The capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is the westernmost capital city in Europe. It is a popular tourist destination for its monuments, museums, nature, and good food. But when is the best time to go to Lisbon? What’s the weather like there? And how to get there in the best possible way?
Accommodation Lisbon: where to stay
Lisbon is not that big, so it is advisable to choose strategically located accommodation in the centre. Most of Lisbon can then be explored on foot. And what accommodation in Lisbon do we recommend?
If you book well in advance, you may be able to find LR Guest House or Memmo Príncipe Real. If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Lisbon, you could try a fairly popular hostel right in the centre
When to go: Weather in Lisbon
Lisbon is an ideal destination all year round. In summer, you can take advantage of the warm days and explore the city on foot, while in winter you can take advantage of the less busy season and visit museums and historical sites without the crowds. Spring and autumn are ideal if you want to enjoy pleasant weather while avoiding the main tourist season.
| Moon | Average temperature |
| January | 14 °C |
| February | 16 °C |
| March | 18 °C |
| April | 19 °C |
| May | 22 °C |
| June | 25 °C |
| July | 28 °C |
| August | 28 °C |
| September | 27 °C |
| October | 22 °C |
| November | 18 °C |
| December | 15 °C |
How to travel to Lisbon
By car to Lisbon
We go to Portugal every year by car, but mainly because we take our dogs with us and go for more than a month. If you go by car, you have to take into account that you will probably travel for at least 3 days, Lisbon is 3000 kilometres away from the Czech Republic. We mostly sleep in Germany, France and Spain before we arrive in Portugal.
By car to Portugal from Prague
You’ll head through Pilsen to Nuremberg, Heidelberg and then down through Karlsruhe and Bordeaux to Lisbon. The journey takes 26 hours and covers 2,703 kilometres.
By car to Portugal from Brno
The fastest way from Brno is to take the motorway to Prague, and then take the same route to Lisbon. You’ll spend 28 hours in the car and drive just under 3,000 kilometres.
It’s not worth driving to Lisbon unless you really want to stay overnight and take a little side trip.
By bus to Portugal
Probably the worst way to go to Portugal is by bus. You can take the Flixbus to Lisbon, but it’s not worth the trip at all. For a one-way ticket you will pay an average price of CZK 5,000 and spend 50 hours on the journey. Moreover, there are only a minimum of such connections to Lisbon.
By train to Portugal
Even by train it is not very comfortable, you will have to change trains at least 3 times and you will be on the road for more than a day. A one-way ticket costs an average of CZK 3,500. The train is definitely a more comfortable option than the bus, and you can sleep well at night, but it will still take you longer than a day to travel.
By plane to Lisbon
The most affordable and fastest option is only by plane. TAP and CSA fly from Prague to Lisbon every day and a return ticket will cost you between CZK 3,500 and CZK 5,000. Best of all, you’ll only spend 3.5 hours on the journey. Read, how to get cheap flights.
How to get around Lisbon: How public transport works
Lisbon isn’t such a big city that you can’t walk it, but if you need to cover some longer distances, public transport in Lisbon works great.
Tickets and where to buy them
You can buy a Viva Viagem card from the machines in the metro lobbies. You’ll then top it up at vending machines or newsagents, depending on how much you drive. Either a 60-minute or 24-hour ticket is valid for all types of public transport.
However, if you don’t want to use public transport but need to make a one-off transfer, e.g. by tram, you don’t need to buy a card. Single tickets can be bought directly from the driver or from ticket machines.
Trams
Lisbon is characterised by the ubiquitous yellow trams. They can get you almost anywhere and run from 5:30am to 11:00pm. Moreover, under the number 28 there is an old historic tram that will take you to the most beautiful places.
Buses
You can also get anywhere in Lisbon by bus. It is the buses that also provide night transport through the city. You have to buy your bus ticket in the metro lobby, and a single ticket can be bought from the driver for EUR 2. Boarding and alighting is always on signal only, so be sure to wave to the driver if you want to get in the car, or they won’t stop for you.
Metro in Lisbon
The metro has a total of 4 lines that connect the city centre with the airport or train station. It doesn’t start running until 6:30am and finishes at 1:00pm and runs every 5 minutes all day.
