LISBON CITY GUIDE
(All You Need from A to Z)
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They say, “Porto works, Braga Prays, Coimbra studies, and Lisbon gets the money.” I’ve never heard anything so accurate about Portugal. (well, at least until a few years ago, this was quite valid.)
While all these cities have their own manifestations of beauty, Lisbon is the one that attracts the most visitors.
Lisbon, the mesmerising capital city of Portugal extends along the Tagus (Tejo) River and, is one of those European cities that you would never have enough of with the vibrant city life it has and all the surprises that await you at every corner you turn.
Lisbon is a city that does not omit to pay respect to its history and tradition, while at the same time keeping up with the changes that the modern time brings in.
Instead of changing beyond all recognition, Lisbon welcomes the contemporary changes while keeping its Portuguese roots as strong as possible. And if you look carefully, you can see that the old Lisbon is still there. You may even run into the footsteps of Pessoa, Magalhaes and all those great Portuguese figures; on a street sign when you look up or on the face of a shopkeeper you salute.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to discover this vivacious city.
Travel: Why Visit Lisbon?
Lisbon is one of Europe’s liveliest cities in all regards and one of the destinations that attract tourists the most recently.
The mild climate, friendly atmosphere, world-renowned culinary delights, the rich history and cultural heritage of the city, world-class wines, cosy and chill cafés, colourful ambiance and of course the architecture that was wrought like a lace that surrounds the city are just some of the contributing reasons to this popularity.
Thus, it is not surprising that Lisbon is a destination that satisfies any kind of visitor from all ages for all types of trips.
Whether it be a family vacation, a history/culture trip, a weekend get-away, a gastronomic tour or a nightlife fantasia, Lisbon promises a visit that you will enjoy every single minute of it.
Essential Sights: What to See in Lisbon?
My dears, let’s establish something first: There is no end to exploring Lisbon enough. Despite having moved here couple of years ago, I discover every day something new.
That having been said, visiting these neighbourhoods below will be enough for you to get to know the city and be satisfied with your trip.
An interesting fact about Lisbon is that (leave the distinctive “Lisbonense” elements aside) it looks a lot like Istanbul; as if they’re lost siblings.
I mean, some particular places and features of Lisbon are so similar to Istanbul that I sometimes forget that I am in a completely different city. (Did you know both cities are called “7 hilled” for example?) But that’s another story for another time.
Some Significant Neighbourhoods of Lisbon
1) Baixa:
One of the busiest, most central and the “flattest” parts of Lisbon. In a “city with 7 hills” this can sometimes be a relief.
Baixa means “down” in Portuguese and being true to its name, it’s somewhat the downtown of the city. It is a hop and a skip away from touristic and historical attractions; surrounded with cafés, restaurants and shops; and transportation is so easy from here to the rest of the city.
2) Chiado / Bairro Alto:
Chiado, is usually mentioned together with Baixa. In fact, they are so close to each other that they share a metro station, namely “Baixa/Chiado”.
However, fyi, Chiado is more up and downhill and may be on a bit more pricier end compared to Baixa when it comes to accommodation.
Still in a pretty central location, it is easy to get around from Chiado; and its perfect positioning between party zones such as Bairro Alto (the centre of nightlife) and Cais do Sodre, makes Chiado one of the most popular nightlife hubs of Lisbon. (That’s wh
3) Alfama:
As another plus of sitting on top of the highest hill, Alfama presents us the spectacularly beautiful viewpoints (“miradouro” in Portuguese).
So don’t miss the chance.
4) Avenida de Liberdade:
The splendid avenue that reaches from Rossio Square all the way to upper parts of Lisbon. Some sort of Lisbon’s reply to the Champs-Élysées. Av. de Liberdade, on both whereof the most luxurious brands of the world such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Van Cleef & Arpels are aligned, is one of the classiest parts of Lisbon and houses many cute cafés and elegant restaurants.
Since many public transportation lines such as Rossio train station and Restauradores metro station are either within or very close to it, it is quite easy to access to and from Av. de Liberdade. I would, though, not miss the chance of enjoying this beautiful Avenue by walking instead, through the treed alleys on both sides.
5) Principe Real:
One of the favourite spots for hang-out and accommodation due to its colourful spirit and chic settlement.
Although at Bairro Alto’s elbow, Principe Real is still far away from the nightlife hubbub. It is surrounded by various elements from important landmarks to nice shops, restaurants where you can experience dishes from both traditional and international cuisines, art galleries, antique stores and many more.
6) Lapa / Estrela:
Lapa, is one of the most elite neighbourhoods of Lisbon and a really peaceful zone. As it has served as the residential area to the wealthiest families and affluent merchants since the 18th century, Lapa is now endowed with many palaces and mansions, many of which has been restored and repurposed as embassies, making it known as the Embassy Quarter of Lisbon.
