Trips to Lisbon
Why you should visit Lisbon
At the heart of Portugal is the capital city Lisbon, a vibrant city with a buzzing nightlife scene, as well as a unique historical and cultural past. Nestled on the western side of the country and at the mouth of the Tejo River, Lisbon's stunning hillsides cascade down to the coast, decorated with tiled buildings and architectural gems.
You might embark on a cheap flight to Lisbon, but the experience you'll have there will be priceless. As you follow the winding streets, you'll see Gothic and Baroque influences in the architecture that towers above you. Not only this but you'll likely casually stroll through UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (or Jeronimos Monastery), which dates back as far as 1500 BC.
Historically, every empire and ruler that has set foot in the city has left a mark, creating a melting pot of styles and influence over time. This interesting mix of cultures also carries over to Lisbon's unique cuisine. From fresh seafood to decadent pastries, your taste buds will tingle as you pass pavement cafes and sophisticated eateries. Of course, as a tourist, Lisbon's signature street food dish of sardines is a must-try.
Whether you're a history buff, a dedicated foodie, or just want a relaxing city break, we'll make sure you have the best experience in Portugal. From booking your flight to making the most of exclusive hotel discounts, Opodo can guide you every step of the way.
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Lisbon to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
What to do with a weekend in Lisbon
Day 1: Explore the Baixa district
On your first day in Lisbon, your primary aim should be to get your bearings and slowly ease your way into the local time zone and culture. We'd say to prioritise much-needed refreshments after your flight and eye up some eateries and bars.
A great place to start your adventures in Lisbon is the Baixa district, the bustling tourist centre. It's built on a grid system and it's well connected to the public transport network, so it's generally hard to get lost.
Another iconic spot is the Rua Augusta, a high street filled with bars and cafes, close by. Keep yourself hydrated and fed with a local pastry and coffee.
To get an eagle-eye view of the city and an idea of where landmarks are located, take a trip to the Elevador de Santa Justa, which will take you up the steepest hill for breathtaking views of the city and coast.
Day 2: Check out Pink Street
A tour of the Alfama district is a must. Unlike the uniformity of the Baixa District, it's a mix of winding streets and leaning stone houses. Once notorious as one of the poorest districts, this area is now inhabited by musicians and artists. It also has some of the city’s oldest religious buildings such as the Se Cathedral and Igreja de Santo Antônio.
If you wish to stay here into the evening, you may hear the maudlin tones of Fado in the breeze when you visit the bars and cafes. This is a form of folk song traditionally sung by sailors' wives as they awaited their spouse's return. Many of the bars will have performances taking place to bring visitors in from the street.
Vinho Verde, also known as 'green wine', is a staple in many bars. At its heart, it's a sparkling white, which is very cooling and ideal for the hot evenings in the city.
From here, head to Pink Street. This destination is a party hotspot and renowned for quite literally being coated in pink paint.
Day 3: Visit the Torre de Belem
Don't leave Lisbon without taking a trip on one of its famous street trams! The Elevador da Bica is the most recognised, with its steep incline up cobbled streets and views of the river behind. The Elevador da Gloria is another famous one, which will take you out of the Baixa district and into the hills.
The Belem district is your final stop on day three and is situated to the west on the estuary of the Tagus River. It has a rich maritime heritage, buoyed in the past by the spice trade.
It's here that you'll find the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The Torre de Belem and ancient coastal defence are also worth a look, providing more great views over the city. With tree-lined parks and ocean vistas, the whole area is a great way to spend your last day in the city before sampling some fresh seafood and making your way home.
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Lisbon and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Lisbon
What’s the name of the Lisbon airport?
There's one airport in Lisbon: Lisbon International Airport (LIS). Its international airport code is LIS and the time zone in Lisbon is the same as in the United Kingdom.
Which airlines offer direct flights to Lisbon?
A host of major UK and international carriers offer flights to Lisbon. In the UK, budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair operate daily flights to Lisbon. Bigger providers like British Airways also have less frequent routes.
Outside of Europe, the airport is a large hub for flights to and from South America and Africa, with many of the airlines from these countries offering passage.
