A beautiful European city boasting a rich history, scenic beauty, and lively culture has been named the “world’s dreamiest.”
A new survey by MattressOnline analysed the Air Quality Index (AQI), average number of sunshine hours per year and social media engagement through Instagram posts and Google searches related to sunrises in the 40 most-visited cities in 2024 to determine its ranking of the best cities to wake up in. Lisbon was the only European city to crack the top 10, with an AQI of 24 and an average of 2,806 hours of sunshine per year. Additionally, Lisbon scored an 8.23/10 on the study’s Scenic Sunrise rating. Nestled along the Tagus River, it is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, predating London, Paris, and Rome.
The city’s history origins trace back to the Phoenicians and Romans, later influenced by Moors before the Portuguese reconquered it in 1147.
The 1755 earthquake devastated much of the city, leading to its reconstruction with the Pombaline architectural style, which introduced earthquake-resistant designs.
One of the travellers who has been to Lisbon wrote on TripAdvisor forum: “Perfect for a city experience with added bonus, namely on the coast and the beaches are only a short trip on the very well run, inexpensive train.”
Lisbon is famous for its viewpoints like Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro de Santa Catarina.
Another interesting spot to visit is Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Portugal’s maritime power.
The famous Tram 28 offers a picturesque ride through the city’s historic neighbourhoods.
The capital city enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
The best time to visit is during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
British Airways, easyJet and TAP Air Portugal—the flag carrier of Portugal—all offer regular flights from the UK to Lisbon, for as little as £67.
