Lisbon
In Lisbon, you might end up chasing old trams uphill, only to discover there is a shortcut you missed. Locals drink their coffee standing, which means if you sit you pay more, and yes, someone forgot to tell the seagulls about personal space. Travel destination popular things to do or visit include listening to Fado in a voice-cracked tavern, getting lost in Alfama with bread crumbs that pigeons steal, or queuing for custard tarts while the sun melts your patience. Someone once told me that the best hotel in Lisbon has a bellboy who sings better than half the Fado singers, but I never checked if that was true. If you meet him, let me know.
Local weather in Portugal
SPRING
mild & temperate
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
mild & temperate
WINTER
cool
Accommodations in Lisbon
Discover the best accommodations for Lisbon and start planning your holiday.
Long stay Lisbon: travel destination popular things to do or visit
It’s a city where people walk more than they drive, maybe because parking is a myth, or maybe because the best hotel in Lisbon hides behind a corner you only find after three wrong turns. On Tuesdays, the flea market in Alfama sells everything from old coins to a pair of shoes that might fit if you don’t mind mismatched sizes. Sometimes, a local will try to tell you the secret to the perfect bacalhau, but the recipe always changes by the time you get home. Inconsistent? Maybe, or maybe that’s just Lisbon being itself.
One time, I tried to see all the seven hills in one afternoon and ended up counting only five, so either the map was lying or I was. Every sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte has at least one proposal, three street musicians, and a dog that wants your sandwich more than you do. Do not be surprised if you hear church bells at the strangest hours; they have their own schedule. For the best hotel in Lisbon, look for the one where the elevator is slower than the stairs—trust me, it's part of the charm, or maybe it’s just old.
Other cities around Portugal
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
