5 Tips For First Timer's To Lisbon, Portugal

 

With a castle-topped hill, lively grand squares, brightly tiled buildings, and endless views, Lisbon is a bustling wonder.  My first time in the colourful  Portuguese capital was a delightful whirlwind that left me longing for more.

Lisbon has been changing over the past 10 years.  Once the Portuguese capital was a European bargain, but the word has gotten out, and Lisbon is as expensive as Rome, Barcelona or Paris. The recent increase in tourism and expats moving to Portugal has caused a lot of growing pains for Lisboetas, driving up housing prices and pushing locals out of the city.  There are still some authentic slices of Lisbon culture to be enjoyed if you know where to look.

For a first-time visit to Lisbon, I recommend at least a 3-night stay; 5 nights would be ideal if you have the time. International travellers will most likely arrive at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.  It's a bustling hub about a 15-20 minute ride from the downtown area. In the arrivals hall, right after you clear customs, there is a tourist information center where you can grab some maps, purchase a LISBOA card, and get up-to-date information that may not be in a guidebook or on any tourist websites.  

TIP #1 THE LISBOA CARD is an all-in-one attraction/transportation card that allows you to use all public transport, like subway, buses, trams, funiculars and even trains, as well as entry into 51 museums and monuments.  The LISBOA card is available in 24 hours for 31€, 48 hours for 51€  and 72 hours for 62€ validity windows. I purchased a 72-hour LISBOA card that lasted the duration of my stay. The card ended up saving me a lot of time, money and hassle of buying a separate public transit card. Many museums let you skip the ticket lines with the LISBOA card, which can save you hours.  The LISBOA card is valid from the first time it is used to enter an attraction or public transportation.  

BE AWARE: MOST ATTRACTIONS IN LISBON ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS!

TIP #2 GETTING AROUND LISBON  I found the best way to get from the airport to central Lisbon is the subway. In 2026, the cost was €1.90 plus a €.50 for the reloadable Navegante card that allows you to zap on and off the public transport.  I used my LISBOA card, which I purchased at the airport when I landed. There are only 4 metro lines that service Lisbon, making it simple to navigate the city, and it only took me 30 minutes during morning rush hour to get to my accommodation.  Taxis are expensive during rush hour, and yes, you can get ripped off easily. It costs about €20 to get from the airport to central Lisbon.  There are also two popular ride-share apps in Portugal: Uber and BOLT.  Bolt is cheaper and more popular than taxis or even Uber, and even delivers food.  For example, it only cost me €8 to get back to the airport when it was time to leave Lisbon.  That's less than half the price of a taxi! 

For all things transportation in Lisbon, there is a really helpful YouTube channel called: "ROAD TRIP SPAIN & PORTUGAL"  linked: HERE 

Tip #3 CHOOSE FOOTWARE WISELY  Like Rome, Lisbon is known as "The City of the Seven Hills," but unlike Rome, these hills are incredibly steep and will leave your calves burning! Be aware that the danger levels increase for slips when the beautiful polished white Limestone and black Basalt cobblestones called calçada become wet with rain or humidity, they turn incredibly slick. Look for Escadinhas da Saúde, which are outdoor public escalators. You can even set your route navigation in Google Maps to wheelchair accessible in your route options, to show you a route using escalators, funiculars and elevators that are sometimes located inside public buildings.  A fun way to take a break from walking is to ride one of the vintage trams back to your accommodations.  If you want to ride the iconic Tram 28, do so early in the day or not at all.  The lines of tourists trying to cram like Portuguese sardines into the tram are not a fun experience.

    

  

TIP #4 GET LOST IN ALFAMA & MOURARIA       These two districts are the oldest areas of  Lisbon that survived the 1755 earthquake.  I stayed at an Airbnb in the Alfama district of Lisbon, so I could explore the Medieval charm and narrow pedestrian streets in the evening after a day of sightseeing.  There are many authentic traditional restaurants called Tasca's in this area.  Lisbon's Castelo São Jorge was a short walk away through the maze-like streets. Arriving in Lisbon on a Monday morning, most attractions covered by the Lisboa Card are CLOSED.  São Jorge Castle is open 7 days a week from 9 am-9 pm, and has some of the most fantastic views of the city.  

