Visit Lisbon: the “small” guide for your holidays

When you think of the country in which to spend your holidays in Europe, Portugal and its capital Lisbon quickly come to the forefront, especially in the face of its tourist craze in recent years. Lisbon is a very attractive capital for excursions, sightseeing, culture or landscapes and is not as expensive as cities like Rome or Paris. Lisbon is simply very beautiful: the sunset on the Tagus dam, the magnificent castles of Sintra, the hills that offer breathtaking panoramic views, the kindness of the locals and so on. In this article, I will give you a maximum of useful information to spend a great week of holidays in Lisbon and its surroundings: general information, why choose Lisbon, some information about the cost of the holidays, public transport, neighbourhoods, things to see and holiday rentals.

Before presenting all this, I invite you to consult this site, which specialises in everything that can make your life easier for your holidays in Lisbon, including visits and excursions. From the transfer from the airport to your Lisbon Hotel to the visit in Tuk Tuk through the full day tour organized in the region and tickets & discounts for all the monuments to visit.
Everything is organized, you can choose an English-speaking interlocutor and services that have only good comments. You’re sure not to have any unpleasant surprises!

Visit Lisbon: general information

The city of Lisbon is located on the Tagus River, close to where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Tagus is a very large river on which you can observe the tides even in the most remote area of the Portuguese capital, the Park of Nations. From a purely aesthetic point of view, you will remember Lisbon for the sun, the Tagus, the ocean, the magnificent bridge almost like in San Francisco, the statue of Christ almost like in Rio de Janeiro, the Pasteis de Belem and the port.

But beyond clichés and aesthetics, there is much more. Lisbon is a city steeped in history, with a strong culture that you will find in many museums and historical buildings such as the Belem tower in Belem, the Castle of Sao Jorge, the Monastery of Jerónimos, the palaces of Sintra and so on. There are also tourist activities recognized throughout Europe such as the aquarium of Lisbon and it is not said enough but the casino of Estoril which is to date the largest in Portugal and Europe.

The language is Portuguese and even if it is different from Spanish, go back to your school memories and use it, the locals will understand very well: it could be useful for you to communicate. Anyway, many Portuguese people speak English, some even French, so you should be able to communicate without any problem. If not, you will still have your hands and your mime skills! For your information, this can be useful, thank you say “Obrigado” if you are a man and “Obrigada” if you are a woman.

You should know that there is the Lisboa Card in Lisbon. A card that will give you access to many discounts on entrance fees to monuments, public transport and even free entry to some of Lisbon’s sights. Find out about the main discounts and everything you need to know about the card by consulting the page Lisboa Card, or click below to order it directly online.

Why visit Lisbon

There are many reasons why you should visit Lisbon at least once in your life and it depends on your personal taste but visitors are generally unanimous that the capital of Portugal is a good choice.

• Magnificent walks along the Tagus and the ocean, breathtaking landscapes.
• The historic centre of the world’s first colonial empire, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Jeronimos monastery and the tower of Belem.
• The Sintra Castles are a fairy tale that will literally overwhelm you. And once again, from the hills where they are located, there are breathtaking views of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Portuguese cuisine is really worth tasting: seafood and meat perfectly cooked on the grill, crunchy vegetables, typical pastries, all in front of a good glass of Portuguese wine and why not a group of Fado in the background.
• Fine sandy beaches as far as the eye can see along the Tagus River to Guincho (a windy spot perfect for surfing and kiting) and turquoise blue water worthy of the Caribbean south of Lisbon: Portinho da Arrábida.

• A holiday that doesn’t stop at the visit to Lisbon but also at the visit of its region which has beautiful things to offer whether in the north, south, east or west: do your research, you will always find things to see and do to liven up your stay in Portugal.
• Very competitive prices for your holidays. You can eat a full menu for 10€, fresh seafood much cheaper than in France, drink a beer for 1€ or 1€50, take public transport or visit fantastic places at reduced prices.

