Planning a trip to Lisbon? Good call! This sun-drenched Portuguese capital is brimming with charm, history, culture, and irresistible food 🍷🍤. Whether you’re staying a few days or combining it with a longer Portugal itinerary, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your time.
From travel passes and transportation tips 🚋 to food recommendations 🍽️ and a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra 🏰, this blog covers it all. So let’s dive in.👇
Getting Around Lisbon: Viva Viagem Card vs. Lisbon Card 🚇🎫
First things first, getting around Lisbon efficiently will save you time and energy. You have two main options: the Viva Viagem card and the Lisbon Card.
Viva Viagem Card
This reloadable travel pass costs just €0.50 and can be bought at ticket machines in the airport or metro stations. You can either pre-load it with individual journeys or opt for a 24-hour pass. It works on the metro, buses, ferries, trams, and even some trains.
✅ Pros:
- Very affordable (journeys cost nearly half compared to cash)
- Great for short stays and light travel days
⚠️ Cons:
- Requires topping up regularly
- Long queues, especially at the airport
Lisbon Card
The Lisbon Card is a city pass available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. It includes unlimited public transport plus free or discounted entry to major attractions.
✅ Pros:
- Can be bought in advance and picked up at the airport (shorter lines)
- No need to top up
- Includes entry to sites like Jerónimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Lift
⚠️ Cons:
- Slightly more expensive upfront, but worth it if you plan to visit multiple paid attractions
💡 We opted for the Lisbon Card and didn’t regret it. No queues, no reloading, and we ended up saving money by combining transport with sightseeing. Highly recommended!
Skip the Line: Santa Justa Lift Hack ⬆️👀
The Santa Justa Lift is one of Lisbon’s iconic structures. While it offers great views, the queue can stretch up to 45 minutes. 😬
Want a shortcut? Walk to the Carmo Convent nearby. Just a five-minute walk from the lift, there’s an alleyway on the right that leads directly to the same viewing platform — and it’s free! 🆓
✨ Bonus Tip: If you still want to ride the lift, take it down instead of up. It’s less crowded and faster.
Ride Tram 28 Like a Local 🚋💛
The nostalgic yellow Tram 28 is one of Lisbon’s must-do experiences. It winds through the city’s most scenic neighborhoods like Alfama and Baixa.
But a heads-up: it gets crowded fast. Often, it’s standing room only, which can ruin the experience. 😅
🔑 Top Tips:
- Ride early in the morning (around 8 AM) or after 9 PM 🌙
- Start at the first stop to grab a window seat 🪟
- Going in the opposite direction often means fewer crowds
We caught the tram at the Martim Moniz stop and had almost the whole carriage to ourselves. Worth the early wake-up! ⏰
Where to Stay in Lisbon: Best Locations & Our Hotel Pick 🛏️🏨
When choosing where to stay in Lisbon, aim to be between the major landmarks and transport links. We stayed near the Santa Justa Lift and Rossio Station — and it was perfect. 📍
It was:
- 30 minutes from the airport via metro ✈️
- 5 minutes from the Santa Justa Lift, Tram 28, and Rossio Station 🚉
Our hotel felt luxurious but was surprisingly affordable. Think smart mirrors that doubled as TVs 📺🪞, built-in plugs inside the safe 🔌, automatic curtains 🪟, and strong Wi-Fi. We had zero complaints.
How Many Days in Lisbon? 📅
Four full days is a sweet spot for exploring Lisbon at a relaxed pace. You can still squeeze in a day trip or two (like Sintra), and you won’t feel rushed.
If you’re exploring more of Portugal, we suggest combining Lisbon with a trip to Madeira 🏝️ or the Algarve 🏖️. We flew to Madeira after our Lisbon trip and it made for a beautiful contrast.
When to Visit Lisbon: Best Months 🌦️🌞
Lisbon enjoys a mild climate year-round, but here’s the lowdown:
- November to March: Rainy season ☔
- April to September: Best time to visit 🌼
- May, June, and September: Ideal combo of good weather and fewer crowds ☀️
We visited in October. The temperature was great when the sun was out, but it did rain about a third of the time.
What & Where to Eat in Lisbon 🍤🍷
Lisbon’s food scene is diverse, delicious, and fairly priced. One of our favorite meals was at 52, a tapas-style Portuguese restaurant.
Here’s what we tried:
- Cottage cheese pastries with pumpkin 🎃
- Octopus risotto 🐙
- Goat meat croquettes with sweet chili sauce 🌶️
- Diced beef 🥩
- Shrimp in coconut milk 🦐🥥
We booked a table using the Fork app, which also gave us a 50% discount! 💸
🍮 Food Tip: In Belém, don’t miss a pastel de nata (custard tart) at the iconic Pastéis de Belém. Skip the long takeaway queue and use the dine-in entrance on the left — it’s faster and lets you enjoy the experience.
We also tried a pastel de bacalhau (codfish cake), sometimes filled with creamy cheese and served with a glass of port 🍷 — absolutely divine!
Cost of Visiting Lisbon 💰
Compared to other European capitals, Lisbon is affordable:
- Public transport: cheap and efficient 🚉
- Attractions: most under €10 🎟️
- Meals: €55–€80 for top-rated restaurants 🍽️
Many experiences — like walking through Alfama or watching a sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte 🌄 — are completely free.
Day Trip to Sintra: Palaces, Parks & Practical Tips 🏰🌳
A day trip to Sintra is one of the most popular excursions from Lisbon, and for good reason.
Getting there:
- Train from Rossio Station takes 45 minutes (free with Lisbon Card) 🚆
- At Sintra Station, take the 434 tourist bus to reach Pena Palace and Moorish Castle
We bought a 24-hour bus pass for €11.50, but you can also buy a return ticket for €7.
🎫 Pena Palace Tips:
- Pre-book tickets to skip huge queues
- If offered, skip the shuttle bus — the 30-minute walk only takes 7-10 minutes
- Arrive by 9:30 AM or after 2 PM to avoid crowds
The palace interior wasn’t mind-blowing for us, but the exterior and surrounding parks? Absolutely stunning, especially on a sunny day ☀️.
If you’re short on time, a guided tour can help maximize your day. You’ll get historical context and smooth transportation between stops 🚌📚.
Final Thoughts: Lisbon is Worth Every Minute 💖
Lisbon hits the sweet spot of being scenic, walkable, affordable, and packed with experiences 🌇. From exploring ancient alleyways and panoramic viewpoints to diving into delicious food and hopping on retro trams, this city has something for every traveler.
✅ Plan ahead
✅ Grab the Lisbon Card
✅ Don’t skip Sintra
And if you want to mix it up, pair your Lisbon city break with an island escape to Madeira 🏝️ — it’s a match made in travel heaven.