Lisbon Weekend Breaks

Lisbon is an extremely attractive one night break destination from the UK and ideal for a winter weekend break away. It is one of three European destinations which have the first flights departing from Heathrow every morning. Along with Zurich and Vienna you can head off to Lisbon at 6am in the morning and arrive in Portugal just before our 11am Nano Trip arrival cut off. Alternatively, take a low cost carrier from other London airports to maximise your time in this inviting European capital city. Take the metro straight into the city and you can be in the centre by late morning. It is all very straightforward.

Weekend Breaks to Lisbon from London

The best Nano trip options to Lisbon involve flights departing from London Heathrow. TAP Portugal offer the 6am departure mentioned above. Both TAP Portugal and British Airways offer later morning flights with all options getting you to Lisbon by 11am. Return evening flights from both airlines are available the next day.

Low cost options are also available for a nano break to Lisbon. Early departures are available from both London Luton (Easyjet) and London Stansted (Ryanair). Both airlines have later return times than their London Heathrow equivalents so give you even more time on your second day. If you are flexible with flying into or back from different UK airports then do check fares with Easyjet (from LGW) and Wizz Air (from LTN).

Weekend Breaks to Lisbon from Manchester

It is possible to enjoy a one night weekend break from Manchester airport but it takes some planning. Depart before 6am from Manchester and connect via Amsterdam or Paris. Make the most of your first day as the return flight departs just after 5pm with British Airways which takes you via Heathrow. Alternatively take another night and fly out on Friday evening with a direct service with TAP Air Portugal

Airport Transport to Lisbon

The easiest route into the centre of Lisbon is by metro. Regular services depart from the airport and take just over 20 minutes. You can then connect through metro lines to any part of the city. The metro line is the Aeroporto – Saldanha line. You will have to purchase an electronic travel card but the metro can be very inexpensive for a 24 hour pass. Also investigate the Lisboa Card offered by the tourist board which could save you further if you are looking to visit museums.

Where to buy the Lisboa Card in Lisbon?

The best way to buy the Lisboa Card is to purchase online before you arrive. You can do this through Tiqets (the official booking service). For nano breaks you can opt for a 48 hour card. To get the card you need to go to the Ask Lisboa Tourist Office in Terminal One at the airport. If you are flying into Terminal One the office is on the right as you come out of baggage reclaim/customs. We suggest you check opening times if flying in late at night. If flying into Terminal 2 (i.e. with Ryanair) you will need to take the free shuttle to Terminal 1. You will need to this anyway to get to the metro station which is just outside of terminal one.

Tiqets will have sent you an email to download a QR code (or use their app) for your Lisboa Card which you will need to present to the Tourism office to exchange for your physical card. When you use the car on the metro for the first time remember to note the time. There are other tourism offices within the city you can collect or purchase your card if you are taking a transfer from the airport. Again, Tiqets will give you a full list of places to redeem.

One Night in Lisbon

It’s great to be spontaneous but to get the most of your two days in Lisbon we recommend some forward planning. With a multitude of museums, attractions and other places to visit, do sketch out a rough itinerary. Make sure you spend some time in the local restaurants as Lisbon has some amazing eateries. Try Union Empanadas for a stunning street food experience on your way up to the castle or explore the variety at the Time Out Market. If staying on the Avenue da Liberdade we highly recommend IIIMPAR. Although we suggest bringing your walking shoes to discover the real Lisbon, do not miss out on a ride on an historic tram. The most popular tram is number 28 and the queue at the start is usually long. Consider taking the return journey instead picking the tram up at the Cathedral after a visit to the castle.

There are a multitude of accommodation offerings. Use the ratings on hotel accommodation websites and read the reviews to unearth the best options. The downtown area of Baixa is suggested as a good starting point. For a five star luxury weekend break consider the PortoBay Liberdade which has a spa and indoor swimming pool and a seventh floor sun deck with hit tub. Perfect for relaxing after a long first day of sightseeing.

Lisbon Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer