The Ultimate Guide To Lisbon
In this guide to Lisbon, I cover everything you need to know to have the best possible time in the city. This includes details on the best time of year to visit Lisbon, how many days to spend in the city, the best areas to stay in Lisbon, a detailed 3 day itinerary and so much more. For a quick overview of what I have included in this Lisbon guide, take a look below:
Best Time Of The Year To Visit Lisbon
The best time of year to visit Lisbon depends on what you want to get out of your trip. Take a look at my top suggestions below for details.
March-May And September-October: For Pleasant Temperatures And Fewer Crowds
Because Portugal is a fairly warm country in Europe, the best times to visit Lisbon is in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. During these times, the crowds of tourists will be smaller, which means cheaper accommodation and shorter lines at attractions. At the same time, the weather will be pleasantly warm in comparison to the summer heat.
June-August: For The Best Beach Days And Festivals
If you want to visit Lisbon to experience the many beautiful beaches in the area, summer is by far the best season. During these months, you will experience temperatures between 28-35 degrees celcius, which will likely make you want to cool off in the ocean rather than explore the city. In June, you can also experience the Festivals of Saints, where the streets are filled with activities and celebrations.
How Many Days Do You Need In Lisbon?
Although you can see the most central sights of Lisbon in just one day, you will need 2-3 days to experience all of the amazing things Lisbon has to offer. Spending 2-3 days in Lisbon also means you can join a guided tour, cooking class or fun activity in the city, and have the time to taste some of Portugals amazing culinary scene!
How To Get From Lisbon Airport To City Center
When you arrive at Lisbon Airport, there are several ways you can reach City Center:
Lisbon Airport To City Center By Metro
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Lisbon Airport to City Center is via the metro, which is connected to the airport. Simply take the Aeroporto – Saldanha line, which runs every 5-10 minutes. Within 20 minutes, you will reach the city center for a cost of only 1.45 euros. To board the metro, you have to buy a Viva Viagem Card at one of the vending machines, which you can then top up with either a single fare ticket or a 24 hour ticket. Your card can be used for the majority of the days – just top it up when you need it!
Shuttle Bus From Lisbon Airport To City Center
There is also a very convenient shuttle bus, which runs directly from Lisbon Airport to the most popular areas of Lisbon. The bus runs every 20-25 minutes and will cost you 3.60 euro. You can buy your tickets online here.
Taxi From Lisbon Airport To City Center
If your budget allows it, there is always the possibility of grabbing a taxi from Lisbon Airport to the city center. You can find the taxi park right as you exit terminal 1 at the airport. The taxi fares differ between night and day, but should generally cost you between 15-20 euros depending on your accommodation location.
Best Areas To Stay In Lisbon
Baixa-Chiado
Baixo and Chiado are the ultimate areas to stay in Lisbon for first time visitors. These areas are the ones most central to the biggest sights in Lisbon, and you will be close to a ton of restaurants, bars, shopping and evening activities. From here, you can easily go sightseeing by foot, which makes it a convenient area to stay for a quick visit too! The cons to these points are that accommodation is more expensive and sell out faster.
- Top Hostel Recommendation: Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel is one of the highest rated hostels in Lisbon for a ton of reasons. They offer daily tours and activities, free city tour and breakfast, great common facilities and even have an “all inclusive” option, which includes 3 meals a day and free sangria during bar hours! The beds have curtains, which is a must for me, and this is definitely where I would stay at a hostel in Lisbon!
- Party Hostel Recommendation: Sunset Destination Hostel: If you are looking for a hostel with a party vibe, this is your place! The top attraction of this hostel is the social and sunny rooftop, which features a small pool with ocean views. Not something you see at a hostel every day! They also offer daily tours and activities, happy hours, pub crawls and weekly DJ events.
Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is the best area to stay in Lisbon, if you are looking for a great night life. In the evenings, this central part of Lisbon turns into a lively area filled with people drunk on life (and other things). This can be a great thing, if you want to be close to all of the action, and get home quickly after a night out! The con of this is that the area is often noisy at night.
- Hotel: Chiado Camoes Apartments is a very popular appartment hotel between Bairro Alto and Chiado, which often books out far in advance. They offer beautiful appartments to a decent price (although not exactly low budget) and gets some of the best reviews in the city!
Alfama
Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon and the best area to stay for a more quiet, romantic atmosphere. You will be a little further from the most central sights and restaurants, although there are plenty of great places to eat in Alfama itself!
- Hotel: Tandem Palacio Alfama Suites: This hotel has amazing value for money and is in a beautiful location in the romantic Alfama District. Some of the major facilities includes and outdoor pool area, an indoor gym and beautiful ocean views from some of their appartments.
- Hotel: Hotel Convento Do Salvador: If you are looking for something at a lower budget, this hotel might be something for you! It has a beautiful courtyard and a cozy on-site bar and restaurant.
Do You Need To Withdraw Cash In Lisbon?
As with most major cities in Europe, you can pay with your card at all attractions, as well as in restaurants and bigger shops. However, there is a likelihood that you will stumble upon small, independent shops, who only take cash. And if you plan to visit Sintra, you might need a bit of cash for a taxi or local shop in town. For this reason, I always recommend carrying a small amount of euros for emergencies.
