Instant Weekend: Lisbon
It's chic, cultured, mouthwatering and scandalously cheap. We take a bite out of Portugal's budget treat
Is there a stylish city left in Europe that you can afford? Yes. While Berlin, Amsterdam and Barcelona were becoming flash and fearsomely expensive, Lisbon remained defiantly low-cost and low-key. It's one of the least expensive capitals in the EU - the cost of living is half that in London- and it's one of the most exciting, too. Here's why.
IT'S STYLISH
Lisbon may not be fashionable in the asymmetric-haircut sense of the word, but it is chic. Start on Saturday morning at Feira da Ladra flea market (Campo de Santa Clara, Alfama, Tue and Sat), where old ladies peddle vintage luggage, fur stoles, kitsch coffee pots and costume jewellery for pennies.
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IT'S SUNNY
I went in early March to find a T-shirted city and people eating lunch outside in 22C. Enjoy the sunshine on the ferry from central Lisbon (Cais do Sodre) to Cacilhas, on the south bank of the Tagus (£1.50 return; every 20 minutes).
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THE FOOD'S GREAT
...and good value, too. The city hasn't been ravaged by tourists, so restaurateurs don't feel the need to ramp up their prices.
For the best breakfast, have pastries on the go - two of the loveliest cafes are Confeitaria Nacional, in Baixa (Praca da Figueira), and A Brasileira, in Chiado (Rua Garrett 120). A cheap but chic lunch can be had at Cafe no Chiado (Rua do Picadeiro 10) - order the chilled Alentejo soup, made with bread, egg and garlic.
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