Why fly to Lisbon?
Until quite recently, Cais do Sodré has had a bad rep for sailors stepping straight off their ships and into its many dens of iniquity, to mingle with the shadier characters of Lisbon’s underworld. But this once-salubrious part of town has had a revamp and, while there’s still a whiff of mischief about, Rua Nova do Carvalho or the ‘Pink Street’, for its rose-coloured tarmac, now draws a very different kind of visitor...
Turn your city break into a microadventure
The mission is simply to go to sleep, but to sleep wild at the western tip of Europe on the cliffs of Sintra Cascais above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The 417 bus from Lisbon takes just 45 minutes to Cascais. Then the bus to Sintra (403) will drop you off on the way. According to your preference, there's lush woodland to sleep in, or smoothy grassy heathland looking out over the sun setting into the Atlantic.
Next stop across that ocean lies New York - you'll really feel that you are at the edge of a continent. Take enough food and water for your visit, as it is pretty quiet out there. You can also visit the Cabo da Roca lighthouse for great views and nice cliftop walks.
Level of Difficulty: Easy - the activity is sleeping. What to pack: Suitable clothes (check the weather forecast, and remember it gets cold and windy by the sea!), woolly hat, headtorch, raingear, sleeping bag, mat and bivvy bag.
Best time to go: May
As cities go you can’t get much more original than Lisbon. Portugal’s capital is an ancient city with a very modern vibe and a perfect destination for that city break you’ve been longing for.
Lisbon is full of contrasts with activities for every kind of traveller, from tourist guide wielding culture buffs, to beach bums and families. But the first thing you’ll notice about Lisbon is its outstanding architecture, which is hardly surprising given the legacy of this place – it was the capital of the once mighty Portuguese Empire after all. A surviving array of Moorish, Romanesque and Neoclassical buildings will simply blow you away. As will the city’s hills – all seven of them!
But before you start to think about packing some hiking gear, don’t worry, as Lisbon’s charming old-style trams will get you to the peaks with the minimum of effort. Make sure you take a camera though, because the panoramic view from the top will take your breath away. And the narrow, winding and cobbled streets and lanes below will do the same, so put those feet up and grab a beer at one of Lisbon’s many grand squares.
easyJet holidays to Lisbon
Your easyJet experience doesn’t need to end when you arrive in Lisbon. easyJet holidays offers great value package holidays, so you can explore the variety that this city has to offer with confidence. Whether it’s climbing up one of the seven hills that make up the heart of the city, with the most spectacular city views in Europe, or venturing out to some of the beautiful beaches that line this coastal capital – we can help make Lisbon your perfect city break destination. As well as getting you there for a great deal, we can offer you the perfect package to explore your Lisbon holiday.
Flying from London? View your London airport options on our London to Lisbon flights page