As soon as I arrived in Lisbon I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to truly explore the city. The sights are spread out, and between them are hidden streets, winding alleys and distracting views. It’s the perfect city to get lost in, and that’s exactly what I did. But I learned a few things along the way, so here are some of my top travel tips for Lisbon if you’re visiting for the first time.
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Where Is Lisbon?
Lisbon, or Lisboa as it is known locally, is the vibrant capital city of Portugal. Did you know that Lisbon is also the most westerly capital city in mainland Europe? The city overlooks the Tagus river which can be seen from many of the city’s incredible vantage points, and its just a hop, skip and a jump from the Atlantic Ocean.
You can easily reach Lisbon from Porto, further north, or the sunny Algarve in the south of Portugal by train in less than 3 hours.
Flights from most central European cities will take around two and half hours. With plenty of budget airlines servicing Lisbon, there’s no shortage of ways to get there for a good price.
Unlike most of western mainland Europe, Lisbon, and Portugal, fall under the same time zone as the UK and Ireland. But that might be where the similarities end. The sun-drenched coastline, iconic tiled architecture and deep red terracotta rooftops are just as uniquely special as the welcoming people I found who live there.
Why Lisbon Is A Must-Visit European City
Lisbon, Portugal has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations—and for good reason. From its sun-soaked plazas and historic trams to incredibly fresh local food and trendy neighborhoods, Lisbon caters to every kind of traveler.
Even better: Lisbon is much more affordable than many other major European capitals like Paris, London or Berlin. Perfect if you’re on a bit more of a budget. After all, who doesn’t love to save a bit of money and still enjoy fabulous places?
But best of all, Lisbon is a rewarding place to visit if you just slow down and be more selective with your travel plans rather than trying to do it all. That’s what makes having a few essential travel tips for Lisbon even more valuable before you go.
What First-Time Visitors To Lisbon Should Expect
Other than an awesome city and your new favorite holiday destination? But seriously, if it’s your first time in Lisbon, be ready to experience a unique mix of contrasts to keep you guessing your entire trip.
Ancient history to modern designs. Calm mornings to lively evenings. Traditional pasteis de nata pastries to world-class fine dining. And did I mention that the people are so unbelievably friendly?
The pace of Lisbon often feels slower than other European capitals which is one of the things I liked about it most. English is widely spoken, which is helpful as a visitor since Portuguese isn’t the most common European language to know. But knowing a few words go a long way.
The layout of the city can feel confusing at first, and despite their insistence that Lisbon is built in a grid system, those streets rarely feel like they go in a straight line.
Cultural nuances can also catch travelers off guard. For me, it was that many good (non-touristy) restaurants don’t open for dinner service until 7pm or later. Plan accordingly, they’re worth the wait.
This guide, and my travel tips for Lisbon, are here to help you avoid some pitfalls and hit the ground running with confidence to make the most of your time in Lisbon.
11 Of My Top Travel Tips For Lisbon
Heading to Lisbon for the first time? You’re in for a treat. One of my new favorite cities, it’s packed with charm, great food, and stunning views. To help you hit the ground running, here are some practical travel tips for Lisbon every first-time visitor should know.
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES
Lisbon feels like San Francisco’s European cousin. There are so many hills you’re in for a proper workout. Couple this with the uneven sidewalks though, and comfortable shoes are a MUST in Lisbon.
You’ll do tons of walking but because you’re constantly up and down hills and stairs, cushion protected flat shoes are my recommendation.
Birkenstock sandals or similar if you want to let your feet breathe a bit more, otherwise sneakers/trainers/whatever you want to call them are your best bet.
BACKPACK OVER SUITCASE
Cobbles and uneven streets make it very challenging on a suitcase with wheels. Save yourself a headache and a sore arm and use a backpack if possible.
Now I know Europe is known for its cobbled streets, but Lisbon even more so. Even the sidewalks are cobbled. A dying art, the Portuguese pavement is impressive and very unique.
Walking areas are made up of individual stones fit together in patterns, like a mosaic. It looks really pretty, but it’s brutal on the wheels of a suitcase.
Do yourself a favor and backpack it through Portugal – or rely on a taxi/Uber rather than walking too far with your luggage.
GET A LISBON TRANSIT PASS
Even if you don’t want to commit to a daily card, you can get a Navegante transit card and add stored value. While you can’t reload individual journeys, you can add money to the card and make it easier to tap in and out of transit.
Since transit is not very expensive in Lisbon, you may not need much money on your card. But it all depends on how much walking you plan to do. I grouped activities in different areas so typically only needed one transit ride there and one return each day.
A Navegante card costs €0.50. Transit rides are €1.85 each. I added €10 to my card when I arrived and it got me through all but my last trip to the airport.
As a comparison a daily pass is over €7 which means you’d need at least 4 journeys a day to make it worth it.
DON’T PAY FOR THE VIEWS IN LISBON
In my opinion there’s no need to pay for the views in Lisbon – the best ones are free anyway. I skipped a ride on the Santa Justa elevator and the Amoreiras 360º Panoramic View at the shopping centre. Instead I just found some incredible viewing areas around the city for free.
While it’s true that the “paid for” views are not as expensive as in many cities (usually only around €5), you can also do well without them. Especially when many of them are shown on Google Maps making it even easier to find.
Be sure to visit Miradoura das Portas do Sol, looking out to the river over the red rooftops of Lisbon. And Miradoura de Senhora do Monte with its views of colorful buildings and the São Jorge Castle high on a hill in the distance. My personal favorite though? An evening sunset from the castle itself which is open until 9pm. Just stunning.
