If planning your Lisbon adventure is starting to feel like an endless marathon of information, and you have a million tabs open right now, we feel your pain.
That's why we've made discovering Lisbon easier by breaking down the good, the bad, and the brilliant from red flags and tourism stats to saint-worthy sardines and underground Roman cities.
By the time you reach the bottom of this page, you'll know if Lisbon is for you, so let's get started!
Overview of Lisbon’s Tourism Industry: Key Insights
Lisbon, aka the White City, The City of Seven Hills, and The City of Light (not to be confused with Paris), is Portugal's capital and the second oldest capital city in Europe. In 2023 alone, over 6,4 million international tourists flocked to the city. This number rose in the first 8 months of 2022 with pandemic restrictions lifted.
With Portugal being voted the "Best Tourism Destination in Europe" for 2022, Lisbon has greatly benefitted from a growing interest from international travelers. In 2024, Lisbon generated over 1.5 billion euros in tourism revenue. Additionally, the Lisbon area welcomed more than 8.8 million visitors in total, including both domestic and international guests, with the majority choosing to stay in hotels.
It’s one of Europe's top 30 most visited cities, so why is Lisbon so popular? Let's count the reasons.
Lisbon's Most Visited Attractions and Regions
Lisbon is home to some of Europe's most breathtaking sites, with a rich history spanning over 1000 years. Some of the most visited attractions include:
- The Jeronimos Monastery- Home to monks, royals, explorers, and sweet custard pastries, the Jeronimos is Lisbon's pride and joy. The UNESCO World Heritage Site gathers over 1 million tourists annually.
- The Belem Tower- This launchpad for Portugal's legendary explorers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by over 500,000 people each year.
- Castelo de São Jorge- St George Castle, which drew in around 2 million visitors in 2018, overlooks Lisbon's oldest district, The Alfama.
- Praca Do Comercio- Between the locals who stroll here after work, the government officials who make their daily commute, and the tourists, this open plaza is Lisbon's most visited main attraction.
- The Lisbon Oceanarium- often referred to as the best aquarium in the world, The Oceanarium hosts an average of 1.4 million visitors.
Travel Bonus:
If you're lucky enough to be in Lisbon in April or September, you’ve got to book a rare tour of the Roman Galleries. This hidden remnant of Roman architecture lies underneath downtown Lisbon, and it’s only open to the public twice a year. Prepare for an eerily enjoyable tour.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
Lisbon has a certain old-world charm that international travelers can't resist. Some of the most popular overnight destinations include:
- Baixa
- Bairro Alto
- The Alfama
In Lisbon, tourists are hungry for authenticity, so most favor short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo. According to AirDNA, there are over 12,700 operating short-term vacation rentals throughout the city.
What to Eat in Lisbon: Food to Keep an Eye Out For
It’s the first thing on most people’s minds when they touch down in a new city. So what are some popular foods in Lisbon?
- Bacalhau- There are over 1000 ways to prepare this salted cod fish in Portugal!
- Bifana- For around 3€, you can have this savory pork steak sandwich.
- Pastel De Nata- The Pasteis De Belem, home of the famous tart, sells a whopping 20,000 egg custard tarts daily.
- Sardinhas- These little fish are a powerhouse in Lisbon. They even have their own festival, also known as the Santos Populares, held every June.
- Caldo Verde- Soupy, green, and filled with salty sausage, this Lisbon delight is perfect for a cold night.
Diving into a city’s culinary footprint can be one of the most enlightening experiences of any trip. With so much to explore, from salty sardines to sweet custard tarts, our Lisbon food tours can take anywhere from an hour to an entire day!
Best Time to Visit Lisbon
There's a reason why Lisbon is known as the City of Light. Its ideal location next to the Atlantic and the cool waters of River Tagus make it a pleasant place all year round. According to the UK Meteorological Office, here's what tourists can expect;
- 21.4°C (70.5°F)-Average Annual Daily High. Lisbon's Summer (June-August) has an average high of 27.3°C (81.1°F)
- 9 hrs-Average Annual Daily Sunshine Hours. June, July & August are mainly sunny with an average daily of 12 hrs
- 728 mm-Average Annual Rainfall. November is particularly wet, with an average monthly rainfall of 120mm
- January is the coldest month. You can expect a daily average of 14.3°C (57.7°F)
Who Else Loves Lisbon?
Okay, so we know The White City is one of the most visited cities in Europe but is Lisbon full of tourists?