Ropeways
A special mode of transport in Lisbon is the cable car. Lisbon is a hilly city, so you can ride up to six cable cars. These cable cars run on rails, are located mainly in the city centre and are subject to the normal tickets you have purchased for other public transport.
Lisbon in 3 days: 39 places to visit
Lisbon is a city with a rich history dating back to pre-Roman times, and its streets are full of stories. Whether you’re a history buff or just a traveller looking for an unforgettable experience, Lisbon is definitely worth a visit. Keep in mind that once you set foot on its historic cobblestones, you may fall in love with it like we did.
💡 TIP: Get our map map of all the places on your phone and you’ll have the whole trip at your fingertips.
Lisbon holidays: The best historical sights of Lisbon
In 1755, Lisbon experienced one of the most devastating disasters in its history. On All Saints Day, 1. In November, the city was hit by a strong earthquake that reached a magnitude of 8.5-9.0 on the Richter scale. The subsequent tsunami and fire outbreak caused further devastation.
This event, known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, destroyed most of the city and caused the deaths of thousands of people. The affected area extended up to 200 km inland, where strong seismic activity was recorded.
After the earthquake, Lisbon was rebuilt under the leadership of the Marquis de Pombal, who designed a new octagonal structure for the city. This event marked a major turning point in the history of Lisbon and influenced its further development and architecture. Let’s take a look at what you can see of Lisbon’s historical sights today:
1) Tower of Belém
The Tower of Belém is an example of Portuguese late Gothic, or Manueline, style. It comes from 16. century and stands in the Belém district of the city. Today, this symbol of Lisbon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tower formed part of the defensive system at the point where the Tejo River empties into the sea. The defence system was very important to the people of Portugal at this time, as the country was one of the major maritime powers of the world.
For this reason, this monument has become the main symbol of the city. The tower is also richly decorated not only with turrets and battlements, but also with statues and reliefs. Here you can see, for example. the likeness of the first rhinoceros imported into Europe.
The tower is 30 metres high, has a total of 4 floors and from its terrace you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surroundings. Opening hours and prices can be found here.
2) Jeronymite Monastery
Another of Lisbon’s UNESCO sites not to be missed on your list of places to visit, this is some of the most beautiful architecture in all of Portugal. The building, in the Manueline Gothic style, is richly decorated with ornamental elements and took approximately 100 years to build (1501-1605).
Once you have seen the exterior facade and the surrounding gardens, be sure to visit the interior of the monastery. The monastery is also the final resting place of some of Portugal’s famous personalities, including. King Manuel I and his wife.
Opening times and tickets can be found at here.
3) Sao Jorge Castle
Castelo de Sao Jorge originally served as a defensive Moorish citadel, and also as the fortress of St. Not until 12. century, after reconstruction, it became the residence of the kings. The castle stands on a hill and majestically towers over the town.
If you don’t feel like walking up the hill, you can take the bus or tram. In winter, the castle is only open until 18:00, but in high season you can visit it from 9:00 to 21:00. You will pay 8.50 EUR for the entrance.
4) Royal Palace of Queluz
Located 15 kilometres from Lisbon, the Royal Palace will delight you with its architecture and gardens. Originally a hunting lodge stood on the site, which was destroyed in the 18th century. century, reconstructed into a summer palace, later it became a royal palace.
For some time it also served as a prison for Queen Mary I. of Portugal at the time of her insanity. You can visit the palace from Wednesday to Monday 9:00 – 17:00, its chambers are worth seeing
5) National Pantheon
The Church of St. Engracia was declared a National Pantheon and its construction lasted from 17. until after 20. century. In the past the church was also used for military purposes, today there are memorials to national heroes. The interior is made of coloured marble, but the exterior is no less interesting.
The white façade is topped with a large dome, to which you can take the elevator to enjoy the beautiful view. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00. Tickets cost EUR 3, but entry is free on Sundays and public holidays.
6) Convento do Carmo
Originally a Carmelite monastery, it is now just a ruin in Lisbon’s Largo do Carmo Square , preserved here as a reminder of the devastating earthquake of 1755, during which many of the faithful perished on the site. Today there is an archaeological museum.
7) Monument to the Discoverers – Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The shape of the Monument to the Explorers is intended to resemble the prow of a ship and was created to commemorate the period when Portugal was an important centre of seafaring and exploration and was erected on the anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. It is decorated with statues, the Portuguese emblem on the sides and a relief of the sword of the royal family of Avis above the entrance.
