Overview
Lisbon rewards a short flight with a big change of scene: seven hills of pastel houses, rattling yellow trams and the wide Tagus estuary. Portugal's capital is warm, walkable and good value, with a food scene built on fresh fish, grilled sardines and the custard-filled pastel de nata. It suits a two- or three-night break, with the palaces of Sintra or the Cascais coast an easy day out.
Best time to fly to Lisbon
Lisbon works year-round. Spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to October) are the sweet spot: warm days of 20–25°C, cooler evenings and lighter crowds. July and August are hot, often above 30°C, and the busiest, priciest time to fly. Winter is mild by UK standards, around 12–16°C, wetter but with the lowest fares. See the When to book chart above for how prices shift month to month.
Airlines and routes
Lisbon is well connected to the UK, with direct flights from London and many regional airports. TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier, flies from Heathrow and Gatwick and hubs at Lisbon — useful if you continue to Porto, Madeira or Brazil. British Airways flies from Heathrow and Gatwick, while easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Wizz Air serve Luton, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and more. Reckon on about 2 hours 40 minutes from London and just under three hours from Manchester; connections via Madrid or Amsterdam are rarely needed from major UK cities.
Things to do in Lisbon
The main sights cluster in the old centre, with Belém a short ride west along the river.
- Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery: UNESCO-listed Manueline landmarks, next to the original pastéis de Belém bakery.
- Tram 28: the classic wooden tram climbing through Graça, Alfama and Estrela.
- Alfama: the oldest quarter, a maze of lanes, viewpoints and fado bars.
- São Jorge Castle: hilltop battlements with the widest views over the city and the Tagus.
- Time Out Market: a buzzing food hall gathering many of Lisbon's best cooks under one roof.
At Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Lisbon's airport, still often called Portela, is unusually close to town — about 7km north of the centre, or 20 to 30 minutes by road. The Metro red line runs from the terminal and is the cheapest way in. The Aerobus shuttle serves the main squares and hotels, city buses stop outside, and taxis and ride-hailing apps wait at arrivals, with modest fares to the centre and a small luggage supplement in metered taxis.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Lisbon
- Book around one to three months ahead for city breaks; fares to somewhere this popular rarely tumble at the last minute. Check the price charts on this page.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures, and dates outside July, August and the school holidays, are usually cheaper.
- Stay flexible: moving your trip by a day or two often cuts the fare — the chart above shows the cheapest days to fly.
- Compare carriers: weigh a low base fare against baggage fees, and check whether TAP or a low-cost airline works out better overall.
Travel essentials
Portugal is in the EU and the Schengen Area. UK passport holders need no visa for tourism and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your passport should be under 10 years old and valid for at least three months after you leave. Check current entry rules, including the EU's forthcoming ETIAS authorisation, before travelling. The currency is the euro, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and a GHIC covers state healthcare — take travel insurance too.
