Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon travel guide

Hills, tiles and the cheapest gateway to Europe

Find flights to Lisbon See fares from $326

Airports: LIS Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
Region: Europe
Best time to visit: March–May and September–October are sunny and comfortable.
Shortest flight: 6h 30m from Boston
Round trips from: $326 (live)
Time zone: Europe/Lisbon

About Lisbon

Lisbon climbs seven hills above the Tagus. Alfama's lanes and fado houses sit below the castle; Baixa and Chiado are the shopping and café core; Bairro Alto is the nightlife district; Belém, 20 minutes west, has the monastery, tower and the original pastel de nata bakery. Sintra's palaces are 40 minutes by train.

Getting in: Humberto Delgado airport is inside the city — the Metro's Red Line reaches the center in 20–25 minutes (€2.10 with a Viva Viagem card); taxis and rideshares cost €12–€20. Portugal is planning a new airport, but the current one remains the gateway for now.

US citizens need a passport valid three months beyond departure and no visa for 90 days (watch for the EU's ETIAS launch). Prices are among the lowest in Western Europe: a coffee is €1, a full lunch €10–€15, a glass of wine €3. Cards are accepted widely; tip 5–10% in restaurants. Wear shoes with grip — the mosaic sidewalks are slippery.

Best time to visit

March–May and September–October are sunny and comfortable. Summer is hot and busy; winter is mild, rainy and cheap.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Alfama, Baixa / Chiado, Bairro Alto, Belém, Príncipe Real.

Flights to Lisbon: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to LIS usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
New York (JFK)	6h 45m	$428	$389 · Wed, Nov 11	Search dates →
Boston (BOS)	6h 30m	$438	$373 · Tue, Oct 13	Search dates →
Miami (MIA)	8h 10m	$498	$383 · Tue, Nov 10	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	8h 10m	$568	$326 · Tue, Nov 10	Search dates →
San Francisco (SFO)	10h 40m	$648	$459 · Tue, Dec 1	Search dates →
Washington (IAD)	7h 20m	$478	$343 · Tue, Oct 13	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in Lisbon

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)Lisbon · Large hubLIS

What to do in Lisbon

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
Alfama and the São Jorge Castle
The oldest quarter's lanes, miradouros (viewpoints) and fado at night; the castle's ramparts overlook the river.
2
Belém
Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Belém and the Pastéis de Belém bakery, all along the waterfront.
3
Tram 28
The classic yellow tram through Alfama, Baixa and Estrela — ride early to avoid the crush.
4
Sintra
The Pena Palace's candy-colored towers and the Moorish castle in the hills, 40 minutes by train.
5
LX Factory and Time Out Market
A creative complex under the bridge and the food hall that started the global Time Out Market trend.

Lisbon weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

59° / 47°

Mild and rainy; lowest fares.

Spring

68° / 53°

Sunny and comfortable — ideal.

Summer

82° / 65°

Hot and dry; cool evenings by the river.

Fall

72° / 57°

Warm September; rain returns in November.

Travel tips for Lisbon

Look at TAP's free stopover program: fly to anywhere in Europe and spend up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto at no extra airfare.
The Metro from the airport is the cheapest transfer in Western Europe — buy a Viva Viagem card at the machine.
Book Sintra's Pena Palace online with a timed slot and go on a weekday.
Restaurants may bring bread and olives (the couvert) — you pay only if you eat them.
Hills are steep; the elevadores (funiculars) and Santa Justa lift are part of the transit system.

Lisbon flights: frequently asked questions

Why is Lisbon such a cheap gateway to Europe?

TAP Air Portugal competes aggressively from the East Coast and sells connections across Europe, so New York–Lisbon fares are often $100–$200 below London or Paris. TAP's free stopover lets you visit Lisbon on the way.

How do I get from Lisbon airport to the city?

The Metro Red Line runs from the terminal to Saldanha and Alameda (connecting to the whole network) in 20–25 minutes for €2.10. Taxis and Uber cost €12–€20.

Is Lisbon walkable?

Yes, but hilly. Most sights are within a 30-minute walk of Baixa; trams, funiculars and the Metro save your legs. Wear shoes with good grip on the polished cobblestones.