Is Lisbon Safe for Solo Female Travellers in 2025?
Is Lisbon safe for solo female travelers?
Mariana Barbuceanu of Road Trip EuroGuide shares her experience and answers this question: is Lisbon safe for solo female travellers?
Every time I visit a new city, even generally safe Portugal, I always check what the safest neighborhoods are, what streets I need to stay away from at night, what types of crimes people are reporting, and so on.
Lisbon has been my home away from home while traveling full time for the past 3 years, and so I’ve stayed in a few places across the city, have gone out with friends partying, and have walked around most of the neighborhoods by myself to explore.
The bottom line: yes, Lisbon is a safe city to travel in. There are some shady neighborhoods and metro stations, but those are mostly far away from the tourist city center. Even then, it’s nowhere near the level of any US city I’ve lived in (Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Austin to name a few).
Planning your trip? Use my go-to resources:
- Accommodations: booking.com
- Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
- Tours & Excursions: Viator
- Flights: Skyscanner
- City Pass: Go City
Is Lisbon Safe?
Portugal is one of the safest places in Europe, and so is Lisbon. To put it into context, this small country has a total population of about 11 million people. Every year, they receive double that number in tourists, oohing and aahing at all the pretty sights and getting their fill of the famous pasteis de nata.
Even with all this uptick in tourism, Lisbon has been and remains a safe Is Lisbon Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes, Lisbon is safe for solo female travelers. No odd, scary men are loitering around at night by the metro station like in some of the bigger cities I’ve been to (mostly Rome). Walking home at night in the central neighborhoods of Lisbon is no issue, my spidey senses were never triggered, the streets are well lit, and nobody bothered me. Like in any major city, it’s always important to stay aware of your surroundings and take standard safety precautions. Here are some tips: I would say that Portugal is one of the countries I’ve felt the safest moving around in by myself, in both Lisbon and Porto, but also in the smaller cities and towns. Yes, it’s safe to walk around at night in Lisbon. You’ll notice that the streets are well-lit, there are tons of restaurants and bars open late at night with people out and about, and in general, even if you hit one of those dark alleys where you have to climb 100 stairs to get to where you’re going, it feels okay. To help the situation, Lisbon is packed (even at night) with many young international tourists and Portuguese people walking around, getting a gelato or at an outside bar, chatting the night away. So, there is always someone around making it feel pretty safe. Yes, and you’ll find plenty of Americans in Lisbon at all times of the year. When I stayed in Lisbon, I dated a Portuguese man, and we got into a conversation about how the Portuguese felt about Americans. On one hand, the locals like the American spirit, friendliness and the love they have for Portugal. On the other hand, toxic tourism is hiking up the prices of lodging, food, and services in Lisbon so much so that many locals have left the city because they can’t afford it. And I’ll admit that prices of housing in Lisbon, especially AirBnBs, are just as high as they are in Austin and San Francisco. Lisbon is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, the world’s leading measure of safety & peace. Muggings and scams do happen but are uncommon. Some areas, like Intendente and Martim Moniz, are known for their red light districts, so just be alert if you want to go party there. Crimes such as assault, robbery, murder and the like are super rare in Lisbon. Sadly, one of the most frequent reports of assault is domestic violence in Portugal. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, is the most common crime in Lisbon, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas and on public transport. My Portuguese friends also advised me to stay more alert around train stations like Rossio and Santa Apolonia, as they are known for having a higher risk of theft. Intendente, Mouraria and Anjos areas in the northwest of the city are lower-income areas, and while there’s not usually reason for tourists to be up there, I still want to highlight them as areas to avoid at night. Here are some safety tips and numbers I recommend you keep handy in case of an emergency. No matter your phone plan or lack thereof, you can dial these numbers directly – there is service everywhere in Lisbon. Intendente and Anjos (especially the metro stations) have a reputation for having a few more pickpockets at night than most others, but again, still quite safe. Cais de Sodre district is also a big party and nightclub hub, so that can be another area where you will want to be on guard (like any nightclub district in the world). It’s always helpful to know the basics in another language, both for your own understanding and to convey that you are not completely out of your element. This is more of a cautionary tale, but watch out on the calçadas. Those pretty little stones on the old town streets can be slippery when wet. They are so worn down and sleek that I slipped on them quite a few times. When I was looking for AirBnBs, I asked one of my local Portuguese friends to tell me what neighborhoods I should focus my search in with regard to safety and proximity to the city center. These are the neighborhoods he suggested: Living on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon provides a mix of luxury, convenience and history. The Grand Boulevard, which was redeveloped to resemble Paris’s Champs-Elysées, is lined with trees, decorative pavements, and small fountains. Luxury brand stores line the streets, alongside Michelin restaurants and boutique, high-end hotels. The Avenida da Liberdade area is very central, and is ideal for any travelers who want to be close to the city’s main attractions without being in the middle of a party neighborhood. In terms of safety, Avenida da Liberdade is considered one of the safest areas in Lisbon. Where to stay: PortoBay Liberdade Chiado, known for its cultural and literary significance, has undergone extensive rebuilding and modernization after a massive fire in the ‘80s. Today, it is one of Lisbon’s trendiest districts, blending old-world elegance with modern chic, home to many expats and young professionals. Chiado is where I prefer to stay when I’m in Lisbon. In Chiado, you’ll find narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional Portuguese buildings, alongside modern boutiques and cafes. During the day, the streets are lively with shoppers, tourists and locals. Night brings to life the neighborhood’s bars, restaurants and theaters. The area is safe and well-lit, and public transportation is all around including metro, buses and trams, making it easy to get around Lisbon from here. Where to stay: Le Consulat Barrio Alto used to be a working-class area but has evolved into a hipster neighborhood known for its nightlife. Fun Fact: Bairro Alto is also renowned for its Fado music venues, which deep dive you into the authentic experience of Portugal’s musical soul – O Faia is my favorite. During the day, the neighborhood is super charming with its colorful facades, cobblestone streets and traditional Portuguese tiles. It’s a haven for artists, musicians and creative types. Barrio Alto is dotted with little boutiques, art galleries and cozy cafés. At night, Bairro Alto transforms into a nightlife hub with jazz clubs and plentiful bars spilling people into the street. Where to stay: Lisbon Colours Barrio Alto Apartments Yes, public transportation is safe in Lisbon, and I use it a lot to get around the hilly city. Just like in any major city, there are risks of pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas such as trams, trains and metro stations. Stay aware of your belongings. Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe and Lisbon is a safe city to travel to. As a solo female traveler who Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow wanderers to explore Europe more authentically through slow travel. When she isn’t writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take the next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.
Is It Safe To Walk Around at Night?
Is Lisbon friendly to American tourists?
What Is Lisbon’s Crime Rate?
What should I be careful of in Lisbon?
Are there areas to avoid in Lisbon?
Key Lisbon Safety Tips
Know the Emergency Numbers for Lisbon
Watch Out for Common Scams
Avoid Certain Neighborhoods at Night
Learn a few Portuguese Phrases
Watch Where You Step
Safest Neighborhoods To Stay in Lisbon
📍 Avenida da Liberdade
📍 Chiado
📍 Bairro Alto
Is Public Transportation in Lisbon Safe?
Final Thoughts: Is Lisbon Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
