Lisbon, Portugal seems to be on everyone’s travel radar these days. Europe’s second oldest capital is equal parts grit and grandeur with both a timeless appeal and modern allure. Lisbon has centuries of history and tradition but is also fiercely independent with a creative streak which makes it one of the most captivating cities in Europe. With so much to see, do and eat planning to travel to Lisbon can be a little daunting, but armed with these tips you can make your first trip to Lisbon one to remember.
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1.Arriving to Lisbon
The Lisbon Portela Airport is Portugal’s main international hub and is well serviced by over 30 airlines. For the most direct way to reach your hotel taxis and Uber are plentiful and costs apporoximately 15 Euro. The most affordable ways to get to Lisbon’s city center are the Metro ( a 25 minute trip on the red line connecting through Saldanha station) or by bus with multiple bus routes serving the city. Check Lisbon Airport’s site for the lastest route information. Visitors from the EU, Britain, Canada and the US do not need a visa, check Visit Portugal for the latest entry requirements.
2.Transportation in Lisbon
Public transportation in Lisbon is decent but not as good as other European capitals. The VivaViagem card is reusable (and offers discounted fares vs. single fare tickets) and can be used for trams, buses, trains and the metro. Taxis, tuk-tuks and Uber are also widely available.
3. Money in Portugal
As part of the EU Lisbon uses the Euro, but compared to other European capitals your money goes far here making Lisbon a great destination for the budget traveler. ATMs are plentiful and most businesses accept credit cards. Beer or a glass of wine can be had for as little as 2 Euro, a quick sandwich for less than 5 Euro, casual menu del dia for 8 Euro and sit down dinners from 15 Euro.
4.Weather in Lisbon
Weather in Lisbon is fairly moderate with warm summers and cooler,wetter winters. Average high temperatures from June-August range from 80-90 degrees F (25-30 degrees C) while daytime temps in December-February average around 55 degrees F ( 13 degrees C) but are typically wetter than other times of the year. Spring and autumns are glorious with sunny days and average temperatures in the 70s F (22-26 degrees C).
5. Accommodations in Lisbon
Lisbon has a wide range of accommodations from budget hostels to boutique inns and luxury hotels. Renting an apartment is an increasingly popular option but with the popularity of Lisbon as a travel destination many apartment owners are opting to rent through short term sites like Airbnb instead of the traditional long term rental. This unfortunately has priced a lot of locals out of the center of Lisbon.
6. Lisbon has hills. Seven of them.
Like Rome, Lisbon is a city of seven hills and no matter which direction you go it feels like you are always walking up. While I am more than happy to walk these hills (mainly so I can justify eating all the pastel de nata), the people of Lisbon have developed a few easier ways to traverse these steep hills including its famous trams and even an elevator in the middle of the city ( I’ll have more on these shortly).
Itinerary for Four Days in Lisbon
7. Make sure to wear good shoes
Lisbon’s sidewalk mosaic tiles are gorgeous but also quite slick. Be sure to wear shoes with good tread to avoid taking a spill.
8.Lisbon trams
Perhaps no other image is more associated with Lisbon than a yellow tram climbing the cobblestoned hills past historic tiled buildings (I may or may not have taken over 100 pictures of trams during my visit). Trams are a part of Lisbon’s public transport and can be a great way to get from point A to point B. Tram #28 is especially popular with tourists as it goes pasts several of Lisbon’s most popular sights however it can be quite crowded with wait times to board at over an hour. Tram #28’s popularity with tourists has also made it quite popular with pickpockets as well.
9. For the best views in Lisbon follow signs for Miraduoros
If you see a sign leading the way to a Miraduoro it would be a good idea to follow where it goes. These scenic overlooks can be found throughout Lisbon. For views overlooking the red tiled roofs of the Alfama district and the Tejo River head to Miraduoro Portas do Sol; or check out the Miraduoro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara near Barrio Alto for great views and people watching.
10. Take in Lisbon’s beautiful sunset views
More than any other city I’ve been to it seems like much of Lisbon was built solely for taking in amazing sunset views. Join the locals and end your day taking in some of the best sunsets in Europe.
