Dear Lisbon - Gallery House

The best time to visit is May through September, with May, June, and September offering warm, pleasant days and little rain. July and August are the hottest and driest months, ideal for beach time but quite warm. The rainiest stretch runs from October through March, with November and December being particularly wet. For the most comfortable mix of sunshine and mild temperatures, aim for late spring or early autumn.

Stay in Baixa for central access to Praça do Comércio and easy tram rides, with hotels like Hotel Avenida Palace and Altis Grand Hotel. Alfama suits those wanting narrow streets and the castle nearby, with Santiago de Alfama as a base. For a quieter, upscale feel, Avenidas Novas offers wide avenues and the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz. Belém is a good pick for riverside sights like Belém Tower, with Altis Belem Hotel nearby.

Start at Praça do Comércio, the grand riverside square. Climb to Castelo de São Jorge for sweeping city views. See Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries along the river, then visit Jerónimos Monastery nearby. For a different side, explore LX Factory, a former industrial complex with shops and street art. End at a miradouro like Santa Luzia for a classic Alfama panorama.

You can take full-day tours to Sintra and Cascais, covering Pena Palace, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca, and the coast. Another option combines Porto, Nazaré, and Óbidos in one day. Tours also go to Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos together. These are the main day trips offered from Lisbon.

Plan 3 days for Lisbon: one for the historic center (Praça do Comércio, Castelo de São Jorge, and the Miradouro de Santa Luzia), one for Belém (Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries) and one for LX Factory and Eduardo VII Park. If you want to take a day trip to Sintra or Óbidos, add an extra day.