Are you considering a Lisbon solo travel experience? 

Until a couple of years ago, Lisbon (and Portugal as a whole) wasn’t on my radar at all. But then I visited the city for a day on a cruise and liked it so much that I stayed several days at the end of my recent transatlantic cruise. Lisbon is now one of my favorite cities in Europe!

There is loads to do but still the city isn’t overwhelming. Lisbon is busy and touristy enough to feel safe without being so over-crowded as to make it unpleasant. And on top of that, public transportation is plentiful, easy to navigate and cheap. 

Planning a trip? Use my favorite resources:

• Accommodations: booking.com
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
• Tours & Excursions: Viator
• Flights: Skyscanner
• City Pass: Lisbon Card

Lisbon Solo Travel FAQ

So now that you know what a great choice it is to solo travel to Lisbon, you may have a number of questions for planning your solo trip. Let’s dive in! 

Is Lisbon good for solo travel? 

Yes, Lisbon is an excellent How safe is Lisbon for solo female travelers? 

Lisbon is one of the safest cities for solo female travelers. During my stays, I never felt unsafe or even nervous (and yes, I do get nervous easily).

 Of course, like any large city, there is some crime, and it is advisable to keep your wits about you.

Common safety precautions, like staying away from sketchy neighborhoods, not drinking too much and not wearing flashy jewelry are of course advised. But you should have no real problems in Lisbon.

The biggest ‘dangers’ in Lisbon are pickpockets and scammers. Leave unneeded valuables securely stored in your hotel safe and consider a money belt or anti-theft purse similar when out and about.

Especially in busy tourist areas you should keep an eye (and a hand) on your purse/wallet. The popular Tram 28 is known as a pickpocket’s heaven, but forewarned is forearmed.

Is Portugal safe for solo female travelers? 

Portugal is a good choice for solo female travelers as it is one of the safest countries worldwide. As long as you follow regular safety precautions you should have no issues traveling here alone.

Is it safe to walk around Lisbon at night? 

Walking around Lisbon at night as a solo female traveler is fairly safe, but again you do need to observe some common sense precautions. 

Stay away from any Getting Around Lisbon Solo 

Lisbon has great public transportation – one of the things I like most about the city! 

I recommend you buy a Viva Viagem card and put a bit of money on it. You then “zap” it every time you use public transport in Lisbon. A single journey on the Metro network will cost you only €1.47 so it is quite affordable.

 If you know that you will use a lot of public transit on a specific day you can also get a 1-day ticket (available for different modes/areas). However, I found that “zapping” worked best for me.

You can choose between the Metro (subway), regular trains, trams and buses. There are four different subway lines in Lisbon: Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue.

The Red Line will take you to the Airport, to Oriente Station/the Parque das Nacoes area, as well as connect you with all the other lines. 

The Blue and Green Lines cross the city center and will take you to most tourist sights.While you can get to Belem by train, I recommend taking either tram #15 or a bus.

If you want to explore outside the city, there are frequent trains that will take you to Sintra or Cascais for very little money. A round-trip ticket should be less than €5!

Where to Stay in Lisbon: Solo Travel Perspective

Choosing the best location to stay in is always one of the most important things when planning a trip, especially for solo female travelers. Based on my experience in Lisbon I would recommend the following neighborhoods for where to stay in Lisbon solo:

Baixa

Baixa is an excellent choice for solo female travelers. It is located right in the center of Lisbon with great public transportation options and plenty of sights to see nearby. The only disadvantage of staying here is that hotels in this neighborhood tend to be more costly.

Alfama

Alfama, the Old Town with narrow cobblestone streets and quaint buildings, is one of the most central areas of Lisbon. If you stay here, you will be close to Castelo de S. Jorge, all the attractions of the Old Town and public transit.

In Alfama, you can find adorable boutique hotels. But it may not be the cheapest area to stay in (the most popular neighborhoods rarely are), and this part of town is hilly!

Belem

Another good choice for where to stay as a solo traveler in Lisbon is Belem. Though it is quite a bit to the west of Old Town, there are plenty of trams and buses to all parts of town. 

Plus, three of Lisbon’s most iconic sights are here: Torre de Belem, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and Ponte 25 de Abril. Actually, four if you also count the original bakery for the famous Lisbon pastry, Pasteis de Belem. Yum!

Area Parque das Nacoes

The area around Parque das Nacoes and Oriente Station is probably one of the best places to stay for solo travelers, especially if you are on a budget.

While there are a couple of Lisbon attractions here, like the Aquarium Oceanario de Lisboa, it is the great infrastructure that makes this neighborhood an excellent choice.

From here, you are only minutes away from the airport. The city center/pier is only 15 minutes away and you can board trains to Sintra here.

