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Belém Tower on the Tagus, Lisbon

No. 26 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Lisbon

Portugal

Hilltop views, yellow trams, Manueline monuments and pastéis de nata on the Tagus.

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Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Lisbon is No. 26 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Portugal's capital spreads over hills above the wide estuary of the Tagus River. After the great earthquake of 1755, the Baixa district was rebuilt on an elegant grid.

The Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fine examples of the ornate Manueline style. Lisbon is known for its miradouros (viewpoints), fado music, seafood and custard tarts.

A yellow tram in the Alfama district, Lisbon
A yellow tram in the Alfama district, Lisbon. Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are warm and pleasant. In June, the city celebrates its popular saints' festivals, with street parties on the night of 12 to 13 June.

July and August are hot and busy. Winter is mild but can be rainy.

Top sights

  • 1

    Jerónimos Monastery

    The richly carved monastery in Belém is a masterpiece of the Manueline style.

  • 2

    Belém Tower

    The 16th-century fortified tower on the river. Nearby, Pastéis de Belém has sold custard tarts since 1837.

  • 3

    Alfama and São Jorge Castle

    The old Moorish quarter's steep lanes climb to the castle, with views over the river.

  • 4

    Tram 28

    The historic tram rattles through Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. Board early to avoid the long queues.

  • 5

    Baixa and Praça do Comércio

    The grand riverside square and the grid of shopping streets behind it.

  • 6

    Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

    An outstanding art collection from ancient Egypt to Lalique, set in a garden.

  • 7

    Sintra

    The romantic palaces and gardens of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are about 40 minutes by train from Rossio station.

Getting there

Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is only about 7 km north of the centre. The Metro red line runs from the airport into the city.

Long-distance trains arrive at Santa Apolónia and Oriente stations.

Getting around

The metro, trams, buses, funiculars and the Santa Justa lift cover the city. A rechargeable Viva Viagem card works across the network.

The streets are steep and paved with slippery cobbles, so wear comfortable shoes.

Practical tips

Currency
Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted.
Language
Portuguese. English is widely spoken.
Safety
Lisbon is generally safe. Watch for pickpockets on Tram 28 and in crowded places, and ignore street sellers offering drugs. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Portugal is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Visit Lisboa (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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