Lisbon attractions: what to see and do in summer
Why go?
In the summer months, Lisbon swelters under a cerulean blue dome. ‘A praia’ (to the beach) sings out from the city’s sun-kissed, begonia blossomed streets as surf boards are stacked on top of cars and everyone makes for the beachy ‘burbs of Cascais and Estoril – 20 minutes drive from the city-centre. The aim being to cool off in the frosty Atlantic, get some sand between their toes, and tuck into the seaside classic of a plate of garlicky ameijoas (clams) washed down with a tumbler of brain-freeze cold lager.
Rarely too hot or cold, Lisbon is a year-round destination. The last puffs of the Sahara-warmed winds keep the mercury high well into November. Much of the city shuts down in August, when many restaurants and bars close and locals escape the steamy city for the cooler Atlantic shores.
Lisbon coast
Summer attractions and day trips
Castelo São Jorge
The winding medieval streets of Lisbon’s most ancient neighbourhood, Alfama, twist up to the city’s Moorish pinnacle. The dusk-orange walls of the ancient castle date back to the ninth century and lord over the city, being visible from almost every street.
Contact: 00 351 21 887 7244
My hotel pick: The Palacio Belmonte is an elegant luxury hotel in Lisbon's ancient quarters offering the best views in the city. Read the full review
Sintra
Tram 28
The most charming way to tick off a few sights, the wooden tram 28 rumbles through Lisbon’s prettiest and most historic streets. Starting at the foot of Bairro Alto, the vintage carriage trundles through the shopping districts of Baixa and Chiado before lurching and labouring past the churches and castles on the cobbled hills of the Alfama and Graça neighbourhoods.
Departs to Graça every 15 minutes from Praca Luis de Camões. Fare: €2.80.
My hotel pick: The Lapa Palace hotel is an A-list hotel with charm, history and oodles of opulence, overlooking Lisbon’s most luxurious neighbourhood. Read the full review
Torre de Belém
An iconic symbol of maritime Lisbon, this Byzantine and Gothic tower stands out over the mouth of the Tejo, guarding the entrance to the city’s harbour. Reached via a walkway raised out of the water on timbers, the tower is filled with intricate stonework and has wide Atlantic views.
Contact: 00 351 21 362 0034
Torre de Belém
Sintra
The aristocratic hill town to the west of the city is a neverland of fairytale palaces, manicured floral gardens and wild woodlands. The train to Sintra departs from Rossio station every 20 minutes, takes about 40 minutes and costs €1.95.
My hotel pick: The Living Lounge hostel offers artist-designed rooms and bright modern furnishings and is set steps from Rossio station in the heart of the city. Read the full review
Cascais/Estoril and beyond
These neighbouring beach towns are the best of the city’s seaside suburbs. Both are destinations in themselves. Lovely coves of sand lick along the coast between the two towns, which are connected by an Atlantic-front promenade. The region’s best beaches (Adraga, Guincho and Grande) are found on the coastal road north, beyond Cascais. From Cais do Sodré station, the coastal train to Cascais and Estoril leaves every 20 minutes, takes about 40 minutes and costs €1.95.
Festivals and events
Bullfighting - until September (most Thursdays/Sundays)
All the glitz and glamour of their Spanish neighbour’s controversial bloodsport without the bull actually being killed, if that makes you feel any better about it. Like it or loathe it, its local Lisbon culture at its rawest.
See campopequeno.com
Festas da Lisboa - June 12
Lisbon’s biggest street party, to celebrate its patron Saint Anthony, is a wild affair of street parties, mayor-blessed weddings and a parade down the city’s main street, Avenida da Liberdade.
My hotel pick: Hotel Florida is just off the top end of the city’s main street, Avenida da Liberdade, within a few yards of Lisbon’s lush botanical gardens. Read the full review
Jazz em Agosto - August 2 to 11
Self-proclaimed as ‘the other side of Jazz’, musicians from the southern States to Sweden perform, nightly, in the open-air auditorium grounds of Lisbon’s modern art museum gardens.
