I encourage you to Visit Lisbon, Portugal this Summer! This Ultimate Guide covers everything you need to know.

The beautiful city of Lisbon, Portugal in the summertime….

Nestled alongside the North Atlantic Ocean, neighboring Spain and North of Africa is where you will find this historic, culture-rich, gorgeous country of Portugal.

Lisbon is a very affordable destination to visit where you can find great deals on flights and accommodations. Lisboa (the Portuguese name for Lisbon) in the Summer has the most beautiful weather. The sun is often shining with temps at a comfortable high 70s low 80s. Perfect for exploring a new city.

I visited this beautiful country for four days in the summer, I met nice locals, experienced fun nightlife and beautiful sunny days, saw dozens colorful buildings and listened to great music. Lisbon offers so much for tourists, a city that’s easy to fall in love with.

Here, I share with you my travel guide for Lisbon, where to stay, places to eat, things to do (Sintra) and more! Let’s get into all things Portugal!

Visit Lisbon, Portugal this Summer! The Ultimate Guide

Getting there & getting around

To get to Lisbon, fly into Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon Airport). When you arrive, get an Uber or taxi, you will be less than a half hour away from Lisbon Old Town.

There is no need to rent a car in Lisbon, if anything it would be more difficult. Ubers are available in Lisbon and easy to get. You will only need an Uber for things like Sintra, the airport and maybe for the beach. Otherwise you can walk everywhere!

The city is hilly so you will get a good little workout walking around everyday. Just enter in your destination on maps on your phone when you have wifi, drop a pin then use your phone’s map to get there with no service needed. By walking everywhere you will see so much more of the city.

Where to stay

WOT New Lisbon Hostel – WOT New Lisbon is in an awesome location! Super affordable and you can walk to almost everything.

The hostel is very clean, has free WiFi and a bar! There are all kinds of places in the hostel to hangout indoor and outdoor; an awesome vibe overall. The rooms are bright and clean with lots of natural light and sometimes cool views. They have laundry service available and a place to lock up your bags while in your room as well as luggage storage when you first check-in and when you are leaving.

Traveling with a small group? You might be able to get your own room. Book early for this hostel because it was busy while we were there since it’s in a great location. Free breakfast is offered which is nice. This was a safe hostel to stay at and definitely recommend it.

Window from bedroom at WOT New Lisbon Hostel

Mini terrace in bedroom at WOT New Lisbon Hostel

How long should you visit Lisbon for?

Three or four days. This gives you enough time to arrive and get settled, walk around and explore the city, shop, and see all the history.

You can venture over to Sintra for a day. See the coastline. I think three or four days is the perfect amount of time in Lisbon without feeling rushed.

If you only have enough time for a couple days or even just a day trip you should still go and explore a little bit of the beautiful city!

Things to do in Lisbon

Explore The Old Town

The city of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is a beautifully unique place. A hilly city full of pastel-colored buildings and nice people.

You’ll see the yellow tram, a form of transportation around the city that just makes the city that much more charming. All kinds of little boutiques and great restaurants to check out as well as all of the history.

The pastel buildings of Lisbon, Portugal

Praca do Comercio Lisbon

The most magnificent and largest plaza in Lisbon, a staple of the city. Built after the 1755 earthquake.

A historic place that was once used as a place to plan voyages and used as a trade port with it being located right on the river. The grand statue in the center of the Praça do Comércio is of King Joseph I (José I) and his horse is symbolically crushing snakes with its hoofs.

Tourists come here to walk around and see all the history. A very grand palace that’s a “must see” while in Lisbon.

Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio Square)

Explore the beautiful Rossio Square! The most bustling square in Lisbon.

Places to eat and drink outside, dozens of amazing jacaranda trees, the cobblestone has the most unique design that makes the square so cool. You will see a very tall statue in the Square with Dom Pedro IV at the top. This is a fun place to walk around, grab a drink and hangout.

Water fountain at Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio Square)

Shopping

All over the city of Lisbon you will find shopping. Some places that are little stands off the main road with handmade items by locals.

Cool, trendy boutique shops all over the city. Clothes, chocolates, sardines, jewelry, and more! Yes sardines…I had never been to a sardine store before and this was not what I expected if I ever had an idea of what a sardine store would be like…it looked more like a candy store to me.

