Immerse yourself in the sounds of Fado, delight in Portuguese wines and food, and soak up the sun in Lisbon, one of the most iconic European capitals. All popular destinations are within easy reach with Auto Europe on your side. Pick up your car hire in Lisbon and secure yourself the best deal on the market. As cars for the summer sell out quickly, we recommend booking in advance for your summer holiday. Our user-friendly website lets you choose between a large number of domestic and international suppliers with modern fleets offering rentals in Lisbon as well as in other cities in Portugal. You can make a booking directly through the website or call our reservation agents should you need any assistance.
Driving in Lisbon, generally speaking, could be challenging due to a high volume of traffic and poor condition of several roads in the historic city centre. We cannot recommend driving in the heart of Lisbon as the streets are narrow and there is a lack of parking space and good signage at times. However, if you opt for a rental car, you will have more flexibility in terms of sightseeing and visiting nearby beaches and towns. Explore the historic centre on foot and use the vehicle for getting to Sintra and other scenic places in the Lisbon region.
Dotted around central Lisbon there are parking meters with various prices for on-street parking depending on the parking zone. There are currently three such zones in Lisbon: the red, yellow and green one. The red zone is the most expensive one and offers parking limited to two hours. Cars can be parked in the yellow and green zones for a maximum period of four hours. While in some city parts the meters are not in operation on Sundays, please be careful and double-check to avoid parking fines. In addition to on-street parking, there are several public car parks offering parking space for your car rental in Lisbon at an hourly or daily rate. Some of the centrally based ones are Praça do Município, Calçada do Combro and Praça da Figueira. Since Portugal introduced Via Verde electronic transponders for paying tolls at motorways, these devices can also be used to pay for parking in public garages. Other methods of payment include credit cards and coins.
Lisbon Airport is the busiest airport in Portugal serving millions of passengers per year. Situated about four miles from the city, it is easily reachable not only by car, but also by public transport.
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Address: lameda das Comunidades Portugesas, 1700-111
Official website: Lisbon Airport
Phone number: +351 21 841 35 00
Email address: lisbon.airport@ana.pt
With plenty to see and do in Lisbon, you will need to plan your time carefully. However, if you prefer to play it by ear and are not afraid of missing out, just relax and be spontaneous. The best memories are sometimes created without any plan! Rent a car in Lisbon to experience more! Our favourite spots and activities in Lisbon are:
Sintra
Without any doubt, Sintra is one of the most popular places near Lisbon that you can visit. Inhabited by the royals in days gone by, Sintra is now considered a prestigious place to live, its villas still showcasing the grandeur of old times. The mountain village of Sintra is home to Quinta de Regaleira, an imposing mansion with stunning gardens and decorations. Visit the Pena Palace which, thanks to its towers and colourful façades, resembles fairy-tale castles. Visit the Monserrate Palace for a glimpse of wonderfully made ornaments influenced by Arabic culture. And, as a cherry on top, go for a swim at the fascinating Praia da Ursa or the equally beautiful (but slightly more remote) Praia da Adraga.
Constância and Tomar
The sleepy but intriguing little towns of Constância and Tomar are silent keepers of a centuries old secret. They are often mentioned in the context of Templars, the ancient warrior monks who are still the focus of many conspiracy theories, especially those related to the medieval Christian church. Tomar has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the Middle Ages Tomar was a stronghold of the Knights Templar before the order was dismissed. Visit the Convent of Christ, a wonderfully ornate building and an exquisite example of Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture.
Arrábida Natural Park
This stunning park is located right next to the sea and boasts a wonderful long sandy beach called Portinho de Arrábida, a crystal clear sea and forested hilly areas as a backdrop.
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, and is located on the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean. With over half a million inhabitants, Lisbon is the most densely populated and the biggest city in Portugal. You can expect hot, sunny summers and rainy, humid winters, with an average year temperature of 16.9° C. Located beside the Atlantic Ocean, the city has always played a significant role in commerce and maritime matters.
One of the oldest cities in Western Europe Lisbon has a long and glorious history influenced by various cultures, rules and traditions. The first recorded history is that from the age of ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Legend has it, Lisbon was founded by Ulysses, the famous mythological hero and traveller, who thought of it as an enchanted port. It was, however, the Romans who founded the Felicitas Julia or today’s Lisbon in 205 BC. The Romans yielded to the invasion of the Moors in the 8th century, who kept the city under their control for the next 300 years. In the heat of the Crusades, the armoured Christian knights took over the city and made it the capital of Portugal in 1252. The following era of the city’s history is distinguished by the Portuguese seafaring activities as Lisbon was the port where most of the discovery expeditions started on their way to discover new lands and sea routes to India. Lisbon, as a maritime commerce hub in Southwestern Europe, rapidly transformed into a prosperous city. However, a sudden earthquake with a massive devastating effect, along with fires and a tsunami, ravaged a large portion of Lisbon. The city rose from the ashes with wider streets and modern buildings.
The Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century did not pass by Lisbon, however. The city was invaded and much of its treasure was either taken by force or destroyed. Napoleon’s rule in Lisbon ended shortly with the return of the Portuguese king. In the century to follow, the importance of Lisbon’s position on the Atlantic Ocean was reaffirmed once again as it served as the main gateway for thousands of emigrants en route to the New World. Today, Lisbon is a popular tourist destination with not only fabulous beaches, but also beautiful streets, hidden corners and buildings reflecting the rich history of Portugal.
While the Old Town is best explored on foot, there are, in addition to car hire in Lisbon, several public transport options including city buses, the metro and trams. According to many locals, buses are the most convenient and efficient means of public transport for exploring the city. You can buy a multiple-day pass to save money on fares.
Trams are extremely popular – both the modern routes and the old-fashioned tram 28, the tourists’ favourite. If you do not mind queuing and riding in overcrowded cars, opt for trams. Of course, tram 28 is one of the city’s trademarks and a must-do when in Lisbon.
The fastest and the main public transport system is the metro with several lines connecting various neighbourhoods within the city, including the favourite spots for nightlife as well as the airport.
Coaches and trains will help you get to the other towns and villages near Lisbon such as Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra.