Explore Lisbon
Lisbon Tourism: Best of Lisbon
Essential Lisbon


Trip ideas from our community

An LGBTQ+ guide to Lisbon
- Pensão Amor1,016Housed in a former brothel, Pensaõ Amor is an erotic-themed speakeasy with frequent burlesque shows. Sailors may be the original patrons, but now members of the LGBTQ+ pack this historic watering hole every night. We stuck around after the show to check out the quirky decor—a hodgepodge of personal objects and messages left behind by patrons of the brothel—and I recommend you do the same. If you’re feeling especially frisky, you can even stay the night in one of the old rooms.
- Finalmente Club46Every Tuesday through Saturday night at 10:30 p.m., Finalmente Club in Bairro Alto hosts a sexy variety show with a touch of drag, some burlesque, and a whole lot of feathers. We headed over right after dinner to snag a seat near the stage and were totally dazzled by the luxurious fantasy that played out on stage.
- Friends Bairro Alto46Not every night in Lisbon is all about drag or burlesque. If you can pull yourself away from the performances, head to Friends—a small, indoor-outdoor bar in Bairro Alto. It’s a chill spot for affordable tapas and beers in the early evening and a great place for dancing late at night, when it turns into a nightclub playing pop hits into the wee hours.
- Bar 10615One of the oldest gay institutions in the city, Bar 106 hosts its iconic message parties on Sunday nights. When we got to the bar, we were each given a number and told to write a message for another guest. We then had to find the other person in the bar with our same number and deliver our message to them as a great way to meet someone new. Who doesn’t love an impromptu icebreaker?
- Shelter Bar Lisboa33Shelter Bar is for the bears, but everyone is welcome at this laid-back gay bar. It’s usually not too crowded, so it’s a good place to grab a drink if you actually want to talk to your friends. You can even take your cocktails out to the street in front and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the surrounding Príncipe Real neighborhood. (Lisbon doesn’t have laws against open containers.)
- The Pink Street165It’s a bit kitschy, but I couldn’t pass up a photo opp on Lisbon’s Insta-famous Pink Street. Painted a bright shade of bubblegum, Rua Nova do Carvalho used to run through Lisbon’s red-light district but is now lined with fun bars and clubs. It can be a bit of a stinky mess in the early morning hours, but that’s when you’ll have your best chance at snapping a crowd-free picture under the rainbow umbrella canopy.
- Costa da Caparica: Beach & History5We visited Lisbon in the summer, so a day trip to a nearby beach was an absolute must. In Costa da Caparica, just an hour-long train ride from Lisbon, Beach 19 is a popular nude beach among the LGBTQ+ crowd. Spend the day on this rugged stretch of sand, nestled within a nature reserve, and you’re sure to find other queer travelers soaking up the sun in their birthday suits.
Explore Lisbon by interest
Street art ‘round every corner
Grab a drink or two
Head to the water
If you're feeling fancy-ish
Guide to Black culture
Under-the-radar art
Day trips to write home about
Find a patch of grass
Off-the-beaten-path picks
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Lisbon



In the words of those who've been there before...



What is the best way to get there?
Flying
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), aka Lisbon International Airport, is the primary airport in Lisbon. It is served by most major airlines to/from many major cities across the world.
Train
Lisbon has two major train stations, Santa Apolónia and Estação do Oriente. Both offer service to/from many European destinations via Eurostar and other regional train lines.
Bus
Estação do Oriente is also Lisbon’s bus terminal with service to/from many international and regional bus lines.
For more info on getting to Lisbon, visit here.
Do I need a visa?
Since Portugal is one of the 26 Shengen Area countries, tourists from those countries do not need a visa for visits less than 90 days, but passports must be valid for at least six months after departure dates. The same goes for Americans. For more information, see here.
When is the best time to visit?
Come June, the city of Lisbon is transformed by a carnival atmosphere for Festas de Lisboa, a two-month-long celebration of Portuguese culture, food, art and music. Average daily temperatures this time of year are highs of 25°C with lows of 16°C.
For a slightly sleepier time without summer’s peak prices and crowds, early fall boasts still-warm weather and cheaper hotel rates. Average daily temperatures then are highs of 26°C with lows around 17.
Be sure to get a Lisboa Card, available for 24-, 48- or 72-hour increments. It includes free transportation on Lisbon Metro buses, subways, trams and lifts, as well as discounts and free entry to 35 attractions.
Trains
Lisbon Metro offers four lines to 55 stations across the city.
For more info on fares, routes and schedules to get around Lisbon, visit here.
Buses
Lisbon has 78 bus lines that are operated by Carris.
For routes, fares and schedules, visit here.
Trams
Carris also runs Lisbon’s six tram lines. They are an iconic tourist experience that can also save you from hoofing it up some of the city’s hills.
For more info, visit here.
Elevators
Another unique way to get up Lisbon’s steep slopes are the four Carris-run elevators. For more info, visit here.
Taxis
Taxis are widely available in Lisbon, and can be hailed or booked via Cooptáxis.
For more info, visit here.
Bikes
Gira is the city’s bikeshare program, offering dozens of stations across the city. You can also rent bikes (including e-bikes to do the heavy lifting up those hills!) and take tours through bikeiberia.
For more info about Gira bikeshare, visit here. For more info about bikeiberia, visit here.
Rideshares
Uber operates in Lisbon and can be booked via its app on your smartphone.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Lisbon, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Lisbon include:
- Lisbon is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Lisbon:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Lisbon between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between September and November.