A statue of Henry the Navigator himself stands facing the river, along with statues of 33 other prominent personalities. From the top of the monument you can enjoy the view of the river, inside there is an exhibition about the history of Lisbon.
Also interesting is the mosaic on the ground in front of the monument, which depicts a map of the world with the routes of Portuguese sailors. From October to February it is open 10:00 – 18:00, from March to September the opening hours are extended to 19:00.
Interesting neighbourhoods in central Lisbon
If you like to wander the romantic streets, or you want to know where the party life is or where the bohemians gather, below you will find the most famous and popular neighbourhoods in Lisbon.
8) Alfama Historic District
Alafama is an urban district and one of the oldest areas of Lisbon. It is famous for its steep, narrow, winding streets, which give you several amazing views of the city from the top.
There are plenty of small shops selling traditional art, you can relax in one of the many cafés and the historic Tram 28 takes you to Sao Jorge Castle.
9) Bohemian neighbourhood of Bairro Alto
A bohemian area known for its cheap restaurants and beautiful architecture, but also mostly for its party nightlife. Bairro Alto is the heart of Lisbon’s nightlife, but you can also visit places like. Church of St. Rocha or one of several beautiful viewpoints.
10) The elegant Chiado district
This bohemian neighbourhood is also known as Lisbon’s most elegant . After a fire in 1988, it had to be rebuilta. It is also very traditional, full of museums, theatres and cafes, but also luxury shops. As it is located almost in the centre of Lisbon, it is also suitable as a place to stay.
11) Lisbon city centre: Rossio Square
Officially named King Pedro IV Square, it is located right in the centre of the city and was the main square for many centuries. In the past it was the site of celebrations and executions, bullfights and uprisings, but today it is still a popular meeting place. There are several cafés dating back to the 18th century and the Column of Pedro IV.
12) Commerce Square
The most important square in Lisbon is the main square, Praça do Comércio. It is located on the site of the original royal palace, which was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755. The square played a crucial role during the maritime trade. From the open southern end of the square you can enjoy the view of the river.
13) LX Factors Art and Industrial Centre
This artistic industrial centre is an “experience factory”. Formerly an industrial factory, today you will find hundreds of shops, cafes, galleries and studios. It hosts a variety of cultural events related to fashion, art, advertising and music, making it one of Lisbon’s most visited venues.
You can enjoy concerts at night and flea markets on Sundays. It’s a place you should definitely visit at least for a while and enjoy the wild atmosphere. LX Factors can be found in the Alcantara area
14) Time out market
A place where you’ll find 28 restaurants, 8 bars, 12 shops, a music venue and some of the best: the best steak, the best burger, the best sushi and the best live concerts. It also houses fresh food and flower vendors.
Various events, even private ones, or cooking classes are held here. If you want to have a great meal and take away a culinary experience, visit the Time Out Market. Open every day 10:00 – 0:00.
The most beautifulparks and gardens in Lisbon
When you’ve had enough of the historical sights, museums and shopping, you can relax in one of the local parks or gardens.
15) Edward VII Park
Edward VII Park. takes its name from King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, who came to Portugal in 1903 to strengthen relations. The gardens include the Carlos Lopes Pavilion, the Estufa Fria greenhouse garden, the largest Portuguese flag in the world, and an annual book fair.
16) Monsanto Forest Park
As the name suggests, this park is a protected forest and the largest green space in the city. An ecological park has been established within the forest, which serves mainly to educate visitors about climate, geology, flora and fauna. The park is home to Portugal’s largest environmental organisation.
17) Gulbenkian Park
The park was created as part of Lisbon’s cultural centre, and you can visit the Gulbenkian Museum or the José de Azeredo Perdigao Centre for Modern Art. There are also beautiful lakes, lots of flowers and birds, statues and an amphitheatre. The park is especially suitable for beautiful walks.
18) Jardim da Estrela
A park full of waterfalls, greenhouses with interesting plants and a landscaped garden with many trees. Families with children will especially appreciate the local playground.
19) Parque das Nações
The park on the banks of the Tagus River is ideal for active relaxation. Here you will find not only nature, but also street art, modern buildings and a large oceanarium.
