Legend has it that Lisbon was founded by Ulysses himself, after he got lost trying to find his way home from the Trojan War. Fortunately, he didn't encounter any Sirens on his way to Lisbon, but he did discover a city with a rich history and a great port for ships to dock.
From then on, Lisbon became a hub for trade and exploration during the Age of Discovery, with Portuguese sailors setting sail to find new lands and spices.
Later on, Lisbon was rocked by a devastating earthquake, but the city bounced back with the help of some savvy urban planning and a few tons of cement. Today, Lisbon is a thriving city with something for everyone, from historic landmarks to trendy bars and restaurants.
And if you're ever lost in Lisbon, just remember: Ulysses did it too.
💬 Language
Most people speak Portuguese as their first language, although many locals also speak English, especially in tourist areas.
💸 Currency
Euro (EUR)
✈️ Main Airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
🗓️ Best time to visit
April-June or September-November
⏰ Recommended stay
3-4+ days
🤑 Average Daily Cost Per Person
$114 (€105) per day
💰 Tipping
A common practice is to leave a tip of around 5-10% of the total bill. Make sure to check if a service charge has already been included in the bill. If it has, leaving an additional tip is not necessary.
🚂 Recommended transportation
Take the metro, the tram, or walk. Lisbon has a modern and efficient metro system that connects the city's main areas and its famous yellow trams are a fun and scenic way to explore the city. Tram 28 is a popular route that takes you through some of the city's most historic neighborhoods.
🦺 Safety
Lisbon is generally safe for tourists, but it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure safety, such as keeping valuables secure, using licensed transportation, avoiding poorly lit areas and alleyways, and staying informed about the current safety situation.
Day 1
Half Day Food Tour and Wandering around the City
Start the day by exploring some of my favorite parts of the city on your own. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes because the city is incredibly hilly!
You can also get familiar with Lisbon through a food tour. Here are some of my favorite options!
Day 2
Day Trip to Sintra
Sintra is like a fairytale land come to life, with its whimsical palaces and enchanting gardens. It's no wonder that even the Portuguese royal family chose to spend their summers here.
It's located further inland, 45 minutes from Lisbon. You can either go there by yourself by taking the train from the Rossio Station (you can buy tickets onsite and there's a train every 30-45 min). However, be mindful that you will still be doing a lot of walking once in Sintra.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour. Here are some of my favorites!
Day 3
Belem
Belém is the land of pastries and monuments right next door to Lisbon. It's a place where you can indulge in sweet treats while gazing at historical wonders. It's like having your cake and eating it too, while also getting a dose of culture and history.
I would recommend to start today by visiting the Quake Experience where you can learn about the 1755 earthquake that changed the city forever.
Afterwards, I would continue strolling down to Belem. Here are some of my favorite places to visit.
**TIP: Try not to visit Belem on a Monday as you will find many of the locations are closed.
You can also take a tour if you would prefer a guided experience.
For your last evening in Lisbon, I would recommend to experience some Fado. Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics often expressing a sense of longing, nostalgia, or sadness.
Here are two of my favorite spots.
Hotel Recommendations
Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
For more restaurant recommendations, feel free to head to my blog.
Have fun!
You're going to have a wonderful time in Lisbon! Make sure to follow me at @mazepa.travel on Instagram or @mazepatravel on TikTok. I would love to see pictures of your travels!
**Disclosure: this guide may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link at no cost to you.
Other Guides
Feeling like you want to explore more?
Perhaps you're reading this guide and thinking to yourself:
👉 This is nice to see, but it doesn't quite fit what I need for my trip.
👉 I also want to see other cities.
👉 This was helpful but I don't want the headache of booking all the guides, drivers, hotels, train tickets, etc.
I got you! I've been working in the luxury travel industry for 10 years and have been a Morocco, Spain and Portugal expert for 5 of them.
Check out my other services!
Legend has it that Lisbon was founded by Ulysses himself, after he got lost trying to find his way home from the Trojan War. Fortunately, he didn't encounter any Sirens on his way to Lisbon, but he did discover a city with a rich history and a great port for ships to dock.
From then on, Lisbon became a hub for trade and exploration during the Age of Discovery, with Portuguese sailors setting sail to find new lands and spices.
Later on, Lisbon was rocked by a devastating earthquake, but the city bounced back with the help of some savvy urban planning and a few tons of cement. Today, Lisbon is a thriving city with something for everyone, from historic landmarks to trendy bars and restaurants.
And if you're ever lost in Lisbon, just remember: Ulysses did it too.
💬 Language
Most people speak Portuguese as their first language, although many locals also speak English, especially in tourist areas.
💸 Currency
Euro (EUR)
✈️ Main Airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
🗓️ Best time to visit
April-June or September-November
⏰ Recommended stay
3-4+ days
🤑 Average Daily Cost Per Person
$114 (€105) per day
💰 Tipping
A common practice is to leave a tip of around 5-10% of the total bill. Make sure to check if a service charge has already been included in the bill. If it has, leaving an additional tip is not necessary.
🚂 Recommended transportation
Take the metro, the tram, or walk. Lisbon has a modern and efficient metro system that connects the city's main areas and its famous yellow trams are a fun and scenic way to explore the city. Tram 28 is a popular route that takes you through some of the city's most historic neighborhoods.
🦺 Safety
Lisbon is generally safe for tourists, but it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure safety, such as keeping valuables secure, using licensed transportation, avoiding poorly lit areas and alleyways, and staying informed about the current safety situation.
Day 1
Half Day Food Tour and Wandering around the City
Start the day by exploring some of my favorite parts of the city on your own. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes because the city is incredibly hilly!
You can also get familiar with Lisbon through a food tour. Here are some of my favorite options!
Day 2
Day Trip to Sintra
Sintra is like a fairytale land come to life, with its whimsical palaces and enchanting gardens. It's no wonder that even the Portuguese royal family chose to spend their summers here.
It's located further inland, 45 minutes from Lisbon. You can either go there by yourself by taking the train from the Rossio Station (you can buy tickets onsite and there's a train every 30-45 min). However, be mindful that you will still be doing a lot of walking once in Sintra.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour. Here are some of my favorites!
Day 3
Belem
Belém is the land of pastries and monuments right next door to Lisbon. It's a place where you can indulge in sweet treats while gazing at historical wonders. It's like having your cake and eating it too, while also getting a dose of culture and history.
I would recommend to start today by visiting the Quake Experience where you can learn about the 1755 earthquake that changed the city forever.
Afterwards, I would continue strolling down to Belem. Here are some of my favorite places to visit.
**TIP: Try not to visit Belem on a Monday as you will find many of the locations are closed.
You can also take a tour if you would prefer a guided experience.
For your last evening in Lisbon, I would recommend to experience some Fado. Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics often expressing a sense of longing, nostalgia, or sadness.
Here are two of my favorite spots.
Hotel Recommendations
Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
For more restaurant recommendations, feel free to head to my blog.
Have fun!
You're going to have a wonderful time in Lisbon! Make sure to follow me at @mazepa.travel on Instagram or @mazepatravel on TikTok. I would love to see pictures of your travels!
**Disclosure: this guide may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link at no cost to you.
Other Guides
Feeling like you want to explore more?
Perhaps you're reading this guide and thinking to yourself:
👉 This is nice to see, but it doesn't quite fit what I need for my trip.
👉 I also want to see other cities.
👉 This was helpful but I don't want the headache of booking all the guides, drivers, hotels, train tickets, etc.
I got you! I've been working in the luxury travel industry for 10 years and have been a Morocco, Spain and Portugal expert for 5 of them.
Check out my other services!