This Lisbon travel guide covers everything for a first visit to Portugal’s sunny capital. Lisbon spreads over seven hills above the Tagus river, with tiled houses, yellow trams, castle views and some of the best-value food in Western Europe.
Spring and autumn are ideal, with warm days and fewer crowds; summer is hot and busy, and winter is mild but rainier. Pakistani passport holders need a Schengen visa; flights from Pakistan connect once via the Gulf or Istanbul.
Getting into Lisbon from the airport
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is only about 7 km from the centre — one of the closest big-city airports in Europe.
Get a Navegante card at the metro machines and top it up, or use “Zapping” credit for pay-as-you-go rides on metro, buses, trams and trains.
| Airport to central Lisbon | Time | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Metro red line + change to the centre | 25–35 min | about €1.85 |
| Aerobus | 30–40 min | about €4 |
| Taxi or ride-hailing app | 15–25 min | €12–20 |
Top sights to see in Lisbon
Lisbon is hilly — plan by area and use trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa lift to save your legs.
Manueline masterpieces celebrating Portugal’s age of discovery.
Half day · about €10–18The famous yellow tram through Graça, Alfama and Baixa. Board at the start to get a seat.
1 hour · single fare about €3Moorish castle walls with the best panorama of the city.
1.5 hours · about €15The oldest quarter: steep lanes, washing lines and fado music at night.
2 hours · freeViewpoints like Senhora do Monte and Santa Luzia, best at sunset.
FreeThe grand riverside square with the Rua Augusta arch.
30 min · freeOld factory full of shops, cafés and street art.
1–2 hours · freeFairytale palaces in the hills, 40 minutes by train from Rossio.
Full day · palaces €10–20Food to try in Lisbon
Start with a warm pastel de nata (custard tart) — the Belém bakery is famous, but most cafés make excellent ones. Try grilled sardines in summer, bacalhau (salt cod) cooked dozens of ways, bifana pork sandwiches and fresh seafood at the Time Out Market.
Halal restaurants, grocers and South Asian food are concentrated around Martim Moniz and Mouraria, close to the centre, and the Central Mosque of Lisbon is near Praça de Espanha. Many seafood and grilled fish dishes are naturally pork-free.
Getting around: metro, trams and funiculars
The metro is quick for longer distances, while historic trams, buses and three funiculars climb the hills. A 24-hour Carris/Metro pass costs about €7, and the Lisboa Card adds museums and the Sintra train.
Wear shoes with grip — the polished stone pavements (calçada) are slippery, especially when wet. Ride-hailing apps are cheap and convenient for late evenings.
Safety and local tips
Lisbon is one of Europe’s safer capitals. Watch bags on Tram 28, in Baixa and at busy viewpoints, and politely ignore street sellers offering sunglasses or other goods.
Restaurants may place bread, olives and cheese on the table — they are charged if you eat them, so send them back if you do not want them. Hotels add a city tax of a few euros per person per night. Tipping 5–10% is appreciated but not required.
Where to stay in Lisbon
Stay near a metro station to avoid climbing the hills with luggage.
Flat, central and close to trams, shops and the river.
Mid to luxuryAtmospheric and historic; steep and hard with suitcases.
Mid-rangeElegant boulevard with big hotels and metro links.
Mid to luxuryGood value, multicultural and near halal food.
Budget to midBest time to visit Lisbon
March to May and September to October are ideal for Lisbon: sunny days of about 18–26 °C, comfortable for walking the hills of Alfama and Bairro Alto. June brings the Santo António street festivals.
July and August are hot (often 28 °C or more) and crowded. Winter is mild at around 15 °C but rainier — a good time for low hotel prices and quiet museums.
A 3-day plan for Lisbon
Day 1: Praça do Comércio, Baixa and Chiado, then Tram 28 up to São Jorge Castle and sunset at a miradouro in Alfama. Day 2: Belém — Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and pastéis de nata — then LX Factory and dinner at the Time Out Market. Day 3: Day trip to Sintra’s palaces, back in the evening for fado in Alfama.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three days cover the city and a Sintra day trip. Add a day for Cascais beaches or Óbidos.
Do Pakistanis need a visa for Portugal?
Yes. Pakistani passport holders need a Schengen visa, applied for through the Portuguese visa centre before travel.
Is Lisbon expensive?
It is one of the cheaper Western European capitals; a café meal costs €10–15 and transport passes are cheap.
Is there halal food in Lisbon?
Yes, especially around Martim Moniz and Mouraria, with many South Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants.
Is Tram 28 worth it?
Yes for the views, but board early at Martim Moniz and watch your bags; quieter routes like tram 12 show similar streets.
Prices and transport details were checked 12 October 2026. Travel information changes — please confirm entry rules and prices with official sources before you go.