Arriving in Lisbon via Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport sets you up perfectly, with surrounding cities and experiences a short drive away. Lisbon is Portugal's hilly capital on the Tagus River, a city of tiled facades, yellow trams, and viewpoints that catch the light at every hour. It is sunny and soulful, with fado drifting out of Alfama doorways, grilled sardines in summer, and custard tarts worth the line.

Lisbon experiences not to skip: - Ride tram 28 through the old districts, or walk the route to avoid the crowds - Climb to Sao Jorge Castle and the miradouros of Alfama and Graca - Eat a warm pastel de nata at the original bakery in Belem - Visit the Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem - Listen to fado in a small Alfama tavern - Browse the stalls at Time Out Market and the shops at LX Factory - Sip a ginjinha cherry liqueur from a hole-in-the-wall bar in Rossio - Wander the nightlife streets of Bairro Alto and the boutiques of Principe Real - Order bacalhau or a bifana sandwich at a tasca

Lisbon is surrounded by great short trips. Sintra, with its fairytale palaces in the hills, is about 40 minutes away, and Cascais and its beaches are half an hour along the coast, with Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, in between. Surf towns like Ericeira are 45 minutes north, and the walled town of Obidos about an hour. South across the bridge, the Arrabida hills and Setubal's sandy coves are 45 minutes away. Come in June for the Santo Antonio festivities, when the whole city grills sardines in the street.