These are just some of the reasons to visit Lisbon, you may find others after your visit here.

Prices in Lisbon and Portugal

• Subway / Bus / Tram ticket: between 1,45 € and 3€.
• Train ticket Lisbon Sintra: 4,5€ return ticket
• Full meal with drink in a Portuguese restaurant: around 10€ to 15€ per person
• Full meal with drink in a tourist or chic restaurant: between 25€ and 50€ per person.
• TOP 10 best restaurants in Lisbon : gastronomy and higher prices
• Ticket for Tours in Lisbon: between 5€ and 10€.
• Lisbon Aquarium: 19€ for adults
• One hour Tuk Tuk tour in Lisbon: around 70€.
• Journeys to Sintra, Portinho de Arrabida, Cascais & Estoril between £60 and £80
• Rent a car in Lisbon: around 25€ per day for an average model
• PThe average price for holiday rentals in Lisbon is between 80€ and 110€ per night.

Here are a few general indications that will help you to know the cost of your holiday in Lisbon. I think it is generally very cheap compared to capital cities like Paris or Rome. The most important budget will be accommodation and car rental if you want to visit the Lisbon area on your own. You can see the average prices on rentals in and around the capital at the end of this page.

Transport in Lisbon

Public transport in Lisbon is perfect for getting around, the city and its surroundings are very well served. In addition to buses and trams, the public transport network also includes funiculars, ferries on the Tagus and the metro.

Transport prices in Lisbon

The payment system is unified for all shipment types. The simplest way to travel freely is to buy a Viva Viagem card for €0.5 and top it up as needed as you travel. Each person must have their own Viva Viagem card and count towards your transport:

• 1,45€ for a metro ticket
• 1,8€ for a bus ticket
• 3€ for a one-way tram ticket
• 4.5€ for a return train ticket between Lisbon and Sintra
• 6,6€ for an unlimited transport ticket for 24€ (Bus, metro and tramway + a pass for the Santa Justa lift)

If you are planning to travel a lot, check out the various more “tourist” options that will allow you to take all public transport by paying once in advance for 24, 48 or 72 hours (such as the Lisboa Card which also includes discounts for visits).

The Lisbon metro

In the early 2000s, the metro extended beyond the Portuguese capital’s borders to cover its suburbs. The whole area is very well served thanks to 4 lines of different colours which cross each other, with a total length of 45km :

• The blue metro line (Azul): 17 stations between Santa Apolinia and Reboleira with 14km of line.
• The green metro line (Verde): 13 stations between Telheiras and Cais do Sodré with 9km of line.
• Yellow metro line (Amarela): 13 stations between Rato and Odiveilas with 11km of line.
• The red metro line (Vermelha): 12 stations between Sao Sebastiao and Lisbon airport with 11km of line.

You will find below a map of these 4 lines that will help you for your travels in Lisbon.

The Lisbon metro opens at 6.30 am and the last trip will be around 1 am. Intervals between metros vary between working days, evenings or weekends but you will usually wait for the metro between 5 and 8 minutes. Up to 12 minutes if it is late.

The Lisbon metro is famous for the beauty of its stations, especially Olaias, considered one of the most beautiful in the world: shiny tiles of different colors, vault supported by high metal columns: if you take the Lisbon metro it’s worth it. You will pass through it if you take the red line of the metro from Lisbon airport to reach the city centre.

Lisbon: a must-see

• The centre of Lisbon (Baixa-Chiado & Alfama)
• Santa Justa Elevator
• The Belem district
• Palaces, gardens and castles of Sintra
• Cape Roca and the stroll between Cascais and Estoril
• The Parc des Nations and the Lisbon Aquarium
• Sao Jorge Castle
• Portinho da Arrabida
• Cristo Rei Statue

This is an approximate list and you will have understood that if you come to visit Lisbon for a weekend, you will have to make choices according to your desires and preferences. It will also depend on whether you want to visit things quickly or take your time.

