Lisbon, Portugal
Try to explore outside of Lisbon if you have time
- More about your Oliver Guide: Barbara Rees
- Trip type: Adult, Family, Beach, City
- Activity level: easy
- Ideal length of trip: One week
to & from
TAP, the Portuguese National Carrier, has direct flights into the Lisbon from the East and West Coast. The flight attendants have been named “the most handsome” crew by a popular London based magazine.
Where to Stay
There are so many options and it depends on how long you stay. For families, I recommend the group, Martinhal, with properties in Lisbon, the Algarve and Guincho. The Four Seasons has incredible service and is very old-world Portuguese with many staff members working there for decades. For a newer option, there The One which is well-located on Avenida Liberdade. Or for a perfect smaller hotel try the Valverde Lisboa. It’s also nice to start your trip outside of busy Lisbon in the seaside towns of Estoril or Cascais. From there you can take a 20-minute train ride along the coast into the city centre but your mornings or late evening are ideal for long strolls, bike rides, or runs on the 2-mile promenade from Estoril to Cascais. In Estoril, The Palacio Estoril has the feel of the Copacabana in Rio and is a little tired but still wonderful- make sure you take a room overlooking the pool. It’s one of the favorite hotels for European aristocracy, and has a connection to the James Bond films. Sadly, the Estoril Casino has been built right near it yet the hotel remains a quiet, elegant choice.
- The gym at The Four Seasons has a view over the city and an outside rooftop jogging track. The indoor pool is a beautifully designed space for pure relaxation.