Lisbon is for Lovers

Find love in Europe’s capital of romance

Lisbon is the ideal destination to celebrate Valentine’s Day. If you want to go somewhere special with your loved one, then a budget break to Portugal’s capital will be one to remember.

Stroll through the city’s seven hills, go dining in hidden courtyards and listen to fado sighs drift up from the Alfama district. Lisbon has a foodie scene to rival Berlin and London, street art on every corner, and incredible nightclubs in abandoned warehouses along the waterfront.

Image by George Lyra (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Europe’s most westerly city is the perfect Valentine’s city for young couples on a budget. Romance will be shining down on the fresco facades and vintage trams will fill you with joy. Find out where to take your loved one below.

Lover’s guide to Lisbon

Image by Jose Maria Cuellar (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Elevador de Santa Justa is the perfect place if you want a starry introduction to the Portuguese capital. As dusk falls and the city lights sparkle, Lisbon’s castle provides a romantic backdrop for selfies from this historic landmark.

Image by Pedro Ribeiro Simões (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Afterwards take your loved one for a stroll along the beach, and head over to Belem for the UNESCO-listed Mosteiro dos Jerónimos to take more photos.

Image by Dino Quinzani (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Back in the city centre, jump on the ‘Tram 28’ and explore the city as it rattles its way across narrow hilltop lanes and picturesque squares. Alight for coffee and cake and check out the Café-Pasterlaria Versailles if you want to enjoy the ambiance of 1920s Lisbon.

Finally, you can see out Valentine’s Day with a sexy flourish in the nightclub districts of Bairro Alto, Bica and Cais do Sodré.

Romantic daytrip to Sintra

Image by Dino Quinzani (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Sintra is only a short train-ride away from Lisbon and the UNESCO protected site offers a fairytale setting filled with castles, palaces, glamour manor houses with flowery landscaped gardens.

Both Sintra and Lisbon have romantic views, affordable restaurants and pretty gardens, so both destinations make for a perfect Valentine’s Day holiday, but if you want to tie the knot, then go to Sintra by day and Lisbon at night.

Where to find a love hostel in Lisbon

Start your Lisbon holiday by looking for accommodation for two. Consider Baluarte Citadino - Stay Cool Hostel is a romantic love nest with affordable double rooms, and be only five minutes away from the Marques de Pombal and Eduardo VII Park.

Johnie's Place Lisbon Hostel & Suites is a beautiful XVII century building situated in the idyllic Miradouro da Graça district. Stay here for a romantic weekend in Lisbon that you’ll never forget.

Passport Lisbon Hostel offers budget lovers private accommodation with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning in the funky Bairro Alto. Here you can make love all night without breaking the bank.

*Header image by ilirjan rrumbullaku (Flickr/Creative Commons)