There is no perfect list and as I told you, there are many things to do, it’s up to you. If you want some ideas, I’ve made a selection of the nice guided tours in Lisbon and things to do Lisbon.

Historic Centre of Lisbon

You could devote the first day to the centre of Lisbon and its historic districts:

• Baixa with the Plaza del Comercio and the main tourist artery (Calle Augusta)
• To the left of Baixa the district of Chiado and Bairro Alto
• On the right, the Alfama district and the Sao Jorge castle.

All this can be done on foot in a day. I will make on another page a detailed description of the route with pictures and nice things to discover on the way. You can try to take the legendary tramway 28 of Lisbon from Martim Moniz Square but it will depend on your holiday period in Lisbon, it can take a long time during the summer.

For museum lovers, there is a museum in Galista Gulbekyan, an Armenian collector who bought many rare pieces and you can visit the garden or look at the facade decorated with azulejos tiles.

Seeing the sunset at the end of the day on the Tagus is an unforgettable sight that I highly recommend to finish in beauty.

Belem

The second day can be spent in Belem. This is the museum district of Lisbon and is the main place where you can enjoy the benefits & discounts of the Lisboa Card. Belem is the place where the Portuguese colonial empire began: Portuguese sailors set off on long journeys, Vasco da Gama himself is buried here. There are two UNESCO World Heritage monuments.

The most recommended museums to visit are the Palace of Ajuda and the carriage museum. You can also visit the Monastery of Jerónimos and the Tower of Belem. The waiting line can be long depending on the period for the tower of Belem but you will find by following the following link of the queue-jumping tickets so you don’t have to wait in line.

Sintra and its palaces in the region of Lisboa

If you were to do something a little far away from Lisbon then I would recommend that you visit Sintra with its palaces (such as the famous Pena Palace), its castles and parks. Already at the planning stage of a trip to Lisbon, you have to decide whether you want to stay 1 or more days in Sintra and plan your journey accordingly. To make it easier for you to organize your visit, you will find below reservations for guided tours in small groups with a English-speaking guide.

Sintra is a must see.

Visit Cascais, Estoril and Cape Roca

This is a second visit to the Lisbon area. Cascais and Estoril are closer to Lisbon than Sintra, easily accessible by train along the Tagus and its many great beaches to visit between Lisbon and Cascais. The journey is very nice.

Le Cap Roca – le point le plus occidental du Portugal est également facilement accessible depuis Lisbonne, vous ne devriez pas rater l’occasion si vous passez dans le coin. Il est à noter que les impressions dépendront beaucoup des conditions météorologiques.

Vous devez donc prévoir une journée ensoleillée pour cette visite. Une visite à Cape Roca ne prendra pas plus d’une demi-journée; je vous recommande de consacrer l’après-midi à une promenade le long de l’océan à Cascais et à Estoril.

Park of Nations and Lisbon Aquarium

I also advise you to spend a day in a modern and very nice area of Lisbon, Parc des Nations. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro of the same name. The area has been recently built and you can clearly see the difference with the centre of Lisbon. The architecture is more modern but is still quite consistent with the rest of the city.

You will find in this district many restaurants for all tastes: snacks, high quality, hamburgers, fish, meat, Chinese, Indian, brasseries… The district being very long, there is room for everyone! As in Belém, at Parc des Nations you can walk along the Tagus, see the tides, take the cable car to admire Vasco da Gama. In addition to all these attractions, the Parc des Nations is a great place to go shopping in Lisbon and bring back souvenirs if you wish. You will find the Vasco da Gamma shopping centre.

Not to mention the Lisbon Aquarium. I don’t go back over it, it is described over and over again on the internet but for having done so I recommend it to you of course. It will complete the day in the neighborhood which can be very romantic if you are a couple and very interesting if you are with your family. Depending on the periods, the queue can be quite long, so I advise you to book your ticket in advance HERE.

