Luxury holidays in Lisbon

Home to artful azulejo tilework, the Age of Discovery and a custard tart that spawned a movement, Lisbon is a city as soulful as the fado tunes that soundtrack its streets. Each district tells a different tale: discover Alfama’s mediaeval Moorish charm and Baixa’s Enlightenment-era avenues, or wind your way to chic Chiado if a browse in the world’s oldest bookshop appeals. By night, follow the locals to bohemian Bairro Alto, where the bars and restaurants thrum with the mournful melodies of Portugal’s traditional music.

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Areas in Lisbon

When to go

The best time to visit Lisbon is late spring, when the city is sunny and the sardines start to come into season. With year-round temperate weather, there’s no bad time to go – just brace for busy streets and beaches if you opt for summer.

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Getting there

  • Planes

    Fly direct to Lisbon from a host of European cities, including Barcelona, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Manchester, Paris and Rome, or from North American cities including Montreal, New York and Toronto. Lisbon is also a major European hub for South America and Africa, with flights from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Casablanca, Marrakech and more touching down here.
  • Boats

    Several ferry routes criss-cross the River Tagus and are a great way to take in Lisbon’s beauty; the most scenic options are Belém to Porto Brandão and Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas.
  • Trains

    Lisbon has two main stations, Santa Apolónia and Oriente, which connect to several Portuguese cities: get to either in under three hours from Porto, or to Oriente in just over three hours from Faro. The city’s historic Remodelado trams are convenient and charming — the number 28 route is particularly picturesque, passing through Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto.
  • Automobiles

    Lisbon’s one-way roads, narrow streets and near-impossible parking mean it’s best to stick to taxis if you want to get around on four wheels.
  • Taxis

    Lisbon has taxis in abundance and they are pretty good value; it’s unlikely you’ll spend more than €10 on a fare.