Lisbon is one of those cities that's easy to fall in love with — sunshine, beautiful viewpoints, incredible food, charming neighbourhoods and plenty to do. But a little preparation before you arrive can make your trip even smoother.
From finding better deals on flights and accommodation to avoiding slippery shoes on Lisbon's famous calçada sidewalks, here are some of our favourite Lisbon travel tips and life hacks to know before you pack your bags.
1. Start by finding the best deals on flights & accommodation
Before anything else, compare your options for flights and accommodation.
Booking.com is a useful place to start your search, with options for hotels, apartments and other accommodation, as well as flights and car rentals.
Pro tip: If your dates are flexible, try searching a few different combinations of dates. Even shifting your trip by a day or two can sometimes make a noticeable difference to the overall cost.
And don't forget to look beyond the most obvious tourist areas. Neighbourhoods like Lapa, Santos, Estrela and Campo de Ourique can put you close to the action while giving you a more local feel.
2. Staying in an Airbnb? Have a luggage plan
One of the less glamorous parts of traveling is the awkward gap between arriving in a city and being able to check into your accommodation.
If you're staying in an Airbnb, you may not be able to drop your bags off until later in the afternoon — and you definitely don't want to spend your first few hours in Lisbon dragging a suitcase up and down the hills.
That's where Radical Storage can come in handy.
Radical Storage lets travellers book luggage storage at verified local businesses, including hotels, cafés and shops, often near major transport hubs and landmarks.
You can book online, drop off your bags and start exploring Lisbon without carrying everything with you.
Another useful trick: use it on your way out, too. If your flight isn't until the evening but you've already checked out of your accommodation, store your luggage and enjoy a few more hours in the city.
No suitcase. No stress. Just one last pastel de nata.
3. Don't over-plan your museum tickets
Lisbon has plenty of museums, monuments and attractions worth visiting, but you don't necessarily need to plan every single ticket weeks in advance.
Tiqets makes it possible to book tickets from your phone, including last-minute and same-day tickets for participating museums and attractions.
Your tickets are delivered digitally, so there's no need to print anything.
And where available, you can find skip-the-line options, which can be particularly useful when you're standing outside a popular attraction and realise that the queue is much longer than expected.
Travel hack: Keep Tiqets bookmarked on your phone. If you suddenly find yourself with a free afternoon in Lisbon, you can see what's available and book something on the go.
4. Leave room in your itinerary for an unforgettable experience
While it's tempting to create a checklist of every monument and viewpoint you want to see, some of the best travel memories come from doing something you didn't originally plan.
GetYourGuide is a great place to look for experiences in Lisbon, from walking tours and food experiences to cooking classes, cultural activities and unique local adventures.
It's particularly useful if you want to experience more than just the classic tourist attractions.
Think: food tours, local neighbourhood walks, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and those slightly unexpected activities that become the story you tell everyone when you get home.
5. Don't forget about your phone plan
Before you fly, check whether your current mobile phone plan includes data in Portugal.
Being able to use Google Maps, message friends, check restaurant recommendations and book tickets from your phone is pretty essential when you're exploring a new city.
If your plan doesn't include Portugal, an eSIM can be an easy alternative.
GigSky offers travel eSIM data plans that can be purchased and activated digitally, so you can have data without having to find a local SIM card shop after you arrive.
Pro tip: Set up your eSIM before you leave home so you're connected as soon as you land.
What to Pack for Lisbon
Lisbon looks like a dream summer destination — and it is — but there are a few things you definitely don't want to forget.
6. Bring layers, even in summer
Yes, Lisbon gets beautifully warm in the summer.
But evenings can be surprisingly breezy, particularly if you're spending time near the river or out at one of the city's many rooftop bars and viewpoints.
Pack at least one light jacket, cardigan or overshirt.
You'll thank us when you're sitting outside for dinner at 10pm and everyone else is reaching for their jacket.
7. Leave the stilettos at home
This might be the most important fashion advice we can give you:
Don't bring stilettos to Lisbon.
Lisbon's beautiful calçada sidewalks and steep streets are part of the city's charm — but they're not exactly designed for walking in high heels.
The cobblestones can be uneven and slippery, particularly when you're walking downhill.
If you want to dress up for dinner or drinks, opt for a comfortable flat, sneaker or shorter block heel instead.
You'll look great and actually make it to the restaurant.
8. Good grip matters more than you think
Even your favourite pair of tennis shoes can be surprisingly slippery on Lisbon's hills.
The combination of polished stone, steep streets and smooth-soled shoes can make some of the city's descents more challenging than expected.
When choosing your travel shoes, look for good traction and a sole with plenty of grip.
Your feet will appreciate it — especially after a full day exploring the city.
9. Pack at least one active outfit
Here's one thing you might not have considered:
Bring workout clothes.
Lisbon is an amazing city to explore actively, and there are plenty of ways to incorporate movement into your trip.
You could:
🧘 Take a yoga or Pilates class at LX Portal
🥾 Explore one of the hiking trails around Lisbon
🏃 Go for a run along the river
🚶 Walk the city's hills and neighbourhoods
If you're staying in Lisbon for several days, an active morning can be a great way to start your day before heading out to explore.
Make time for a class at LX Portal
If you're looking for a way to move your body while you're in Lisbon, join us at LX Portal Yoga.
Our boutique studio in Lapa offers yoga, Pilates, Yoga Sculpt and Barre Yoga classes, all taught in English. It's also a great opportunity to meet other people while you're in the city — especially if you're travelling solo.
Pack the leggings. You'll be glad you did.
One Last Lisbon Travel Tip: Don't Try to Do Everything
Lisbon is a city best experienced at a slightly slower pace.
Leave some room in your itinerary to wander down a street because it looks interesting. Stop for coffee. Spend an hour at a miradouro. Have a long lunch. Say yes to an experience you hadn't planned.
The best trip isn't necessarily the one where you tick every attraction off your list.
It's the one where you come home thinking:
"I can't wait to go back."
Ready for Lisbon? Pack your layers, bring comfortable shoes, leave some space in your schedule — and enjoy the city.