The statue of Cristo Rei

On the other side of the Rio Tejo is a huge. It belongs to the city of Almada and if you have time to visit it I recommend it. You can go by elevator to the top of the statue at 110m to enjoy a great view of the whole city of Lisbon with the Tagus and the bridge of April 25th in the foreground. You can get there by bus (there are many tours of Lisbon by bus), by car or directly by ferry through the Tagus.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive plan to explore Lisbon and its surroundings. Around the capital of Portugal, there are still many beautiful cities, monasteries and places that are simply magnificent. such as Tomar, with an inviolable fortress, Obidos the Christmas capital, Fatima the place of apparition of the Virgin Mary, Porto the capital of the north, Alcobaca with the largest abbey in the country, Batalha and the largest monastery complex, Evora the medieval city, Nazaré and its gigantic waves, etc…

Don’t be disappointed if you can’t see everything, like many visitors in Lisbon, you will certainly come back soon!

The castle of Saint Georges

The Castle of Saint George of Lisbon is the place to visit if you are interested in the history of the capital and the discovery of an authentic Portuguese castle of the 5th century. It is located at the top of Lisbon’s historic district, which will allow you to admire the most beautiful panoramas of the city. You can visit it 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm (November to February) or from 9am to 9pm (March to October). It will take a little more than half a day of visit, during which you will be able to discover :

• The archaeological site with limited access
• The castle
• A permanent exhibition of ancient objects discovered on the archaeological site
• The remains of the old citadel palace
• The gardens and the viewpoint in which you can stroll
• The darkroom to discover Lisbon from a new angle

You can get to the Castle of Saint George of Lisbon by taking tram 28 to Miradouro Santa Luzia or bus 737 to Castelo. The price of the visit is 8,5€ for adults, 5€ for students and free for children under 7 years old. 

Santa Justa Elevator

The Santa Justa lift is I grant you a tourist activity but is and will remain among the Top 10 things to see in Lisbon. The “Elevador de Santa Justa” or “Elevador do carmo” is an imposing construction built between 1900 and 1902 in the heart of the historic center of Lisbon. It is made of wrought iron and offers you to go up to 46 meters using the spiral stairs or one of the two elevators that can accommodate up to 24 passengers.

Today it is a tourist activity in Lisbon but the Santa Justa lift was originally a way for the Portuguese to go from the Baixa district to the Chiado district without getting tired. A must see if you visit Lisbon and are looking for breathtaking views of the city. My advice? Take the night lift to see the city lit up, it’s beautiful!

The Santa Justa lift is located on Rua de Ouro and is open every day from 7am to 9pm. The last ascent is at 8:45pm and you will have access for 5€ per person to the ascent and the miradouro. For more information, you can contact them at +351213500115. The stops to get there depend on the means of transport used :

• By Bus with the 208, 711, 714, 736, 737, 746, 759, 760 and 780.
• By Tramway E12 or E15, stop Place Figueira
• By Metro with the blue line, stop Baixa Chiado

Pastéis of Belem

I understand that some people don’t especially want to visit the tower of Belem (which I do however recommend) but you should definitely go and taste the Pastéis de Belem (Pastéis de Nata). You will clearly be able to eat them in all the Pastaleria of Lisbon but like all the Best Sellers of pastry, you will find some good ones and some not so good ones. So if you come to visit Lisbon for the first time and to get the best first impression possible, I advise you to taste the ones from Belem. I’m not hiding the fact that during the summer period, you will sometimes need to be patient but it’s worth it, your taste buds won’t regret it! We are talking about a Portuguese culinary speciality offered in this factory since 1837, a real institution in Portugal and Lisbon.

• Open from October 1st to June 30th from 8am to 11pm / Open from July 1st to September 30th from 8am to midnight.
• Address: Rua de Belém No 84 a 92, 1300 – 085 Lisbon

Monastery of Jerónimos

Lisbon is known for the beauty of its architecture but also for its historical buildings such as the Castle of Saint George or the Monastery of Jerónimos. A wonderful place to visit absolutely in Lisbon and which was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It was classified for the beauty of its architecture but also for its importance in history, as it is the mausoleum of King Manuel I and his successors.

