Lisbon Flights And Sights

Bathed in pure Atlantic light, crowned by the storybook St. George's Castle and straddling seven hills, Lisbon is one of Europe's most visually striking capitals. Looks aside, the city will surely win you over with its genuine friendliness and blissfully laid-back pace. At once nostalgic and progressive, Lisbon's charm shines through in everyday life -- listening to the mournful fado songs in the Moorish Alfama's alleys, indulging in custard tarts in gilded Art Nouveau patisseries and living it up at a Bairro Alto street party.

Things to Do

Nothing says Lisbon like a ride on century-old tram 28, which trundles past stately plazas, Estrela Basilica's graceful dome and the Romanesque Sé Cathedral. Jump off at hilltop St George's Castle for a rampart stroll and views reaching to the Tagus River. Just steps away, the Moorish Alfama quarter's mazy lanes are full of laundry billowing, neighbors gossiping and melancholic fado songs. Down by the river, Jerónimos Monastery's fantastically ornate Manueline cloisters whisk you back to Portugal's Age of Discovery.

Shopping

Kid leather gloves, tawny port, tinned fish -- you'll find it all in the specialty stores lining Pombaline Baixa, Rossio and Chiado. Compare purchases over a bica (espresso) on the terrace of Art Deco A Brasileira café. Young Lisboetas combine bar crawling with late-night shopping in the Bairro Alto, where boutiques stock vintage fashion and the sassy collections of Portuguese style icons Lena Aires and Fátima Lopes. Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon's catwalk of big-name designers.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Join locals for sunset shots of ginjinha (cherry liqueur) on the cobbles in front of hole-in-the-wall A Ginjinha, going strong since the 1840s. Lisbon's unrivalled hotspot is the bar-lined Bairro Alto, where revelers hit the street to chat, drink and dance before heading to riverside mega club Lux. The mood is more relaxed in the lantern-lit Alfama, where fado songs recalling lost love and destiny fill the atmospheric vaults of Clube de Fado.

Restaurants and Dining

Arrive before the crowds at the famous Antiga Confeitaria de Belém to devour crisp, cinnamon-dusted custard tarts hot from the oven. Lisboetas make the most of warm nights by dining alfresco on fresh fish in the Alfama's lantern-lit lanes and world flavors on pavement terraces in the buzzy Bairro Alto. The ornately tiled monastery-turned-beer hall Cervejaria da Trindade pairs cold beers with local specialties like bacalhau com natas (cod with cream). Go north of the city center to the stylish Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven.

Find flights to Lisbon with American Airlines and plan a journey of discovery in Portugal. The country's capital offers plenty to entice everyone in the family, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to relaxing by the water's edge. We'll help you plan an unforgettable trip with tips on the best things to do in Lisbon.

Since it's one of the oldest cities in the world, it stands to reason that one of the most popular activities in Lisbon is exploring its historic areas. The Tower of Belem and nearby Hieronymites Monastery (or Jeronimos Monastery) are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and fine examples of Manueline architecture. The monastery can be traced back to the 15th century, and it soon became a symbol of Portuguese expansion into the world. The monks who first lived here were to pray for the eternal soul of the king who ordered it built: King Manuel I. Close by, Belem Tower was constructed in the early 16th century to defend the Tagus River. Today it is an icon of the city.

Thanks to its prime location on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, the city enjoys prime Mediterranean weather, excellent light and a dramatically hilly terrain -- which is part of the fun. Taking a tram to explore without getting winded is one of the most entertaining things to do in Lisbon. Tram 28 has become something of an attraction in its own right as it dates back a century (the route, not the actual vehicles themselves). It takes you all around the city and gets you an up-close view of many neighborhoods and attractions.

One of those attractions, St. George's Castle (or Castle of Sao Jorge) is worth stopping to explore. It's the type of castle you dreamed of as a child upon hearing of dragons and knights. It overlooks the entire city and dates back to medieval times. It's full of history, and discovering it is one of our favorite activities in Lisbon. The castle and its towers were a formidable citadel, complete with a moat, and you can still see remnants of canons that defended it through the centuries. Climb to the walkway along the top of the wall and your breath will be taken away by the view of the city.

You can also get to know the city with an expert English-speaking guide by taking the Private Tour: Lisbon Sightseeing excursion. Over four hours, you'll explore with your guide, who will answer all of your questions.

American Airlines looks forward helping you fly to Lisbon. Get ready for a fascinating trip full of fascinating delights in the capital of Portugal.