Date of publication 26/08/2026
Unique ways to experience Lisbon
A hotel in Lisbon and a different way to discover the city. If that's what brought you here, you're in the right place.
We invite you to experience the Portuguese capital from within: its authenticity, its centuries of history, its love of life's pleasures. Discover memorable experiences along the Tagus and across the city, explore its cuisine and signature wines, and see how the right hotel can round off the feeling of having found somewhere truly special. To finish, we share a few tips on when to visit and how many days to spend in Lisbon.
Why Lisbon has become a destination for discerning travelers
Experiencing the Portuguese capital with a curious eye means discovering a more refined side of Portugal, where the elegance of everyday moments alternates with experiences so singular that no Instagram photo could quite capture them.
Known as the "city of seven hills" for its many viewpoints, Lisbon gives you the time and freedom to linger over its mesmerizing views, enjoy memorable culinary experiences, and collect moments that draw you into Portuguese traditions and culture. Staying at a 5-star hotel in Lisbon adds an extra layer of comfort and pleasure to your getaway.
Unique experiences along the Tagus and around the city
See Lisbon from the water on a sunset sail
Lisbon's charms shine even brighter from the water. Once a city of sailors and explorers, Lisbon has shared a centuries-long love affair with the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best ways to experience it is by sailing along the Tagus River. Make it an intimate journey aboard a sailboat at sunset, as shades of gold and saffron color the sky and the streets begin to come alive for the evening.
Shop inside a palace at Embaixada LX
Think of our hotel in Lisbon as your gateway to the city's secrets. Here is another idea, along with a curious fact: Ribeiro da Cunha Palace, a 19th-century architectural jewel, has been transformed into a distinctive space dedicated to contemporary Portuguese fashion and design. Located in the elegant Príncipe Real neighborhood, it brings together exclusive and emerging brands in a setting where past and present coexist beautifully.
Every corner of the palace holds a surprise, from boutique stores and art galleries to inviting cafés, making it an essential stop for anyone with an eye for style.
Champalimaud, cutting-edge architecture and science
Considered Europe's capital of street art, Lisbon is also home to places where architecture carries meaning of its own. Despite appearances, the Champalimaud Foundation is neither a museum nor a UFO, though its aesthetic would not look out of place in a science-fiction film. It is a world-renowned scientific research center housed in a futuristic building designed by Charles Correa. Some of its outdoor spaces are open to the public, offering a chance to experience both its forward-looking design and the ideas behind it.
In its own way, a visit feels like a journey to the edges of imagination and our sense of beauty. True to Lisbon's sense of balance, past and modernity meet here, turning science into an experience all its own.
Signature cuisine and wines in Lisbon
Dinner at Luz restaurant
The Lisbon food scene has several unmistakable protagonists: cod, pastéis de Belém, cataplana and local wines. At Luz restaurant at Iberostar Selection Lisboa, classic Portuguese recipes are reinterpreted and paired with flavors from around the world. The result pays tribute to local cuisine through creativity. From the source onward, we work to offer fish and seafood from responsible fisheries. Each dinner becomes another memory to carry home from your trip.
Wine culture at Quinta do Gradil
Portuguese cuisine makes even more sense alongside the country's wines. Quinta do Gradil offers an immersive introduction to Portuguese wine culture, taking you inside one of the oldest wineries in the Lisbon region, where more than five centuries of grape growing have been documented. Surrounded by vineyards, you can enjoy a meal paired with local wines and take part in tastings. It is a distinctive, unhurried way to discover the region's winemaking traditions. Afterwards, continue unwinding at our spa hotel in Lisbon.
Vista Alegre, ceramics for royal households
In Lisbon, something new is always appearing alongside the city's enduring classics. With more than two centuries of history, Vista Alegre is one of Portugal's best-known ceramics brands. Its craftsmanship and attention to detail have earned recognition from celebrities and royal households around the world. Few names are as closely associated with Portuguese identity as Vista Alegre, whose porcelain, crystal and other signature pieces have become symbols of heritage, quality and distinction.
Where to stay: Iberostar Selection Lisboa as your stylish base
A 5-star hotel in the heart of the city
Our 5-star hotel in Lisbon, Iberostar Selection Lisboa, is located in the heart of the business district. Just steps from Marquês de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade connects it with one of the capital's most creative areas. Its rooms and suites bring together design, views and comfort. After a day exploring the city, you can unwind in an urban retreat with a pool, while finding plenty of inspiring experiences within the hotel itself.
Dining and experiences at the hotel
At our hotel in Lisbon, well-being and cuisine invite you to slow the pace. Its wellness center and spa features a heated indoor pool with jets targeting different areas of the body, treatment and massage rooms, a sauna, steam bath, sensory showers, and even a hair salon. There is also a 24-hour gym.
The hotel's dining options include Luz restaurant, a breakfast buffet with a delicious variety of choices, a lobby bar that is ideal for a cocktail or coffee, and a bar beside the outdoor pool. The property also has meeting rooms and other spaces for private celebrations.
How to plan your Lisbon getaway
Best time of year to visit
The best time of year to visit Lisbon is whenever suits the trip you have in mind. For a relaxed, more intimate getaway, we recommend spring, from April through June, and early fall, in September and October. Temperatures during these months are milder than in summer and winter, with fewer extremes, plenty of sunny days for sailing and walking, and fewer visitors than during peak season.
For a longer summer trip, spend a few days in the city before traveling from Lisbon to the Algarve to finish your vacation in the "Portuguese Caribbean."
How many days do you need to enjoy Lisbon?
For many travelers, a weekend in the Portuguese capital is enough to get a feel for the city. Spend the first two days exploring and shopping, then devote the third to slowing down. Savor every meal as an occasion in its own right, because here, it will be. Our hotel in Lisbon will take care of everything else.
