Because we love catching that last bit of autumn sunshine, we often choose a city trip to Southern Europe. Last year, Sjoerd gifted the city trip — which made it even more special. Although we visited in autumn, Lisbon is also a fantastic destination in spring or summer. Since the city lies directly by the sea, there’s always a refreshing breeze — and the sun is almost always shining.

We flew to this beautiful city, but it’s good to know that Lisbon is often combined with a road trip through Portugal. If you’re renting a car, be aware of the steep inclines and heavy traffic in the city. Parking is scarce and it can be chaotic. If you're traveling by car, it’s a good idea to leave it in a garage outside the center and enter the city by tram, on foot, using Uber, or any other form of transport.

Hotel & Transport

We flew from Amsterdam to Lisbon — several direct flights run daily. After landing, we quickly walked through the airport and within minutes we were in an Uber heading to the center. Ubers work really well in the city and we made good use of them.

Lisbon is a wide and sprawling city, so not everything is easily reachable on foot. However, the old town is compact and full of charm — with cafés, shops and beautiful buildings everywhere. Everything you’d want from a city trip can be found in the Alfama and Bairro Alto districts. That’s also where we stayed in an apartment, surrounded by countless breakfast spots and restaurants. A real recommendation if you're searching for accommodation.

The city has a lot of elevation, so be prepared to walk uphill if you explore on foot. Also note that sidewalks are very narrow and often disappear suddenly — and are made of loose stones, making them less accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or people with limited mobility.

But even if you prefer not to walk, the city is still easy to explore. The iconic yellow trams are everywhere and you can hop on and off at many spots. A fun way to see the city! If you’d rather be more flexible, Lisbon is full of tuk-tuks, taxis, carriages, and all forms of transport you could imagine. Plenty of options!

Our Favorite Places in Lisbon Lisbon is packed with charming corners — from cozy alleys to lively squares, museums to local treats. Here are some of our must-see spots:

• Castelo de São Jorge Perched on the highest hill in the city, the castle offers stunning 360-degree views of Lisbon. Located right between Alfama and Bairro Alto, it’s easy to visit. Though it’s no longer fully intact, there’s enough left to imagine its glory days. The steep, narrow streets leading up to the castle are filled with musicians and souvenir stalls. Expect long queues — it’s one of the city’s top attractions!

• The Steepest Cable Car (Elevador da Glória) Most trams in Lisbon go uphill, but the two trams in Bairro Alto take steepness to another level. These small trams travel through extremely narrow, steep alleyways and are a fun attraction to experience — both from inside the tram and while walking beside them!

• The Waterfront Square – Praça do Comércio The historic center opens through a triumphal arch into the grand Praça do Comércio, located directly by the sea. It’s very touristy and lively — but keep an eye on your valuables, as pickpockets are known to operate here.

• Historic Centre The districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto are full of charming alleyways and unique old buildings. You’ll find several cathedrals, including the Lisbon Cathedral. One of them has no roof — quite a surreal sight! While wandering through the area, you’ll constantly stumble upon museums, churches and picturesque squares.

• The District of Belém: Palace, Torre de Belém & Pastries A little outside the center lies Belém — a wonderful district with its own unique vibe. We walked there along the water and took an Uber back as it was quite far and the route wasn’t that scenic. At the waterfront you’ll find the famous Torre de Belém, as well as the Jerónimos Monastery — both beautiful to visit. But don’t leave without trying the famous Pastéis de Belém pastries! Even if the line looks long, it moves quickly — and it’s absolutely worth the wait!

• Viewpoint: Miradouro das Portas do Sol One of our absolute favorite spots was the viewpoint in Alfama — Miradouro das Portas do Sol. From here, you get a postcard-perfect panoramic view over the colorful city. In the evening, local students perform live music — the perfect moment to enjoy it with a glass of Portuguese wine. Truly magical!

A Few Surprises in Lisbon Beyond the main attractions, here are some fun things we discovered:

• Fado Music The highlight for us: live Fado music during dinner. It’s a Portuguese opera-style performance, often in small venues. Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, you feel the emotion. Our first night, we walked into a slightly dull-looking restaurant — but were directed upstairs. To our surprise, we found a cozy hall with long tables, live Fado, great food and delicious wine… all at a great price. That’s real culture!

• Charming Alleyways The city is full of narrow, steep and authentic streets. When cruise ships are docked, the main square and surrounding streets get very crowded — so that’s the perfect moment to explore the quieter yet equally charming neighborhoods.

• Beautiful Bridges Lisbon sits along a large bay and has two stunning bridges spanning across it. The one toward Belém looks like a smaller version of the Golden Gate Bridge!

• Trams Everywhere The trams are iconic — but what surprised us most is just how many there are! You encounter them everywhere, and every time they make you smile. A true symbol of the city.

• Card & Contactless Payments The Portuguese speak very good English, and almost everything can be paid by card. We never once needed cash.

• Few Information Signs One thing we noticed is that many attractions have limited information signage. Everything is beautiful to see, but you may want to look things up online for some extra background.

Lisbon is a wonderful city and highly recommended — whether as a city trip or part of a Portugal road trip. Of course, it’s always nice to learn a few Portuguese words before you go. So here are some useful phrases to finish this blog:

• Good morning – Bom dia

• Good evening - Boa noite

• Hi - Ola

• Thank you – Obrigado (m), Obrigada (v)

• Yes – Sim

• No – Nao

• Sorry – Desculpe

• How are you doing? – Como esta?

• See you later – Ate a vista