Lisbon, Portugal - Travel Guide

Lisbon offers a captivating blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy, with its iconic yellow trams, Fado music, delicious pastries, and stunning viewpoints over the Tagus River. Its hilly streets and colorful azulejo tiles create a unique and picturesque atmosphere.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$500/day

Known For

LisboaPortugalEuropeTagus RiverSintraCascaisBairro AltoAlfamaJerónimos MonasteryBelém Tower

🇵🇹 Country Information: Portugal

CapitalLisbon

CurrencyEuro (€)

LanguagePortuguese , English (widely understood in tourist areas), French, Spanish

Phone Code+351

Electricity230V (Type C, F)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary but not mandatory in restaurants (5
10% is common for good service, round up or leave a few euros)
Tipping taxi drivers is not expected but rounding up the fare is appreciated
Tipping for hotel staff (porters, housekeepers) is appreciated (1
2 euros)
Tipping for tour guides is optional but welcomed (5
10 euros)

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas; check with your bank for fees
Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa and Mastercard, though some smaller establishments might be cash
only
It's advisable to carry some cash for small purchases, particularly outside major cities
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Punctuality is appreciated but a few minutes late is generally acceptable socially
Dress code is generally casual but smart
casual for dining out or formal events
Greet people with a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks (among friends/family)
Eating customs include waiting to be seated in restaurants and using cutlery

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Portugal is considered very LGBTQ+ friendly with comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, same-sex marriage, and adoption rights.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Public consumption of alcohol is generally allowed but excessive public drunkenness is frowned upon
Drug possession for personal use has been decriminalized, focusing on treatment rather than punishment, but trafficking remains illegal

Special Laws

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0
05% or higher
Jaywalking is technically illegal, although often overlooked
Fines for littering can be significant

Common Phrases

NoNão (nowng) Não

YesSim (seeng) Sim

HelloOlá (oh-LAH) Olá

PleasePor favor (poor fah-VOR) Por favor

GoodbyeAdeus (ah-DEH-oos) Adeus

Excuse meCom licença (kong lee-SEN-sah) Com licença

Thank youObrigado (male speaker) / Obrigada (female speaker) (oh-bree-GAH-doo/dah) Obrigado/Obrigada

Climate

Climate Zone: Mediterranean

Best Time to Visit

Lisbon has hot, dry summers (Jun
Aug) and mild, wet winters (Dec
Feb)
Flooding can occur in the winter months, particularly Dec
Feb, due to heavy rainfall
Earthquakes are possible in Portugal, though severe ones are rare

Getting There

Fly into Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
Major hub with flights from most European and international cities
Trains and buses connect Lisbon to other major European cities and within Portugal

Getting Around

Lisbon Metro (subway), trams (including the historic Tram 28), buses, and funiculars (elevators) are widely available
Ride
sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are readily available

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended (MMR, DTP, Chickenpox, Polio)
No specific additional vaccines required for most travelers
Consult a doctor for personal health needs

Staying Connected

eSIMs are widely available through major Portuguese providers like Vodafone, MEO, and NOS
International eSIM providers like Airalo and Nomad also work well

Local Cuisine

Pastel de Nata must_try

A classic Portuguese egg custard tart. It features a flaky, crisp pastry crust filled with a creamy, sweet custard that is caramelized on top. Often e

Bifana street_food

A popular Portuguese sandwich made with thinly sliced pork cutlets marinated in white wine, garlic, and sometimes paprika. The marinated pork is serve

Bacalhau à Brás regional_speciality

One of the thousands of ways to prepare codfish (bacalhau), this dish consists of shredded codfish mixed with thinly chopped fried potatoes, onions, a

Ginjinha alcohol

A sweet Portuguese cherry liqueur, often served in tiny glasses or small edible chocolate cups. It is a traditional drink frequently found at small ho

Sardinhas Assadas seasonal

Grilled sardines, a staple of Portuguese seafood, especially popular during the summer festivities in June, such as the Feast of Saint Anthony in Lisb

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Accommodation (City Center/Coastal) Accommodation

Book 9–12 months in advance

The best accommodation, especially in central areas of Lisbon or on the coast, sells out quickly, particularly during peak summer months and festivals.

Rental Car (Especially Automatic Transmission) Transport

Book at least 6 months in advance

Car hire prices rise significantly closer to travel, and the limited supply of automatic transmission vehicles sells out many months ahead, particularly for summer travel.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Accommodation (Rural/Interior Portugal) Accommodation

Book 4–6 months in advance

While less competitive than the city, charming rural stays have limited capacity and book up during the high season.

Private/Customized Tours (Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais) tour_or_activity

Book 3–6 months in advance

Advance reservation secures availability, especially for popular day trips like Sintra and Cascais, which often include transport and skip-the-line benefits.

Popular Train Routes (e.g., Lisbon-Porto Alfa Pendular) Transport

Book 30–60 days in advance

Booking high-speed train tickets like the Alfa Pendular well in advance often yields the best fares and ensures a seat on preferred travel times.

Fun Facts

1. Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, predating European capitals like Rome, with only Athens being verifiably older.
2. Despite functioning as the capital since 1255, there is currently no official documentation declaring Lisbon as the capital of Portugal.
3. The 25th of April Bridge in Lisbon, which resembles the Golden Gate Bridge, was designed by the same company responsible for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
4. The Church of São Roque, the first Jesuit church in Portugal, contains what is often considered the most expensive chapel in the world, adorned with gold and elaborate Baroque architecture.

Ready to explore Lisbon?

Create a personalized day-by-day itinerary with AI

Start Planning Your Trip