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Portugal has it all: fresh seafood, historic architecture, beautiful beaches, fantastic golf courses and a huge passion for football – and where better to experience authentic Portuguese culture than in the country’s capital, Lisbon?
With stunning weather year-round, Lisbon is the perfect destination for a city break or even for a week away with the family – and you can easily spend hours driving in and around the city, exploring every nook and cranny, or take longer day trips to nearby cities such as Braga and Porto.
Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) – also known as Humberto Delgado Airport – is also one of Portugal’s largest airports, and is a convenient distance from Lisbon itself. Ryanair, EastJet, Jet2, Singapore Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and American Airlines all service this international travel hub, helping it to stay connected to the rest of the world.
As such, many car hire firms base themselves at Lisbon Portela Airport, all of which offer a wide range of vehicles for hire. The various car hire agencies are open daily from 06:00 until 01:00 (even on public holidays). Big names in the industry, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz all have offices at Lisbon Portela Airport.
The majority of car hire agencies offer electric and regular cars, as well as automatic and manual vehicles. However, pre-booking your car hire is essential, not just to save money, but because you can often select your preferences, such as if you want an automatic vehicle, or a specific make and model of car (subject to availability).
It’s not just Lisbon Portela Airport that you can hire from, though; there are many firms in central Lisbon that may offer you more reasonable rates than those from the airport.
Taking a bus or a tram to downtown Lisbon can also save you money on using a taxi, and some people may even find public transport easier than hiring a car. However, car hire is the most cost-effective way of getting around, and gives you more freedom and flexibility than relying on public transport.
Here are some rules and regulations for driving in and around Lisbon:
While Portugal is a stunning country and a car hire gives you the freedom to explore the whole country, for those who prefer to stay in and around Lisbon, there is still a lot to see in the nation’s capital.
Jerónimos Monastery, which was built during the 16th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city centre and is well worth a visit.
Similarly, Lisbon Cathedral is another good site in Lisbon, known for its stunning architecture and elegance.
For those wanting something different, we recommend paying a visit to Miradouro de Senhora do Monte, one of Lisbon’s best viewpoints, offering gorgeous panoramic views over the city. Visiting at sunset is a must.
If you’re planning on hiring a car, there are several great day trips you can do from Lisbon.
The city of Porto – Portugal’s second largest city after Lisbon – is around three hours north of the city, and the coastal route offers some of the best scenery on the Iberian peninsula. The coastal views over the Atlantic Ocean are some of the best anywhere in the world, while the various stops and viewpoints make it perfect for photo opportunities.
Heading south, the Algarve can be reached in just under 3 hours from Lisbon. This is a great place to visit for beaches and family-friendly fun, with towns and cities such as Lagos, Albufeira, Vilamoura and Faro being firm favourites.
Additionally, if you’re feeling adventurous, the Spanish city of Seville can be reached in under 5 hours from Lisbon, and this makes for a fun day trip. Just remember to bring your passport with you – but it’s always fun being able to say that you’ve visited two countries in one day.
Our customers rated Lisbon airport with an average of 9.1 based on 172 ratings, and these are the most recent tips, experiences and highlights.