Know the hills and wear the right shoes
Lisbon is built on hills, and many streets are steep. Much of the old city is paved with small limestone cobbles, which can be slippery, especially when wet. Comfortable shoes with good grip make a real difference. Plan your route so you go downhill where you can, and use trams, funiculars, lifts and taxis for the steepest stretches.
Getting around
- On foot: the central neighborhoods are walkable, with the hills as the main challenge.
- Metro: simple and useful for longer hops across the city.
- Buses and trams: cover areas the metro does not.
- Ride-hailing and taxis: apps such as Uber and Bolt are widely used in Lisbon and are handy for hills and late evenings. More tools are in our apps for international travel guide.
- Trains: suburban lines go to Belem, Cascais and Sintra.
A rental car is rarely worth it in the city itself: streets are narrow and parking is difficult. If you plan to explore elsewhere in the Iberian peninsula by road, see our guide to travel in Spain by car, and pick up the car on the day you leave.
A rechargeable transport card, often called Viva Viagem, is commonly used for public transport. Check the current options at metro stations.
Trams: a better way to do it
Tram 28 is the best-known route, and it is often crowded, so expect long waits and tight conditions. Many visitors choose another historic line, such as Tram 12, for a similar experience with typically smaller crowds, or simply walk the same neighborhoods. If you do ride Tram 28, be mindful of your belongings, as crowded trams attract pickpockets.
Neighborhoods
- Baixa: the flat, grid-like downtown near the river.
- Alfama: the old, maze-like district below the castle. It has viewpoints, fado venues and steep lanes.
- Bairro Alto and Chiado: shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
- Belem: monuments, museums and the famous custard tarts, usually reached by tram or train.
- LX Factory and Alcantara: a converted industrial area with shops, cafes and creative spaces.
Viewpoints, called miradouros, are a Lisbon highlight. Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol and Graca are often recommended for sunrise or sunset.
Food and the couvert
Lisbon has excellent food, and it is generally easy to eat well without paying tourist-trap prices if you step off the main squares. Try pasteis de nata (custard tarts), grilled fish, and bacalhau dishes. Ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur, is a local drink sold in small bars.
Be aware of the couvert. In many restaurants, bread, olives, butter or cheese are placed on the table without you asking. They are not free, and you will be charged for whatever you eat or touch. You can politely decline and send them back. Dinner is typically eaten later than in northern Europe, and booking ahead is wise for popular places and weekends.
Do you need to tip in Lisbon?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory, and service charges are usually not added to the bill. Many people round up or leave a small amount, often in the region of 5 to 10 percent at a sit-down restaurant, if the service was good. For coffee or a quick bite, leaving small change is common. Taxi drivers are usually tipped by rounding up. These are customs rather than fixed rules, so use your judgment.
Is Lisbon cheap?
Compared with many Western European capitals, Lisbon has often been considered good value, particularly for food, drink and public transport. Prices have risen in recent years, especially for accommodation in the center, and tourist areas cost more than neighborhood spots. Eating where locals do, choosing the daily set lunch (prato do dia) and walking rather than taking taxis all help keep costs down. Our student travel destinations guide lists Portugal among lower-cost options. Cards are widely accepted, but small cafes and market vendors may prefer cash, so carry a little.
Entry for visitors from the US and elsewhere
Portugal is part of the Schengen Area. Visitors from the United States have generally been able to enter for short tourist stays without a visa, and Portugal is regarded as a welcoming destination for visitors. Entry rules, including any new travel authorization systems for visa-exempt travelers, can change, so check official government sources before you travel and make sure your passport has enough validity. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and a few Portuguese words such as “obrigado” (thank you, said by men) and “obrigada” (said by women) are appreciated.
Day trips
- Sintra: palaces, gardens and forested hills, about 40 minutes away by train. It is popular, so go early and plan your visits to a few sights rather than trying to see everything. Buses and walking involve hills.
- Cascais: a coastal town reachable by train along the coast, with beaches and promenades.
- Belem: really a part of Lisbon itself, but worth a half-day by itself.
- Beaches and Arrabida: reachable with a rental car or tours.
If you want to continue north, see top places to visit in Porto, and to combine Portugal with Spain, our south of Spain travel guide covers Seville and Andalusia.
Safety and practical tips
Lisbon is generally considered a safe city, but petty theft, especially pickpocketing in crowded places and on trams, does occur. Keep valuables secure. Be cautious about street offers in tourist areas. Take extra care on slippery pavements, and carry water in summer. Many museums close on Mondays, so check opening days before building your itinerary. If you are traveling alone, see best places to solo travel in Europe, which includes Lisbon.