When it comes to Lisbon, it's safe to say the secret's out. The coastal capital sees 4.5 million annual visitors, most of whom flock to the city for its fado music, historic ruins, winding old town, trams, not to mention those pasteis de nata. And that's not all: More new hotels and restaurants are on the way, and the city's architectural energy is drawing a new creative class, which means that soon—hard as it may be to believe—there will be even more reasons to visit. What are you waiting for?
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Lisbon Travel Guide
Plan Your Lisbon Trip
A Local's Guide to Portugal
Athlete Valeriya Gogunskaya on a lesser-known side of Portugal.
By Fiona Kerr
Meet Melides, Portugal’s Next Big Beach Town
With the arrival of new places to stay and a few high-profile transplants, the low-key summer holiday spot is enjoying its moment in the sun.
By Chadner Navarro
Featured
Our Favorite Boutiques in Lisbon for Handmade Soap, Linens, and Hats
Throughout the city, artisans are refocusing their crafts around Portuguese tradition.
By Chadner Navarro
Portugal's Douro Is the Next Big River Cruising Destination
A series of new ships have changed the landscape for traveling Portugal's famous wine region starting this year.
By Janice Wald Henderson
My Favorite Airbnb Experience: A Sangria-Making Class with Lisbon’s Most Fabulous Drag Queens
This virtual party cured my Zoom fatigue.
By Megan Spurrell
15 Best Hotels in Lisbon
Portugal's quickly-changing capital has no shortage of interesting places to stay.
By Jenna Scatena
Editor Hotel Recommendations
- AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado$ | Portugal, Lisbon, Praça do Município n.º 21An 18th-century building provides the framework for this boutique gem positioned on Praça de Município, one of Lisbon’s most charming squares.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Ivens, Autograph Collection$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, R. Capelo 5This boutique hotel, a member of Autograph Collection by Marriott, is located in the charming and vibrant Chiado neighborhood, next to the Museu de Arte Contemporânea.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon$$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88Those looking for a splashy way to do Lisbon will find it at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, located across from the Parque Eduardo VII.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Palácio Príncipe Real$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, R. de São Marçal 77An imposingly grand affair.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Expedia - The One Palácio da Anunciada Lisbon$$ | Portugal, Lisboa, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 112 134A central Lisbon hideaway steeped in history.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, R. Dom Antão de Almada 4A modern oasis with serious history cred, set in the heart of Lisbon’s most walkable district.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Bairro Alto Hotel$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, Praça Luís de Camões 2Lisbon’s original boutique hotel is back on the scene after a major revamp.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Santa Clara 1728$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, Campo de Santa Clara 128A design nerd's dream, down to its eggshell blue walls and limestone staircase, in the old cultural quarter of Lisbon.Read full review
Gold List
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa$$This landmark five-star hotel has been earning and keeping its reputation as one of Lisbon’s poshest Chiado addresses since 1933.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Altis Belém Hotel & Spa$$This five-star riverfront hotel draws upmarket travelers with its posh spa, roof deck (with a pool), and striking architecture.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Solar do Castelo$This hotel at the top of Alfama occupies is inside the walls of Castelo do St. Jorge within a stone’s throw of top sights.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Hotel Avenida Palace$$$The deeper you got into this opulent Chiado hotel, which dates to 1892, the more pampered you’ll feel.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Pousada de Lisboa$$Located steps from the Tagus River on Praça do Comércio, this restored property embodies Portuguese luxury and heritage.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- AVANI Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel$$ | Portugal, Lisbon, R. Júlio César Machado 9
Readers Choice Awards
The Best Things to Do in Lisbon
- 15 Best Things to Do in LisbonFrom iconic pastries to wandering the old city, our picks make sure you won’t miss a thing.By Chadner Navarro and Alia Akkam
- 10 Best Places for Fado Music in LisbonThis music genre is integral to the Portuguese experience; these are our picks for where to hear it.By Todd Plummer
Editor Recommendations
- We Hate Tourism Tours: Walk in the Real CityPortugal, Lisbon,Discover parts of the city that don’t often land on the mainstream tourist routes.Read full review
- Ajuda National PalacePortugal, Lisbon, Largo da AjudaIf you’re into royal collections, this is likely the best you’ll find in all of Portugal.Read full review
- Calouste Gulbenkian MuseumPortugal, Lisbon, Avenida de Berna 45AAn art-filled oasis with Egyptian sculptures, Art Nouveau jewelry, and more.Read full review
- Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)Portugal, Lisbon, Avenida Brasília, Central TejoAn architectural marvel that houses the most impressive collection of contemporary Portuguese art.Read full review
- Jardim da EstrelaPortugal, Lisbon, Praça da Estrela 12
- Casa-Museu Medeiros e AlmeidaThe setting of this private museum is as elegant as the art: a circa-1896 house that belonged to an entrepreneur.Read full review
- National Coach MuseumHorse-drawn coaches symbolize a lost art form, but they get the limelight at this museum, one of Lisbon’s most sought-after cultural sites.Read full review
- Museu do FadoGet to know fado music, one of Portugal's most important legacies, through the photos, artifacts, and instruments at this Alfama museum.Read full review
- Museum of the OrientIlluminating a dialogue between East and West, this museum addresses Portugal's influence on Asia through paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more.Read full review
- MUDE (Museu do Design e da Moda)This series of popups—organized by a major museum undergoing a renovation—touch upon the intersection of design, culture, and fashion.Read full review
- Berardo Collection MuseumThe art at this museum ranges from Minimalism to Surrealism and includes pieces by Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, and Francis Bacon.Read full review
- National Museum of Ancient ArtAt this museum, paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, and more capture Portugal’s riveting history from the Middle Ages through the 19th century.Read full review
- National Azulejo MuseumGlazed tiles have long played a role in Portugal’s cultural history, and this museum delves into the craft's rich legacy.Read full review
- Belém TowerA UNESCO World Heritage site, Belém Tower is an architectural marvel and one of Lisbon’s absolute can't-miss spots.Read full review
- Miradouro da Senhora do MonteConsidered Lisbon’s highest perch, this Graça hideaway has views of the castle just across the way, the city, and the river.Read full review
A Day in Lisbon
Travel through Lisbon, Portugal, the thriving port city located at the estuary of the Tagus River, known for its old pastel-colored buildings, elaborately detailed ceramic tiles, and vibrant café culture.
The Best Places to Eat & Drink in Lisbon
- 13 Best Restaurants in LisbonOld and new, historic and molecular, Lisbon's cuisine is an adventure.By Jenna Scatena
- 15 Best Bars in LisbonLike the city in general, nightlife here is lively but relaxed, and there's a watering hole to fit your every mood.By Alia Akkam
- 11 Best Coffee Shops in LisbonIt's a surprising contender as one of the world's more interesting coffee citiesBy Todd Plummer
- 10 Best Places for Fado Music in LisbonThis music genre is integral to the Portuguese experience; these are our picks for where to hear it.By Todd Plummer
Portugal's Azores Islands Are Still a Wild Paradise
This string of uncrowded islands offers hikes on active volcanoes, verdant cliffs, and top-notch surfing.
By Trish Lorenz
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