Jerónimos MonasteryAttraction
Jerónimos Monastery
A sixteenth-century monastery in Belém with a richly carved cloister. Closed on Mondays.
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Things to do in Lisbon
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Lisbon in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsHumberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Getting aroundMetro, trams, buses and on foot
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Lisbon in brief
Lisbon is built on hills above the wide Tagus estuary. The flat Baixa is the centre, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, with the old Alfama quarter and the castle on the hill beside it.
Belém, a short tram or train ride west, holds the monuments of the Age of Discovery. Sintra, with its palaces in the hills, is the classic day trip.
The streets are steep and paved with small stones. Trams, funiculars and lifts help with the climbs, and the viewpoints at the top are free.
Top attractions in Lisbon
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Jerónimos Monastery
Belém TowerAttraction
Belém Tower
A sixteenth-century fortress on the river, the symbol of the Age of Discovery.
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São Jorge CastleAttraction
São Jorge Castle
The hilltop castle above Alfama, with ramparts to walk and wide views of the city.
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Alfama
Lisbon OceanariumAttraction
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of the largest aquariums in Europe, built around a huge central tank.
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National Tile MuseumAttraction
National Tile Museum
Five centuries of Portuguese tiles in a former convent. Closed on Mondays.
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Photo: Jerónimos Monastery — NorbertNagel (CC BY-SA 4.0); Belém Tower — Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 4.0); São Jorge Castle — Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0); Alfama — Ingo Mehling (CC BY-SA 4.0); Lisbon Oceanarium — Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0); National Tile Museum — Piotr Biernacki (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the metro red line or a taxi.
Trains from LisbonTrains reach Sintra and Cascais in about forty minutes, and Porto in about three hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city, where streets are steep and narrow. Useful for the coast and the countryside.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Baixa and Chiado
The flat centre and the elegant district beside it. Close to everything, with good transport.
2
Alfama
Old lanes below the castle, full of character. Steep, with many steps.
3
Bairro Alto
Quiet by day and full of bars at night. Good for nightlife, noisy for sleep.
4
Avenida da Liberdade
A wide, tree-lined avenue of hotels and shops, a short walk from the centre.
Hotels in Lisbon with live prices
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Lisbon day by day
- Day 1: Baixa, Chiado and AlfamaPraça do Comércio and the streets of the Baixa, up to São Jorge Castle, then the lanes of Alfama and a viewpoint at sunset.
- Day 2: BelémThe Jerónimos Monastery in the morning, Belém Tower and the riverside monuments, with a stop for custard tarts.
- Day 3: Tiles and the modern riversideThe National Tile Museum in the morning, the Oceanarium in the afternoon, then an evening in Bairro Alto.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Sintra.
Local tips
- Wear shoes with good grip. The stone pavements are steep and slippery when wet.
- Tram 28 is crowded and popular with pickpockets. Ride it early in the morning, or walk the route.
- Many monuments and museums close on Mondays. Check before you plan the day.
- Bread, olives and cheese brought to the table before a meal are charged if you eat them.
- The city’s viewpoints, called miradouros, are free and best near sunset.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Lisbon
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Travel guide
Lisbon is best in spring and autumn, and 3 days covers the main areas, with extra time for Sintra. The Metro Red Line connects the airport directly to the city.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Spring and early autumn are warm and bright. Summer is hot but breezy, and winter is mild with some rain.
How many days do I need in Lisbon?
Two to three full days cover the city. Add a day for Sintra.
Should I book the Jerónimos Monastery and Sintra’s palaces ahead?
Yes in high season. Queues are long at the monastery, and Pena Palace in Sintra uses timed tickets.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From the airport, the metro red line runs into the city, with a change for the centre. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is Lisbon hard to walk?
The hills are steep and the paving is uneven. The Baixa and the riverside are flat, and trams, funiculars and lifts cover the climbs.