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Portugal

Lisbon travel guide

Seven hills, yellow trams, ocean light and the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra next door.

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Photo: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Best time to visit
March-June and September-October
Flight from the Gulf
About 8 h direct from Dubai and Doha
Airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS), 20 min to the centre
Time difference
3 h behind Riyadh in winter, 2 h in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Portuguese
Visa
Schengen visa (UAE passports visa-free for short stays)

Lisbon is one of the friendliest capitals in Europe: a city of hills and viewpoints over the Tagus river, of tiled houses, old yellow trams and pastries still warm from the oven. It is mild all year, safe and good value compared with other European capitals.

Spend three days in the city – one for the old quarters of Alfama and Baixa, one for Belém with its monastery and tower, and one for the Oceanarium and the modern riverside. Then add at least one day for Sintra and the Atlantic coast at Cascais.

Lisbon is built on hills with slippery stone pavements. Bring comfortable shoes, and use a driver or taxis with elderly parents and small children rather than walking up and down all day.

Things to do in Lisbon

The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.

The 16th-century tower on the river, symbol of Portugal's age of discovery, and the giant Monument to the Discoveries a short walk away. Beautiful at sunset.

1-2 hours

A masterpiece of carved white stone and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next door is Pastéis de Belém, where the famous custard tarts have been baked…

1 hour

The castle on the highest hill, first built in the Islamic period, with the best view over Lisbon. Walk down through the narrow lanes of Alfama…

2-3 hours

One of the largest aquariums in Europe, with sharks, rays, otters and penguins around a giant central tank. Children love it. Combine with the cable car…

2-3 hours

The great riverside square and the elegant grid of streets behind it, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Walk up Rua Augusta to Rossio and take the…

2 hours

A green mountain of palaces and gardens: the colourful Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira. Continue to Cabo da Roca and…

Full day

Hotels in Lisbon

Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.

Summary

Lisbon ★★★★★

Above Eduardo VII Park

Indoor pool and spa · Park views

Best priceon request
Summary

Lisbon ★★★★★

Sete Rios, near Praça de Espanha

Near the Central Mosque · Indoor pool

Best priceon request
Summary

Lisbon ★★★★★

Alcântara, between the centre and Belém

Gardens · Outdoor pool

Best priceon request
Summary

Lisbon ★★★★★

Avenida da Liberdade

On the shopping avenue · Garden pool

Best priceon request

All hotels in Lisbon

Tours, packages and transfers in Lisbon

Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Avenida da LiberdadeLisbon's elegant boulevard with luxury boutiques and the best hotels, 10 minutes from the old town.
Chiado and BaixaThe historic centre, full of shops, cafés and viewpoints. Walk everywhere, but streets are steep.
Praça de Espanha and Sete RiosModern area with large hotels, close to the Central Mosque and the Gulbenkian gardens.
Cascais and EstorilSeaside towns 30 minutes away, with beaches and resorts - perfect for a calm family stay.

Halal food and prayer

Mezze Halal Syrian and Lebanese · Mercado de Arroios A warm restaurant run by Syrian families who rebuilt their lives in Lisbon. Hummus, kibbeh, grills and fresh bread.
Zaafran Halal certified North Indian · Rua de São José, near Avenida da Liberdade Halal-certified North Indian cooking close to the boulevard - biryani, kebabs and curries.
Cantinho do Aziz Halal Mozambican · Mouraria A Lisbon favourite for Mozambican-Portuguese cooking - spicy chicken, prawns and goat curry. Muslim-owned and friendly.

Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.

Tips for your trip to Lisbon

  1. The pavements are made of polished stone and can be slippery - wear shoes with a good grip.
  2. Tram 28 is famous but always full and loved by pickpockets. For a calm ride, take a private tuk-tuk or car tour instead.
  3. Sunday mornings are free in many museums for residents only - visitors pay, so check before you go.
  4. Taxis and Uber are cheap compared with other capitals; the airport is very close to the city.
  5. Try a pastel de nata, the famous custard tart, at Pastéis de Belém - the queue moves fast.
  6. Evenings are cool even in summer because of the Atlantic wind. Bring a light jacket.

Questions

How many days do we need in Lisbon?

Three days for the city and one or two days for Sintra and Cascais.

Is Lisbon good in summer?

Yes. It is warm but less hot than Madrid or Rome, with a fresh breeze from the ocean, and the beaches are close.

Can we combine Lisbon and Porto?

Yes. The train takes about 3 hours; by car with a driver you can stop in Óbidos, Nazaré or Coimbra on the way.

Do you have Arabic-speaking guides?

Yes, on request. Tell us the dates of your tours as early as possible.

Read before you go to Lisbon

Plan your trip to Lisbon with us

Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.

  • Reply within a few hours
  • Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
  • Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Travel dates
Travellers

Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.