Public Transport In Lisbon: Tickets and Fares
Lisbon is connected by trams, metros, busses and trains. If you plan to use any of these, be sure to get a Viva Viagem Card when you arrive. The Viva Viagem Card is a universal card, which you top up with tickets and use for all transportation options. These can be bought in vending machines at the airport, train station and metro stations, as well as in ticket offices. Once you have a card, simply put your Viva Viagem Card in the vending machine, choose your ticket option and tap your card on the electronic sensors in the bus, tram or metro, when you enter.
How and where to get Tickets for public transport in Lisbon
The Viva Viagem Card can be bought at the vending machines and ticket offices at any metro station in Lisbon as well as Lisbon airport. If you find yourself at a place, where you are unable to buy a Viva Viagem Card, it is also possible to buy a single ticket with the driver in a bus or tram – but be aware that this is cash only!
Best Things To Do And See In Lisbon
Lisbon is a city of amazing culinary experiences, rich culture and beautiful architecture. And there are SO many amazing things to see and do in the city! To give you a quick overview, I made you a list below. And if you want a full itinerary for Lisbon, head on over to my other post for details!
Praca Do Comercio
Praca Do Comercio is practically the picture of Lisbon and a must-visit on your first trip to the city! On this colorful plaza, you will have beautiful views of Lisbon architecture on one side and the stunning waterfront on the other side. Along the sides of the square, you will find many great restaurants as well as the tourist information center, where you can get any advice you need for your days in Lisbon.
Join A Guided History And Food Tour (The Best Of Both Worlds)
Lisbon is home to some of the most delicious foods in the world, and one of the best ways to explore its culinary scene is through a food tour with a local! Locals can let you in on hidden gems you would have otherwise missed, and will likely get you to try foods and drinks you wouldn’t have considered! My top recommendation is to join this combined history and food tour of Lisbon, so you can learn about Lisbon and endulge on delicious foods at the same time!
Belém Tower, Lisbon
If you are planning to spend more than one day in Lisbon, you have to head to the Belém District for a day or afternoon! One of the top attractions in the area is the Belém Tower, which was once used as a fortress. It is surrounded by a beautiful park and seafront area, and has some great views from the top! You can book your tickets online here before you go.
Experience A Fado Show At Its Birthplace!
Lisbon is famous for its Fado Shows, which is a musical performance original to the neighborhoods of Lisbon. If you want to experience some of Lisbons rich culture and be entertained at the same time, booking a ticket to a Fado Show is a great shout!
Sao Jorge Castle
As soon as you arrive in Lisbon, you will notice a majestic, medieval castle rising above the city in the distance. This is Sao Jorge Castle, a must visit for your first trip to Lisbon! I loved exploring the whole castle area, and due to its size, it often felt like I had it to myself! If you want to avoid crowds, be sure to be there as soon as it opens.
Learn To Bake Your Own Pastel De Nata!
Another thing Portugal is famous for is the Pastel De Nata. These creme-filled Portugeese tarts are some of the best things you will taste in Lisbon and a must try for every visitor. But why not level up your game and join a baking class to bake Pastel De Nata yourself? This is both a fun and entertaining activity – and you might even be able to replicate it to friends and family at home afterwards!
Jeronimos Monastery
Another place you must visit on your trip to Lisbon is the Jeronimos Monastery. This beautiful monastery is placed in the Belém District close to the Belém Tower and was honestly one of my favourite attractions in Lisbon. I absolutely loved the achitecture of the place, and it felt like going back in time, as I was wondering around the place. The queues for this place gets very long, so I highly recommend booking your ticket online beforehand here.
Explore Alfama District
The Alfama District is the oldest and most charming district in Lisbon. It is one of those places where you can literally just wander around without an agenda, and notice new and amazing plazas and sidestreets around every corner. It is also home to some of the best restaurants and cafés in Lisbon, so you definitely shouldn’t miss out on this place!
Chase The Best Viewpoints: Miradouros
Lastly, you cannot visit Lisbon without seeing the city from at least one of its many viewpoints. Due to the hilly nature of Lisbon, there are a ton of viewpoints (Miradouros) around the city, from which you will get stunning views over Lisbon and the waterfront. Just search for Miradouros on Google Maps and start exploring!
Best Daytrip From Lisbon: Sintra
One of the most amazing day trips you can take from Lisbon is to the fairytale-like mountain-town: Sintra. Sintra is home to many castles, fortresses, palaces and ruins and is also a historical town in itself! For this reason, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and if this isn’t enough to persuade you to visit, I don’t know what is.
I visited Sintra on my own by taking the train to the town and exploring the area at my own pace. It was very simple and convenient, and it meant I could prioritize my time exactly as I wanted to! If you want to do the same, I have made a detailed guide on how to visit Sintra here. And if you want to join a day tour from Lisbon instead, this day trip to Sintra and Cascais is an amazing option too!
I hope you will enjoy your trip to Lisbon as much as I did! If you have any questions whatsoever, feel free to drop them down below, and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
