Quick Answer
- Best time: March to May and September to October.
- Where to stay: Baixa-Chiado for first-timers; Alfama for atmosphere.
- Zapping: loading credit on a 0.50 euro navegante card brings a ride down to 1.72 euros, while tapping a contactless bank card costs 1.92 euros.
- Sintra day trip: direct trains run from Rossio station and palace tickets are sold separately, so buy them online and go early.
- Climate: summer highs average 26 to 29°C and winter highs 15 to 18°C, with January and February usually the cheapest months.
At a glance
- Best time
- Mar-May, Sep-Oct
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Portuguese
- From the airport
- Metro red line, one change
- Visa
- Schengen rules; EES at the border
- Getting around
- Single €1.90; 24-hour pass €7.25
Quick tips
- Come in spring or early autumn. The hills are far kinder below 25°C.
- Sleep on the flat. Baixa and Chiado save your legs at the end of every day.
- Buy a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass on busy days. It covers the metro, buses and trams, Tram 28 included.
- Don’t plan around the historic lifts. Glória, Bica, Lavra and Santa Justa are all out of service.
- Book Belém ahead and avoid Mondays, when its two monuments close.
Prices below were checked against the official operators listed at the bottom of the page.
How do you get from the airport into Lisbon?
The Metro red line starts at the airport station and is the cheapest way in. Change once: at Alameda for the green line or São Sebastião for the blue line, both of which reach Baixa-Chiado. A taxi or ride-hail is quicker door to door with heavy bags, especially if you are staying up a hill.
What to pack for Lisbon
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
25 x 18 x 4 cm, 254 g, 2.1 L. Locking zips, a cut-resistant double-cable strap, an RFID passport pocket and a strap that clips to a chair. Reader’s Digest’s best crossbody for travel.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe best value compression set going. A double-zip pulls the air out so a week of clothes shrinks to a few inches thick, and you get eight pieces (cubes plus a shoe and laundry bag) for roughly the price of one branded cube. The fabric is thin and the zips aren’t lifetime kit, but for the money nothing beats it.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonHow do you get around Lisbon?
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
The shoulder months win. Average highs below come from IPMA’s 1991 to 2020 climate normals for central Lisbon.
| Season | Average daily high | Crowds | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar to May) | 19 to 23°C | Building | Mid, rising into May | Walking the hills, terraces |
| Summer (Jun to Aug) | 26 to 29°C | Heaviest | Peak | Long light and beach days, but hot climbs |
| Autumn (Sep to Oct) | 23 to 27°C | Easing | Good value | Warm days, calmer streets |
| Winter (Nov to Feb) | 15 to 18°C | Low | Cheapest | Quiet sights, mild café weather, some rain |
The hills make summer feel hotter than the numbers suggest, so plan museums and indoor stops for the middle of the day. January and February are usually the cheapest months.
Where should you stay in Lisbon?
Lisbon is compact but vertical, so the real question is how many hills sit between you and your bed.
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | Price level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baixa & Chiado | Flat, central, grand | High | First-timers, walkability |
| Alfama | Old town, mazy lanes | Mid | Atmosphere, the castle, fado heritage |
| Bairro Alto | Lively, hilly | Mid | Restaurants, late evenings |
| Príncipe Real | Leafy, stylish | High | Boutiques, gardens, calm |
| Belém | Riverside, monuments | Mid | Space, families, a quieter base |
For a first visit, pick Baixa or Chiado: flat, central and minutes from the river. Alfama is the romantic choice, but expect to haul your suitcase up steep lanes, and with the lifts closed that matters more than it used to. Our Lisbon where-to-stay guide compares the areas street by street.
Tourist tax: Lisbon charges 4 euros per guest per night (guests over 13), up to seven nights, usually paid at the hotel.
What should you not miss in Lisbon?
| Sight | Ticket | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Jerónimos Monastery (cloister) | 18 euros | Closed Mondays; tickets often sell out, so book online |
| Belém Tower | 15 euros | Closed Mondays; half price for ages 13 to 24 and over-65s |
| Alfama and São Jorge Castle | Castle ticketed, lanes free | Walk up through the lanes, or take Tram 28 |
| Tram 28 | 3.30 euros on board, or your 24-hour pass | Go early to get a seat |
| Sintra | Palace tickets sold separately | Direct trains from Rossio station; buy palace tickets online and go early |
| LX Factory | Free | Independent shops and cafés under the 25 de Abril Bridge |
While in Belém, the pastéis de nata at the historic Pastéis de Belém bakery are worth the queue. The quiet wins are free: sunset from the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and a slow walk down through Alfama as the lamps come on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to October) are the sweet spot: average highs of roughly 19 to 27°C, long light and prices below the July-August peak. Summer averages around 28 to 29°C and feels hotter on the hills. Winter is mild (highs around 15°C), quiet and the cheapest the city gets, with some rainy spells.
Where should I stay in Lisbon for the first time?
Baixa and Chiado keep you flat, central and walkable to almost everything. Alfama is the atmospheric old-town choice with the castle and tram lines, Bairro Alto is lively and central, Príncipe Real is leafy and stylish, and Belém is quieter and monument-rich. For a first visit, base yourself in Baixa-Chiado and walk.
How do I get from Lisbon airport into the centre?
The Metro red line runs from the airport station into the city and is the cheapest way in; change once (at Alameda for the green line or São Sebastião for the blue line) to reach Baixa-Chiado. A single Carris/Metro ticket costs 1.90 euros in 2026 on a 0.50 euro navegante card, or you can tap a contactless bank card. A taxi or ride-hail is quicker with luggage but costs several times more.
Is Tram 28 worth riding?
Yes. Tram 28 is a real public transport line, not a tourist tour, running through Alfama, Graça and Estrela past the cathedral. A ticket bought on board costs 3.30 euros, so a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass (7.25 euros) pays off quickly. Ride early in the morning or late to avoid the crush, and keep an eye on your bag.
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three full days covers central Lisbon comfortably: one for Baixa, Chiado and Alfama, one for Belém and the monuments, and one for a day trip to Sintra. Add a fourth for the LX Factory, viewpoints and a slower pace, or to fit in a beach afternoon at Cascais or Costa da Caparica.
Are Lisbon’s funiculars and Santa Justa lift running?
Mostly not. After the Glória funicular accident on 3 September 2025, the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars and the Santa Justa lift were taken out of service and, as of October 2026, have no confirmed reopening date. The Graça funicular reopened in April 2026. Carris runs replacement bus routes on the steepest links, and trams still climb the hills.
Start planning your Lisbon trip
If you are choosing between a summer and an autumn trip, take autumn: the sea is still warm, the climbs are cooler and hotels cost less. Check a couple of date options side by side before you book.
Find cheap flights to Lisbon | Compare Lisbon hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit Portugal guide and browse more stays on the hotels hub.
