The 13 best hotels in Lisbon

It started a number of years ago with angry remarks from tourists every now and again. But in recent years, the comments flew all of the time, with people shouting, “Shame!” at Thibault Danthine, a horse-drawn carriage operator in Brussels, as they walked by.

This is part of Global Sounds, a collection of stories spotlighting the music trends forging connections in 2024.

Famous for its historical charm, year-round sunshine, canary-yellow trams and nearby beaches, Lisbon is also home to an array of cultural attractions that are unique to the region. From music to design to delicious foods, the team at Visit Lisboa (visitlisboa.com/en) has picked out several that showcase Lisbon’s distinctive charm.

Wandering through the lush gardens of Hawaii’s Sensei Lāna'i Four Seasons feels otherworldly; giant banyan trees tangle and twist together, mānewanewa (Hawaiian mint) and nāʻū (gardenia) scent the air, birds-of-paradise plants reach staggering heights, and the air hums with the sounds of busy pollinators. This lushness is even more striking given the arid landscape of the surrounding Lāna'i, an island that contrasts sharply with the rest of Hawaii: Over decades, industries such as ranching and pineapple farming have left lasting marks on Lāna'i's terrain. The island was once home to a plantation that produced 75% of the world's pineapples. And ranching, which began around 1854 and lasted around 100 years, brought grazing animals that significantly altered the native landscape. The gardens at Sensei Lāna'i, however, are a testament to thoughtful reforestation, with plants chosen to preserve biodiversity and create a flourishing, peaceful haven.

If the end of summer has you craving more vacation time, a new offer could be just the ticket.  Wizz Air, based in Budapest, recently announced an «All You Can Fly» subscription pass that allows travelers to journey throughout the world for just a few hundred dollars.  For a very limited time, the program is only €499 (approximately $537) per year, and the price jumps to €599 (approximately $657) from August 16, 2024. Travelers can begin using their flight pass for flights after September 25, 2024. While the program has the subscription fee, the flights are technically not free. Travelers are charged a small €10 (approximately $11) fee for each flight segment they book, according to the program's terms. 

Europe's scorching hot summer is showing no signs of cooling down, with Italy facing its warmest weekend of the year so far and heatwave warnings issued in southern France.

With stunning views, historic landmarks and a vibrant culture, the Tagus River is the lifeblood of Lisbon and offers a variety of experiences that cater to every traveller. Here, the team at Visit Lisbon (https://www.visitlisboa.com/) recommends their must-include activities and attractions for an unforgettable short break exploring Lisbon’s riverfront

Europe dominates in a new ranking of the world’s most beautiful cities, filling nine of the top 10 spots.

Summer in Lisbon is said to be sunny, sweltering, and colorful—packed to the brim with exciting activities like public concerts, festivals, and immersive experiences. When planning my first trip to Portugal, I was excited to visit the city that many of my friends and family have called “their favorite in the world” during this season. And while there was certainly no shortage of amazing hotels in the city to choose from, my sister and I decided to stay in an Airbnb so as to get a bit more of a local experience during the five nights we were there. When searching for a place to stay, we looked mostly in Alfama, a neighborhood with easy access to dozens of restaurants, shops, and city viewpoints.

Pantone is just like us, in the sense that they, too, are setting their intentions for the year — one filled with strength and energy. The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration… [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.” A year surrounded by joy and self-expression sounds like a year well spent to us.

Amid the cafes and boutiques of Athens’s Kolonaki neighborhood is a housewares shop that’s also a showcase for Greek craftsmanship. It’s the first brick-and-mortar location for Crini & Sophia, the brand that the former interior and set designer Maya Zafeiropoulou-Martinou founded in 2022. Its wood-and-rattan shelves, two-tone marble floors and furniture are all made by Greek artists, while one window is decorated with a vinelike steel and spray-paint piece by the Cypriot sculptor Socrates Socratous. The shop’s goods are designed by Zafeiropoulou-Martinou, whose inspirations include the colors in Francis Bacon paintings and the Amazon rainforest. Linens are produced in Portugal before being embroidered in Greece with patterns that often take cues from antiques on view at Athens’s Benaki Museum. Hand-painted ceramics and glassware are made in partnership with artisans in New York, Greece, Italy and France. When it comes to designing your own table, Zafeiropoulou-Martinou encourages layering. “The pattern isn’t just the plate or the tablecloth,” she says of her pieces, “but a puzzle of the two on top of each other.”

Jul 30, 2024 • 10 min read