Skip to content
Pack & Quest

Cities

Free city map
Terracotta rooftops of Lisbon stretching down to the Tagus river

Your mission starts here

Lisbon travel guide

Seven hills, yellow trams and custard tarts worth the climb.

Best things to do

Photo: Dale Cruse - 10M views from San Francisco, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Lisbon is a city of viewpoints: every hill you climb pays you back with a miradouro, a tiny café or a view over the Tagus. Wear shoes with grip (the cobbles are polished smooth), plan Belém and Sintra as half or full days, and leave your evenings free for fado in Alfama.

Plan your Lisbon trip

Best things to do in Lisbon →

10 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.

Lisbon City Quest →

A printable self-guided treasure hunt.

Lisbon quick facts

Best time to visit
March–June and September–October: warm, sunny and less crowded than July–August.
Money
Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Keep a little cash for small cafés.
Airports
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), very close to the city.
Airport to city
The Metro Red Line starts at the airport; change lines for the centre. Taxis and ride-hailing are also quick. Check current fares.
Getting around
Walk, metro, trams and funiculars. A rechargeable transport card sold at metro stations saves time at the ticket machines.
Budget
Often better value than other Western European capitals, but central hotels can be pricey in summer. Compare live prices.
Language
Portuguese. English is common in tourist areas.
Plugs
Type C/F, 230 V.

Only have one day? Do these three

  1. Alfama & a fado night

    Stop 1

    Alfama & a fado night

    Half a day + an evening

  2. Castelo de São Jorge

    Stop 2

    Castelo de São Jorge

    1.5 hours

  3. Belém Tower

    Stop 3

    Belém Tower

    1 hour

Top things to do in Lisbon

1 2 3 4 5 6 Loading map… · tap a pin for Google Maps
Top sights in Lisbon: tap a number to open it in Google Maps.
  1. 1. Belém Tower · Paid to go inside
  2. 2. Jerónimos Monastery & pastéis de Belém · Church free
  3. 3. Tram 28 · Paid fare
  4. 4. Alfama & a fado night · Free to wander
  5. 5. Castelo de São Jorge · Paid
  6. 6. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte · Free
See all 10 things to do

Watch: Lisbon in one video

Video coming soon

Our walk-through of Lisbon is in production. See all videos.

Turn sightseeing into a game

Lisbon City Quest

Follow 12 quest stops from Praça do Comércio up through Alfama, past the Sé, the miradouros and the Castelo de São Jorge to the Fado Museum, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.

Get the quest

Lisbon FAQ

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

Three days covers Alfama, the castle, Baixa and Chiado, plus Belém. Add a fourth for Sintra.

Is Tram 28 worth it?

Yes for the experience, if you get a seat. Board early at Martim Moniz, and keep your bags in front of you. If the queue is huge, walk the route or ride another historic tram line.

Is Lisbon walkable?

Yes, but it is very hilly and the cobbles can be slippery. Use trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa lift to save your legs.

More cities to explore

Lower Manhattan skyline seen across the East River from Brooklyn

United States

New York

Skyline missions, free ferries and the world’s best people-watching.

Explore New York →

 Gabled canal houses and a bridge over an Amsterdam canal

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Canal-side clues, world-class museums and free ferries across the IJ.

Explore Amsterdam →

 View over Barcelona towards the Sagrada Família

Spain

Barcelona

Gaudí puzzles, Gothic lanes and a beach at the end of the metro.

Explore Barcelona →