Lisbon Region

Lisbon, the picturesque capital of Portugal is draped across seven hills overlooking the glistening blue waters of the River Tagus. Once known as Olisippo, Lisbon has been inhabited at least once by all the greats of the ancient world from the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians to the Romans. The ‘Age of Discoveries’ in the 15th Century brought great wealth to the port city of Lisbon as Portugal's hugely successful maritime expeditions enabled it to control important trade routes to India & the Americas. However a devastating earthquake in 1755 destroyed most of the city leaving it up to the then Prime Minister, Marques de Pombal to rebuild the city ‘earthquake proof’ as it stands today. Now a city of contrasts where modernity lives side by side with vestiges of history Lisbon is a vibrant city steeped in history, culture & tradition.

The districts or 'Bairros' of Lisbon each have their own unique characteristics. Lying south of Castelo São Jorge you will find Alfama, Lisbon's oldest 'Bairro' which was left untouched by the great earthquake. This old fashioned residential neighbourhood has an old world charm with its haphazardly arranged cobbled streets lined with white washed buildings whose wrought-iron balconies are often adorned with flowerpots, laundry, and caged birds. Amid the tightly packed alleyways are churches, markets, taverns and Fado houses; and to the west stand the twin towers of the Sé Cathedral, Lisbon's most iconic religious building.

In contrast the streets of the commercial hub of the capital, the Baixa & Chiado which were rebuilt after the earthquake, are neatly organised in a grid layout lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. Bairro Alto, the epicentre of Lisbon's nightlife can be found nearby with an array of bars and restaurants open into the small hours of the morning. Further along the river lies Belem with its manicured outdoor spaces, imposing monastery and world heritage monuments. A network of buses, metro, trams and funiculars work together to link these parts of the city all together and a ride on tram No 28 will take you on a journey through most of the important historical sites.

Due to its close proximity to the quaint seaside resorts of Cascais & Estoril, Lisbon is an ideal destination for a city-plus-beach break. Along the coast lie numerous gold sandy beaches, marinas and charming villages. One of the most visited is The Unesco World Heritage Site town of Sintra set amidst the lush fragrant pine covered hills of the Serra de Sintra, once frequented by royals and aristocrats as a holiday retreat. Sintra is home to many palaces and stately homes which are now open to the public, such as The Palácio da Vila and the fairy tale Palacio da Pena to name but a few.

Over the river there are two impressive bridges which connect Lisbon to the south; the striking red Ponte 25 de Abril and Ponte Vasco da Gama (Europe’s longest bridge). Nearest to Lisbon you will find Costa da Caparica, where kilometres of wide golden sandy beaches lie dotted with restaurants & bars. As you continue to follow the coastline you will cross the natural park of Arrábida, an area of unspoiled beauty and stunning beaches, such as the natural bay of Portinho da Arrábida with its turquoise waters and white sand. The fishing villages of Setubal and Sesimbra are also held in high regard for the abundance of fresh fish and seafood on offer, the former in particular is home to the delicious Choco Frito (fried cuttlefish).

Lisbon can be reached frequently from a number of UK airports by both scheduled and no frills airlines. Here is information on the ones which we book most often but this does not mean we exclude any airlines which may not appear below. It's really a case of finding an airline that suits your needs best wherever you may be.

Flights with TAP Portugal - National Carrier

London Heathrow to Lisbon - 6 flights per day

Manchester to Lisbon - 1/2 per day

London Gatwick to Lisbon - 2 per day

Dublin to Lisbon - 7 per week

British Airways

London Heathrow to Lisbon - 3 flights per day

RyanAir

London Stansted to Lisbon - 4 flights per day

Manchester to Lisbon - 1 per day

Edinburgh to Lisbon - 3 flights per week

Dublin to Lisbon - 2/3 per day

Easyjet

London Gatwick to Lisbon - 2/3 flights per day

London Luton to Lisbon - 2/3 flights per day

Bristol to Lisbon - 4/5 flights per week

Edinburgh to Lisbon - 3 flights per week

Manchester to Lisbon - 2/4 flights per week

Flight frequency may change at any time and timetables are seasonal. Please contact us for the most up to date information and flight prices.

Car Hire:

We have a longstanding relationship with both Avis & Europcar and are able to offer quotes with 0 excess and no additional charges for one way drop offs, to suit your travel plans.

Lisbon's social calendar is packed with festivals and cultural events throughout the year, from art and craft exhibitions to fashion, food and film. During the summer months the city comes alive with huge summer music festivals & outdoor jazz concerts. Below we have selected a few of the more popular events which take place in Lisbon throughout the year.

February

Carnival ( 6 weeks before Easter)

The streets of Lisbon are inundated with excited partygoers during the Carnival season. Celebrated with a number of events across the city, the highlights include the Carnival Parade on Shrove Tuesday, featuring dazzling costumes, samba bands and floats in downtown Lisbon. Many people dress up in colourful costumes and hit the bars and streets to enjoy the samba music. Lively Carnival celebrations in Torres Vedras, Loures and Sesimbra are also popular events.

April

Peixe em Lisboa – Pátio da Galé – Terreiro do Paço

Peixe em Lisboa is a popular food festival celebrating one of the main culinary specialities of the city, fish, which is skilfully prepared in a number of mouth-watering ways. Visitors can wander around the exhibition stands, buy gourmet products, partake in talks and tastings, watch cooking demonstrations and savour gastronomic delights created by Portugal’s most celebrated chefs.

