Lisbon to Imphal Flights

  About Lisbon

Lisbon, in Portugal, is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe that offers you everything that you can get in London, Paris or Rome but at a cheaper cost. Whether you are on a backpacking tour with your friends or with your family, you will enjoy your stay in Lisbon. It is slowly becoming one of the hottest vacation destinations in Europe. Not to mention, it is perfect for a beach vacation. Praia da Adraga is one of the most beautiful and serene beaches in Europe, and you will believe it, too, when you visit Lisbon. The city is also known for its delectable seafood and a vibrant nightlife. Taking the local commute to travel within the city is one of the easiest, convenient ways to get around. You will have the time of your life and without burning a hotel in your pocket. You can book a hotel in Lisbon that is either close to the beach or overlooks the busy, gorgeous streets of the city. All tourist attractions are accessible, and most of them are free.

Best Time to Visit Lisbon

Summer is one of the most successful seasons in Lisbon, and tourists are ready to face the heat. Even though spring and fall seasons are not popular among tourists to plan a trip to Lisbon, you can head to the city and explore it with fewer tourists around. March to May is the spring season in Lisbon, and the weather remains pleasantly warm. The temperature ranges from 9 to 21 degree Celsius. It might even rain lightly during spring. The weather becomes quite unpredictable in spring. You can book a hotel in Lisbon at a cheaper rate during spring since the rates drop due to it being shoulder season. You can attend the Lisbon Half Marathon if you are heading to the city in March. Spring has a blend of music and food festivals, too. You can attend Lisbon Fish and Flavours, Music Days in Belem and Festival de Sintra. The beaches will be less crowded, and you will be able to explore the city without the hustle and bustle of tourists.

June to August is the high season and summer, too. The hotel prices spike up, and getting cheap flight tickets to Lisbon can be tough. You will also find a lot of tourists buzzing in the city during this time. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. A lot of tourists head to the beach to beat the heat so you will find most beaches overcrowded here, especially if you are planning your trip in August. You can pack your fanciest bikini and sunblock before you head to the beach. Although the summer here is not as hot as compared to other cities in Europe, it is still advisable to stay well-hydrated. Summer also comes with a lot of events that you can attend like Rock in Rio, Arraial Lisboa Pride, Santos Populares, Festas de Lisboa and Portuguese National Day on June 10. You will also get to attend a lot of parties and carnivals in the city.

September and October are the ideal months to head to Lisbon. The hotel and flight prices drop and so do the number of tourists in the city. The weather is also quite pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 26 degree Celsius. You can also attend the Out Jazz Festival that happens over the weekends from May to September. November to February is winter in Lisbon, and it is not too bad if you compare it to regular European winter standards. There are high chances of rainfall during winter so you might not want to explore the city on your foot. These are also the wettest months of the year in Lisbon. If you are on a budget, this is when you will come across excellent flight deals to Lisbon and accommodations, too. The temperature ranges from 8 to 17 degree Celsius. You won't find a lot of events happening in the city during this time except the Art and Antiques Fair in February. Make sure you pack your umbrella, too, if you are heading to Lisbon in winter.

Places to Visit in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of those European cities where you will find everything you are looking for in a vacation and at a lower price. The Portugal city is known for its castles, marketplaces, beaches and the friendliest locals. The Sao George castle is one of the major attractions in the city that dates back to the 11th century. The city was under the Moorish rule back then, and the view from the castle is simply spectacular. Carmo Convent is the place to go to for anyone who loves archaeology. The National Azulejo Museum is known for its history and decorative tiles also called Azulejo. Right from the Renaissance to Baroque, the place reflects architectural styles of all eras. Cristo Rei Monument is a memorial park across the Tagus River is Almada. It was built to redeem Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, during the time of Salazar. It holds a great religious significance in all of Portugal. All you art lovers can head to the National Museum of Art that has not only paintings but also sculptures, ceramics, furniture and so on. You can opt for a guided tour of the museum.

The Lisbon Oceanarium is yet another popular tourist spot in the city. It is also Europe's biggest aquarium. You will find a lot of marine animals, including penguins, jellyfish, stingrays, sea otters and so on. Belém Tower is a historical landmark in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It used to protect Portugal's coast during the Age of Discoveries. In addition to that, the tower looks stunning, and the view from here is even better. Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in 1501. This is also where Vasco da Gama was buried after his demise. You can club a tour of the monastery with that of Belém Tower since they are pretty close to each other. National Palace of Pena is one of the unique places in the city. It was King Ferdinand II's brainchild and was built in the 1800s. Castelo dos Mouros is another place in the town of Sintra that qualifies as a romantic location. The ruins of this medieval Moorish castle offers a spectacular view of the city and is a highly recommended tourist site. Cascais is a beach town, about a 45-minute train ride from Lisbon. You can head to the town if you feel like hitting the beach.