Alfama is also the home of Fado music, a traditional folk blues that is usually performed in restaurants and bars.   I went to Alfama Grill that had wonderful Fado singing starting around 6-7 pm.  If you are interested in the tradition of Fado, don't miss the Museum of Fado: museudofado.pt

Tip #5 ADJUST YOUR EATING TIMES Breakfast in Portugal is quick and light. Your traditional egg custard tarts, called pastéis de nata, are enjoyed with your coffee and later as a snack (lanche) in the afternoon around 4 pm.  Lunch is between 12:30 and 3 pm, often a quick hot pork sandwich on a crusty roll called a bifana that people line up for at a lunch counter.  Dinner is usually at night between 8 and 10 pm, which can be late for many North Americans.  The waiter will bring the table an appetizer called a couvert.  This is not free and will be added to your bill if you do not tell your waiter no thank you.  Dinner in Lisbon is a hearty, relaxed affair when you can linger over delicious house wine and grilled seafood. The menu will always have bacalhau or cod and sardine dishes that are staples in all Lisbon restaurants.

Stay tuned for more practical planning advice for Lisbon and the rest of Portugal!

 I hope these tips have been helpful in planning your first trip to the radiant city of Lisbon.  If you would like to add a tip for folks, please leave them in the comments below.

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Spring Road Trip Through Portugal

 

Lisbon has captivated me since the 2020 pandemic, when my world of travel was confined to books, Instagram posts and my laptop. The more I uncovered about Portugal's abundance of history, vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty beyond Lisbon, the stronger the call to explore this wonderful country became.  2026 was the time to finally answer that call.

Since this was my first visit to Portugal, I wanted to experience as many regions of this beautiful country as possible. I aimed to strike a balance between the excitement of big cities, inspiring historical sites, quaint country villages, and seaside relaxation, all of which would give me a taste of authentic Portugal. However, my dilemma was that I wanted to see it all!

I invested a lot of time into planning my itinerary, leaving little room for flexibility or spontaneous adventures, which is not typical of my "Slow Travel" style. I wanted to explore more of Portugal beyond the popular destinations of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. As I researched my options, I felt overwhelmed by the choices between historical sites like castles, monasteries, and palaces.  Not to mention so many charming villages and natural parks. Ultimately, I decided to create one large circular route that would start and end in Lisbon, heading northward to explore the diverse regions.

The adventure begins in Lisbon, where I spend four days exploring the city and take a side day-trip to romantic Sintra.  Then I pick up a car at the airport and head to the Central Coast surf mecca of Nazaré for some chill time, stopping in the medieval village of Óbidos.  From Nazaré, there are some awe-inspiring historical sights to visit all within a thirty-minute drive: Tomar, Batalha and Alcobaca.

Heading North again, I made a stop in the historic University town of Coimbra for one night before arriving in Portugal's second largest city, Porto.

After spending two nights in the vibrant city of Porto, I headed inland along the Douro River to explore Portugal's most famous wine region.  Pinhão was my base for exploring the Douro River region by boat and a nearby village, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, for an archeological safari.

This is where I started to head south from the Duoro valley, to the Beira Baixa district, into the Serra da Estrella mountain range.  Perched on top of a granite mountain, my next stop is the magical village of Monsanto.

Continuing my journey South into the Alentejo region, I spend a night wandering the whitewashed streets of Évora, taking in the magnificent Roman sights. Nearby, an ancient stone circle on the outskirts of the city begs to be explored.

 

For the last portion of my trip to Portugal, I head to the country's southern coast, spending four days in the Algarve region. Based out of the charming small town of Carvoeiro, I explore the Seven Valley Hiking Trail and the famous Benagil sea caves.  

A trip to the Algarve's South Coast wouldn't be complete without a visit to what was once considered the "End of the World" of Cape Sagres, now a modern surfer haven.  

The journey concludes with returning the rental car to the Lisbon airport and spending my last night in the Olivais district of Lisbon.

Have you experienced the wonders of Portugal? I’d love to hear all about your adventures! Share in the comments what captivated you the most during your trip and your top “must-see” spots for our epic Portuguese road trip! Let's uncover the gems of this beautiful country together!

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