Solo Travel in Lisbon, Portugal
- Takeabreak
- Jul 13
- 9 min read
My trip to Portugal was the first international solo trip I took. I had travelled solo on smaller trips previously, but never at this scale. When I decided that I wanted to challenge myself to a big solo trip, I researched many potential destinations. Every person has their own comfort levels. As a woman travelling alone, I wanted to make sure the location I was visiting was safe to explore (particularly at night), had decent public transportation, was easy to navigate, and was affordable for my budget since I would be staying alone.
Portugal kept coming up on my list. In fact, it was listed as one of the safest countries in the world for solo travel. Like with any location, of course there are less desirable areas that you need to be more cautious of, but overall Portugal seemed like a great option: It was within my budget, easy to fly to from Boston, easy to navigate, and fairly safe to walk around the main areas of the cities I visited after dark.
When to Visit:
The best time of year to visit Portugal will depend on what activities you are looking to do, the locations within the country you are visiting, and how much you want to spend.
In general, Northern Portugal has colder winters and wetter weather year-round. Southern Portugal is more mild and dryer, with hotter summers. Away from the coast, you will see colder winters and hotter summers than along the coast.
Spring (March to May):
Spring is a great time to visit Portugal. The temperatures are mild, typically between 45F-68F, and the weather is fairly tame. There are less crowds this time of year, and accommodations tend to be less expensive.
Summer (June-August):
Summer is the peak season in Portugal, especially in the southern beach regions. If you are looking for a gorgeous beach vacation, visit this time of year. The temperatures typically hit above 85F during the day, so be prepared for heat. There are also more crowds this time of year, so be prepared to pay more and wait at restaurants and sites.
Autumn (September-November):
Autumn in Portugal is lovely. The temperatures typically range between 50F-70F. The weather is mild, and usually not as wet as the winter months. There are less tourists this time of year as well, so accommodations will be less expensive.
Winter (December-February):
The Winters in Portugal are fairly mild. Temperatures range from 40-60F. Depending on the region, these months tend to see a good amount of rainfall. The Winter months are the most quiet for tourism.
I visited Portugal at the beginning of November. I found this time of year to be perfect if you are on a budget and just want to sight see. I didn't find the restaurants or sites too crowded, but there was still energy around so I didn't feel alone.
Getting to Portugal:
There are three major airports in Portugal: Lisbon Airport (LIS), Porto Airport (OPO), and Faro Airport (FAO).
Lisbon Airport is the largest, and serves many of the international connections through the country. This airport is located about two-thirds of the way down. the western coastline of Portugal.
Porto Airport is also an International Airport, but serves less connections than Lisbon Airport. Porto Airport is located in the Northern Region of the Country.
Faro Airport is the smallest of the three, and serves the southern most region of the Country.
If you are flying from the US, your flight may connect through the Azores. On the way over to Portugal, I took a 5 hour flight from Boston to the Azores, then a 2 hour flight from. the Azores to Lisbon. On the way back, I was starting in Porto, and flew one hour to Lisbon Airport. Then direct from Lisbon to Boston, about 7.5 hours. This was what worked for my schedule and budget. You can certainly find more direct flights depending on where you are flying in and out of.
Getting around Portugal:
If you are looking to explore the main cities and surrounding areas of Portugal, then the train is a great way to go. I was able to take the train to all of the sites I saw and did not need to rent a car. If you are visiting some of the more remote regions, it would probably be the most convenient to rent a car.
There are also bus lines within the larger cities and towns, ride shares like UBER and taxis, and bike share programs.
What is the Currency in Portugal?
The Euro is the currency of Portugal. Many restaurants and cafes accept major credit cards, as well as transportation stations, and hotels. Carrying a small amount of cash can be helpful if you plan to shop at some of the smaller local stores.
What language is spoken?
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. It will be helpful to learn a few phrases if you are not familiar. Some English is spoken at tourist sites, but outside of Lisbon most people speak Portuguese.
Local Customs?
Tipping is not expected in Portugal. If you are very happy with your service, you can of course leave some extra money, but it is not expected at restaurants, cafes, or transportation.
Like much of Europe, the legal drinking age here is 18 years old.
Dinner is traditionally served later in Portugal. Many restaurants do not start dinner service until 7 or 8pm. On the weekends, some restaurants do not start dinner service until 9 or 10pm .
Itinerary:
I spent 5 full days in Portugal. I spent most of that time in Lisbon with a day trip to Sintra. Then I took the train up to Porto for a day and a half just to see Portugal outside of the Lisbon area. I found that this was enough time to see the sights that I wanted to see, while staying on my budget. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, or want to visit other regions, I would suggest adding more days to the trip.
Lisbon:
My first stop was in Lisbon. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and the largest city in the country. Lisbon is a beautiful mix of historic European coastal charm and a modern flare for culture and cuisine. The scenery around Lisbon reminded me a lot of San Fransisco in the US. The city is very hilly and features an iconic cable car, very similar to San Fransisco. There is also a large red bridge stretching across the harbor called the Ponte 25 de Abril, which has a similar look to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Similarities aside, Lisbon is quite unique. As you walk around the city, you follow winding cobblestone streets, view exquisite tile sided buildings, and see medieval castles and churches. You can take in the views from the many benches along the harbor, or perch on the patio at one of the many local cafes and restaurants.