Things to do in Lisbon

Sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or explore it on your own. You can board Tram 28 to get to some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods and be treated to stunning views of the city. Head to Belem to visit some of the most important museums and monuments. The structures here are Instagram-worthy and will certainly get you more followers. You can board the Tram 28 and head to Alfama, one of the best neighbourhoods in the city that is worth visiting. You can also go sightseeing in Sintra, a quaint town in Lisbon, and visit the National Palace of Pena. It is one of the most unique and romantic locations in the city. You can also visit St George's Castle in Alfama that offers a magnificent view of the city. Head to Feira da Ladra's Flea Market if you want to go on a shopping spree. The city also has a few food tours that you can join if you don't want to explore it on your own.

Foods and Restaurants in Lisbon

You can binge on authentic Portuguese food in less than 30 Euros per day in Lisbon. You will also get Iberico ham in Lisbon, which is one of the most popular and expensive hams in the world. You will also find sushi and wine at restaurants in the city without spending a lot of money. For a fine dining experience, you can head to Belcanto, a two Michelin star restaurant. You can also try Cervejaria Ramiro if you want to have delicious seafood. You can also try the Bacalhau, a salted cod dish which is also a traditional Portuguese dish but it is not for everyone. It is an acquired taste, and you might not like it immediately. Head over to Estamine Art Food Drink for authentic Brazilian food or a couple of drinks. The menu also offers a healthy food option. Rose Stupa Restaurant specialises in Asian, Indian and Nepali cuisine. Jam Club and Augusto Lisboa are also some of the popular eateries for Portuguese food.

How to reach Lisbon

Humberto Delgado Airport is situated about 7 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Lisbon from India is excellent. Turkish Airlines, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa are some of the airlines that have frequent flights to Lisbon from India. The flights also have layovers at their main hubs like Istanbul, Dubai, Doha and Munich.

  About Imphal

Situated in Manipur, Imphal is one of the gems in the North-East of India. It is also the capital of Manipur and has an enchanting view of the Himalayas and the different rivers that make it a popular tourist destination. Planning a trip to Imphal will be one of the best decisions you will make, and just the view will rejuvenate you. Apart from the hills and the rivers, Imphal also has museums and forts and museums that you don't want to miss. You won't feel like coming back from Imphal when you reach the place. You can also add it to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to cover most of the North-East.

Best Time to Visit Imphal

Imphal is beautiful all year round, and though you will not be able to enjoy getting around the city a lot during monsoon, the view of the lush green hills and rivers won't disappoint you. September to April is considered ideal for planning your visit to Imphal. It's the end of monsoon till the beginning of summer. The temperature drops to 4 degree Celsius during the day in winter and is the best time to venture out. Winter also attracts a lot of tourists which might get you a good flight deal to Imphal. Make sure you book a hotel in Imphal with a beautiful view if you are visiting the city during this season. Check out flight deals to Imphal online before you plan your trip during this season.

April to June is summer in Imphal, and the temperature can rise to 35 degree Celsius. Summer is also an ideal time to visit Imphal. You will be able to opt for a lot of adventure and outdoor activities during the summer.

Even though Imphal does not receive heavy rainfall, it does have strong winds blowing and intermittent rainfall, making it difficult for you to venture out. The monsoon starts from June and lasts till September. The weather, however, might put you in a bad mood and you won't be able to step out a lot during the season.

Places to Visit in Imphal

The Palace of Kangla is one of the main tourist attractions in Imphal. Not only will you be amazed by the beautiful palace that has an artificial lake surrounding it, but you will also come across the interesting history of the palace and the rulers. Visit the Manipur Zoological Gardens in Lamphelpat, 8 km away from Imphal. You will be given various options to choose from like a safari ride or a bird watching tour or wildlife photography. You will find this place very comforting and will leave with a smile on your face. The Loktak Lake is one of the largest freshwater bodies in North-East India and has several big and small islands floating on the surface.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to the endangered Manipur Eld deer or the Sangai. You will also spot 420 other species of animals and 50 odd species of birds here. Visit the Imphal valley to experience nature at its best. It takes about 3 hours to reach the valley, and the enchanting view will leave you mesmerised. The Tharon Cave is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. Make sure you have a map of the cap if you are entering the cave. The Singda Dam is one of the highest dams made from mud in the world. It has a very serene ambience and is a popular picnic spot, too. You can also visit the Manipur State Museum to know more about its history, archaeology and more.