Lisbon Neighborhoods
11. Alfama
The Alfama district is a beautiful maze of cobblestone alleys, cozy squares, terracotta tiled roofs and surprises around every corner. Lisbon’s oldest and most traditional neighborhood was untouched by the earthquake of 1755 and today you’re still likely to the sounds of fado echoing through the alleys as you pass ladies hanging their laundry out to dry but you’ll also find Lisbon’s creative spirit on display in the form of colorful street art. The Alfama District is home to the 11th century Sao Jorge Castle and the Se Cathedral, which has been serving Lisbon’s catholic population since 1150.
12. Barrio Alto
A quiet residential neighborhood by day the Barrio Alto comes alive once the sun goes down. Bistros, bars and clubs keep the Barrio Alto buzzing late into the night.
13. Cais do Sodre
Once a seedy area frequented by hard-drinking sailors Cais do Sodre is now home to trendy bars and cafes. Be sure to stop by the Time Out Market and the Mercado da Ribiera to taste the best of Lisbon’s contemporary and traditional flavors.
14. Belem
To the west of downtown Lisbon lies Belem, once the port area for Lisbon and departure point for Portuguese explorers during the Age of Exploration. A visit to Belem is one of the top things to do in Lisbon. The Tower of Belem (which in my opinion would make an excellent Game of Thrones filming location) has been seeing off explorers since the 16th century. Nearby the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is an intricate Unesco World Heritage site with fantastical architecturl details. Belem is also home to Lisbon’s museum district including the contemporary MAAT ( Museum for Art, Architecture and Technology).
To reach Belem take the train or tram 15E from Cais do Sodre.
15.Chiado/Baixia
Located between Barrio Alto and Alfama the neighborhoods of Chiado and Baixia are Lisbon’s upscale neighborhoods. Chiado is artistic, with grand cafes, chic art galleries and a proud literary history. This is also where you’ll find some of Lisbon’s most beautiful architecture including the stunning Carmo Convent, a medieval convent that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1755 whose facade is beautiful and timeless. Baixia is home to wide leafy boulevards lined with tony boutiques and the Elevator de Santa Justa, a wrought iron lift that connects Chiado and Baixia. A popular tourist attraction, waits to ride the elevator can be over an hour. Snap a picture and go on your way.
Food and Drink in Lisbon
16.Food in Lisbon
With a focus on simple, fresh ingredients food in Lisbon may be the most underrated cuisine in Europe. With miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean Lisbon is a seafood lovers paradise (more on that below); but carnivores should be sure to sample porco preto, Portugal’s beloved black pork. These Iberian pigs eat a diet of acorns from the cork oak trees that thrive in the Alentejo countryside producing pork with a distinctly nutty taste. Also not to be missed is presunto, a silky dry-cured ham that in my opinion is better than Spain’s jamon iberico. Caldo Verde is a simple but comforting classic Portuguese kale soup. I believe a food tour is a great way to get to know a city and its cuisine in a short amount of time, join one of the culinary walking tours with Backstreet Eats.
What to eat in Lisbon
17. Those appetizers aren’t free
It’s common for waiters to bring out a little plate of nibbles (known as couvert) at the beginning of the meal that usually includes olives, bread and cheese but be aware it’s not a freebie. To avoid being charged politely send the plate of goodies back untouched.
18.Seafood
From simply grilled sardine and freshly fried octopus to hundreds of ways to prepare cod (bacalhau) Lisbon is without a doubt one of the best cities for seafood lovers. Lisbon also elevates canned seafood to an art form. Colorful tins contain oil packed sardines, tuna, mackerel and smoked eel that is worlds above that sad can of tuna sitting in your pantry and make for a great souvenir to get in Lisbon.
19. Eat all the pastel de nata (and other pastries)
When you’re in Lisbon you really need to make it your mission to eat as much pastel de nata as humanly possible. This creamy, egg yolk-based custard tart is ubiquitous throughout Lisbon. The guide books will tell you to go to Pasteis de Belem, which has been serving up flaky tarts since 1837 but can also have up to a two hour wait. Instead get your tart fix at Manteigaria, a cozy art deco pasteleria in the Barrio Alto neighborhood. Aside from pastel de nata you will find bakeries on every corner filled with a diverse variety of Portuguese pastries. Be sure to pair your sweet treat with a cup of coffee or bica (espresso), which is excellent thanks in part to Portugal’s close relationship with Brazil.
