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 Lisbon's unique mixture of tradition and modernity, of small town and metropolis, captivates visitors from near and far. Excellent shopping, ornate architecture, late and safe nightlife, as well as restaurants with some of Europe’s best seafood are just a few of the reasons to visit this magnificent European capital.

Lisbon, Portugal skyline at Sao Jorge Castle in the afternoon. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

The City

Lisbon’s heart lies beside the river, even if the city has grown in all directions. Sit down at a pavement cafe on Rossio Square and you will see the Baiza, the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century, between yourself and the river bank. Look up in one direction and you will see the São Jorge castle on the top of a hill. Look in the other direction and you will see the ruin of the Carmo Church on another hill. Walk, or take a tram to one of them and you will discover the quarters of old Lisbon, most of them with a magnificent view of the rest of the city and the river.

Wander north from Rossio, you will soon end up on a stately 19th century avenue, in the part of the city which is still called "Avenidas Novas". Further north, the buildings become really new, with the city’s two large football grounds, Luz and Alvalade, and, lastly, the airport which is twenty traffic-jam-free minutes in a car from Rossio. Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife are situated along the river. Shopping is good along the Avenidas Novas, but otherwise the rule is to keep close to the river to get the best out of your visit.

Rossio square and Santa Justa elevator in Lisbon, Portugal Mapics/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

A true modern metropolis that can compete with any world capital in the number of attractions, Lisbon is a city that is on the up and up. Best known for its colonialist history, rich architectural tradition and Fado music, the city is perfect for long walks — hike up the hills of Alfama or at St George's Castle to get the most spectacular views. Romans, Berber pirates, Moorish builders and brutal Reconquista knights left their mark on the urban fabric of the city.

Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife spots are situated along the river. Dive headfirst into the bohemian atmosphere of Lisbon.

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São Jorge Castle

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Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour

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Jerónimos Monastery

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National Tile Museum

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Parque Das Nações

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Tram 28

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Lisbon Food & Wine Tour

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Lisbon Zoo

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São Pedro de Alcântara Garden & Viewing Platform

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Pavilion of Knowledge

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Fronteira Palace

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Sanctuary of Christ the King

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Monument to King José I at Praça do Comércio

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Escape Room in the Heart of Lisbon

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Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

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Cascais Village

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Lisboa Story Centre

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Museum of the Orient

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Miradouro das Portas do Sol

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National Museum of Ancient Art

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Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River

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Wine Tasting in the Setubal Region

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Dining

In Lisbon, you can find both modern and sophisticated restaurants as well as simple and very traditional ones. As you can expect, you will find the strongest Portuguese ambience in the simple and traditional places. Small and unpretentious restaurants can be found all over town and do not require booking. At most of the restaurants below, however, it is safest to book a table. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays or Mondays.

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Time Out Market

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Eleven

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Real Fábrica

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Casa Do Alentejo

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Cervejaria Trindade

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Garrafeira Alfaia

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Belcanto

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As Salgadeiras

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Ramiro Brewery

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Restaurante Zuari

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A Nossa Casa

Cafés

After a day of sightseeing, find a table at a pavement café on Rossio Square. Savour one (or two) Portuguese custard tart and restore your energy. Take in the milling of the crowd with the backdrop of the Baixa neighbourhood — the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century.

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Pastéis de Belém

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Café No Chiado

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Padaria de São Roque

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Fábrica da Nata

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Frutaria Café

Lisbon at night Kuznetsov Alexey/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Lisbon is a city that takes its nightlife quite seriously. Shortly after midnight, it is best to move down towards the river and the larger clubs along Avenida 24 de Julho, the Docas area and Alcântara, where the coolest dance floors are never packed before two in the morning.

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Time Out Market

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Kremlin

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Matiz Pombalina

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Foxtrot Bar

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Hot Clube de Portugal

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Dock's Club

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Incógnito

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Musicbox

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Ministerium

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Red Frog Speakeasy

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Musa de Marvila

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Dois Corvos Taproom

Aerial view of the Augusta Street and the Downtown District, known as Baixa. The most cosmopolitan street of the city is permanently full with Lisboans and tourists Steve Photography/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

A lot of the shopping in Lisbon is now housed in enormous shopping centres such as Colombo and Amoreiras, or in smaller gallerias. The city’s old centre, Baixa, retains its identity as a traditional shopping district, where you walk on the streets (some of them traffic-free) and drop into the shops. Go in for cork designs, gourmet food, crafts, soaps, shoes and if your wallet allows, gold.

