Why Lisbon
Book flights to Lisbon for a wonderful break in one of Europe’s most popular cities. Lisbon is a vibrant and very down-to-earth city, one that is blessed with wonderful weather, incredible culture, fascinating history, superb food, and on top of all that, it’s one of the best value destinations in Europe, and the cheapest one for a city break in Western Europe.
Lisbon is experiencing its ‘moment’, jumping to the top of various ‘best city’ lists for people to visit, and it’s really not difficult to see why. From the breath-taking beauty and views in Sintra, just outside the city, to the bustle and fun of an evening in the bars of the Bairro Alto, Lisbon is the perfect place to spend a long weekend.
When to book cheap flights to Lisbon
Lisbon is blessed with lovely weather, particularly in summertime when the sun’s heat is tempered perfectly by the cooling breeze of the Atlantic. You can expect a beautiful, bearable temperature in the mid- to high-twenties if you fly to Lisbon in May or June, getting a little hotter in July and August (but always with that cooling sea breeze).
It is crowded at this time of year though, so if you prefer a little more space and fewer people, book flights to Lisbon in autumn or even wintertime – the temperature here can still hit a comfortable 15 degrees during the day even in January and February. Lisbon flights are likely to be a little cheaper at this time of year too!
What to see in Lisbon
Lisbon has a huge amount for you to see and do (and eat), so make sure you start planning as soon as you book your cheap Lisbon flights so that you get the most out of your visit. If you love history, Lisbon’s got plenty for you – St. George’s Castle, Belem Tower, and Jerónimos monastery are all well worth visiting and will give you a great insight into how Lisbon grew into the city it is today. Lisbon is rightly proud of its Age of Discovery in the 16th century, and there are numerous museums and monuments in the city that commemorate this golden age in Lisbon’s history that are worth exploring.
If you’re booking Lisbon cheap flights because you want to have a party in Portugal, Lisbon is definitely the right city for you. The Bairro Alto neighbourhood is a must see in the evenings; in one small neighbourhood you can find over 100 different bars and restaurants where patrons spill out on to the streets on balmy evenings to enjoy their beers and food. Cais do Sodré is another great neighbourhood for nightlife; once the ‘seedier’ side of the city, it’s now super trendy and a great place to hang out.
Try to get out of the city too if you have time, to see beautiful Sintra which is just a short trip away from Lisbon. The views here are incredible and the historic sights are really worth visiting. Take the train to Sintra and then the 434 tourist bus from the train station to get you to the main attractions here.
Getting around
Lisbon is easy to get around on foot, by bus, and by taking its famous yellow trams… in fact the number 28 tram is a tourist attraction in itself, passing through the popular tourist areas of Graca, Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela (if you’re still looking for accommodation in Lisbon, these are good areas to look at).
If you prefer to have the freedom and convenience of a car, you can book one with Ryanair Car Hire when you’re booking your flights to Lisbon.
Walking really is a beautiful way to see the city, though. If the weather and your feet allow it, walk as much as possible here, and you’ll experience so much of the daily life that makes Lisbon special.
What to Eat in Lisbon
Custard tarts, and lots of ‘em. Seafood, and plenty of that too. Portuguese sausages are fairly renowned too, so don’t miss those. For your custard tarts, head for the famous Pasteis de Belem bakery - for the history as well as the tarts; apparently this is where the tart originated. But we also recommend trying them often, and wherever they look tasty.
There is a lot of seafood you should try in Lisbon, but whatever else you do eat, make sure you sample the Bacalhau (salted cod). It’s one of Lisbon’s most famous flavours – you can get a taste for it with some fried fish cakes first, and take it from there! There are many delicious sausages to try but our favourite is ‘Alheira’, which you should try to find with chips and an egg on top, for a true plate of Portugal.
Lisbon is full of fantastic restaurants, so once you’ve got your cheap Lisbon flights booked, you can get on with the important work of finding the perfect places to eat when you get there. For more Lisbon information and travel guides, visit Try Somewhere New.