Lisbon

Lisbon drapes itself across a series of steep hills above the Tagus River, and the climb is always worth it for the view. Vintage yellow trams rattle up the inclines, tiled facades catch the light, and scenic miradouros offer terraces to pause and take in the rooftops. The historic Alfama district, a tangle of lanes where the mournful sound of fado drifts from small taverns, is the city's soul.

Each neighborhood has its own draw. Bairro Alto turns lively after dark with its bars and restaurants, Chiado brings elegant shopping and cafés, and riverside Belém holds grand monuments and the original pastéis de nata still warm from the oven. It all rewards travelers who are happy to wander without a fixed plan.

Lisbon is one of the sunniest capitals in Europe, with warm, dry summers and mild winters that make it a strong option well outside the usual peak months. Summer afternoons can get genuinely hot, so pace yourself on those hills and save the steepest climbs for morning or evening.