Lapa is also where the Parliament of Portugal is located at. However, despite housing such weighty offices and residences within, Lapa when considered together with Estrela, is still a nice alternative both for visit, hang-out and accommodation as they are at the doorstep of many other popular neighbourhoods such as jaunty Alcântara and Santos.
7) Bairro Alto & Cais do Sodre:
Lastly the most popular neighbourhoods of Lisbon especially when it comes to nightlife.
These neighbourhoods have 2 different sides in the day & at night.
The chillout vibes”, the calmer atmosphere where people enjoy the day at cafés or esplanades or stores around will leave its place to a completely different side of these neighbourhoods as soon as the daylight is gone. Cais do Sodre transforms into an open-air party venue just like Bairro Alto. (The famous nightclub hub “Pink Street” is located in Cais do Sodre.The bars/restaurants scatter their tables and chairs out, the hubbub of the night-outers overtake the streets.
Undoubtfully, both Bairro Alto & Cais do Sodre will be satisfying if you are here to discover the nightlife, parties and colourful bars in Lisbon. They both are the way to go for a fun night and to kick the heels up. However, except for some certain streets within, I would not consider them a first choice for accommodation.
For more information on all these neighbourhoods, must-see attractions and activities that you should not miss, head to this exhaustive guide I prepared: Popular Neighbourhoods of Lisbon: What’s where?
Accommodation: Where to Stay?
Especially for your first trip to Lisbon, I recommend you to check a location that is as close as possible to the historical centre. As I mentioned in this post; Lisbon is a very large city and, although they are within Lisbon, not all the districts are close to the centre. Therefore, opting for a central location for your stay, will save you a great deal of time and ward off any possible doubts about transportation.
You may be wondering where to look for accommodation. Although this depends on your preferences, my suggestion would be to check out first Baixa/Chiado, Alfama, Av. de Liberdade neighbourhoods.
Hanging out at spots such as Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre may be fun but not the best option to stay and rest, as I said in the “Essential Sights: What to See in Lisbon?” above.
Getting Around:
How to Best Discover Lisbon?
I always say “The best way to discover a city is to get lost in it.”
This is my go-to method for almost any destination that I’ve been to. And Lisbon is one of the best destinations out there that you can -with a peace of mind- put aside the map and let the alleys and narrow streets lead you instead, with many hidden gems to discover at every step
So, if you want to get to know Lisbon the best, my first suggestion to you is: Walk it!
If you enjoy treading streets of a city, then take a break at a café and get to know the city a bit more, watching passers-by, Lisbon will never disappoint you.
Especially in the historical parts (such as Alfama, Chiado, Baixa), walking is the fastest way to get around.
I would, however, would like to warn you: I have mentioned that Lisbon and Istanbul are called 7-hilled cities. And that has a reason. Therefore, BRING YOUR COMFY SHOES and ladies, SAVE THE HEELS FOR LATER! =)
The other means of transportation in Lisbon is as follows:
Public Transportation: It is quite easy to get to and within Lisbon via public transportation and it is the most frequent and cheapest way to get around. There are many options such as bus and railway that includes train, tram, metro and funicular.
I advise that you obtain a Navegante card (go to the website HERE) to use the public transportation. The card costs 0.50 Eur and valid for one year. Depending on the method of transportation, one way ticket costs between 1.80 – 2.10 € (2024). Or you may opt to get 24hr ticket for an unlimited use of tram, metro and busses within the day, which costs only 10.80 €.
Vehicles are clean and frequent. For more details on transportation such as means and pricing check out the post “Getting Around in Lisbon”.
E-scooter/E-bike: Another means of transportation in Lisbon is to hire an e-bike/e-scooter. You can use apps like Uber or Bolt for this purpose as well (for both E-scooter and e-bikes). Alternatively there are other apps called Like and Bird for e-scooters. I mostly use Bolt.
Another app for hiring a bike is Gira. With the app that offers both classical and electronic bikes, you can get your bike from many spots dedicated in Lisbon and deliver it back at a spot near your point of arrival. Pretty affordable and practical.
Taxi and Alternatives: Taxis and shared vehicles like Uber & Bolt that are alternative to taxis are another means of transportation. Taxis have different tariffs depending on the situation. They start running the taxi-meter for 3.25 Eur and charge 0.47 Eur per km, while every minute is charged separately when they get stuck in traffic jam. Briefly stating, they may cost a bomb very quickly. I suggest that you look elsewhere if you are travelling on a budget.
