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Flights to Lisbon with a touch of Iceland

Welcome to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital that’s been winning plenty of travel-popularity contests in recent years. It’s not a new allure, however: this is a city with centuries of beauty to explore. Throw in great weather (the sun shines 290 days a year) plus a reputation for affordability and you have a total travel magnet!

Icelandair has added Lisbon to its network. From October 11, 2024 until March 28, 2025, we fly twice a week to Lisbon from Iceland and North America. Book now for your chance to explore this sunny, spectacular city.

And before you discover the viewpoints, the cobbled alleys, and the delicious seafood that Lisbon is renowned for, how about unearthing Reykjavík’s city secrets? When you book a flight to Lisbon with Icelandair you can add a stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare.

Exploring Lisbon

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!

Activities in Lisbon

One of the best (and most budget-friendly) ways to start exploring Lisbon is by getting on a tram. Specifically, Lisbon’s iconic yellow tram 28, which will take you on a beautiful route through the city in around an hour. Grab a window seat and enjoy the ride!

After that's done, walking is the best activity in Lisbon – the hilltop miradouros (lookouts) are perfect destinations. After uphill walks, you can rest a while with grand views of red rooftops and church spires. End your day with an evening out in the popular Bairro Alto area, full of bars and restaurants, or head to the Alfama district and find a fado house where you can experience this beautiful, melancholy style of local music.

Dining in Lisbon

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.

Shopping in Lisbon

From flea markets to fashion hotspots, shopping in Lisbon covers all bases. There are great souvenir options, from ceramics and azulejos tiles to local wines, ports, and ginjinha sour-cherry liqueur.

The city’s most exclusive shopping strip is Avenida da Liberdade, a beautiful avenue modelled on Paris’ Champs-Élysées. At the other end of the spectrum, LxFactory is a former industrial area that’s been transformed into a hip creative space with plenty of unique, artisan-produced treats.

The Feira da Ladra is a twice-weekly flea and antique market in the Alfama district – perfect for a browse. If you’re peckish, the Mercado de Ribeira skilfully combines a traditional food market with a modern food hall. Bibliophiles shouldn’t miss Livraria Bertrand, one of the oldest bookshops in the world, founded in 1732.

Beyond Lisbon

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.

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