Lisbon District

Travel Guide
Moorish Castle showing tranquil scenes, heritage elements and chateau or palace
Walk cobblestone streets, listen to the soulful tunes of local musicians and enjoy fresh seafood in the capital of Portugal.

Lisbon’s streets are lined with medieval architecture and whitewashed houses, but the city is also well known for its thriving contemporary cultural scene. The capital of Portugal has great weather and laidback locals and is a popular holiday destination year-round.

Stroll the narrow cobblestone streets of the historic Alfama district to admire the medieval buildings, churches and small squares. Visit the Castle of São Jorge, located on a hill above the Alfama district, to hear musicians playing guitars and serenading visitors. The Portuguese are known for their love of music and bands play in bars and on the street. Listen to soulful balladeers play fado (“fate”), a style of music invented in Lisbon.

Explore the streets of the elegant Chiado neighborhood, which are lined with colorful tiled mansions and boutiques. Rest in a café and eat traditional dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod). Lisbon is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and seafood is one of the city’s specialties. Try catch-of-the-day specials including octopus, sea bass and sardines.

Indulge in coffee and pastries at the world-famous Pastéis de Belem. Join the long lines of locals and visitors waiting to try the thin flaky crust and warm egg-custard center of a pastel de nata, Lisbon’s signature pastry.

Discover a broad array of museums. The Gulbenkian Museumhouses some 6,000 artifacts and artworks from Rome, Greece, the Far East and Europe. The newly expanded Museum of Design and Fashion offers an eclectic mix of exhibits portraying the history of 20th-century design and fashion.

The Maritime Museum pays homage to Portugal’s long nautical history, with exhibits of boats and maps dating back to the 1800s. To view fish and sea life from all over the world, visit the Lisbon Oceanarium. This is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, with more than 8,000 fish, birds, mammals and ocean invertebrates.

Lisbon is just a short flight from most European destinations. The airport is 4 miles (10 kilometers) north of the city center. Once here, get around using the underground subway system, buses or above-ground trains. Walking is also a great way to discover the many bars and restaurants hidden in the city’s alleyways.

Lisbon District Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Lisbon District

VIP Executive Picoas Hotel
VIP Executive Picoas Hotel
4 out of 5
Rua Filipe Folque, 12, Lisbon
The price is $121 per night from Oct 29 to Oct 30
$121
per night
Oct 29 - Oct 30
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,042 reviews)
"This is a beautiful hotel wonderful service and friendly staff well worth staying there"

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

VIP Executive Picoas Hotel
Corinthia Lisbon
Corinthia Lisbon
5 out of 5
Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105, Lisbon
The price is $274 per night from Oct 1 to Oct 2
$274
per night
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Very new and updated, atmosphere and restaurant choices, beautiful outdoor eating spots"

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Corinthia Lisbon
Moov Hotel Lisboa Oriente
Moov Hotel Lisboa Oriente
341 Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Lisbon
The price is $133 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$133
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Rossio Square and Lisbon Oceanarium are located nearby. Discover ...
9/10 Wonderful! (63 reviews)
"My experience with this hotel was great, i woud stay at this hotel in the feature. Great area."

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

Moov Hotel Lisboa Oriente
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.
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. Popular attractions Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (678 reviews)
"Rooftop bar great but no one to order drinks from bar or instructions how to either day I was there"

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

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 spacious rooms and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (536 reviews)
"The room was very spacious and beautiful. Liked the separate living area from bedroom and kitchette. Felt like the room was cleaned in a rush and details were missed. The wifi was terrible could hardly use it. Tv in bedroom also didn’t work."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
The Visionaire Apartments
The Visionaire Apartments
4 out of 5
Praça da Figueira, 5, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a library. Popular attractions Rossio Square and Castle of São Jorge are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (161 reviews)
"Very nice and helpful front desk, very good location"

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2023

The Visionaire Apartments
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.

Getting around Lisbon District

With narrow, winding, busy roads, Lisbon isn’t a great city for driving. But the good news is that its public transportation system is comprehensive, affordable and easy to use. In addition to its famous trams, Lisbon has a fast and reliable metro, a good network of buses and intercity trains for longer journeys. Board one of the city’s three funicular railways for a novel way to ascend steep slopes. Visit the Porto Public Transport Society website.Browse Lisbon District rental cars.

Best time to visit

Lisbon is always lively, but perhaps even more so in summer, when most tourists visit. However, the temperatures can get uncomfortably high and accommodations are hard to find. Aim to visit in fall or spring instead, when there's still lots of sun. If you are coming from a place with a harsh winter, Lisbon’s mild winter temperatures, in the mid 50s (15 C and below) during the day, may also appeal.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Lisbon District

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2379
" "5 - Excellent 70.67736185383244%
4 - Good
851
" "4 - Good 25.282234105763518%
3 - Okay
119
" "3 - Okay 3.5353535353535355%
2 - Disappointing
16
" "2 - Disappointing 0.47534165181224003%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.029708853238265002%

5/5 - Excellent

Andres
Apr 14, 2020

Sadly most everything was closed due to COVID but looking forward to going back in the future!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 23, 2020

We enjoyed our week and look forward to returning to Lisbon! It’s a city filled with history, museums, lovely plazas & monuments! Shops, restaurants, and such friendly people. We loved the Corpo Santo Historic Hotel with its 2 free walking tours,etc.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

We did a sunset river cruise and it was excellent.

5/5 - Excellent

Rap
Mar 19, 2020

A very nice city, friendly and interesting.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 17, 2020

Very clean city with lots of hills, allies and profound history!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 17, 2020

Loved Lisbon, wonderful people and great food and drink!

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