Lisbon

Lisbon is one of Europe's most charismatic capitals, a city of seven hills where pastel-coloured buildings cascade down to the shimmering Tagus River. The iconic yellow Tram 28 rattles through the narrow streets of Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, where Fado music drifts from tiny restaurants and laundry hangs from wrought-iron balconies. It is a city that wears its history proudly while embracing a creative, forward-looking energy that has made it one of Europe's most exciting destinations. The Belem district is the gateway to Lisbon's Age of Discovery heritage. The ornate Jeronimos Monastery and the fortified Belem Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrate the era when Portuguese explorers set sail to chart unknown waters. No visit to Belem is complete without sampling the legendary pasteis de nata (custard tarts) at Pasteis de Belem, where the recipe has remained unchanged since 1837. The nearby MAAT museum of art, architecture, and technology represents Lisbon's contemporary cultural ambitions. Day trips from Lisbon open up some of Portugal's greatest treasures. The fairy-tale palaces of Sintra, perched among misty forested hills, feel like stepping into a storybook. The golden beaches of Cascais and the dramatic cliffs of Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe's most westerly point, are less than an hour away. Back in the city, the sunset views from Miradouro da Graca or the rooftop bars of Bairro Alto make every evening in Lisbon feel special.