Lisbon: The Perfect European City Break
A couple of weekends ago, we decided it was time for a change of scenery. We wanted a destination with reliable sunshine, fantastic food and the opportunity to add another European city to our list. Lisbon quickly rose to the top of the shortlist.
Having visited the Portuguese capital twice before on work trips, I already knew it had all the ingredients for a great weekend away – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Arriving in Lisbon
One thing worth mentioning immediately is passport control. Since the introduction of new biometric checks for UK travellers entering the EU, stories of long queues have become common. Thankfully, our experience was quite the opposite. We joined the queue and were through in around 20 minutes, with fingerprinting and biometric photographs completed quickly and efficiently.
We had booked our trip as an easyJet Holiday package and our transfer driver was waiting for us when we arrived. Around 30 minutes later, we were checking into the excellent Lisboa Pessoa Hotel, perfectly positioned on the edge of the Bairro Alto and Chiado districts.
The four-star hotel proved to be an excellent choice. It offers comfortable rooms, a lovely rooftop bar with views across the city and a very good restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. That said, Lisbon is blessed with so many fantastic restaurants that bed and breakfast is probably all you’ll need.
As we had taken a later flight we didn’t arrive until around 9pm, so after settling in it was time to rest and prepare for our first full day exploring.
A Walking Tour: The Best Way to Start
The following morning, I had booked a walking tour of Lisbon – something I have come to regard as one of the best ways to get your bearings in a new city.
It’s a tip I picked up from one of our partner operators, Kirker Holidays, who regularly recommend guided walks at the start of a trip. You don’t need to commit to an expensive four-hour private tour either. We opted for a relaxed two-hour “Get to Know Lisbon” walk, which cost around £30 per person.
Our small group explored the historic streets of the old town while our guide shared stories, local history and useful insider tips. One particularly valuable piece of advice involved Lisbon’s metro and railway stations. In some locations, taking an escalator up or down and exiting from a different entrance can transport you to an entirely different level of the city, saving your legs from some of Lisbon’s famously steep hills.
Trust me – you’ll appreciate every shortcut you can find.
Exploring the City
After our tour, we stopped for lunch just off Praça do Comércio. Despite being in one of the city’s most popular tourist areas, we found prices surprisingly reasonable.
The afternoon was spent wandering through Lisbon’s streets and discovering hidden corners, one of the highlights being Livraria Bertrand in Chiado. Founded in 1732, it holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest operating bookshop.
Visitors can browse the shelves as normal, but one particularly nice touch is that any book purchased can be stamped to show it was bought at this historic store – a lovely souvenir for book lovers.
Dinner at Time Out Market
During our walking tour, our guide recommended the Time Out Market, so that evening we headed back there for dinner.
We chose Pap’Açorda, located on the first floor, which had been recommended to us and served an excellent meal. However, if I were visiting again, I would probably do things slightly differently.
The real appeal of the market lies downstairs, where dozens of food stalls showcase some of Lisbon’s best chefs and restaurants under one roof. The atmosphere is lively and informal, and the communal seating area allows everyone to choose exactly what they fancy. Looking back, we wish we had embraced the full food market experience.
Castles, Custard Tarts and Monasteries
The next morning, before the day became too hot, we tackled the climb to Castelo de São Jorge.
The castle offers spectacular views across Lisbon’s rooftops and the River Tagus and is well worth a visit. Entry is included with the Lisboa Card, which quickly proved its value during our stay.
For around €30, the card includes free or discounted entry to many attractions as well as unlimited use of public transport, making it a worthwhile investment if you plan to explore the city properly.
Later that afternoon, we caught a bus to Belém to visit the original home of the famous Pastel de Nata. The bakery where it all began remains one of Lisbon’s biggest attractions, and it’s easy to see why once you taste one fresh from the oven.
Just a short walk away is the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, another landmark included with the Lisboa Card and one of Lisbon’s architectural highlights.
Final Thoughts
Lisbon is everything you could want from a city break: beautiful architecture, fascinating history, excellent food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Even after a long weekend, it felt like we had only scratched the surface. We didn’t even manage to take the short train journey to Cascais, which simply gives us another reason to return.
If you’re looking for a European escape that combines culture, cuisine and sunshine, Lisbon should be very high on your list.
I‘d love to chat more about it so do get in touch!
Martyn