TRY ALL THE PASTEIS DE NATA
Pastéis de nata are Portugal’s iconic custard tarts—crispy, flaky on the outside with a rich, creamy center. Best enjoyed warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon, they’re a must-try treat when visiting the country. I more than ate my fair share when in Portugal – zero regrets.
But trying as many different locations is the only way you can really know which are the best – even though they all claim it. However, this epically fun challenge should always include the original, Pastéis de Belém, near the Jerónimos monastery.
My favorite thing about these delicious pastries? They are so affordable. Usually only around €1.50 in most places.
SEARCH A LITTLE MORE FOR GOOD RESTAURANTS
Avoid restaurants in the squares and next to viewpoints, unless you actually just want to sit and enjoy the view. The prices will be more expensive, and the quality is not as high as in more family run restaurants.
Instead look for those little hidden restaurants down side streets where you’ll find more locals dining out. And a much more authentic Portuguese dining experience of course. Life’s too short for bad food!
One of my top picks in Lisbon with a mix of Portuguese, Brazilian and Italian food: Ponto Com Sabores near Arroios metro station. The owners were really lovely and brought some yummy homemade tapas to start me off.
SIT AND WATCH THE WORLD GO BY
Don’t feel like you need to rush everywhere. People watching is great in Lisbon. Find a bench, a café or a quiet park/garden and soak up the Portuguese sun with a book or a cold drink.
With all the walking you’ll do it’s nice to stop every now and again and take it all in before tackling another hill.
Remove yourself from walking near maniacally driven tuk tuks whizzing around tight corners. Order a glass of wine (or Port, after all this is Portugal) and realize that you’re never going to see everything in one trip so best to just enjoy it.
AVOID BUYING ANTIQUE TILES
They might look pretty but many of these antique tiles you find at flea markets were probably stolen from buildings just to sell. Sad but true, their popularity means people try anything to get hold of them to sell them.
Respect the local culture and just admire these tiles instead of buying them. After all, they’re better enjoyed on the beautiful buildings they were originally fixed to.
Better yet, find somewhere that creates their own unique pieces and support local artists. Azulejo handmade by us is a great example and somewhere you should totally check out.
CROSS WITH CONFIDENCE
The green man at the crosswalk often appears just for show. People will walk wherever there’s a gap in traffic. If you do too, walk with confidence and watch out for bikes and tuk tuks zipping around corners. Waiting for traffic to stop for you though? Well, you could be waiting all day.
As a Brit I have no problem with jaywalking so I felt rather comfortable getting across the street in Lisbon. I had, however, just arrived from Germany where going against the green crosswalk sign is a big faux pas. Rule of thumb: do as the locals do.
RIDING A TRAM IN LISBON ISN’T AS FUN AS IT SEEMS
The highly coveted Tram 28 in Lisbon seems to be on everyone’s Must-Do list. Maybe it’s all about timing, but for me, big queues and no personal space are not my idea of fun. Tram 28 or other local trams, either way you might be standing and that perfect view will be out of reach.
Pictures OF the trams, however, are a much more relaxing option. For those walking along the street, you can probably admit that your pictures of the colorful street trams are much more photogenic than the blurry snaps you might get from onboard.
FIND A REALLY UNIQUE MUSEUM
Lisbon is overflowing with very unique museums. Tiles, water, coaches, you name it, Lisbon has thought of it.
The National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo) is actually one of my favorite museums in the city. The tile designs are so beautiful and creative and the museum gives a lot of backstory of the history of these painted tiles in Portugal. Plus, the space where they are housed is also stunning as it’s a 16th century convent.
Not a traditional museum fan? Head to the QUAKE Museum, a fascinating interactive experience based around the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. See how the city crumbled and was rebuilt after the famous quake. You can even experience an earthquake or two while there.
PLAN AHEAD FOR POPULAR LISBON ATTRACTIONS
Lisbon has no shortage of incredible sights, but many of its top attractions can get crowded—especially during peak travel seasons (spring through early fall).
If you’re hoping to visit famous spots like the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, or São Jorge Castle, it’s smart to book tickets in advance.
Lines at these places can get long, and some even have daily visitor limits. I learned this the hard way at Jerónimos Monastery where even at 9am the lines to get in were insane.
Even if you’re more of a go-with-the-flow traveler, having a few key reservations in place can help you avoid stress and spend more time actually enjoying the city—not standing in queues.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Lisbon Trip With My Top Tips
Lisbon is one of those cities that’s easy to enjoy, even if you don’t have everything planned out. Not to mention just stunning from every one of the many city viewpoints. I definitely spent longer staring out over the city below a lot longer than I intended to.
Even with a more relaxed itinerary, having a few key travel tips for Lisbon in your back pocket can really improve your experience. From figuring out the public transport system to knowing when (and where) to grab a pastel de nata, the little things go a long way here.
Take some time to explore neighborhoods like Alfama or Bairro Alto, decide on a few key activities, and catch the sunset from a miradouro like São Pedro de Alcântara. These simple experiences will end up making your visit to Lisbon truly memorable.
Most of all, don’t try to do it all at once. Lisbon is best enjoyed at a slower pace, where you can stop and take in the views while exploring the city.
I can’t wait to visit Lisbon again, and to travel to other places in Portugal. I fell for the city hard, and wish I’d had more time. But I know I’ll be back, and hopefully soon.
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