There is also a large bus depot with routes to almost everywhere. In addition, you will find a large mall with a grocery store so it is easy to buy anything you may need.

The area right around the train station is a bit grungier than the other areas I recommend for solo travelers in Lisbon, but no worse than the area around a station in any other big city.

The price and convenience for exploring Lisbon and the surrounding area more than makes up for the less quaint environment..

Areas to Avoid in Lisbon for Solo Travelers

Luckily, Lisbon is a very safe city so there are few areas that should be avoided. Most of these areas are on the outskirts and of no interest to tourists anyway. That being said, I would avoid the following areas as a solo female traveler in Lisbon:

Intendente to Martim Moniz

Though not a complete no-go, the area between and around these two Metro stations is considered less safe, especially at night.

Given that there are plenty of safer and more convenient neighborhoods nearby, I would avoid going there at night. However, during the day this area should be fine even for solo female travelers.

Chelas

Chelas is generally considered less safe than most of Lisbon, but it is Some outlying areas, like Cova da Moura

There are several poorer, disadvantaged neighborhoods in the Greater Lisbon area. Typically they are of little interest to tourists. 

If you do plan on visiting outlying suburbs (e.g. looking for a specific restaurant or store), it is a good idea to double-check if there are any concerns with the specific area before you do.

Hotel Recommendations for Lisbon Solo Travel

Now that you have an idea of the different neighborhoods, let’s look at some hotels that I would specifically recommend:

🏨 Luxury: Solar do Castelo Inn

If you are looking for a charming, romantic hotel with a strong historical vibe this small hotel in an 18^th century mansion is for you. Built on the site of the former kitchens of the Royal Palace, it makes you feel almost as if you are staying at the Castelo itself. 

The only disadvantage is that it is located on top of a hill. While the narrow and steep cobblestone streets are quaint, they may be hard to conquer after a long day exploring.

👉 Click here to check prices and availability

🏨 Mid-Range: Moxy Lisboa Oriente

I stayed at the Moxy Lisboa Oriente towards the end of my trip to Portugal and wished I had stayed here longer. While the surroundings were not as quaint as some other neighborhoods, the Parque das Nacoes area was ideal for public transport connections and shopping.

As part of Marriott’s hip, modern Moxy chain, this hotel has a youthful aesthetic with a common work area and a bar in the lobby.

I wasn’t quite sure about the playful styling of the room at first, but it actually worked well and was much more practical than I had expected. Moxy Lisboa Oriente will especially appeal to the young and young at heart!

👉 Click here to check prices and availability

🏨 Budget: Ibis Styles Lisboa Centro Marques de Pombal

As part of the Ibis Styles collection this hotel offers comfortable rooms with all the necessities.

Though slightly outside the city center, Ibis Styles Lisboa Centro Marques de Pombal is well connected by Metro and the location right next to Eduardo VII Park is an additional plus.

👉 Click here to check prices and availability

Best Things to do Alone in Lisbon for Solo Travelers

There is so much to do in Lisbon that it can be difficult to choose, especially if you are only in town for a day or two. However, my main advice would be to take it easy and enjoy the hip, relaxed atmosphere instead of rushing through to check off all the sights. 

Ride a Tram

Riding Tram 28 is one of the most touristy things to do in Lisbon – with good reason. This tram route runs through a good part of the city and passes many of the main tourist attractions. And a ride is inexpensive. You can get the day ticket for public transportation if you plan to use this tram as a hop-on-hop-off ride.

However, there are a couple of disadvantages to riding tram 28, especially in the busy summer season. It is so popular that lines get very long, and the tram can be crowded. 

I would advise getting an early start to your day and ideally boarding at Campo Orique, the final stop on the route’s western end.

Please be aware that Tram 28 is known as an El Dorado for pickpockets so don’t take any valuables you don’t need with you and keep an eye on your belongings.

If you just want to ride around on one of the cute trams you can avoid a lot of the hassle of Tram 28 by going on one of the other routes. Tram 15 for example will take you from Belem all the way to Rossio in the city center. 

If you want to travel the same route Tram 28 takes but in a more comfortable and secure way, consider this highly-rated alternative – a private electronic Tuk-Tuk ride that follows the same path!

Take a Cooking Class

A fun way to meet fellow travelers and get a taste for the local culture through food is by taking a cooking class. In this Portuguese cooking class you’ll cook and enjoy a 3-course dinner of traditional food with wine. 

If you’re more of a pastry chef, sign up for this Pastel de Nata class instead to learn how to make this famous dessert whenever you want.

Join a Bucket List Tour of Lisbon

For an epic, once-in-a-lifetime experience don’t miss this 360-degree tour of the city. This experience has it all – walking tour, tram ride, helicopter tour and boat tour!

Truly an incredible and unique way to see the city of Lisbon as you learn about its history, and more affordable than you might expect based on all that’s included.

