This Iconic Destination Was Just Named Europe’s Best City

At this point, Lisbon has almost an embarrassing number of accolades. It constantly ranks among the world’s best places to retire and was recently named Europe’s best culinary city destination at the World Culinary Awards. Now, it’s been named the Best City Break Destination at the 25th edition of the Star Awards.

“This recognition highlights Lisbon as a favored destination for UK tourists seeking a getaway, given the variety of high-interest attractions the city has to offer,” Paula Oliveira, the executive director of the Lisbon Tourism Association, shared in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure.

As a resident of the city, I can vouch that it deserves all this praise — and then some. 

It’s a place where the past and present collide in perfect harmony. Start that city break by weaving your way through the historic Alfama neighborhood, passing pastel-hued homes, ducking into centuries-old churches and tabernas, snagging a bica and a bifana along the way, before climbing to the top of Castelo de São Jorge to drink in an old-school view of the city’s iconic red roofs, all the way to the Tagus River. Then, make your way to Chiado and Avenida Liberdade to shop until you drop, or go all the way to Belém to see the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower — and don’t skip its museums, like the National Tile Museum or the MAAT. 

And this is all before you get to dig into the food. Oh, the food. From third-wave coffee spots like Dramatico and Hello Kristof in the morning to an afternoon filled with fantastic bites at Time Out Market and Portuguese dinners at award-winning haunts like Sala by João Sá and Belcanto, there’s something for everyone. 

But beyond the history, the sites, and the bites, Lisbon has something else that is its real secret sauce: a warmth that’s unmatched. People here will help you find your way and happily share their favorite must-see, do, and eat spots, too. They may even share their favorite miradouro location so you can get a local-only view. 

So no, I’m not surprised Lisbon won. Again. I’m just waiting for the next award to roll right in. I’ll be here eating pastel de natas until it does.