Chiado is close to Baixa, and has the reputation of being the city’s finest shopping district. Chiado successfully manages to combine the gallery model with open shopping, combining the best of both worlds.

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Fátima Lopes

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El Corte Inglés

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Fábrica Sant'Anna

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Centro Colombo

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Centro Amoreiras

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Chiado Neighborhood

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Armazéns do Chiado

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Cork & Co

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A Vida Portuguesa

Lisbon, Portugal tram. ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Passport / Visa

Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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Website: www.iatatravelcentre.com

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Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport, is conveniently located near the city centre, providing quick, easy, and cost-effective transfers.

Two Aerobus lines, operating from 7:30 am to 11 pm, provide efficient connections. Line 1 connects the airport to Cais do Sodré, a major transport hub and vibrant cultural spot, with buses departing every 20–25 minutes. Similarly, Line 2 links the airport with Avenida José Malhoa, the heart of the city's financial district, on the same schedule.

Alternative public transportation options include the metro and city buses. The direct 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' metro line whisks you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. While city buses also serve the airport, please note that the maximum baggage size permitted on these buses is 50x40x20cm. If your luggage exceeds these dimensions, the airport-specific Aerobus or Airport Shuttle services are recommended.

For direct travel, taxis are readily available. Typically, a ride to the city centre will take between 20 minutes to half an hour, though times can vary with traffic conditions, particularly during nights and weekends.

If you're planning to explore beyond Lisbon, Gare do Oriente, the city's main train station, is a brief metro or bus ride away. This station offers comprehensive rail connections to destinations across the country. Of course, taxis are also available for added convenience.

Address: Lisbon Airport, Lisbon

Email: lisbon.airport@ana.pt

Phone: +351 218 413 500

Website: www.aeroportolisboa.pt/en

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Best Time to Visit

Lisbon enjoys a pleasant climate year round, with mild winters and very hot summers. During the summertime people head for the seaside for vacation and the beaches can get very crowded, especially during high season (July–August). Lisbon's location by the ocean means that the temperatures never get too high, and there is often a gentle breeze coming from the Atlantic.

The best time to visit Lisbon is definitely mid to late spring (April–May), when the weather is nice and warm and the city is not yet packed with tourists. The most important festivities are held in early June, when the whole city celebrates the patron saint, Saint Anthony, (on June 13th), and other revered saints. During the celebrations the city is full of people, with music, street dancing and traditional grilled sardines sold at kiosks along the streets.

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Public Transport

Lisbon is well connected with public transport, including buses, underground, local trains, ferries, trams and funiculars. The latter two are the least efficient but most entertaining. Tickets can be purchased both at ticket offices and on board with an extra charge.

Buses and the underground stop running around 1 am, there are night buses but it is easiest to take a taxi for late night journeys.

Metro trains run daily from 6:30 am to 1:00 am. Buses run daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am, after which you should consult the night busses schedule.

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Website: www.metrolisboa.pt

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Taxi

Taxis can be stopped on the street, taken from stations, requested by calling or via an app. Taxi tariffs in Portugal are officially set by cities or districts. You can use an online fare calculator to know how much your trip will cost, more or less. The basic fee is €3.25, the kilometre price is €0.47. For standing and waiting time, €14.80 is charged per hour. Nighttime fees are a bit higher. Surcharges may apply.

In central Lisbon, empty taxis circulate frequently, except during rush hours or when it rains. Tips are not mandatory, but are appreciated even if they are small.

You can install and use apps like Bolt (Taxify), Free Now (My Taxi), and Cabify, and more taxi apps are launching all the time. Uber remains the most popular one.

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Website: www.teletaxis.pt

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Post

Post offices are generally open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 6 pm and Saturdays until 12:30 pm. The main post office at Praça dos Restauradores has longer opening hours on weekdays but is closed on weekends.

Address: Loja CTT Restauradores , Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon

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Phone: +351 21 047 1616

Website: www.ctt.pt

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Pharmacy

Generally, pharmacies in Lisbon are open on weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm; some pharmacies close for lunch. On Saturdays, pharmacies close around 1pm. Each district will have a 24 hour pharmacy (farmácia, with a green cross) according to a schedule posted in the windows of all closed pharmacies.

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Telephone

Country code: +351
Area code: 21

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Electricity

220 V/50Hz with with a Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe.

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