Flights to Lisbon with a touch of Iceland

A winning mix of historic and modern, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe (four centuries older than Rome, in fact). Records suggest only Athens is older.

Mouraria and Alfama neighborhoods are the oldest in Lisbon and are at the heart of the city. They’re full of historic landmarks high on travel hit-lists, including the cathedral known as Sé de Lisboa, dating from around 1150. There’s also the hilltop Castelo de São Jorge and its fortifications, and the white-domed Panteão Nacional monument. But the real magic in these neighborhoods comes from wandering the narrow tiled streets and soaking up the history and beauty.

If head-turning monuments are your thing, don’t miss the Torre de Belém, or Belem Tower, built in 1515 to honor Portugal's seafaring voyagers. This is an icon in a country whose history was shaped by the ocean and by its maritime discoveries of 'new worlds'. And be sure to stop by the beautiful nearby Pastéis de Belém patisserie for a different kind of local icon!

Lisbon has a deserved reputation for fantastic dining. On a traditional menu, look for sopa de caldo verde, a light, creamy soup made with shredded kale and sausage. Bacalhau, or salted cod, has been a staple of Portuguese cuisine since the Vikings arrived with it to trade. There are countless ways to prepare it, from croquette to casserole. More beloved fishy flavors are found in sardinhas (sardine) form. Arroz de marisco (seafood rice) is Portugal’s answer to paella, and seafood lovers should add traditional polvo à lagareiro (baked octopus and potatoes) to their must-try list.

The bifana (a bread roll stuffed with slices of pork plus mustard) is perfect street food. Spicy grilled piri-piri chicken is a semi-local flavor that’s gone global, and don't forget the homegrown custard-filled delights known as pastéis de nata.

Lisbon makes a fantastic base for exploring Portugal, and has a great range of destinations you can reach within two hours.

Sintra, in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, is a perfect day trip from the capital, just 30km (18 miles) away. The highlights here are the pastel-colored villas and whimsically designed palaces. South of Sintra, Cascais is a popular resort town with grand villas and sandy beaches.

Northwest of Lisbon, Peniche draws surfers keen to test its waves. Its rugged shore is a great summer beach destination and a year-round surfing hotspot. Near Peniche, the medieval walled town of Obidos is a Unesco City of Literature (like Reykjavík!) and enchants with cobbled streets and whitewashed houses.