Alfama
An old neighbourhood of stepped alleys tumbling from the castle down to the Tagus, where fado drifts out of small venues in the evening.
Travel guide · Portugal
Lisbon
Why visit Lisbon?
Lisbon spreads across hills above the Tagus estuary, a city of cobbled lanes, tile-covered façades and lookouts gazing over terracotta rooftops. You can wander from the stairways of Alfama down to the grand squares of the Baixa and out to the monuments of Belém, pausing along the way for a pastel de nata or a glass of vinho verde.
Not to miss
São Jorge Castle
A hilltop fortress with ramparts you can walk along and wide views over the Baixa and the estuary below.
Belém
On the riverfront, Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery recall the era of Portugal's great seafaring voyages.
Tram 28
This yellow tram rattles through narrow, steep streets linking Graça, Alfama, the Baixa, Chiado and Estrela.
The miradouros
Lookouts such as Santa Luzia, Senhora do Monte and São Pedro de Alcântara frame sweeping views of rooftops and the Tagus.
Baixa and Praça do Comércio
Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, the Baixa's grid of streets leads to the Rua Augusta Arch and the vast square facing the river.
When to go?
Spring and early autumn bring mild, bright days that suit exploring the hills on foot. Summer is hot and almost rainless, while winter stays gentle in the daytime but turns cooler at night, with frequent showers from October through January.
The warmest month is Aug (around 36 °C by day), the coolest Mar (0 °C at night); the driest is Jul and the wettest Nov.
| Month | Day / night | Rain | Flights from Amsterdam | Flights from Brussels | Flights from Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19° / 1° | 73 mm | US$140 | US$139 | US$550 |
| Feb | 20° / 0° | 53 mm | US$221 | US$156 | — |
| Mar | 24° / 0° | 63 mm | US$168 | US$156 | — |
| Apr | 27° / 8° | 58 mm | US$201 | US$180 | — |
| May | 30° / 8° | 34 mm | US$223 | US$180 | — |
| Jun | 32° / 12° | 13 mm | US$193 | US$156 | — |
| Jul | 34° / 14° | 4 mm | US$250 | US$242 | — |
| Aug | 36° / 14° | 8 mm | US$235 | US$214 | — |
| Sep | 32° / 13° | 26 mm | — | — | — |
| Oct | 29° / 9° | 84 mm | — | — | — |
| Nov | 23° / 4° | 93 mm | US$207 | US$165 | US$489 |
| Dec | 19° / 1° | 67 mm | US$172 | US$150 | US$528 |
Climate: 1991-2020 normals (NASA POWER), daytime highs and night-time lows. Prices: the lowest round-trip fares Voly saw in recent months for a departure that month; they change all the time.
Practical tips
Streets are steep and cobbled, so bring comfortable shoes and mix walking with the metro, trams and funiculars such as the Elevador da Glória. The Baixa and Chiado make central bases, while Alfama feels more tucked away. Try grilled sardines, a bifana pork sandwich and ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur.
At a glance
- Country : Portugal
- Currency : euro (EUR)
- Languages : Portuguese
- Time zone : Europe/Lisbon (UTC0) — difference with Montreal: +5 h, with Paris: -1 h (varies with daylight saving)
Entry requirements (passport, visa) depend on your nationality and change: check them with your government before booking.
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Get the dealsUpdated 2026-11-04. Text written with AI assistance and reviewed by the Voly team.