Lisbon
Seven hills, yellow trams, tiled facades and a river the size of a sea.
Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Yellow High Temperature Warning · Area: Madeira - Porto Santo · From 2026-08-11T18:10:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-14T18:00:00+00:00
Yellow High Temperature Warning · Area: Madeira - Costa Sul · From 2026-08-11T18:10:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-14T18:00:00+00:00
Yellow High Temperature Warning · Area: Madeira - Costa Norte · From 2026-08-11T18:10:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-14T18:00:00+00:00
Good to know
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period…
Portugal follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years a…
The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area…
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Portugal. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty…
Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Entry and exit requirements section – updated information on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Editorial change.
The metro red line runs from the airport to the centre in about 20 minutes with one change.
Buy a Viva Viagem card at any metro machine. It works on metro, trams, funiculars and the Cascais and Sintra trains.
Tram 28 is packed by 9am. Board at Martim Moniz early or ride tram 12 for a shorter version of the same route.
Belem is a separate district 20 minutes west. Pair the tower, monastery and pasteis in one half day trip.
Local knowledge
Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.
It loops through the same steep Alfama streets, takes half the time and you will actually get a seat.
The monastery queue triples after 10am. Go early, get your pasteis while they are still warm, then take the tram back for lunch.
Book an experience
Verified operators in Lisbon, booked direct through KLNK.
Frequently asked questions
The red metro line reaches the centre in about 20 minutes, and a taxi or ride hail takes 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic.
Three days for Alfama, Baixa, Belem and a night of fado, with a fourth for Sintra or the Cascais coast.
Yes. Trains from Rossio take about 40 minutes. Book Pena Palace entry in advance and start early to beat the queues.
Pasteis de nata in Belem, grilled sardines in summer, bifana sandwiches and seafood at a tasca away from the main squares.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s guides for Portugal, The Azores, Madeira and Porto Santo. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Portugal. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
U.S. Department of State currently advises normal precautions (level 1 of 4). Advice differs slightly between governments, so check your own country's advisory before you travel.
Travel information last reviewed 18 August 2026. Compiled from European Commission Newsroom, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and Tourpublish Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.
Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to Portugal as a whole.
Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.
Photography: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0); Michael Meraner (CC BY 2.0); Alvesgaspar (CC BY-SA 3.0).