Plan your trip to Lisbon, Portugal with this city guide! Find out what to do in Lisbon, where to stay and eat, how to get around the city, and discover cool places to add to your itinerary!
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Lisbon, Portugal has become a tourist hotspot in recent years. It seems to be on everyone’s wander-list, and for good reason! It’s a beautiful city, it’s filled with history, and it’s got great food. Three things that make a traveler’s dreams.
With cities like this that catch the tourist trend, it’s important to know what to expect when visiting. There will be huge crowds during the high season (summer), and there are tons of tourist areas that can feel overwhelming.
But just because Lisbon attracts crowds doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. There’s so much to see and appreciate, and it’s a great place to explore. Just be mindful of your impact as a visitor, treat the city well, and enjoy your time in Lisbon.
I spent 2 months in Portugal, the majority of that time solely in Lisbon. This gave me ample time to explore the city and find the best spots to visit and things to do.
Here is the official Travel Daze Guide to Lisbon: What to Do and See, Where to Stay, Where to Eat, How to Get Around, Cool Spots, and more.
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Lisbon, Portugal Travel Guide
Quick Look
- What to Know
- How to Get There
- Where to Stay
- What to Do & See
- Where to Eat
- Blog Posts
- Book Your Trip
Get inspiration and plan your trip to Lisbon with my Lisbon Travel Guide!
Read the full guide or use the list to the left to find what you’re looking for.
Be sure to read the rest of my Lisbon blog posts when you’re done for more ideas & info.
What to Know About Lisbon
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- Location: Lisbon is located in the country of Portugal, in Western Europe. The city is on the Tagus River in the Western region of the country. It’s a short ways from the Atlantic coast and a couple of hours from the Spanish border.
- Population: The greater Lisbon region is home to about 3 million people, with 500,000 within the main city limits.
- Language: Portuguese. (Note – Many people in the tourist sector will speak some English, and within the city, it’s common to find people who speak English. It’s pretty easy to visit Lisbon for a short period with just English, however, don’t expect locals to speak English.)
- Climate: Lisbon has warm, sunny summers, and mild, rainy winters. Overall temperatures are mild through the year, but sunny dry days can feel hot.
- Currency: Euro
- Visa: Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, so citizens of U.S., Canada, and Australia can enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days. Citizens of other Schengen Area countries can enter without a visa. (For passport holders from other countries, please check your country’s visa requirements.)
- Money: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Lisbon, especially at tourist-focused establishments. However, it’s advisable to carry small amounts of cash, since some places don’t accept cards.
- ATM: The main ATMs around Lisbon are called Multibanco. You can use these machines to withdraw cash from your bank account, or to top up your Viva viagem cards (public transport cards).
- Driving: Vehicles drive on the right side of the road in Portugal. Roads in Lisbon’s historic city center are very hilly and winding, and are often cobblestone. This makes it difficult to drive through the city as a tourist who doesn’t know the roads. But outside of the city center, roads are much easier to drive on and navigate.
Read: Top Tips for Visiting Lisbon
How to Get to Lisbon
Lisbon’s main airport is Humberto Delgado Airport. It’s an international airport with direct flights from other major airports throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The airport is located very close to the city center, about 7 km away.
I don’t recommend renting a car for your stay in Lisbon, so the easiest way to get to the city from the airport is public transport or ride shares.
Ride Share
There is a rideshare pick-up area outside of Terminal 2. Just request a ride through the Uber app and be sure to head to the parking area across from the entrance. Drivers will be waiting in a parked area for passengers (they are not allowed to pick you up from the main pick up lane).
Metro
There is a metro station at the airport that will take you straight to the city center.
You will need to purchase a Viva viagem card (.50 euros) and purchase a single fare (~1.45). This card can be topped up and used for public transport during your stay in Lisbon.
Other Options
You can also take a taxi, bus, or shuttle. Click here for more details on those options from the airport website.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Whether you’re looking for a hotel, a hostel, an Airbnb, or something more unique, here are my top recommendations on where to stay in Lisbon, and which neighborhoods are best.
Neighborhoods
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- Cais do Sodre
- Chiado-Baixa
- Principe Real
- Alfama
- Belem
Accommodation
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Outsite Lisbon // Cais do Sodre
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Hotel Star Inn // Airport
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Airbnb // Everywhere
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Selina Secret Garden // Cais do Sodre
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Dear Lisbon Houses // Multiple Locations
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Inn Possible Lisbon Hostel
What To Do & See in Lisbon
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There are so many things to do in Lisbon, so you can easily plan your trip based on your own interests. No two trips have to be the same! The city is filled with historical sites and beautiful architecture, but there are also lots of museums, gardens, and cool places to check out.
Here are my top recommendations for things to do and places to go!
Top 10 Things to Do
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Eat at Time Out Market
- Explore Belem
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Museum of Art, Architecture, & Technology (MAAT)
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Castelo de S. Jorge
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Day trip to Cascais
- Sintra Palaces
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Eat Pastel de Nata
- View the City from the Miradouros
- See Carmo Convent
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National Museum of the Azulejo
Cool Places
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Embaixada
- Livraria Bertrand
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LX Factory
- Praca do Comercio
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A Vida Portuguesa
- Campo de Ourique Market
- Parque Eduardo VII
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Gulbenkian Museum & Gardens
Where to Eat in Lisbon
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Lisbon is a foodie’s paradise! Between the fresh seafood, the traditional Portuguese cuisine, the famous pastel de nata, and the abundance of restaurants filling the city, you won’t have any trouble finding a place to eat. And I can’t forget to mention the amazing coffee scene!
I’ve created restaurant and coffee guides to help you find my favorite places. Below is a quick list of my top recommendations, but you can click on the button to read the full guides.
Restaurants
Coffee Shops
More From Lisbon
Art, Food, & Fun at the LX Factory
Time Out Market Lisboa
Lisbon Airbnb Review
Embaixada
Book Your Trip to Lisbon
Read to book your trip to Lisbon, Portugal? Here are my preferred booking platforms for accommodation, flights, travel insurance, and more!
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- Book Flights: Skyscanner, Kayak
- Book Accommodation: Booking.com (Hotels), Hostel World (Hostels), Airbnb (Rentals)
- Book Tours: Airbnb Experiences, Viator
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