Dear travelers,
You know that moment when you’re booking flights and the airline casually offers you two options:
Option A: sensible, efficient, get-home-fast
Option B: a 22-hour layover in Lisbon
And instead of being responsible… You think, “Well… why not?”
That’s exactly how this story starts.
We were flying back from freezing temperatures: -11 degrees, frozen eyelashes, and suddenly Lisbon appeared on the screen with 15 degrees and sunshine.
I didn’t hesitate long.
And let me tell you this right away:
If you ever have the chance to book a long layover in Lisbon, take it.
Lisbon is one of the best cities in Europe for a layover because:
The airport is close to the city center (about 20–30 minutes).
The neighborhoods are walkable.
You can see a LOT in less than 24 hours.
So here’s exactly how we spent our 22-hour layover in Lisbon, plus what I’d do differently next time.
Is a 22-Hour Layover in Lisbon Worth It?
Short answer: Yes. Absolutely. Without hesitation.
Longer answer:
Lisbon is perfect for a long layover because:
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is close to the center.
The city is compact (but hilly, more on that later).
The weather is mild most of the year.
Food + wine culture = instant vacation mood.
You can explore multiple neighborhoods in a few hours.
If you’re flying with TAP Air Portugal, they even encourage stopovers which honestly feels like Portugal saying, “Stay a little longer.” (Check my full TAP Air experience here.)
How to Get from Lisbon Airport to the City Center
Let me be honest with you. We landed tired. Jetlagged. Slightly delusional. I had every intention of being the organized traveler who researches Lisbon public transport in advance.
Did I? No. Instead, we opened Uber. And honestly? Zero regrets.
Uber from Lisbon Airport
Cost: around 12 € (or less)
Time: about 20–25 minutes
Stress level: minimal
Worth it when: you’re exhausted, carrying luggage, or short on time
It dropped us directly at our hotel door. No metro lines. No stairs. No brain power required.
Public Transport Options (If You’re More Functional Than We Were)
If you’re feeling responsible:
Metro – Affordable and reliable (about 30–40 minutes).
Aerobus – Direct bus routes to central areas.
Taxi – Slightly more than Uber, depending on traffic.
Layover tip: If you only have 12–24 hours, convenience often wins over saving a few euros.
Where to Stay During a Lisbon Layover
We stayed at the 262 Boutique Hotel on Pink Street.
Let’s talk about Pink Street. You’ve probably seen it on Instagram:
Bright pink pavement
Cute bars
“Lisbon nightlife vibes”
Here’s my honest opinion? It’s… overrated.
Pros:
Very central location.
Easy access to Bairro Alto & Chiado.
Lively atmosphere.
Cons:
Tourist-heavy.
Noisy at night.
Lacks authentic Lisbon charm.
But for one night? Pink Street worked fine. It just didn’t feel magical.
Day 1: Exploring Lisbon on Foot (Jetlag Edition)
We dropped our bags and did the only thing that makes sense in Lisbon:
We walked. And walked. And walked.
Bairro Alto & Chiado: Classic Lisbon Energy
If Lisbon were a movie, this is where the opening scene would happen.
Cobblestone streets.
Balconies with laundry.
Yellow trams rattling past like they’re late for a Wes Anderson film.
This is where you get:
The famous yellow tram photos
Miradouros (viewpoints) with panoramic city views
Cute cafés for espresso breaks
Travel Tips:
Wear comfortable shoes. This is not the city for fashion-over-function.
Everything looks close on Google Maps. It lies.
Pause at viewpoints, Lisbon is meant to be admired slowly.
There’s something cinematic about Lisbon. It feels like a city where someone could fall in love dramatically while holding a pastel de nata.
Belém: History, Monuments & the Best Pastéis de Nata
Now, Belém is slightly outside the immediate center, but still very manageable during a long layover.
We made our way there, determined to see as much as possible before total exhaustion kicked in.
Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 16th century, it once guarded Lisbon’s harbor and symbolized Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.
Monument to the Discoveries
This massive monument honors explorers like Vasco da Gama. It’s dramatic and bold, like Portugal saying:
“Yes, we sailed the world.”
Climb to the top if you have time for panoramic views of Belém and the river.
Jerónimos Monastery
And here’s where jetlag defeated us. The monastery is stunning — Manueline architecture at its finest — detailed stone carvings that feel almost lace-like.
But we were tired. So we saw it from the outside. And honestly? Even that’s impressive.
If you’re not jetlagged:
Go inside.
Give yourself at least an hour.
Buy tickets in advance.
Pastéis de Belém: Let’s Talk About Pastel de Nata
Walking distance from all the monuments is the legendary:
Pastéis de Belém
Now, if you’re wondering:
What is a pastel de nata?
It’s a traditional Portuguese custard tart made of:
Flaky, buttery pastry
Creamy egg custard filling
Light caramelized top
Served warm. Sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
And Pastéis de Belém has been making them since 1837.
They’re said to use the original secret recipe from the monastery. We ordered more than we needed.
Zero regrets.
Arco da Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio
It’s grand. Elegant. Symmetrical. The kind of place where you instinctively slow your walk.
Right beyond it is:
Praça do Comércio
Open square
Yellow buildings
Tagus River stretching out in front of you
It feels like Lisbon’s grand entrance.
If you have time, you can:
Go up the arch for city views.
Sit by the water.
Watch street performers.
It’s especially beautiful near sunset when the light turns golden and everything feels softer.
Dinner at Antiga Wine Bar: Portuguese Wine & Porto Wine
By dinner time, we were fully in “we deserve this” mode. We went to Antiga Wine Bar, a cozy little spot perfect for:
Wine tasting
Sharing plates
Slowing down
We tried:
Portuguese red wines
And of course… Porto wine
Quick clarification:
Portuguese wine = wine produced throughout Portugal.
Port wine (Porto wine) = fortified wine from the Douro Valley, sweeter and stronger.
If you only have one night in Lisbon, make it a wine night.
What We Didn’t Have Time For (And Why We’ll Be Back)
We didn’t make it to:
Alfama
And that hurts a little. Alfama is:
The oldest neighborhood in Lisbon.
Full of narrow streets.
Known for Fado music.
Authentic and atmospheric.
It’s where Lisbon feels most like Lisbon. And we missed it. Which just means:
We have a reason to come back.
Early Morning Departure to Venice
The next morning came quickly. Too quickly. We ordered another Uber back to the airport, smooth, easy, stress-free.
And just like that, Lisbon became a memory.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
