Lisbon was the first stop from my Portugal nine day trip, and this would be the first of many visits to this wonderful city. As soon as I got out from the metro in Chiado, I fell in love with it! The colours, the light bathing the atmosphere, the tiles. I think it’s impossible not to love Lisbon. In this post you’ll find everything about Lisbon: what to do and eat, where to stay and how to get around.
Lisbon is one of those cities that instantly makes you feel good. With its hilly cobbled streets, pastel buildings, ceramic tiles, and iconic yellow trams climbing impossibly steep hills, it’s every bit as beautiful as you imagine, and surprisingly affordable compared to other European capitals.
The city mixes old and new effortlessly: ancient cathedrals stand beside trendy rooftop bars, traditional Fado music drifts out of tucked-away taverns just around the corner from minimal art galleries and modern food markets. Lisbon is sunny, friendly, and so easy to love.
LISBON: THE ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Search Skyscanner for the best flight prices into Lisbon. I strongly recommend booking an airport transfer ahead of time too, I used WelcomePickups and it made arriving in Lisbon so much easier.
🚗 Getting Around / Public transport is easy and affordable. You’ll need a Viva Viagem card to ride the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars, grab one at any metro station and load it with zapping credit or a daily pass depending on how much you’ll be moving around. Trams and tuk-tuks are fun, but walking is often the best way to see the old city.
🎟️ Tours / Lisbon is packed with great tours, a few of the most popular and worthwhile:
Lisbon Walking Tour in the Centre
Tram 28 Ticket with Audio Guide
Lost in Alfama Walking Tour
Bairro Alto Pub Crawl
Live Fado Show with Port Wine
🏨 Stay / Lisbon has everything from boutique stays in old palaces to modern hotels with river views:
Dare Lisbon House $
Memmo Alfama Hotel $$
The Ivens Hotel $$$
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Lisbon. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Lisbon Bucket List: Things to Do
1. Start with a Walking Tour
As soon as you get to Lisbon, take a walking tour to get a grasp of what the city has to offer, the main sights, and some insider tips from tour guides who actually live there. It’ll help you organise how you spend the rest of your time in the city, and you can ask all the questions you want.