Lisbon is one of Europe's most charming capitals, and in 2030 it will host World Cup matches at the Estádio da Luz, the home of Benfica and one of the great stadiums of European football. The city of seven hills offers fans a unique combination: a beautiful historic centre, Atlantic light, superb food and a football culture that runs deep. Portugal will play its home games here as a co-host, and the atmosphere when the national team takes the field at the Luz will be extraordinary. This is your guide to Lisbon in 2030.

Estádio da Luz: the Stadium of Light

The Estádio da Luz is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Europe, a modern arena with a distinctive roof that glows red on match nights. It hosted the Euro 2004 final and a Champions League final, and in 2030 it will host World Cup matches including, in all likelihood, Portugal's home games. The stadium is in the north of the city, reached by the metro's blue line to Colégio Militar/Luz station, a short walk from the gates.

Benfica's museum and the stadium tour are worth a visit on non-matchdays, giving fans a look behind the scenes of one of Europe's great clubs. On matchdays, the area around the stadium fills with red-shirted supporters hours before kick-off, and the bars and food stalls outside the ground create a festival atmosphere. Arrive early to soak it in.

The city of seven hills

Lisbon is a city to explore on foot and by tram. The Alfama district, with its narrow streets and fado bars, is the oldest part of town; the Baixa is the elegant shopping centre; and Belém, to the west, is home to the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. The famous yellow trams, especially the number 28, wind through the hills and are an experience in themselves — but they get very crowded in summer.

The city's hills are beautiful and exhausting, so wear comfortable shoes and use the metro and trams for the longer journeys. The viewpoints, or miradouros, offer stunning views over the river Tagus, and the sunset from the Miradouro da Graça is one of the great free experiences in Europe. Give yourself at least two full days in Lisbon beyond matchday.

Food, drink and where to stay

Lisbon's food is a highlight of any trip: grilled sardines, bacalhau in a hundred forms, bifanas and the famous pastéis de nata, best eaten warm from the bakery in Belém. The city's restaurants are good value by Western European standards, and the wine — especially the vinho verde — is excellent and cheap. Dinner starts late, and the best restaurants fill up quickly on matchdays.

For accommodation, Baixa and Chiado are the most convenient, while Alfama is the most atmospheric and Príncipe Real the trendiest. Prices will rise during the tournament, so book early, and consider staying near a metro station rather than in the centre itself. Lisbon's metro is clean, cheap and efficient, and a rechargeable travel card covers the whole network.

Matchday tips for Lisbon

Lisbon in June and July is warm and sunny, with Atlantic breezes that keep the evenings comfortable. Daytime matches will be hot, so carry water and use the shade, and remember that the city's hills make walking harder than it looks on a map. The metro is the best way to reach the stadium, and services run late on matchdays.

Portugal's games at the Luz will be the hardest tickets in Lisbon to get, and demand from local fans will be enormous. If you cannot get a ticket, the fan zones in the city centre will show the games on big screens with thousands of supporters. And as always, buy tickets only through FIFA.com. Lisbon in 2030 will be a celebration — plan it well and enjoy the city of seven hills.

Lisbon in 2030 will be a World Cup city like no other: the Estádio da Luz glowing red, the trams climbing the hills and the whole city celebrating. Whether you have a ticket or watch in a fan zone, the Portuguese capital will give you a tournament to remember.