In Portugal sardines are a national icon. Check out this store while in Lisbon, located in Rossio Square. I had never seen anything like it and even ended up taking a can of sardines home with me.

Visit Sintra for the Day

Set one day aside to take an Uber or taxi over to the town of Sintra! It’s only a little over a half hour drive to get there from Lisbon Old Town.

Wake up early, get some breakfast, then head over to explore Sintra! It’s just a beautiful area with lots of history. A “must see” destination if you are in Lisbon.

The Pena National Palace

The stunning 19-century castle that sits up high in the Sintra Mountains looking over the town of Sintra. The Palace was completed in 1854 for Queen Maria II.

The vibrant colors and attention to detail work all throughout the palace is all so eye-catching and done very well. This was so cool to see in person. Take some time to walk all around the Palace. You can go inside and all around outside. The tile work is beautiful, keep an eye out for that. To get here just ask your Uber or taxi driver to drop you off as close as possible.

The Pena Park

Pena Park is a vast, forested area that spreads out all around and below the National Palace.

Built at the same time as the Pena National Palace. There are plants, trees, and flowers here from all over the world. Walking around the park is an experience in itself.

If you are visiting Sintra definitely check out the gardens at the park, you will be so happy you did!

Castelo dos Mouros

Located up on the mountain range of Sinatra, not far from the Pena Palace you’ll find the Castelo dos Mouros. Offering views of the Atlantic Coast, the floodplains and Serra de Sintra, the millenary Castelo dos Mouros.

Castelo dos Mouros was once used as a watchtower. Walk all around the castle and see the most amazing views of the town below!

Sintra National Palace

The Palace sits in town where if you are up at the Pena Palace or the Castle you can see it right down below.

Another beautifully built building with so much history. While in Sintra check this Palace out as well and be sure to read about the history of it, it’s very interesting.

Sintra Town

The town of Sintra is a charming place with bright colored buildings, areas where cars don’t fit so it’s walking only.

Lots of history, restaurants and shopping here. I loved walking around here taking in all the beauty it has to offer. Look up at the top of the mountains while in town and you will see Castelo dos Mouros and the Pena Palace.

Tips for Sintra

Don’t drive your own car; there is very little parking

Take the train, taxi or Uber

Wear good shoes; will be doing lots of walking

Bring a nice camera!

You can walk from area to area but the hills can be difficult for some so be aware of this. There are people with small cars offering rides all over so you don’t have to walk

There are places to get food by the Palace and in the town

Bring sunglasses & sunscreen

Nightlife in Lisbon

Lisbon has a fun nightlife! Always something going on no matter what night of the week, just ask a local. We found an area near our hostel that had some food stands, sangria, shopping and live music. It was such a fun area to hangout at night with great vibes.

Keep an eye out for stuff like this or ask a local! The Lisbon Pub Crawl is fun to do! Book a pub crawl for one of your nights in Lisbon. Your guide will stop by your hostel, get your group together and you are off!

This is an awesome way to meet new people and see more of the city. A great thing to do at night if you like the bar scene.

Food in Lisbon

In Lisbon you’ll find delicious seafood, pizza and pastries! I loved all the different options to eat here, never had a meal I didn’t enjoy.

Try out some fun outdoor restaurants, food stands, nice sit down places and a good brunch!

Lisbon is such a fun and beautiful city, one of my favorites in Europe.

If you visit in the summer expect the days to often be sunny and the nights to cool down a little bit, be sure to bring a sweater. The currency here is the Euro, the main language is Portuguese but people often speak English as well.

The cost to eat, stay and travel around here is inexpensive. You can find a nice place to stay, go out to eat and do all kinds of activities for not too much money. People are so friendly here in Lisbon, they all seem so happy to help with any questions you have as a tourist so don’t be afraid to ask. As a young woman I felt pretty safe here, just always be aware of your surroundings while in a foreign place.

If you are looking for a new European destination to explore seriously consider Lisbon, Portugal.

I have nothing but good things to say about it!

Have you been? What were your favorite parts about Lisbon and the surrounding area?

I would love to hear about your experience, comment below!

Here is my Summer Packing List for a Backpacking Trip Through Europe if you need some guidance packing!

Visit Lisbon, Portugal this Summer! The Ultimate Guide