Lisbon weekend breaks
The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a magnificent city to explore and, if it's your first time, you will be in awe of its wonderful historical buildings, broad avenues and bustling port. Built on seven hills, Lisbon is located at the mouth of the river Tagus (Rio Tejo). It has a rich and proud maritime history as it was the launchpad for voyages of the intrepid explorer Vasco da Gama, Prince Henry the Navigator and Ferdinand Magellan, who gave his name to the Magellan Straits - it's little wonder Lisbon is known as the City of the Explorers.
Today the city seems alive and vibrant. The medieval Alfama district, Gothic Cathedrals and Torre de Belem represent just a tiny proportion of the architectural treasures the city holds. The thrillingly shabby-chic area of Bairro Alto is home to hosts of trendy coffee houses, open-air cafes and music bars, all clinging to the vertiginous streets and all the while, the haunting and melancholic strains of the traditional "Fado" music insinuate throughout.
Lisbon is the perfect city for strolling along atmospheric streets, people watching from its cafes, admiring the fabulous architecture or just soaking up Lisbon's unique atmosphere.
Holidays in Lisbon
Lisbon is Click&Go’s most popular city break in 2019
Only 3 people know the original Pastel de Nata recipe
Portugal’s Fado music originated in Lisbon
Lisbon has the world’s oldest and the smallest bookshop
Top Reasons to Visit Lisbon
- Historic Lisbon
- Food, Drinks & Sights in Lisbon
- Day Trips Beyond Lisbon
Historic Lisbon
Torre de Belem: A short train ride outside the city you'll find Torre de Belem, an old fortified tower on the river. There’s a tiny bridge leading to the tower that you can visit for very little.
Jerónimos Monastery: Near the Torre de Belem, you'll find Jerónimos Monastery, which houses the Museu de Marinha, the historic maritime museum of Lisbon. Here you can explore the rich history of Portugal and the sea including the polished wooden quarters of the royal yacht and a portable wooden alter dated back to the 15th Century.
Tram Rides: Old, yellow trams take you from one stunning square to the next or up one of Lisbon's many hills. Jump on tram 28 for a long and beautiful ride through the quarters of Graça and Mouraria.
Picturesque architecture: Wander around Lisbon, take in the picturesque facades of the buildings and the colourful painted tiles. Look up to see typical balconies and clotheslines and down to admire the Portuguese pavement (Calçada) that form a beautiful mosaic.
Alfama district: Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and you really see this in the Alfama district with its unique atmosphere. It’s home to Castelo de São Jorge, the best place for a breath-taking view of the sunset.
Food, Drinks & Sights in Lisbon
Mercado de Ribeira: Markets are the perfect place to dive a little deeper into the culture by discovering the local cuisine. Inside Mercado de Ribeira, you'll find over 30 restaurants and food stalls where you can indulge in Portuguese specialities.
Sunrise at Miradouro Portas do Sol: Just like the sunset, sunrise is just as magical. One difference? You’ll have the whole city to yourself. Head up to the Miradouro Portas do Sol in Alfama district and see how the city awakens with the sun rising.
The local delicacies: Try the famous Codfish cake with Serra da Estrela Cheese, at the famous Pastel de Bacalhau.
Let’s talk alcoholic beverages: Served in a shot glass with a cherry, try Ginja, a sweet Portuguese liqueur. Or, Vinho Verde, which is a slightly fizzy white wine served in green bottles.
Street art tour: With a guide, stroll around Lisbon to see the best of the street art around the city. Find colourful and meaningful pictures upon buildings and learn a little bit more about their background, as well as about the city’s history.
Day Trips Beyond Lisbon
Looking for a real fairytale experience? Spend a day at Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The unique architecture and the bright colours of the castle and palace will bring you back to a magical time. This charming place needs to be seen to be understood.
Add some sea to your city break: Only 40mins from Lisbon, take the train to the charming seaside town of Cascais. It's beaches, Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa, make for a perfect relaxing day.
AIRPORT
Lisbon International Airport.
BUS
You can get the Aerobus, which departs approx. every 20mins. It stops at the important sights in the city as well as the bus and train stations. approx. 45mins and costs €20 per journey.
METRO
The metro is a very cost-effective way to get into the city. It departs every 6-9minutes, takes approx. 20minutes and costs €2 per journey or €6.50 for a day ticket.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
You can also get your own private transfer which takes approx. 15mins and costs approx. €20pp return based on 2 people sharing.
* Prices and times for transport from the airport are subject to change
Average temperature
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| high | 15 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 |
| low | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 |