Lisbon
Between the Tagus, yellow trams, and sun-soaked alleyways: your guide to Lisbon.
Our City Check for Lisbon
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Flair
Hilly streets, stunning viewpoints, and the soulful sound of Fado drifting from open doorways — Lisbon has a charm that's seriously hard to shake.
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Best time to visit
April through October is the sweet spot — warm, sunny days that are perfect for exploring the city on foot.
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How long to stay
Plan at least three to four days. That gives you enough time to wander the neighborhoods and make a proper trip out to Belém.
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Price level
Moderate — and honestly cheaper than most other European capitals. Your money goes further here.
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Food
You absolutely have to try a warm Pastel de Nata fresh from the famous pastry shop in Belém. It's worth the line.
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Getting around
Lisbon is super walkable, and the historic trams are a fun (if slow) way to tackle the hills. Just watch out for pickpockets on the busy tram 28.
FAQ
When is the best time to travel to Lisbon?
You can visit Lisbon year-round. Even on an fall trip or in winter it stays pretty pleasant — temperatures rarely drop below 50°F.
The best months for a city trip to Lisbon are March, April, May, September, and October. The weather is usually perfect during these times, and you’ll avoid the peak-summer crowds and heat.
If we had to pick just one month, we’d go with May — warm, lively, and not yet overwhelmed with tourists.
How expensive is Lisbon?
Portugal uses the euro. Card payment works in most places, but not everywhere — it’s worth having a bit of cash on hand.
We always travel with a travel credit card that lets us withdraw cash worldwide for free. Makes life a lot easier on the road.
Compared to other Western European cities, Lisbon is still a pretty affordable destination — but hotel prices in peak season have climbed noticeably. During spring and fall, expect to pay upwards of 100 euros for a centrally located room.
Day-to-day costs are much more reasonable though. Here’s a quick feel for what things cost:
Main course at a restaurant: 8 – 15 euros
House wine (0.5 l): 2 – 5 euros
Beer (0.5 l): 1.50 – 3 euros
Espresso: 0.60 euros
Metro ticket (1 hr): 1.25 euros
Water at a kiosk (1 l): 1 euro
How much time should I plan for a Lisbon vacation?
Plan for at least three full days to cover the main highlights — and that means being out from morning to evening.
Honestly, you could easily fill a week or more. With extra time you can do day trips to Sintra or Cascais and squeeze in a beach day too — both are seriously worth it.
What language do they speak in Lisbon?
The official language is Portuguese — not Spanish. Locals really don’t appreciate the mix-up, so it’s worth keeping that in mind.
The language has a completely unique sound — kind of a blend of Southern and Eastern European influences that doesn’t sound quite like anything else.
Younger Lisboetas generally speak excellent English, so getting around is easy. That said, making the effort to learn a few words in Portuguese always goes down well. Here are the most useful ones:
Hello – Olá
Good morning – Bom dia
Good afternoon – Boa tarde
Bye – Tchau
Yes – Sim
No – Não
Thank you – Obrigado / Obrigada (men say Obrigado, women say Obrigada)
Please / You’re welcome – De nada
Cheers – Saúde
One – Um
Two – Dois
Three – Três
Four – Quatro
Want more? There’s a handy reference here: Travel Vocabulary Portugal.
What should I pack for a Lisbon vacation?
You don’t need any special gear for Lisbon. Standard European two-pin plugs work fine, so no adapter needed.
That said, pack a sweater and a light, windproof jacket regardless of the season. Daytime can be warm and sunny, but evenings — especially in spring — get noticeably cooler.
The single most important thing to bring? Really comfortable shoes. Lisbon is built on seven hills, and you’ll be walking steeply up and down constantly. Blisters will ruin your trip faster than anything else.
For more ideas on what to bring, check out our full City Trip Packing List.
