The picturesque port of Lisbon offers shopping, arts and culture and sardines straight from the sea. Often imagined as a smaller, less dynamic Barcelona, Lisbon is a far cry from Spanish cities: with its unique style it hums with life at its own laid back pace. Getting around is easy both within Lisbon itself, and to the many nearby Atlantic beaches, each with a distinctive charm.

How to get there
Cheap flights to Lisbon are available with Easyjet from London and some regional airports, including Bristol and Liverpool (Ryanair do not fly there). Lisbon flights can also be found with British Airways and TAP Air Portugal, though these tend to be less economical. Typically, a flight to Lisbon takes just under three hours from London. The airport is only seven kilometres from the city, with taxis and buses running regularly, so a cheap flight to Lisbon needn't mean any further travel hassle when you get there.

When to go
Spring and late summer are the most beautiful times to visit Lisbon. As flights to Lisbon are available throughout the year, and midsummer tends to be more expensive and less comfortable (more tourists and can be too hot to stay out all day), April, May and late September and October can be better options, with temperatures around 22 degrees C, rather than the 28 degrees C of midsummer (the strong sun makes this feel a lot hotter, though the Atlantic often eases this with a fresh breeze). Beware of Easter as the price of a flight to Lisbon can rise dramatically. Winter can be fairly mild and pleasantly sunny, but you'll definitely need a couple of jumpers.

What to do
With a cheap flight to Lisbon, you can either stay and stroll through the gently sloping city, taking in its restaurants, bars and cafes (their 'pastel de nata', or custard tarts to you and me, are the best in the world and perfect with a coffee), or visit some of the nearby beaches to the west, which vary quite significantly in style. Cascais is cute and villagey, Estoril smarter and swankier (with prices to match): both serve fantastic fresh seafood in view of its origins, and fantastic cold 'vinho verde'. Sardines are an absolute must. Also nearby and accessible from the city is the beautiful town of Sintra, with its romantic palaces set in an oasis of green: well worth a visit.

Once you've grabbed your cheap flights to Lisbon why not use our searches for a cheap hotel in Lisbon and some cheap car hire in Lisbon?