Layover in Lisbon? Here’s 6 Things You Can Fit In (Updated)

LAYOVER IN LISBON

 

A layover in Lisbon could mean hours sitting at the airport, or it could mean hours exploring ancient castles, winding along cobblestone alleyways with a mojito by your side, and washing some of the freshest seafood down with a pitcher of sangria (at a very reasonable price).

Thanks to the Portuguese airline TAP,  anyone planning a trip to Europe this year can stop in and check out Lisbon for free!  TAP is adding flight stopovers in Lisbon to all of it’s transatlantic routes. This means you can visit Portugal without purchasing an additional plane ticket or paying for a hotel.  I had a 8 hour layover in Lisbon (on my way from Morocco to Malaga), and this is how I spent it (and how you can spend it too):

First Step of Your Layover in Lisbon: Get Out of the Airport

From the airport, you can grab the subway easily to anywhere in the city. A good starting point is Rossio Station, which will bring you to one of Lisbon’s main squares (subway map below).

 

layover in lisbon

 

 

Rossio & Commercio Square

Situated between two enormous fountains and laid in cobblestone, Rossio is one of the livliest squares in the city. People often stop here to relax or grab a drink at one of the nearby cafes. Occasionally there are outdoor stands for food as well. Rossio is also near Commercio Square, which is one of the most photographed places in Lisbon.

 

layover in lisbon

layover in lisbon layover in lisbon

 

St. George’s Castle

If you look up from Rossio, you can see St. George’s Castle looming over the city. As you make your way there, you’ll stumble upon one of the best lookout points of the city: Mirador de Portas de Sol. This is one of the best things to do during your layover in Lisbon if you are looking for a great photo.

 

layover in lisbon

layover in lisbon layover in lisbon

 

After soaking in the view of the coast line, head to St. George’s for a panoramic view of all of Lisbon. If you only have a few hours, this can give you a good grasp of the city.

 

layover in lisbon

layover in lisbon layover in liisbon

 

Bairro Alto

If you have time, head to Bairro Alto afterwards, where you can find outdoor restaurants and bars lining narrow cobblestone pathways. Bairro Alto is the place to go out in Lisbon, so have a few Mojitos while your exploring, or a pitcher of Sangria.

 

layover in lisbon

layover in lisbon layover in lisbon

 

If you’re lucky enough to visit during sunset, head to Park Bar. It’s a secret rooftop bar on top of a parking garage in Lisbon and it will give you a great view of the sunset over the 25 de Abril Bridge.  It is difficult to find at first as there are no signs/advertisements, so look for the parking garage at their address.

Calçada do Combro, 58
1200-115 Lisbon
Portugal

 

layover in lisbon

layover in lisbon

 

If you have more time and are looking for somewhere special to eat,  walk down to the “Time Out” market, which is any food lovers’ dream.  Time Out Market is an enormous food hall filled with almost any kind of food that you can imagine. It reminds me of Philly’s Reading Terminal Market, but with more Portuguese food and a more posh feeling.

 

layover in lisbon layover in lisbon

 

 

If your layover in Lisbon is longer than mine was, you can look at some additonal places to check out in my post on the top things to do in Lisbon.

 

Have any questions about things to do during your layover in Lisbon? Feel free to comment below!

5 Comments

  • Liz says:

    We have a 4 hour layover. Can we do anything quick in that time line? We are up for just getting a fun picture or getting a great snack and then heading back. Is it possible?

    • Hi Liz,

      The airport is about 20 minutes to the city center. Are you traveling to another european country after the layover or to the US? If you are traveling throughout Europe after, you’ll probably have time since you only need to be at the airport an hour before the flight. I’d probably recommend just going to the main squares (Comercio Square/Rossio Square) since those would be easiest. From there you can get food/see the castle up on the hill.

      Thanks!
      Marteen

  • Al & Lydia Galbraith says:

    Marteen … This post is very welcome as we are stopping over 3 days in Lisbon at the end of March after a month in the Algarve, flying TAP. This information is very helpful and presented in a way that is easy to use and understand. Can’t wait to experience Portugal life!

    • Hi Al and Lydia,

      Glad this post was able to help! Let me know if you have any questions, I’ve been to Lisbon a few times and have a few good recommendations 🙂

      Thanks for reading!
      Marteen

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