As I mentioned, there are alternatives as shared vehicles for which you need to download an app such as Uber, Bolt, FreeNow. Their pricing may vary depending on the occasional promos but most of the time don’t have much difference. You may try multiple apps at the same time and choose what’s best for your need. From one end to another in the city costs around 6-10 Euros.
Rent-a-Car: For just circulating within the city centre, I don’t recommend renting a car (unless really necessary). You may run into an incredible traffic jam especially within the business hours on weekdays; spoil an entire day trying to climb up and down the steep hills, navigating through the narrow streets and human crowds. Parking problem is the cherry on top.
Best Season to Visit
Lisbon is one of the cities where seasons are not so restrictive. It has a mild, subtropical climate and gets the sun around 9 months in a year. Still, summers can get really torrid (reaching up to 32°C/ 90°F) whereas winters are warmer compared to many European cities, but rainy. Spring and autumn may have quite rainy days.
The peak season in Lisbon is from June to August. Especially with the recent popularity, you may find it quite rammed. But it is still possible to find availability at the beaches around.
If you don’t like crowds, it may be optimal for you to visit Lisbon during the shoulder season which is during September – October and March-April.
The weather during this season is still warm but not unbearably hot (11-28°C/ 52-83°F). Again, you may have some rainy days, as I said the spring/autumn may get heavy rain but not so much to constrain your trip. On the plus side, it will be more budget-friendly compared to the high season as the prices go down.
Minimum Stay:
How Long to Spend in Lisbon?
It is recommended to spend at least 3 days to discover Lisbon properly. This is optimal time to visit the must-see spots and taste the must-see dishes.
But Lisbon is a city that you would not get bored even for a full week. Despite having moved here a couple of years ago, I still discover new things every day.
Therefore I would suggest you to spare a week for Lisbon. This will give you enough time not only to see Lisbon to the fullest but also to discover different destinations such as Cascais and Sintra, each of which is fun and beautiful.
An example itinerary in Lisbon could be as follows:
Day 1: Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Cais do Sodre/Bairro Alto
Day 2: Visit Belem, Alcantara, have a night-out in Bairro Alto’da (Tuesday to Saturday but mostly Fri-Sat)
Day 3: Discover Av. De Liberdade, Principe Real, Estrela/Lapa, Parque das Naçoes
Day 4: Cascais trip (Beaches at the Cascais-Estoril in summer)
Day 5: Trip to Ericeira / Mafra or Óbidos (optionally you may the night here and then move to Sintra next day)
Day 6: Daytrip to Sintra
Day 7: Daytrip to Setúbal/Sesimbra
Safety & Tips:
Beware of These in Lisbon!
Lisbon, and even Portugal are considered one of the safest destinations in the world even for the female solo-travellers. Violent crimes are not common and petty crime rates are low and mostly encountered in some isolated neighbourhoods.
Also, from what I have been told, one of things that the police force cares about the most here is safe circulation of the women in Portugal, for them to feel safe when they are out and they have zero tolerance to those who threaten this freedom.
The most common crime is pickpocketing which is unfortunately like a curse on the cities that receive a lot of visitors. However, if you exercise due diligence and if you don’t leave your belongings around, unattended when you are sitting at a café for example, or on crowded public transportations I do not think you will have a problem.
Another thing that many “first-time” visitors surprised to see is the drug dealers. If a shabby looking person suddenly approaches to you to mutter something, especially around Praça do Commercio or Rossio Square, don’t be afraid. But they are trying to sell drugs and most probably hunting tourists to scam. Just ignore or decline politely but firmly (unless, of course you are looking for some oregano or powder sugar) and walk on. They won’t do anything.
Above all, if you wouldn’t do at home, don’t do it in Lisbon (in fact anywhere).
Lastly, a friendly advice; remember that Portugal and Spain were two kingdoms that competed in many aspects and even fought against each other in the history (past is past, I know, I know, but trust me) and don’t treat them like they’re Spanish unless you want to get on the bad side of the codfish*.
If you can speak English (assuming you do, since you are reading this) try communicating in English before Spanish. It’s better. They are protective about their language and culture, just as much as any other nation would be.
(*Codfish is called Bacalhau in Portuguese and holds a huge place in Portuguese culture. It is even one of the symbols of Portugal. For more, check this elucidative article about the place of bacalhau in Portuguese culture.)
Oh btw, before I forget, sometimes they may bring some bites such as bread, cheese, olives, olive oil to your table in the restaurants. These are called “entrada” (consider them like “couvert”), and most likely not free. So if you lay your hands on them, they are added to your bill. It is not a scam, it’s just how it is. Therefore if you don’t intend to pay for it, just kindly refuse them.
I hope this guide helps your way through Lisbon.
Don’t forget to share with us your opinions and experiences in the comments down below!
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