It has undergone numerous restorations following its degradation, for example by the great earthquake of 1755. All parts have not been damaged and are now open to the public. The building is magnificent and a must for your tourist stay in Portugal.

Many buses will take you to the monastery: 727, 28, 729, 714 and 751 as well as the tramway N°15. The building is located on the Praça do Imperio, 30 minutes by bus from the commercial square. You will find below the latest information about the prices and opening hours of the Monastery of Jerónimos :

• Open from October to May: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm (last admission at 5 pm)
• Open from May to September: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 6pm)
• Closed: Mondays, 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December.
• Price: 7€ per person / 10€ to visit the tower of Belem + the monastery / 3,5€ for the 65 years and more
• Price: free on Sundays and public holidays until 2pm / free for children under 14 years old.

Museu do Azulejo

Some of you may want to visit a museum during your visit to Lisbon. So if I have one to recommend, it’s the Museu do Azulero. It’s one of the biggest in Portugal and will tell you all about the famous Portuguese mosaics. This museum indeed retraces the history of the tiles and earthenware that are called Azuleros. They have undoubtedly been part of Portuguese history, architecture and culture since the beginning of time. This museum has been open to visitors since the 1960s and offers a wide range of 7000 pieces that will give you a glimpse of all the Portuguese know-how in this field.
Among the museum’s must-see pieces is a 23-metre-long panel that will allow you to visualise Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake, which led the city to great architectural changes.

• The Museum do Azuleros is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• The price of the museum is 5€ per person but many discounts are available
• For Portuguese residents, admission is free on Sundays from 2 p.m. onwards.
• Museum address: Rua da Madre de Deus 4, Lisbon

For those who would like to bring back a souvenir of Lisbon with an Azulero, you have to be careful not to be fooled. It is possible to buy old and authentic ones in different shops in the city, I recommend the following five:

• Solar, Albuquerque & Sousa – Rua Dom Pedro V 70, Lisbon.
• Fábrica Sant’Anna – Calçada da Boa-Hora 94 B, Lisbon
• Páteo Alfacinha – Rua do Guarda-Jóias 44, Lisbon
• Fábrica de Cerâmica da Viúva Lamego – Largo do Intendente 25, Lisbon
• Cerâmica Constância – Rua de São Domingos 8, Lisbon

The districts of Lisbon

It would be difficult on this page, which is already well stocked with information, to give you all the details of each district of Lisbon, but click on the previous link and you will already know more! For those of you who won’t click, I will give you some information about the most important places you might visit during your holidays in the capital.

Alfama district of Lisbon

The old town (“Alfama”) with its many original buildings was almost untouched by the earthquake. Here, during a walk through the steep, narrow streets, the visitor can still find many references to the Moors who, among other things, built the Castelo de Sao Jorge fortress.

Many of the buildings still have original azulejos (tiles) with beautiful mosaics. The oldest church in Lisbon can be found in this area. It is in this corner of Lisbon that you can make a trip with the tram 28. This authentic old tram takes you in a charming way through the most beautiful streets of the old city and transmits a lot of its charm to you.

Bairro Alto district of Lisbon

The Bairro Alto is a very quiet area of the old town during the day as only residents and delivery drivers/traders are allowed to drive there. With the Elevador da Gloria, one of the still existing funiculars, you can easily cross the 265 m to the upper town or the way back to the city. At the top, the observation tower Sao Pedro de Alcantara offers a magnificent view of Lisbon and the Tejo.

In the evening, the Bairro Alto is a meeting place for all those who love partying and music. Many restaurants, bars, discos and fado pubs come alive. This part of the old town is made up of small streets typical of Portugal and very nice. Ideal for partying, a little less for families who want peace and quiet at nightfall.

Baixa district of Lisbon

This area of Lisbon is central. It includes the imposing triumphal arch (“Arco Monumental” or “Arco da Rua Augusta”) and the Praca de Commercio which will allow you to wander through one of the most colourful shopping streets in Lisbon – the Rua Augusta – with a multitude of different shops, street vendors and nice cafés.

