Lisbon is a beautiful capital city in Portugal and one of the most interesting cities to visit in Europe. It is very charismatic and vibrant and is both traditional and modern. In Lisbon, you can experience rich and interesting history, a fun nightlife. Lisbon has a nice climate throughout the entire year.
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Why you should travel to Lisbon
Lisbon is a very fun and exciting city that offers various activities and has many amazing tourist attractions. This is a great attraction for both younger and older people. Here you can go on a cultural trip, experience wild nightlife, go on a family trip, or relax by the beach every day. According to “Lonely Planet Guides”, Lisbon is one of the 10 best cities in the world. However, it is not so popular among European cities, but that can change since more and more people explore this beautiful city every year.
You will need at least 3 days to get to know Lisbon and a weekend trip is a great option in this case. There are also other fun places you can visit that are very near Lisbon, such as sandy coastline where you can enjoy your day on one of the amazing beaches.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
This area has hot dry summers, good weather during spring and fall, and wet winters. Some say that the best time to visit this capital city is in late spring. During that time of the year, days are usually bright and sunny and the temperature is not too high. Lisbon can be quite crowded between June and August since most of the tourists visit it during those months. Weather is nice for the beach from May until late September. Wintertime can be quite rainy, but there are still many attractions for tourists during these months.
Best places to stay
It is best that you stay near the historic center. That includes areas of Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama as well as the Avenida da Liberdade. Tourists often stay in these areas because they are very close to the main tourist attractions. Best districts for parties and fun nightlife are Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre.
Alfama is famous as a historical area, but you might get tired of narrow steep streets. The Mouraria and the Avenida Almirante Reis district are a bit cheaper but are not the best option for families with children. Parque das Nações district has great business hotels near the airport, so we recommend it for those who are on a business trip.
Nearby beaches
Near Lisbon, you can find beautiful sandy beaches and explore amazing nature. You can even go there by bus or train. The nearest coastlines to visit are Cascais-Estoril coastline and Costa de Caparica. Serra de Sintra coastline has amazing wild beaches if that is something you are looking for. Serra da Arrabida has beautiful paradise beaches, but those are a bit further. Most people find these beaches just as nice as ones in the Algarve.
Lisbon for kids
This city is a perfect choice for a family break or holiday. The city offers a big variety of kids friendly tourist attractions, such as Oceanarium and an amazing Zoo. In general, people in Portugal are known for a family-focused culture.
Day trips
Most popular trips from Lisbon are the hill-top town of Sintra as well as Cascais town. You can visit a beautiful beach in Sesimbra, a picturesque walled town called Obidos, an amazing colossal palace in Mafra as well as the port in Setubal.
Is Lisbon expensive?
Lisbon is one of the most affordable cities in Europe and offers great prices of food, drinks as well as public transport. Historic monuments do not charge a lot for entrance. However, some tours can be a bit pricey.
Safety
Lisbon is far more safe than some other cities in Europe. Some tourists had a bad experience with opportunistic thieves and pick-pockets.
Language issues
The majority of people in Lisbon speak English, especially those who work in the tourism industry. If your knowledge of English is decent, you should not have any problems. Almost all transport hubs have English for a second language. That includes the airport, railway, and metros. Most of the restaurants offer an English menu.
Rent a car in Lisbon
Since this city offers great public transport for its tourists, there is usually no need for a rental car. Driving in this area can be very hard and stressful because of the bad traffic markings and heavy traffic. Even parking can cause problems and is usually expensive. The only reason you may need a rental car is if you want to explore areas further from Lisbon.