Lisbon

Lisbon, which is frequently overshadowed by its well-known European cousins, is skilled at lulling visitors into its laid-back appeal. That is one of the best cheap European vacations. Its passageways weave through vibrant, centuries-old structures as it sits on seven hills. St. George's Castle protrudes from the city's skyline, giving it an air of Old World mystique. And village life continues to thrive despite the new, sleek structures that are steadily sprouting up throughout the metropolis.

Lisbon is more than just sitting around drinking coffee and eating pastéis de nata all day, though. Portugal's coastal capital offers a wealth of opportunities, from discovering the Fado clubs in Bairro Alto to admiring the view from the top of the Santa Justa Elevator; from lounging on the beaches in Cascais to looking for treasure at the historic Feira da Ladra flea market; from taking in the enormous exhibits at the Oceanarium to indulging in bacalhau (salted cod).

Because the weather is still mild, hotel rates are lower, and there are less tourists than in the summer, March to May or September to October are the finest times to visit Lisbon. You might also be able to get in a couple beach days at those times of year. Temperatures are high and the beaches are packed in the summer. Lows in Lisbon's winters dip into the mid- to upper-40s, which is warm for Europe.

Lisbon is one of the European cities where it is easy to find a tasty, reasonably priced meal. This holds true even in many tourist areas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any meal in between. For less than 30 euros per day, per person, you can enjoy the best of traditional Portuguese cuisine if you're on a tight budget. Visit Time Out Market for a genuine feast of the city's culinary offerings. The food hall, which is housed in the Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodre, is crammed with of different merchants selling everything from sushi to wine to Iberico ham. There will always be crowded, but previous visitors claimed it's worthwhile.

Location: in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus.
Ranking:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in July
• #8 in Best Cheap European Vacations
• #21 in Best Places to Visit in Europe