• Intro
• 1. Antwerp
• 2. Barcelona
• 3. Berlin
• 4. Bologna
• 5. Budapest
• 6. Dublin
• 7. Lisbon
• 8. Ljubljana
• 9. Riga
• 10. Zagreb

Lisbon

The Draw It’s the cheapest capital in Western Europe according to the 2007 Mercer Consulting survey. That means everything—from hotels to taxis to dinner—costs less.

Don’t Miss The dramatic hills and vistas are best explored on foot and by tram. Take the scenic route along Tram 28, which leads to Alfama, the old Arab quarter. Lisbon’s most ambitious and dramatic restaurant is Eleven (restauranteleven.com), which offers gourmet Mediterranean cuisine. Around midnight, adjoining neighborhoods Bairro Alto and Chiado become a spill-onto-the-cobblestone-streets party.

When to Go Year-round.

Where to Stay A converted 18th-century mansion, Bairro Alto Hotel has cozy rooms with modern amenities like plasma TVs (rooms from $410; bairroaltohotel.com). Family-owned Hotel Lisboa Plaza is quiet and informal, but very elegant (rooms from $215; heritage.pt).

Combine With Day trips to Sintra to tour the 15th-century National Palace and to the beaches in Cascais.

See Barcelona Travel Guide | See Antwerp Travel Guide | See Lisbon Travel GuideSee Zagreb Travel Guide