La Rossio is one of the three most important squares in Lisbon and a particularly interesting place to visit. In the center stands the magnificent statue of Dom Pedro IV. Every year in October, the first semesters of the universities are dedicated to student life with a “baptism ritual” at the fountains which I was lucky enough to attend! It’s great.

The district of Belém

It is located in the western part of the old city, 7 km from the centre of Lisbon. Here you will find the old defence tower Torre de Belem with its 35 m high panoramic platform and a magnificent view of Lisbon.

You will also find many historical buildings to visit such as the Hieronymus Monastery (“Mosteiro dos Jeronimos”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monument of Discovery (Padrao dos Descobrimentos) in which there is a lift that takes visitors to the top of the Monument to the Sailors, which is more than 50 meters high and offers an impressive view. In front of the monument there is a superb mosaic on the ground with the different sea routes.

The Chiado district in Lisbon

In this part of the city, “shopping” is predominant. All known fashion designers are represented here. It is the most expensive and chic district in Lisbon and Portugal. On the programme: shops, art, music, bookshops and theatres. It is the popular district for art students and Lisbon residents that you should definitely visit.

Parque das Nacoes

District I mentioned earlier. It was modernized in 1998 to become more modern on the occasion of the World Expo. The Vasco da Gama Bridge was also built to cope with the increase in traffic towards the World Expo.

The modernisation was partly financed by EU aid and created new areas such as the Oceanarium, the Pavilhao do Conhecimento (Science Centre) and the Teleferico cable car which rises to 20 metres in height from the Lisbon Aquarium to the Torre Vasco da Gama, a 145 m high observation tower.

Holiday rentals in Lisbon

There is really no miracle solution for vacancies in Lisbon, which will in any case be one of the most important items of expenditure in your vacancies. The closer you get to the centre of Lisbon and the more expensive the rentals are, sometimes reaching quite surrealistic prices compared to 3 years ago.

You have different options depending on what you want and the means at your disposal

• If your budget is tight and you travel alone, I advise you to look at the youth hostels on Booking. You will be able to meet great people, the prices are cheap and there are some really nice places where you could think you are sharing a room with someone else.
• If your budget is the same as the prices of seasonal rentals in Lisbon then for a few days I would recommend a Hotel on Booking and for a week or more I would recommend an apartment booking on Booking as well. Prices are often more affordable on Booking as there are no running or cleaning costs. If your budget is tighter than the average rental in Lisbon then look at Costa da Caparica (Across the bridge of April 25th) or Oeiras, Carcavelos or Parede. You won’t be in Lisbon but closer to the beaches and the capital is very well served from these cities.
• If your budget is very comfortable then I recommend you to get away from Lisbon and rent a car & a luxury villa. There are some very nice ones in and around Lisbon, you will be able to get to the capital very easily, you will be close to the beaches and will be able to freely visit all the places to see.

It is very important to know that isolation is a real problem in Portugal. This means that you have to take into account two or three things before you make your reservation

• You are more likely to be in a quiet and warm hotel room than in an Airbnb apartment. It’s much better heated and insulated.
• If you rent Airbnb I advise you to avoid the hypercentre areas unless the noise doesn’t bother you in the evening or at night. I don’t recommend it for families. If on the contrary you are going to Lisbon to party all night long then the place is ideal. The higher your budget is, the less noise or insulation problems you will face in popular areas (higher apartments, better insulated, double glazing, etc…).
• If you rent an Airbnb in Lisbon make sure that the apartment has electric heating, at night it is much cooler than during the day and without insulation it can quickly become a nightmare.

Type of rentals Booking in Lisbon

To save you from looking for the best rental plans in Lisbon, you will find below a Booking map that I find much more convenient than the normal search to visualize the area in which you want to rent. Just below the map is a set of links to rental filters according to each person’s choice: hotel with SPA, with swimming pool, family rooms, with balcony, youth hostel, etc…

Booking.com

Rentals Booking in Lisbon

• Center of Lisbon
• Top rated
• With access to the beach
• Apartments
• Youth hostels
• With SPA
• Houses and guest rooms

Rentals Booking in Sintra
Rentals Booking in Cascais
Rentals Booking in Estoril

The most beautiful views of Lisbon

Lisbon is located on the Rio Tejo, which opens at the city’s gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, Lisbon is spread over seven hills. This interesting combination of water and altitude promises beautiful views and there are many of them. The more beautiful the view, the more crowded these Miradouros of lisbon are but that’s part of the game. Because of the rolling hills, you can see the sunset in some places and the sunrise in others.

Mirador de Nossa Senhora do Monte: From the center, you have to climb up 15 minutes to reach this viewpoint, already enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way. You will have the best all the way to the top. You can see the Castelo, as well as the statue of Christ in Almada and the Bridge of April 25 over the Rio Tejo with behind the bridge, the sunset. This Miradouro is probably one of the most beautiful sunsets in Lisbon.

Miradouro de Santa Catarina: This viewpoint of the Bairro Alto is a less spectacular alternative but easier to reach because it is not so high. The industrial port is right under your nose with the big bridge over the Rio Rejo and the statue of Christ that you can see behind it.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol: It is located in the Alfama district and is one of the best spots to see the sunrise in the morning. You will have to get up early to see it! On this point of view of lisbon, there will be less tourists. In January, the sun rises at 07h50. From this point of view, the Tagus is only a few hundred meters ahead.

Miradouro do Recolhimento: this viewpoint is very close to the Castelos de Sao Jorge, a little hidden in a parallel street. It can be reached from a “Parque Infantil” (children’s park). From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the cruise ships moored in the port and the Alfalma district.

There are other sites that offer a beautiful view of Lisbon. The best 360-degree view is from the Santa Justa lift. At the Café de Garagem you can enjoy the view behind a large window. From the Cemitério dos Prazeres (a cemetery) you should also be able to admire the sunset over the 25 Abril Bridge.

The beaches of Lisbon

You have certainly already been told that the water may be cold in Portugal and Lisbon, I am not going to say otherwise. On the other hand, the sun is warm and the beaches around Lisbon are made of fine sand on which it will be pleasant to bask during your holidays. Here’s a little point about the different beaches in the Lisboa area and the best way to enjoy them.

Praia de Carcavelos

If you wish to make a day trip to a large beach near Lisbon, you can go to the Praia de Carcavelos. It is located on the Lisbon-Cascais train line, which makes it easy to get there. The beach is very long, wide and the sand is fine.

Costa da Caparica

The coastal part of the Costa da Caparica lies on the western side of the Setubal Peninsula, near Lisbon. The beach is located on the south bank of the River Tejo, after the bridge of 25 April and is 15 km long. There are quiet areas and areas with lively beach bars. Surfers also like to come here.

Guincho Beach

To the north of Cascais, towards the Atlantic Ocean, the coast of the Serra de Sintra extends and includes the beach of Guincho, famous for surfers because of the wind and waves. It should be noted that the waves are often very high and that there can be current. The beach is therefore nice for sportsmen but to be avoided for an afternoon with the family. It remains however great to see when the surfers and kitesurfers are out.

Sesimbra

If you have a rental car, a visit to the coastal town of Sesimbra is a very good idea. There is a wide sandy beach. The sea is generally quite calm, so children can swim there without any problems. It is the ideal place for family afternoons with a picnic on the beach.

Portinho da Arrabida

This is where I find the most beautiful beaches in the Lisbon area south of the capital. The beach of Portinho da Arrabida belongs to the port city of Setubal. The water is turquoise, the sand is fine and the conditions are ideal for learning to surf in Portugal, sailing, swimming or diving. It is well protected from the Atlantic winds by a steep slope, which is why the water in the bay is so clear.