Well, the Lisbon region hosted over 8.8 million guests, including both domestic and international visitors, with most choosing hotel accommodations. In 2024, Portuguese nationals made up the largest share of tourists in Lisbon, with more than 1.44 million visitors recorded.
Want to know which nationality visits Lisbon the most in 2023? Drumroll please!!!
- USA: 2,368,000
- Brazil: 1,367,000
- France: 1,354,000
- Spain: 1,344,000
- UK: 1,222,000
Quick Lisbon Traveler Trends
- 4.7- The average amount of overnight stays
- 35-54-The average age of couples that visit Lisbon annually
- 20% - The share of Lisbon's economy powered by tourism in 2024
- June-August- Lisbon's peak tourism season
Travel Truth- Lisbon has greatly benefited from tourism, but there's more to the story. How has tourism affected Lisbon?
- Higher rent prices for locals, leading to displacement
- Loss of 'historical charm" for smaller neighborhoods
- Crowded public transport, especially the Tram 28
Okay, so all this hype begs the question, is Lisbon the best city in the world? Well, according to the 2024 World Travel Awards, it comes pretty close. Lisbon was voted Europe's leading city break destination, beating out favorites like Paris, Athens, and Venice.
Thanks to their beautiful port, they also took home Europe's leading cruise destination and Europe's leading seaside metropolitan destination. Lisbon is like Meryl Streep at the Oscars.
How to Get Around Lisbon: Travel Tips for Visitors
Visiting a city can be a life-changing experience, but to get the best out of it, you've got to consider Lisbon from a local's perspective. Here are some great ways tourists take on the city,
- Walk: Lisbon is a walkable city, especially for tourists looking to take in the sights.
- The Bus Line: The best way to experience Lisbon's bus line is with a Lisboa Card. You'll have unlimited access to the bus and the tram line, though trams can be crowded during rush hour.
- The Train: If you plan on traveling to Sintra or Cascais, hop on a train.
- Taxis: Lisbon's taxis are a quick way to get around without struggling to find parking.
Top Travel Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Lisbon
Just a few pointers to keep your Lisboa trip stress free.
What To Avoid: Red Flags For Travelers
Okay, so Lisbon might be winning you over, but it can't be all roses, right? Right. So let's check out how Lisbon stacks up safety-wise.
Portugal is exceptionally safe, ranking 6th in countries with the lowest crime rates. Since it's a capital city, Lisbon has a higher crime index compared to rural areas, 31.64, which is low. The safety index is 68.36.
Portugal is ranked 7th worldwide on the Global Peace Index (GPI) with a score of 1.372. Within Europe, it holds the 5th position, trailing behind Iceland, Ireland, Austria, and Switzerland.
With that said, there are a few things you should look out for.
- Keep your eyes peeled: Especially while walking in crowded areas and on public transport (pickpockets). Tram 28 is notorious for having pickpockets and some tourists are so enamored with the sites, they ignore the people around them.
- The Drug Call- If you find yourself in a "touristy" area, you'll most likely encounter men offering "cocaine, hashish, or marijuana." Don't be startled; just ignore the calls. It's an attempt at scoring quick cash for what is most likely fake drugs.
So Lisbon is pretty safe. Still, it’s a new environment and it would be a shame to spend valuable vacation time calculating which neighborhoods to avoid, or which street vendors have bad intentions.
Our Lisbon private tour guides help you bypass the noise. They deal with the safety, curating a tour that avoids uncomfortable situations or dangerous areas. That leaves you to;
- Explore the best of the city in a relaxed atmosphere
- Experience an exclusive, in-depth tour free of strangers
- Cut planning time in half with a personalized itinerary that suits your interests, so no going to sites you don’t care about.
- Fill your day with as much or as little activity as you want.
- Avoid awkward/unwanted experiences due to the language barrier.
If you're still here, you already see yourself strolling along the slick-tiled Rue Augusta with a juicy Bifana sandwich and an entire city to explore. The crisp Atlantic air, the music, it sounds perfect.
You're probably not imagining the cluster of strangers in your tour group surrounding you as your legs cramp up in a ticket line. Nobody imagines that part.
Luckily, GoWithGuide’s Lisbon tours ensure your travel plans are seamless. With a customizable private outing through the White City, we cut out the hassle, leaving you with the fun stuff. Now let’s get your Lisbon party started!
P.S Looking to travel with companions? The more, the merrier! Share this post with your friends and get them just as excited about touring Lisbon as you are.
