Flight from London (LON) to Lisbon (LIS) from 187 £

You will enjoy your flight from London to Lisbon, the most western capital of Europe. On the banks of the River Tagus that opens up here before it enters the Atlantic, the city has been thriving for thousands of years. The name Lisbon, or Lisboa in Portuguese, comes from the Phoenicians, who named their only harbour on the Atlantic coast Alis Ubbo, “beautiful bay”, about 1200 B.C.

Up and down in Lisbon

The Romans who took over Lisbon famously defeated the founders in Carthage. The Visigoths in turn ousted them in 470. The Moors had their turn in 710 and only with the Reconquista in 1147 the modern history of Lisbon as the centre of Portugal started. During the heyday of Portuguese seafaring and trade, started by Henry the Navigator in the 15th century, it was the home of the richest King in the world, Manuel I. Like Rome, Lisbon is sprawled over seven hills that can be a steep climb. On one of the hills, the fortress São Jorge watches over the city, sitting on foundations left by the Visigoths. This is only one of the spots in the city with a beautiful view. These spots are called Miradouros, “golden views”. Try to take a ride in the historic streetcars through the several quarters of Lisbon. Famous is the line 28 that starts on one hill and terminates at another. A real unique way to get from the lower quarter Baixa to the higher up Chiado is the Elevador de San Justa, an elevator straight out of Jules Verne’s technical design fantasies.

Enjoying Lisbon’s special flair

Few buildings in Lisbon survived the great earthquake and the subsequent tsunami on the 1st November 1755. One of the few surviving buildings is the old monastery Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, where the famous explorer Vasco da Gama as well as many Kings and members of the Royal family are buried. The Torre de Belém, a mixture of fortress and lighthouse on the banks of the river is another survivor and one of the most famous landmarks of Lisbon. Lisbon is the only city on earth that has developed a unique musical style. The sometimes melancholic and gloomy state of mind of Lisbon, called “saudade”, may be an echo of the destruction of the city. The famous Fado, songs full of longing and heartbreak performed in the cafes and bars of Lisbon, is the musical expression of this feeling. To brighten up after a Fado concert, indulge in the great food of Lisbon: Ameijoas na cataplana, a stew from clams and pork, and the famous Pastel de Belém, a vanilla cream filled cake, as dessert. Watch the sunset from the steps at the Miradouro do Adamastor and then proceed to the Bairro Alto, where clubs and bars are lined up to welcome the party people. Enjoy you stay in Lisbon, but don’t forget your flight back home to London!

What else to see in Lisbon

• Praça do Comércio, great square near the river
• Palácio de São Bento, former monastery, today the parliament
• Parque das Nações, premises of EXPO 1998

Information Airport Lisbon

• Name: Humberto Delgado Airport
• IATA Code: LIS
• Distance to downtown Lisbon: 7 km
• Transportation: underground, shuttle bus, rented car, taxi

Which airports are in London?

• London Heathrow (LHR)
• London Gatwick (LGW)
• London City (LCY)