May

Jazz in Lisbon – Lisbon/Estoril – May to September

Throughout the summer months Lisbon hosts a number of free regular jazz concerts in its parks and gardens every Sunday evening. Jazz às 5ªs is held every Thursday at the Centro Cultural de Belém. Estoril Jazz, takes place in the coastal town of Estoril and is a major week-long event for jazz aficionados, attracting a host of acclaimed musicians.

Sintra Festival – Sintra – May/June

For two weeks in the summer, classical music fills the concert halls, manor houses and historical palaces of Sintra. The Sintra Festival is a celebration of music, dance, theatre and cultural events featuring international pianists, conductors and musicians as well as local ensembles. Events are held in some of the most beautiful venues in Lisbon, including the National Palace of Queluz, the National Palace of Sintra and the Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval.

June

Dia de Santo Antonio (12th June)

The biggest celebration in Lisbon takes place on 12th June to honour its patron Saint Anthony. On this day the mayor offers free weddings in Saint Anthony's Church, followed by an all-night street fair in the Alfama district where partygoers celebrate through the night. The city's oldest quarters are decorated with paper lanterns, coloured lights, and streamers, and the day ends with a parade down Avenida da Liberdade, where each neighbourhood marches to compete for prizes for the best costumes and songs.

Rock in Rio, Lisbon

One of the world's biggest music & entertainment festivals bringing together an array of performances from some of the biggest names in Rock & Pop on various stages over 5 days.

Arraial Lisboa Pride - Lisbon

Portugal's largest LGBTQ+ festival featuring the Pride Parade and outdoor parties with live music, food stalls, drinks and workshops all in the name of love, freedom and acceptance.

July

NOS Alive - Lisbon

One of Portugal's most popular outdoor music festivals which feature an array of up and coming artists as well as some legendary acts.

Super Bock Super Rock Music Festival – Sesimbra

Headlined by the world’s biggest acts in rock, pop, rap, metal and electronic music, Super Bock Super Rock has grown into one of the largest music festivals in Portugal.

EDP Cool Jazz - Cascais

An outdoor summer jazz festival featuring a host of internationally acclaimed acts over the course of the month of July.

Festival dos Oceanos (Lisbon’s Oceans Festival) – Lisbon

Enjoy Lisbon’s summer sunshine at the Festival dos Oceanos, which attracts thousands of visitors to Lisbon’s riverfront. One of the biggest summer events in Lisbon, this two-week festival has a different ocean-inspired theme each year and includes a number of free events for all ages including concerts, cultural entertainment, street performances and fireworks from Belém to Parque das Nações. Many museums are also open in the evenings as part of this major event.

International Arts and Crafts Festival

The International Handicraft Fair is held in Lisbon, in Parque das Nações (Park of Nations), and is the largest craft show in the Iberian Peninsula. Here you will find dozens of artisans (if not over a hundred), from all over the country, showcasing their work and promoting the region where they come from.

August

Festas do Mar (Cascais Sea Festival) – Cascais

Festas do Mar is a free summer festival in the seaside resort of Cascais, west of Lisbon’s city centre. Taking place over 10 days in a number of venues, this annual festival includes craft shows, Portuguese cuisine, local bands, international musicians and dazzling fireworks displays. The traditional procession in honour of Our Lady of the Navigators is celebrated on the final day of the festival.

September

Happy Holi – Colour Festival - Lisbon

Happy Holi is a music, dance and colour festival which attracts thousands of participants. The festival is aimed at everyone and includes DJ performances and other fun activities. The highlight of this festival is when coloured powders are released, painting all participants and creating a colourful and joyful atmosphere.

Caixa Alfama Festival

Caixa Alfama Festival aims to honour Fado. This festival receives big and promising Fado names, who together celebrate this uniquely Portuguese music. This event takes place in Alfama and includes performances of over 40 Fado singers on several stages all over this historic district.

October

EDP Vissla Ericeira Pro - Ericeira

The EDP Vissla Ericeira Pro is a prestigious surfing competition held in Ericeira, Portugal. It’s part of the Challenger Series and serves as the penultimate event in the qualification battle for the World Championship Tour (WCT). The competition takes place at the iconic Ribeira D’Ilhas beach, where top surfers from around the world showcase their skills and vie for a chance to secure a spot on the WCT for the following year.

Check out our offers page for holidays we may be featuring associated to these events.

Weather:

Lisbon has a pleasant climate all year round with average temperatures in its hottest months reaching 24°C. Even the coldest months are mild with temperatures rarely falling below 10°C making it an all year round holiday destination. Boasting an average of more than 300 sunny days a year, the city itself basks in a glorious natural light famed for its clarity and photogenic properties.

Currency:

Euro

Language:

Portuguese

Electricity Plug System

Electrical supply: 230V

Dialling Code:

+351

Health & Vaccinations:

Travellers do not require certificates of vaccination or immunisations to enter Portugal. If you are from an EU member state you should bring your European Health Insurance card to be entitled to free medical & hospital care. Visitors from other countries are advised to take out a medical insurance policy.

Religion:

The majority of Portuguese are Roman Catholic.

Tipping:

Tipping is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the visitor.