Where to stay in Lisbon:
As I was traveling alone, I felt more comfortable staying in a hotel than a rental space. I also wanted to chose a hotel in a central location, and that was close to public transportation.
When researching stays in Lisbon, I also learned that the city is experiencing a lot of issues with rental apartments such as AirBNB. Foreign investors are purchasing apartments within the city that sit vacant most of the year, only to be filled by tourists. This greatly cuts down on the affordable housing left for the locals, forcing the locals to move further and further from the city.
Make sure you do your research when booking a stay in any location around the world. Keep in mind that you are just a visitor, and the locals are the true culture and vibrancy of the place you are visiting.
I landed on a hotel called "Hall Chiado". This was a small but comfortable hotel, calling itself more of a guest house. The hotel was centrally located, safe, and quiet. My room had an adorable little balcony off of it, that I could peer out and watch the foot traffic and cable cars go by.
Sites around Lisbon:
A great way to get the lay of the land, is to start on the water! I booked a boat tour along the Tagus River, to hear some of the history of Lisbon and take in the sites along the harbor. There are many boat tours to pick from depending on your budget and the vibe you are going for. I selected a more casual sunset boat tour that included wine and snacks. (https://www.viator.com/tours/Lisbon/Sunset-Cruise-with-Wine-and-Snacks/d538-139919P19)
Along the harbor you will find a few unique sites.
The first site is the Monument to the Discoveries. This is a large monument erected next to the harbor to symbolize the Portuguese Age of Discovery. If you want a closer look, you can walk right up to this monument from the street.
The next site is the Belem Tower. This tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an emblem of Portugal's trade and defense along the water. If you are interested in seeing the tower up close, you can take a tour. (https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/torre-de-belem)
The third site along the harbor may look familiar. This is the Cristo Rei, or the Christ Statue of Lisbon. The statue was erected in the 1950s to represent Portugal's religious gratitude for not being involved in World War II. The statue was inspired by the similar Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Christ the Redeemer statue was built over 20 years prior to the statue in Lisbon.
After taking the boat tour, I found it nice to see the rest of the sites by walking around the city. Lisbon is very walkable (if you don't mind hills).
The Lisbon Cathedral is a beautiful historic cathedral in the Alfama neighborhood. It is beautiful just to observe from the street, but if you would like an interior tour you will need to purchase a tour ticket.
The Castelo de S. Jorge was my favorite site in Lisbon. Perched up on a hill, this is your chance to see an authentic 11th century castle. You will need to purchase a ticket to enter the castle grounds, but it is well worth it in my opinion. The views overlooking the city are phenomenal, and the interior of the castle is very cool as well.
Castelo de São
My other favorite memory from Lisbon was walking around the city at night. The city comes alive with a whole different energy. The restaurants open up onto the sidewalks for fresh air dining. People are strolling around with gelato or a cappuccino. I ran into many street musicians and performers enticing the pedestrians walking by. It's that quintessential "European" city feel that I love so much.
Make sure you dress comfortably. There are a lot of hills! Also, as a woman traveling alone, I made sure to keep my purse across my body, and in front of my person. And I left all valuables and my passport in the hotel safe.
Lisbon has a lot to offer. There are many sites that I had on my list that I wasn't able to get to. Here are some additional recommendations if you have the time:
Ride the cable car
Santa Justa Lift
Lisbon Botanical Gardens
Mercada de Santa Clara
Jeronimos Monastery
Parque Florestal de Monsanto
Carmo Archaeological Museum
The Food:
Lisbon offers a blend of many different cuisines. I never had a bad dish while visiting! A lot of the local dishes are seafood based, as that was their main trade item traditionally. Every restaurant I tried had exceptional fresh seafood.
A great place to try out many different food styles is the Time Out Market of Lisbon. Similar to the other Time Out Markets across the world, this market features casual walk up food vendors surrounding a large open seating area. Diners order their food at the eateries, then carry it to a table of their choosing.
A classic treat that you will see all around Lisbon is the Pastel de Nata. It is a delicious egg custard tart, that is traditionally dusted with a touch of cinnamon. While you can get these tarts all over the city, one of the best places I kept hearing about was Pasteis de Belem.
Lisbon has endless restaurants and cafes to try. There is something for every taste and budget. One of my favorite ways to dine was sitting outside. Whether it was sipping on a cappuccino on a cafe patio, or having a three course dinner under the stars, dining outside while taking in the sites around me was one of my favorite past times here. And thanks to Lisbon's mild weather, I was able to enjoy a meal outside even on a November evening.
Whether you come for the weather, food, or sites, Lisbon is a great place to visit. If you are a solo female traveller, I highly recommend you add this stop to your list. Make sure to wear comfy walking shoes, and enjoy!
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