Guests can also relax in the restaurants and Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre. The park is also suitable for children, not only thanks to the aforementioned ocanário, but also thanks to the Pavilhão do Conhecimento Museum, where exhibitions are also held for children.
Lisbon guide: where to go for sunrise and sunset
If you want to watch the sunset from somewhere, be sure to head to one of the many viewpoints you’ll find in Lisbon.
20) Miradouro de Santa Luzia
One of the most popular sights in Lisbon is the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This romantic viewpoint is covered by a pergola and offers beautiful views of the whole of Alfama along with the river. It is open every day 10:00 – 0:00. In addition to the observation deck itself, you can relax in the on-site café.
21) Miradouro Santa Catarina
This viewpoint is especially popular with the local youth, enjoying not only beautiful sunsets but also weekend concerts. You’ll have a view of Bridge 25 from here. April.
23) Miradouro da Graça
Overlooking the river and the city, this is Miradouro da Graça. It’s not the most visited place, so you can enjoy the sunset from here undisturbed and have a snack at a local stand. In addition, it is also an artistic place full of street art.
24) Elevator/lift Santa Justa
The lift is located in the city centre on Santa Justa Street and takes you to Carmo Square on the hill. The elevator is in neo-Gothic style, made entirely of iron. It is 45 metres high and has a total of two cabins with a capacity of 24 people. You can climb the staircase to the top floor and at the top you can enjoy views of the castle, Rossio Square or the Baixa district.
What to taste in Lisbon: Traditional Portuguese food and drink
Do you also like to taste local delicacies? If you’ve been to Portugal and haven’t eaten pastel de nata, it’s not like you haven’t (Luke has during our annual trip to Algarve eats like 20 a week). But there are other delicacies to try in Lisbon (and you may never find them anywhere else)
25) Pastel de Belém
Pastel de Belém is a traditional Portuguese custard tart, consisting of a pastry ‘shell’ filled with a cream of milk, eggs, sugar, lemon and cinnamon. The first recipe for this delicacy appeared in 1837, when it was created by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery. In 2009, the pies were listed by The Guardian as one of the 50 best foods in the world. Supposedly the best ones are in Pastelaria San Antonio and Manteigaria.
26) Bifana
Another traditional dish is pork steak seasoned with garlic, hot pepper paste, lemon and other spices, then sandwiched between Portuguese papo secos. All is topped with sautéed onions and sweet peppers. This traditional sandwich is nicknamed bifana. As vegetarians, we can’t tell you if it’s good.
27) Caldo Verde
A very popular local soup is Caldo Verde, a cabbage soup with potatoes. Since this is a local specialty, you should definitely try the soup even if you are not a fan of kale. You might be pleasantly surprised (and if not, you’ll have a story to tell).
28) Ginjinha
If you leave the ginja berries, or cherries, in alcohol and add sugar, cloves or cinnamon, you get Ginjinha, the Portuguese cherry liqueur. It’s so popular here that you’ll find several bars in Lisbon dedicated specifically to this drink. It is often served in a small chocolate cup, which you can eat after drinking the contents.
29) Vinho Verde
The green wine comes from the north of Portugal from the historic province of Minho, now Vinho Verde. The wines are dry or semi-dry and have a relatively low alcohol content. If you have visited Lisbon once, be sure to try the traditional green wine.
The best museums and galleries in Lisbon
Yes, we like to go to museums, you’ve probably noticed that already. We have some favourites in Lisbon too.
30) Fado Museum
The museum is located in the heart of Lisbon and has several functions – it hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, a documentation centre and a Museum School.
The permanent exhibition is dedicated to the unique musical style of Fado, which is inherently linked to Portuguese culture. Fado is a traditional Portuguese music characterized by sad melodies and lyrics full of nostalgia, longing and love.
31) National Museum of Azulejos
If you love the local colourful tiles, this museum will probably catch your eye. The collection at the Azulejo Museum is dedicated to traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles called azulejo. P
Here you can see decorative ceramic tiles dating back to the 15th century. century, but also porcelain, ceramics and faience z 19. and 20th century. The museum is located in the Madre de Deus Monastery. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 13:00 and then 14:00 – 18:00.
32) Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
The gallery’s collection includes Portuguese and European art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. century. There are all kinds of fine arts here. In addition to Portuguese masters, you can see works such as The miracle of St. Eusebia of Cremona from Raffaele, The temptation of St. Anthony H. by Bosch, or perhaps a vase from the Ming dynasty. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 18:00.
33) MAAT
The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is located on the Tagus River and is one of the most visited museums in Portugal. The project is designed for all ages, you will enjoy an educational multidisciplinary programme about art, architecture and technology. Open Wednesday to Monday 10:00 – 19:00.
34) MUDE
The Fashion Museum is located in the former Lisbon Bank building on Rua Augusta. You can’t miss the building, its facade is decorated with fashionable pieces, but the exhibition itself is worth a visit. After the tour, you can also relax in the café and lounge area.
35) Berardo Collection Museum
Clean white long walls with exhibits of modern art, this is the Berardo Collection, or Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibition was inaugurated in 2007 and includes works from the José Berardo Collection.
The works are arranged in chronological order and include pieces of abstract expressionism, action painting, body art, digital and experimental art, as well as photography, pop art and much more. Notable works include Jackson Pollock‘ sThe Leader, Pablo Picasso’s Head of a Woman , Salvador Dali’s White Aphrodisiac Telephone and works by Andy Warhol.
Lisbon in two: Tips for romantic trips
If you’re heading to Lisbon in summer or late spring and want to try a romantic getaway, you can book a yacht or boat cruise through GetYourGuide.
Where to go on a trip from Lisbon?
If you’re in Lisbon for more than two days, you might also want to take some interesting trips around the area. Let’s take a look at the best things to see and experience around Lisbon.
36) Sintra
Portuguese city in the district of Lisbon, located 20 km from Lisbon. The first sources about this city date back to 11. century. Sintra was the summer residence of the royal family, and today it is home to many palaces, castles, gardens and parks and is known as the “fairytale city”. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want, you can take a trip from Lisbon directly through GetYourGuide.
37) Cascais
The coastal town 30 km from Lisbon is one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. You can enjoy the sights, the cliffs and the beaches. The Seixas Palace, the old lighthouse and the citadel are worth a visit.
38) Cabo da Roca
This cape is beautiful by nature. It is the westernmost tip not only of Portugal, but of Europe. There is a lighthouse and a beautiful view of the sea and the cliffs. The Cape is 40 km from Lisbon.
39) Obidos
The town of Obidos is a little further from Lisbon, you will have to drive 80 km to visit it. It is a fortified historical town with a large castle as its dominant feature. The castle dates back to the 12th century. century. Narrow cobbled streets lead through the town.
40) Fatima
This important city in Portugal lies 123 kilometres from Lisbon. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to the three little shepherds here, and since then Fatima has been a Catholic hermitage, attracting mainly the faithful.
In the Cova da Iria there is a chapel where many pilgrims meet every day. A large basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was also built here, where the three children, later declared saints, are buried.
41) On the biggest waves to Nazaré
Waves as tall as skyscrapers? You can see exactly that in Nazaré. This small fishing village is one of the most popular places in Portugal. Many-metre waves attract travellers and surfers from all corners of the world. It is said that Nazaré is the Everest of the sea – every experienced surfer wants to climb it. The biggest surfing waves in the world are formed here.
But it depends when you go, in general the “Big Waves” form from October to March and even then you are not guaranteed to see them. We recommend checking the website before your trip Nazare Waves to see if the waves are there.
How to get to Nazaré from Lisbon
It takes about an hour and a half to get there by car, but if you don’t want to rent a car, you can drive for example FlixBus. The price ranges from 179 to about 349 CZK depending on the time you go.
What else to see in Portugal?
You can fly from Lisbon to a Portuguese island Madeira which is one of Europe’s most beautiful islands. Lisbon is also a great base for exploring the south of Portugal – Algarve which offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. You can also head further north to the amazing town of Porto.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the ferry from Lisbon to Madeira?
There is no direct connection between Lisbon and Madeira by ferry. So it is necessary to fly.
What to do in Lisbon with children?
Take the Eléctrico 28 tram and the Telecabine Lisboa cable car, visit the Oceanário De Lisboa, the largest aquarium in Europe, and head to the Lisboa Story Centre.
