Lisbon

Lisbon is Western Europe's sunniest capital and one of its most affordable major cities, pairing crumbling pastel facades and azulejo-tiled churches with a booming food, music, and nightlife scene. The Alfama neighbourhood offers hillside fado music venues and sweeping miradouro viewpoints, while Belem is home to the iconic 16th-century Tower of Belem and Pasteis de Belem, which has served the same custard tart recipe since 1837. Lisbon consistently ranks as one of Europe's fastest-growing tourist destinations, welcoming over 4 million visitors per year.