Tram 28, the Castle & Fado
Ride the vintage Tram 28 through Alfama to São Jorge Castle, then hear soulful fado in a candlelit tavern.
Flight + hotel city breaks · Direct flights from Canada
Flight + Hotel · City Breaks
Central hotels with return flights from Canada — stay 3 nights or extend
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At a glance
Portugal's sun-washed capital tumbles over seven hills above the Tagus estuary, a maze of tiled façades, rattling yellow trams, and miradouros with sweeping river views. Wander the medieval alleys of Alfama to the sound of fado, ride Tram 28 up to São Jorge Castle, feast on pastéis de nata in Belém, and stay out late in Bairro Alto — all in a walkable, affordable European city that is warm and welcoming most of the year.
Climate
16–28°C · mild & sunny
Warm, dry summers and mild, sometimes rainy winters — one of Europe's sunniest capitals.
Currency
Euro (EUR)
1 CAD ≈ 0.68 EUR · cards widely accepted
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport, up to 90 days
Ride the vintage Tram 28 through Alfama to São Jorge Castle, then hear soulful fado in a candlelit tavern.
See the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, then queue for the original warm custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém.
Graze the stalls of the Time Out Market at Cais do Sodré, then hop the bars of Bairro Alto after dark.
Passport: A Canadian passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area is required.
Entry & visa: Canadians do not need a visa for tourism in Portugal for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans do not cover care abroad. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Power & plugs: Portugal uses 230V/50Hz with Type C and F plugs — bring a plug adapter and a converter for older devices.
Time zone: Lisbon runs on Western European Time (WET, UTC+0) — five hours ahead of Toronto.
Warm, sunny days and long evenings — the ideal window before the summer rush.
Hot and busiest, with festivals in full swing. Book flights and hotels early.
Warm, golden light and thinner crowds — many travellers' favourite time to visit.
Mild with rainy spells and the best hotel value of the year.
Where to stay
Lisbon's central districts are compact and walkable, each with its own character. Here's how to choose where to base yourself.
City centre
The grand grid of downtown squares, shops, and cafés between the river and the hills — everything within walking distance.
East of centre
Lisbon's oldest quarter of tiled alleys, viewpoints, and fado houses climbing to São Jorge Castle.
North of centre
A leafy tree-lined boulevard of designer shops and smart hotels, an easy walk down to Baixa.
West of centre
By day a village of boutiques and gardens; by night the heart of Lisbon's bar and music scene.
Beyond the city
Lisbon is a superb base for exploring palaces, coastlines, and hilltop towns. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel concierge.
Explore the fairy-tale Pena Palace and the mossy Quinta da Regaleira in the wooded hills of Sintra.
Ride the coastal line to the breezy resort town of Cascais, with its marina, old town, and the dramatic Boca do Inferno.
Walk the walls of a perfectly preserved whitewashed hill town and sample ginjinha cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup.
Visit the Roman temple and eerie Chapel of Bones in UNESCO-listed Évora, with a tasting at an Alentejo winery.
Flight + hotel packages with return flights from Canada, starting at
Good to know
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
No. Canadian citizens can visit Portugal and the rest of the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period — just a valid passport is needed.
Direct flights are about 6h 40m from Toronto to Lisbon (LIS), typically as overnight departures on TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, and Air Transat.
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer warm, sunny weather with fewer crowds than the busy July–August peak.
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is only about 7 km from downtown — the red Metro line, an Aerobus, or a short taxi/rideshare all reach the centre quickly.
Portugal uses the Euro (EUR). Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, though a little cash is handy for kiosks and tips.
Yes — the historic centre is very walkable, and metro, trams, buses, and funiculars cover the hills. A rechargeable Viva Viagem card works across the network.
It's strongly recommended. Canadian provincial health plans don't cover care in Portugal, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Yes — you can add excursions like the Sintra Palaces day trip or the Cascais coast to your booking at checkout.