Things to do in Imphal

Catch a game of polo at the Imphal Polo Ground. The game originated from a local Manipuri game called Sagol Kagei. The British found it so fascinating that they decided to take it to a global level. You can even try to learn the sport yourself or give it a try. You cannot vacation in Manipur without watching the Manipuri dance form Thabal Congba live. You can watch artists perform to the folk dance during Holi. The Raas Leela is another dance form that is popular here. It tells the story of Lord Krishna and Radha's eternal love story. You can also attend and be a part of the colourful festivals of the city.

Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Kakwa Bazaar and Imphal Supermarket are some of the popular spots in the city to go shopping. You can buy souvenirs for your friends and family. You will get lots of handicrafts and jewellery for yourself. You'll even get all of these at affordable prices without having to bargain a lot. You can dedicate one evening just to shop and enjoy the local cuisines. Since the city has quite a lot of hills and rivers to its credit, you can also go hiking or trekking to one of the hills. Choose a spot on top of the hill and make it your own picnic spot. You can even sit and meditate by a river and fall in love with nature all over again. You can learn more about the Manipuri culture by booking a homestay and interacting with more people. You can also learn the language while you are there and impress the locals. Make sure you leave the city by making at least one friend from the city.

You can also go hiking at the Imphal Valley and don't forget to take your camera to capture nature at its best. Keep the weather in mind before you make any plans to go hiking or trekking. If it is monsoon, either take your umbrella with you or try to not make any plans to venture out during this season. You can also visit a cafe or sit in a secluded spot near one of the waterfalls and chill with a book. There is no greater joy for an avid reader than to sit with your favourite book and bond with nature, all at the same time.

Foods and Restaurants in Imphal

Manipuri food is said to be very healthy and quite simple, too. A lot of ingredients used in the food are organic, which is one of the reasons why it is considered healthy. But that doesn't mean it is bland. Manipuri food is super spicy and has less oil. They use chilli pepper in their food instead of garam masala. Not only is their preparation quite simple, but they grow most of the ingredients themselves in their backyard. Chamthong or Kangshoi is a very healthy vegetable stew that is cooked in Manipur. It is also quite popular in the state. Eromba, a combination of fish and boiled vegetables, is also popular in Imphal. Fair warning, the locals here consider fish as a vegetarian so you might want to be clear about what you don't want in your vegetarian food.

Naoba's Chakhumang Restaurant is quite popular around here and is a small, cosy place. It is famous for its soups and chow mein. Coffee and cake are best served at the Classic Cafe in Imphal. Head over to Sangai Continental for a luxe dining experience. The restaurant has an open and live kitchen, and you'll find it at Thangal Bazaar. Luxmi Kitchen is yet another popular food joint in Imphal. It doesn't burn a hole in your pocket but also leaves you satisfied. Their thali is quite famous, and you might want to reach before 3 pm if you're going to try the thali. Imoinu Lamphel is a restaurant that is only run by women. It's another popular food joint in the city.

How to reach Imphal

By Air

Imphal Tulihal Airport is the nearest one to the city about 8 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity from Imphal is pretty decent. Flights from Imphal connect to Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Delhi. Since there are no direct international routes from Imphal, you will have to change trains from Guwahati, which has an international airport. If you book during the right season, you might get a good deal on flights to Imphal.

By Rail

There is no direct way to reach Imphal by train. The nearest station is Dimapur railway station or Guwahati station. You will have to take a bus or private taxi from these stations and then reach Imphal. It won't be very difficult to find a decent mode of commute to reach Imphal from these stations.

By Road

Guwahati, Kohima, Silchar and Dimapur are some of the popular routes to reach Imphal by road. There are several national highways connecting these roads to Imphal. None of these modes of transport is more or less comfortable so you can pick whichever fits your budget or whichever seems more convenient to you. Try to avoid travelling by road during monsoon. Though the weather won't be a problem, there are chances you might get stuck if there is a torrential downpour.