20. What to drink in Lisbon
You’re likely familiar with port, the sweet fortified wine from the north of Portugal, but Lisbon has a wide variety of great wine thanks to its proximity to the Alentejo. Whether you enjoy a glass with lunch or head to one of Lisbon’s many wine bars after the sun goes down wine is Lisbon is plentiful, affordable and above all very good.
The other drink you must try in Lisbon is ginjinha, a sweet liqueur made from sour cherries. Served straight or in a chocolate cup (my favorite), ginjinha can be found in the many kiosks that dot Lisbon.
21.Fado
The soulful melodies of fado are Lisbon’s version of the blues. Songs full of meloncholy and heartache sung with the masterful strums of a 12-string guitar are the soundtrack to Lisbon. Head to a tasca for authenic fado, Povo Lisboa in Cais do Sodre and Tasca do Chico in Barrio Alto are local favorites.
22.Safety in Lisbon
Portugal has a fairly low crime rate but it’s advised to take the usual precautions as you would in any big city. Pick-pocketing and petty theft can be common in trams, particularly the touristy tram #28.
Day trips from Lisbon
23.Cascais
Cascais is the closest beach town to downtown Lisbon. A 30 minute train ride from the Cais do Sodre train station this charming town offers sun drenched beaches, dramatic cliffside views of the Atlantic Ocean, whitewashed homes and perpetual sunshine. I was contemplating a move here 10 minutes after arriving.
24. Sintra
If you take only one day trip from Lisbon make it Sintra. The main draw in Sintra is the colorful fairytale castle of Pena Palace, but this Unesco World Heritage Site also boasts the medieval Moorish Castle and the whimsical home and gardens of Quinta de Regaliera.Trains to Sintra leave from Lisbon’s Rossio train station every half hour and the journey takes around 40 minutes.
25.Evora
Evora is the heart of the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest wine and agricultural region. Explore Roman ruins and the Chapel of Bones (a church decorated with hundreds of bones from human skeletons) or taste your way through the nearby vineyards. Evora is about a 90 minute train or bus ride from Lisbon.
More Lisbon and Portugal Inspiration
Amazing Scenic Lisbon Viewpoints
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal
What to See in Lisbon in Two Days
Planning a trip to Lisbon? Pin this post for later!
Tamara says
Great tips, thank you! Perfect timing as I am headed there next week.
Andi says
#17 took us by surprise on our first trip! We learned quickly though! Great tips!
Esther says
I agree with all of these! Visited Lisbon twice and couldn’t get enough. I also recommend Lux, an old textile factory now home to many independent shops and great restaurants and clubs. For a day on the beach I recommend Sesimbra over Cascais, it’s a lot less crowded and touristy.
#WeekendWanderlust
Kemi says
Amazing tips! I will definitely need them for when I go in the near future. Pinned.
Brianna says
Thank you!
Goblinette says
Great tips. Haven’t been in LIsbon yet, but it looks lovely.
Brianna says
I loved Lisbon and can’t wait to go back!
Sarah says
MMMM. Pastel de Nata is my favourite! Great resource!
Brianna says
Pastel de nata is the best!
Obligatory Traveler says
Great Post. Thanks for including so much great information, especially information about transportation. Since we usually don’t rent cars, it’s good to know the reliability of the public transportation. It’s also nice to know about the wait time for Tram #28 to meter expectations. The food and drinks look delicious. #WeekendWanderlust
Brianna says
I hope you find this post helpful if you make it to Lisbon.
Sandi Kowalyshyn says
Hi Brianna!
Can you tell me if it is safe to wear my diamond Jewelry in Lisbon?
Thanks!
Sandi
Simone says
As I’ll be in Portugal during my van trip in September, I’ll definitely use all this infos once in Lisbon.
Great pictures!
Brianna says
Can’t wait to see your adventures!
Rhonda Albom says
I skipped Lisbon when I travelled through Portugal years ago and have regretted it. You seem to have put all the basic travel information about Lisbon together in one spot. This is one resource that I will use when I return to see Lisbon.
Amanda Grace says
Yessss. This is exactly what I needed!!! Thank you for sharing.
Brianna says
You will love Portugal!
Nicole says
This is a great post. I think that you cover many practical issues that travellers need to know in order arrive and move around the city easily. We spent days in Sintra a few years back and loved it there. We will definitely need to go back to Lisbon to explore more.
Brianna says
Isn’t Sintra just magical?
