Known for its hilly landscape, yellow trams and rich history, with Lonely Planet describing it as a “postcard-perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals”, Lisbon is Portugal’s capital city and one which is extremely popular with tourists. The city was the most popular tourist destination in Portugal for 2023, according to the latest available figures from Statista, receiving almost 6.5 million foreign guests.

However, according to experts, the city is still one of the most cost-effective options in Europe for a city break in 2024 as long as you do your research and plan with a budget in mind.

Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “This summer many travellers will be opting for a city break that doesn’t break the bank. A recent Quotezone survey found 35 percent of people end up spending more than they want to on holiday.

“Our team looked at the twelve most visited cities across Europe, ranking them for distance from the city centre to the airport, tourist tax and key prices such as meals, beers and public transport tickets.”

One of the biggest factors which works in Lisbon’s favour is its proximity to the airport, meaning holidaymakers won’t break the bank trying to travel from the flight hub into the city centre.

Out of all of the cities analysed, Lisbon is the metropolis situated closest to the airport at 13.12 km away – a vast difference from Rome, Italy, which is 37 km away.

Though visitors will need to pay tourist tax, which works out to approximately £1.72, this is far cheaper than in the likes of Rome where tourist tax is £6.45 or Amsterdam where tourists will pay £11.56.

When it comes to dining and drinking, average prices are also rather purse-friendly when compared with other European hotspots. According to the analysis, the average meal can cost just £11.82 and you can enjoy a local beer for as little as £2.58.

Compared with beer in the UK’s capital city of London, where the average price of a pint in London is £5.90, Lisbon’s beer is noticeably more affordable.

Lisbon attracts visitors for many reasons, whether it’s to stroll the ancient streets and soak up its history or visit some or enjoy the foodie scene at one of the city’s top-rated restaurants. The iconic yellow trams, glistening river and ornate tiling provide a beautiful backdrop for a weekend of exploration.

The historic suburbs of Alfama and Mouraria, winding their way down the hillside from the castle, are perfect to explore on foot.

Some of the most popular museums in the city include the MAAT (Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia) and the Museu Nacional dos Coches.

And, of course, no trip to Lisbon is complete without sampling a delicious pastel de nata made from sweet custard and perfectly flaky pastry. Pastéis de Belém is one of the most popular spots for picking up a sweet treat, having first set up shop in 1837,