Lisbon is Portugal's coastal capital city, it is honestly one of my favourite cities to visit. Lisbon became very popular in recent years, and the reason for that are its authentic trams, its beautiful architecture, and its charming streets. A 3 days trip to Lisbon would be good enough to explore the city, you can of course stay more than that but 3 would be the minimum number of days to be able to explore the city of Lisbon.
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lisbon
1. It Is A Budget Friendly Destination
Portugal is a great destination if you are looking for a budget friendly destination. Portugal has been named one of the bets budget friendly destinations in Europe, and since it is a country rich is history, you will enjoy your trip to Lisbon and all the history for half the price!
2. Amazing Day Trips
You can go on many day trips from Lisbon, which is a great way to explore more than just the city. You can visit towns like Sintra, Cascais, Évora, or locations such as Palácio Nacional de Queluz, Batalha, Santuário de Fátima, Mosteiro Pálacio Nacional de Mafra, Costa da Caparica, Serra da Arrábida and many more. The point is that there are endless locations you can visit for Lisbon.
3. Historical Charm & Modernity
Lisbon is a city that balanced between its historical charm and modernity, for history lovers this is a great destination since it is the second oldest capital in Europe, but then at the same time you will be able to see the modern architecture in the infrastructure, the colourful houses, and beautiful tiles everywhere you go.
4. Stunning Beaches
You can easily reach a lot of stunning beaches from Lisbon , there are about 5 sand beaches within a short distance from the city. Just get to the main terminal in Cais do Sodré, and the railway trains will take you along the shimmering Oeiras, Estoril & Cascais coast, and fun activities such as sailing, kayaking, paddling, surfing will be waiting for you.
5. Amazing Cuisine
I always keep saying this, but in my opinion one of the best ways to get to know the culture more is through FOOD! Trying new dishes is a great thing about traveling, and you should be doing it. And since Lisbon is the capital, then you will find a variety of restaurants that offer a lot of delicious and authentic Portuguese dishes.
6. Amazing Viewpoints
The hills is Lisbon offer great views to the city, you have spots such as Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia. Miradouros in Portuguese means Viewpoints, the Alfama area has a lot of viewpoints that are really close to each other. You also have the Castle of S. Jorge which is located in the Alfama area as well, and it offers a 360 view of Lisbon as it is located on the highest hill.
7. Safe For Solo Travellers
Lisbon is a safe city with a low crime rate, and it is already famous for being a family and children friendly, so it is no wonder that it’s a safe destination for solo travellers. The society is friendly, welcoming, and tolerant, and I felt completely safe when I was travelling there.
8. The Nightlife
Portuguese people know how to party really well, the nightlife in Portugal lasts until the morning. You will find a lot of street bars especially in Lisbon as well as a lot of nightclubs especially in Vilamoura.
9. Its Amazing People
Portuguese people are so friendly, kind, and warm. The hospitality of the locals in Portugal is incredible, people will always be happy to help, they will make sure you eat well, and they will make sure you have fun and enjoy your stay there.
10. The Weather
Portugal has nearly perfect temperatures nearly all year round, it is not too hot during the summer and also not that cold during the winter.
What To Do Before Travelling To Portugal
🪪 Get Your Visa
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📱 Buy A Travel SIM-Card
Stay connected easily with Airalo SIM-card. Activate one before your trip and enjoy hassle-free communication during your time in Portugal!
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🔒 Choose Insurance
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How To Get To Lisbon
Direct flights to Lisbon are available from all over Europe as well as the rest of the world, Lisbon’s International Airport is easy to reach from all over the world, so you won’t struggle to find flights. Lisbon is easy to reach for international travellers so you won’t have to worry. You can use WayAway to find cheap flights.
You can also easily get there by train or buses, and I like to use Omio to book both of these whenever I am travelling in Europe.
How To Move Around Lisbon
When it comes to getting around Lisbon, public transportation such as the bus, the metro, and the train are available all over Lisbon, you can get a reusable paper VivaViagem card at a station and then top it up for every trip and it can be used through the entire city. It is also better to get a transportation when going uphill and then walk downhill to enjoy the city. Uber and Taxify are also a great option and not expensive, but public transportation is cheaper. Scooters are also available through apps such as Lime, Tier, or Wind and they are a quick way to get around the city, but you have to be 18 or older to use them.
Best Time to Visit Lisbon
The best times to travel Lisbon would be between September and November, or March and May. During these two periods the weather is nice and cool, and it is going to be less crowded compared to other times. High seasons months are July and August, which means the streets are much more crowded than usual and the accommodation prices are higher as well. If you are a fan of festival, then June is the month for you. June is the month of festivals in Lisbon so it would be a perfect time to visit.
Accommodations In Lisbon
The best neighbourhoods to stay in are Barrio Alto and Alfama when it comes to the old town, or Baixa and Chiado when it comes to the centre. The old town is quieter the entire day in comparison to the centre but is more hilly.
You can book your accommodation through Booking.com, which is the one I use the most, or if you wan to stay in a hostel you can book through HostelWorld. You can also use Agoda, Trivago, or Vrbo to book your accommodations. I know most people have a favourite website or app to use, so just choose what you prefer best.
Best Cafes & Restaurants In Lisbon
Organi Chiado (Gluten-free options, vegan friendly, Mediterranean)
Yallah Lisboa (Vegan friendly, Middle Eastern cuisine)
Focaccia In Giro (Vegan friendly, Italian cuisine)
Scoop 'N Dough (Vegan friendly, American & International, best doughnuts & ice cream)
Eight The Health Lounge (Gluten-free options, vegan friendly, European)
If you wan to find more cafes & restaurants to try, then you can do so through TripAdvisor.