Annie Soul says
Great tips! I’m really looking forward to checking out some of the districts and food 🙂 thanks for the info!
Brianna says
Any district or food pique your fancy?
Marcus and Mel says
A great detailed and useful list. We were there last Spring and loved the place. You definitely need good shoes with all those hills and the pretty pavements are quite slippery, especially when wet. The Time Out Market offers a range of food suitable for all tastes. We really enjoyed our trip to Sintra, make sure you go early.
Brianna says
Glad you enjoyed this post, I want to go back!
Lorial Roballo says
Ugh I love Lisbon. I visited here in 2016 and it one of my op places to travel to in Europe. That view from the Miraduoro is absolute perfection and even though you get a GREAT instagram photo. It just isn’t the same from real life. Pastéis de Belém was hands down the best pastry that I’ve had during my time in Europe. And I wish I could find it here in St. Louis. Maybe I can I just haven’t checked. Great article and wonderful photos! 🙂
Brianna says
Thank you! Perhaps it’s time for a return trip?
amit says
Thank you very much for this post, I’m actually just starting to plan my trip to Portugal and this post is the first to be saved into my Portugal folder. I’m looking to go in July, flying into Porto and heading North before heading south and of course I will be spending quite some time in Lisbon. Friends of mine have told me i will fall in love with it, and from just reading through this post I can see why. It’s good to know that appetisers are not free, and good advice on the footwear for the slippery streets – I’ll be honest after reading through this I’m most looking forward to trying my first pastel de nata with a Bica 😀 – I can’t wait to get out there 😀 😀
Brianna says
I can’t wait to see how your trip goes!
Lisa says
This is a really great list! Hoping I’ll get to go to Lisbon soon so definitely saving this 🙂 #WeekendWanderlust
Brianna says
Thanks a bunch!
Fiona Maclean says
Although I’ve travelled around Portugal a lot, I haven’t been to Lisbon since I was 30. In fact, it was for my 30th birthday! I went with my boyfriend in search of fado and ended up drinking far too many tequila slammers…I definitely needed some of your tips to keep me focussed. I’m planning to go back this year so I’ll be bookmarking this and using some of your great tips on where to go (Belem for instance) and what to eat (black pork!)
Brianna says
Stick to port and ginja this time;)
Karla says
I remember arriving in Lisbon and thinking we can walk all over— oh wait, we could but it is hilly so you are right— you need to wear comfy shoes. We bought the tram card and that kinda saved our lives. Lisbon is pretty but its a lot of exercise— well I guess we just eat and walk it off. We also enjoyed the day trips outside Lisbon.
Brianna says
Like I said, I didn’t mind all the walking so I could eat more 🙂
Dorene says
Could the sky have been more blue than during your visit to Lisbon? 🙂 I so look forward to getting there, and this is the perfect post for me – lots of great tips and navigation before arrival. I like your detail of the neighborhoods – good to know where to go. Alfama will definitely be on my list. Good to know about the friendly appetizer plates, I would have definitely fallen for that. Bookmarked for future visit.
Brianna says
Alfama is absolutely beautiful, great choice!
Efthimis Kragaris says
Great guide. Hopefully I will visit Lisbon this year. Can’t wait to enjoy some great Portuguese wine while listening to fados and watch the sunset view from the various miradouros. The tiles and the trams are also so instagrammable!
Michelle says
I haven’t been to Lisbon yet, so these tips will come in handy when we get there. I didn’t realize the city was so hilly!
Kathleen says
Such great tips. I’ve just recently become interested in visiting Portugal, although I never would have turned it down before. Lisbon is so beautiful and picturesque. I really love the tiled walls and sidewalks. The little tarts look like some we had in China. I wonder if they are similar. The ones in China are a sweet egg tart, not tasting like egg at all.
Brianna says
Portugal’s food culture spread around the world so I’m guessing the tarts would be very similar.
Siddhartha Joshi says
Lisbon is such a dream destination for me, and sadly I haven’t been there at all despite going to Europe so often. Thanks to your lovely guide I am even more inspired 🙂
Thanks for including handy tips also like pick-pocketing in trams and so on…very useful for planning and being mindful 🙂
Indrani says
I agree with you on – the yellow trams are a symbol of Lisbon.
The Elevator de Santa Justa surprised me. Seeing the queue I took just a pic 😛 🙂
Enjoyed reading the post, it was like revisiting.