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
This will depend on the airline you're travelling with and you must check their terms and conditions. Each airline will have its own rules and age restrictions. In most cases, you must sign a waiver or Form of Indemnity. Many budget airlines will not allow children to fly alone unaccompanied regardless. Some larger airlines may offer a chaperone service for an additional fee.
How can I travel with an assistance dog?
The Civil Aviation Authority states that all assistance dogs must be allowed on flights without any charge. It's important to remember, however, that you should ideally state you have a dog when initially booking the flight.
You and the dog will board first, and the dog will sit in the foot well in front of the seat for the duration of the flight. You'll need your guide dog or assistance dog ID when booking and at the time of boarding.
How do I find cheap flights to Lisbon that have flexible change policies at Opodo?
When using the search engine, simply look for Flexflight tickets. We'll search hundreds of carriers with flexible ticket policies. You can even see which Flexflight deals are available if you don't have a route in mind.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo at my destination?
You can use Opodo anywhere you have an Internet connection. Simply log into the website and search the many deals available for flights, accommodation and transfers. On the results page, the ‘Cheapest’ tab allows you to filter flights by price. From here, we have an easy booking system that will have your trip arranged in minutes.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
This will depend on the airline's baggage allowance and the option you selected when booking the ticket. Some airlines have a tiered pricing plan depending on how much check-in luggage you wish to take. Others have a certain amount allocated to the cost of a ticket. Check your terms and conditions of carriage.
How can I check in with Opodo?
You can check in online to avoid the long queues at departures. You'll need your name and booking number, which is a six-digit code. Once you enter these on the website, you can print or save the boarding pass to your mobile device. This is usually available around 24 hours before departure depending on the airline.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
You'll get compensation if the cancelled flight is the airline's responsibility. In addition, replacement flights must delay your arrival by two or more hours. Your flight must also have been cancelled less than 14 days before its departure.
How long is the flight to Lisbon?
The flight to Lisbon from London is around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
How to get to and from Lisbon
There's one airport in Lisbon: the Humberto Delgado Airport, formerly known as Portela Airport. As the only major air hub, it's now simply referred to as Lisbon International Airport (LIS). Luckily, this site is popular with most of the major European and international carriers offering flights both to and from the city.
Budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet frequent Lisbon, while major companies like Air France and British Airways also have regular arrivals and departures.
Lisbon Airport is extremely well-serviced for visitors. Restaurants and cafes cater to a range of tastes, and there are shopping experiences including a small duty-free area. Anyone looking for premium services can make use of a fast-track system and the private ANA Lounge. This is located after security at Terminal 1.
The best time to visit Lisbon
The best time to visit Lisbon is in spring and early autumn. March to May have temperate weather conditions and you get to watch the city come to life, with parks and walkways in bloom. With average May highs of 22.5°C, you'll be comfortable and should only have the occasional rain shower.
With Lisbon in low season, you don't get the hustle and bustle you'd typically find in the summer months. With the exception of a half marathon over a weekend in March and some festivals in April, Lisbon is generally a sleepy city at this time of year.
September to October are also great times to visit. September temperatures average 26.6°C and you still benefit from nine hours of sunshine a day. As the peak season is over, many of the attractions are less crowded. The best of the weather remains, and you may be able to get better deals on flights and accommodation. A highlight in September is the annual Lisbon International Film Festival.
The summer months are the best, in terms of Lisbon's weather. You can expect more sunshine at this time of year, though it can get quite hot with temperatures of 28.9°C on average. As flocks of tourists head to Portugal for summer, Lisbon in high season can see the main attractions filled with day trippers as well as the city breakers.
June is host to no fewer than five different festivals, so hotels will book up quickly and public transport can be quite packed. If you're not making a trip to the city specifically for one of these festivals, then you may prefer to book during a quieter season.
If you are visiting in the winter months, then February will have the least rainfall. As much of the city's beauty is in its walks and strolls, this is the best time with November and December often being a washout. A plus side is that you skip the crowds for any indoor attractions.