👉 Check Prices & Availability

Attend a Fado Show 

Fado is traditional Portuguese music that is absolutely worth enjoying while you’re in Lisbon.

There are many opportunities to view a Fado show, but the best is through this experience that includes a stop at a local resident’s home in Alfama, a show with 3-course dinner and drinks included, and a guided walking tour with a local expert. 

👉 Click here to reserve your spot

Go on a Dolphin Watching Adventure

Did you know you could see dolphins in Lisbon? Hop aboard this dolphin boat adventure and head into the Atlantic Sea for a sighting of local wildlife. You’ll have the chance to see dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds as you enjoy the ocean breezes and onboard refreshments. 

A truly breathtaking opportunity and perfect to add to your Lisbon solo travel itinerary!

👉 Click here to book 

Explore Castelo de S. Jorge 

You will have to climb up some steep cobblestone streets to get to this historic castle, located on Lisbon’s highest hill. However, the views from up top are well worth the effort.

There is an exhibit about archaeological discoveries, and you can climb up on the ramparts to walk along the walls. Peacocks, courtyards, ruins and gates give this old fortress a fairy-tale-like vibe. 

Visit the Cathedral 

I enjoyed my visit to Lisbon’s Sé de Lisboa. The high ceilings with Gothic arches and the beautiful stained-glass windows give this building a regal air. 

It is located right between Baixa and Alfama neighborhoods so you are likely to pass by during your explorations anyway.

Check out Mosteiro dos Jeronimos 

This masterpiece Monastery dates back to 1502 and is a great example of the Manueline and Gothic architecture so typical of Portugal.

Opinions are divided on whether seeing the inside is worth the long lines, but you definitely should at least admire the beautiful exterior – and then get a Pasteis de Belem at the famous bakery just down the road.

Beware though: Do not get in the long, long line if you do not already have a ticket! If you do not have the Lisbon card, pre-buy your ticket either online or at the ticket booth in the park across the street instead. 

Stroll through the Alfama District 

If you love twisty cobblestone streets and getting lost in old towns, this is for you. Stroll through this historic district and take a break in one of the sidewalk cafes or buy an ice cream along the way.

Be aware that these streets are steep and can be quite slippery when wet so use caution and wear good walking shoes, especially in the rain. 

👉 Book the Old Alfama Guided Walking Tour

Admire the Tiles and Mosaics 

Two of the things I like most about Portugal are the beautiful mosaics on the streets and the fascinating facades of houses. Whether in Lisbon, Porto or the Azores you’ll find a stunning variety of mosaics: stars, circles, knots, flowers – every street is different.

Thanks to the Moorish influence, Lisbon has a style all its own and makes a nice counterpoint to the more traditional European cities. For me, a large part of Lisbon’s appeal is in simply meandering around and admiring the pretty details on buildings or the ground! 

Take a Day Trip 

Lisbon is great and has plenty of sights to see, but I always feel the need to escape out into the countryside for a day on city trips. Luckily, there are plenty of fascinating destinations very close to Lisbon. 

I highly recommend a visit to Sintra with its fairy-tale castles, mansions, and gardens, the beautiful seaside town of Cascais or the beach in Guincho. 

There are plenty of great Sintra tours to choose from, and this is certainly a must-have experience while in Lisbon.

Eat at Time Out Market

I stumbled upon this cool food market with more than two dozen food outlets while desperately looking for a restroom one day. But I have since come back here for both the cool vibes and the delicious food. 

Like similar markets in London, Time Out Market Lisboa offers communal seating and a bustling atmosphere. It is an especially good option for solo travelers looking to comfortably dine out alone. 

Additional Tips for When You Solo Travel to Lisbon

• Make sure to always carry a bit of cash AND a credit card with you. Some places only accept either one or the other.
• For some reason most escalators in stations were deactivated so consider taking a taxi if you have a lot of luggage (or pack light).
• When waiting for a bus, wave as it approaches if there aren’t many other people also waiting to indicate you intend to ride. Otherwise it may drive right by.

Final Thoughts on Lisbon Solo Travel 

Lisbon is a great destination for solo travel. I would even call it a “starter destination” – if you are planning your first solo trip Lisbon would make a great introduction.

The city has plenty to offer without being so big that it is overwhelming, public transportation is plentiful and easy to navigate. The weather in Portugal is pleasant most of the year and you can easily take side trips outside of the city for a change of scenery. 

As a popular vacation destination (and popular cruise port) Lisbon caters well to tourists. Finally prices, though higher than in other parts of Portugal, are still reasonable. 

About the author: Kitty Maerz has always loved to travel and now enjoys sharing her passion (and what she has learned) with others. After many years traveling with kids, she is once again embarking on solo adventures.