Medha Verma says
What a beautifully detailed post! Thanks for the advice on wearing good shoes for those street walks and I am happy to know that it’s a budget destination. Also, it seems like the VivaViagem card is a good investment for those who want to travel in a budget way, using public transportation. Alfama district’s street art looks great!
Julie McCool says
Excellent round-up of tips. I love the mix of practical info and travel inspiration (those sunsets look amazing). I stayed in Sintra but only passed through Lisbon, so it’s time for another trip to Portugal.
Miranda| Migration Expert UK says
Great blog post with lots of useful information about Lisbon! Thanks so much for sharing.
Katie says
Great tips Brianna, thanks very much! I am planning to visit Lisbon for the first time soon, these will come handy.
Brianna says
Hopefully you get to Lisbon sooner rather than later!
Sarah Montgomery says
We’re heading over to Lisbon for the summer and your article was really insightful. It’s great to know that public transport would be easily available as we’re not looking to rent a car. I’m especially looking forward to watching over the stunning views and munching on pastel de nata. Loved the read.
Brianna says
I’m glad you found it helpful!
Tina Wright says
Thanks for such an informative blog. Perfect for our 48 hours in Lisbon next month. So glad I found you, makes my planning easier.
Brianna says
You will have a fantastic time in Lisbon!
Matthew Ali says
Wonderful post – you covered almost every aspect for a trip to Lisbon. I’ve been there 2 years ago and it is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
Brianna says
I absolutely loved Lisbon and can’t wait to go back!
KB Burt says
Ooh, it brings it all back! I haven’t been since 2010 but I loved it. I was quite ill and had to spend a good portion of my ten days on the hotel rooftop in Baixa and it could not have been a better place to recuperate (I’m a city girl and not good at beaches). The people were so nice and helpful, genuinely and I couldn’t agree more about the food! It’s a great place for dietary restrictions as well as you can get such simply cooked, delicious food. One piece of advice I got there was to be careful where there are signs warning against pickpockets – apparently lots of people check their wallet as soon as they see it and it’s a big help to pickpockets hanging around! 🙂
PK says
Lisbon used to be a nice place to visit but it changed completely over the past 5 years. Now it’s just an artificial and stressful city packed with tourists everywhere. It became the perfect place to have coffee at Starbucks, have fast-food at international food chains or expensive dinners at the latest Butanese restaurant, cross thousands of useless souvenir shops full of made in China products, queue for anything slightly interesting while pickpockets do their job, squeeze and bump into other tourists in overcrowded side walks and not being able to meet and talk to a single Portuguese resident with a non-tourist job. It also became a very expensive city with dinner costing 40 euros/person and hotels averaging 100 euros/night. If you want to experience the Portuguese culture and gastronomy for 1/3 of those prices then run away from Lisbon as fast as you can. I hate to say this but overtourism killed Lisbon and its authenticity. I’d recommend other places in Portugal that are still not that popular such as Braga/Guimaraes/Geres/Coimbra/Aveiro in the North, Sintra/Guincho/Cascais/Evora/Sesimbra/Arrabida/Comporta close to Lisbon or Costa Vicentina/Algarve (Lagos, Tavira, Vilamoura) in the South.
Michela says
I have been to Lisbon a couple of times, and just realised that it’s a long time ago! This post is inspiring and very detailed, that make me want to go back to Portugal and Lisbon, hopefully soon again. Thanks for sharing!
Jenny says
This is a great list of tips, we totally agree with the amazing food in Lisbon, however we would recommend that you try to find the smaller cafes and restaurants, where you will here the locals, this will often mean that the food is made for local tastes and not for tourists.
But yes, where ever you go to in Lisbon, try a pastel de Nata, like the Bacalhao, every baker, has a slight twist on the recipe, which means you never get the same one twice, which means that you have to try every one you see.
Sarah Patel says
Hey Brianna!
I really enjoyed reading your post, it is very complete!
I am planning a trip to Lisbon, and I really wanted to make a stop at Évora, since I am passionate about history, and I do enjoy drinking a glass of wine from time to time.
A friend of mine, who’s been there a few times, suggested I booked a guided tour, but I am still looking for more options, collecting as much of information as I can so I can make an informed decision.
Based on your experience, what would you recommend?
Thanks again for this great post!
Sarah Patel