Lisbon District

Travel Guide

Miradouro de Santa Luzia which includes a coastal town and a lake or waterhole
Cascais showing modern architecture and a river or creek
Lisbon featuring a city and heritage architecture as well as a large group of people
Moorish Castle showing tranquil scenes, heritage elements and chateau or palace
Ursa Beach featuring surf, a sunset and rugged coastline

Lisbon District Travel Guide Video

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.

Where to stay in Lisbon District

Lisbon showing views, chateau or palace and a city

Lisbon City Center

Travelers love Lisbon City Center for its popular shops, and you can see more of Lisbon by jumping on the metro at Campo Pequeno Station or Saldanha Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Avenida da Liberdade and Campo Pequeno Bullring.

Lisbon City Center
Santa Justa Elevator showing a city and landscape views

Baixa

4.5/5(1,333 area reviews)

Elegant district with earthquake-resistant architecture, the Baixa Pombalina features a grid of streets north of Praça do Comércio, extending towards Rossio and Figueira squares, and Avenida da Liberdade, known for tailoring shops and cafes.

Baixa
Carmo Convent featuring heritage architecture

Lisbon Old Town

4/5(1,347 area reviews)

Lisbon Old Town is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Avenida da Liberdade and Rossio Square. See more of Lisbon by jumping on the metro at São Pedro de Alcântara Stop or Elevador da Glória Stop.

Lisbon Old Town
Chiado which includes views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Immerse yourself in a cultural and commercial hub, boasting luxury shopping, historic landmarks, and a variety of theatres and museums. Explore Chiado Museum, Carmo Convent, and Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, while enjoying easy access to the Baixa-Chiado metro station.

Chiado
Alfama featuring a coastal town and a sunset

Alfama

4.5/5(283 area reviews)

Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, Alfama boasts historical attractions like Castle of São Jorge and Lisbon Cathedral, while offering a labyrinth of narrow streets, Fado bars, and restored houses.

Alfama
Bairro Alto featuring street scenes

Bairro Alto

4.5/5(298 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Fado in Chiado while getting to know Bairro Alto, and be sure to check out the lively bars. You can hop aboard the metro at Elevador da Glória Stop or São Pedro de Alcântara Stop to see more of the area.

Bairro Alto
Corinthia Lisbon

Corinthia Lisbon

5 out of 5
Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105, Lisbon
$233 nightly
The price is $257 total per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
$257 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,112 reviews)
"Great hotel, near a metro station which is handy."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Corinthia Lisbon
Locke de Santa Joana

Locke de Santa Joana

4 out of 5
18 Rua Camilo Castelo Branco, Lisbon
$138 nightly
The price is $155 total per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
$155 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Avenida da Liberdade and Rossio Square are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,090 reviews)
"Good location for us. Clean. Great accommodation. Comfy bed. I like that they don't change towels every day and that the shower gels etc are delivered in a more eco friendly way than other hotels."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Locke de Santa Joana
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel

EPIC SANA Marques Hotel

5 out of 5
Avenida Fontes de Pereira de Melo, 8, Lisbon
$290 nightly
The price is $317 total per night from Aug 8 to Aug 9
$317 total
Aug 8 - Aug 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,057 reviews)
"Clean and great service"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
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, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (977 reviews)
"Visited with family, including 2 teenagers who love football. It's a short transfer from the airport - around €10 in a standard taxi. There's a fab supermarket across the road and the biggest hypermarket I've ever seen is over at Colombo Mall. We used Alto dos Moinhos tube to get around the city ..."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel

VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel

4 out of 5
Praça dos Restauradores, 24, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,510 reviews)
Nice apartment hotel.
"It was our second stay here. The apartment had everything I needed, and the cleaning staff was helpful when I needed fresh towels, etc. It’s not high tech like other hotels, but I like it that way. The air conditioning doesn’t work well, and the room gets uncomfortable, but I could withstand it because ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
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 (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (747 reviews)
"Loved everything about our stay!!! Room was perfect and beds so comfortable! For being in Europe the room was spacious and super comfortable for our family of 4! The breakfast was amazing !!! And the staff so friendly and helpful Will be staying here once again when we return To Lisboa !!! Thank ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
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 SocietyOpens in a new window 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

Things to do

Reviews of Lisbon District

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2379
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
851
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
119
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
16
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Andres

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

We did a sunset river cruise and it was excellent.

5/5 - Excellent

Rap

A very nice city, friendly and interesting.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Loved Lisbon, wonderful people and great food and drink!

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