ride Sightseeing · 1.3 h · from EUR 4 per person
- Alfama Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 14 per person
- Sao Jorge Castle Sightseeing · 2 h · from EUR 14 per person
- Fado Show with Dinner Show · 3 h · from EUR 50 per person
- Lisbon Food & Wine Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from EUR 47 per person
- Time Out Market Food Hall Food Experience · 2 h · from EUR 29 per person
- Pasteis de Belem Tasting Food Tour · 1 h · from EUR 5 per person
Where to stay in Lisbon
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon 5-star · INR 35,000 to INR 140,000 per night
- Hotel Pestana Palace Lisboa 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 30,000 per night
- Tivoli Avenida Liberdade 5-star · INR 25,000 to INR 90,000 per night
- Olissippo Lapa Palace 5-star · INR 30,000 to INR 120,000 per night
- Hotel Bairro Alto 5-star · INR 11,000 to INR 25,000 per night
- Travellers House Hostel 3-star · INR 1,800 to INR 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Cervejaria Trindade portuguese, seafood, traditional · about EUR 35 per person
- Cervejaria Ramiro portuguese, seafood, traditional · about EUR 45 per person
- Manteigaria portuguese, patisserie, cafe · about EUR 5 per person
- Time Out Market Lisboa portuguese, international, food_hall · about EUR 25 per person
- Pastéis de Belém portuguese, patisserie, cafe · about EUR 5 per person
- Manteigaria portuguese, pastry, cafe · about EUR 3 per person
- Pastéis de Belém portuguese, pastry, traditional · about EUR 5 per person
- Cervejaria Ribadouro portuguese, seafood, traditional · about EUR 55 per person
Getting to Lisbon
Airport: Lisbon (LIS)
Getting around
- Metro
- Tram
- Walking