Capital city, Portugal
Lisbon for solo travelers
Is Lisbon good for solo travel?
Europe's easiest nomad capital: sunny, English-friendly, safe, with great food, coworking and day trips. Rents have soared, hills are steep and summer centre is crowded.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | One of Europe's easier cities for solo women. Expect some persistent street sellers in the centre; use app rides after midnight. |
How to meet people in Lisbon
Social hostels in Baixa and Alfama, coworking events, Meetup language exchanges, walking tours, surf lessons at Carcavelos and nomad dinners in Santos and Cais do Sodré.
Good things to do alone
- Take the 15E tram out to Belém early
- Eat pastéis de nata at Manteigaria standing at the counter
- Watch the sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
- Hear fado at a small tasca in Alfama
- Ride the Cascais train for a beach afternoon
Where to stay in Lisbon
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| PrĂncipe Real–Bairro Alto | CafĂ©s, nightlife and LGBTQ+ venues; steep and noisy at night |
| Alfama–Graça | Old-town views, tiled lanes and fado; stairs everywhere |
| Santos–Madragoa | Quieter riverside area near Cais do Sodré and Time Out Market |
| Campo de Ourique | Residential, local markets and cafés; good for long stays |
| Arroios–Anjos | Cheaper rooms, multicultural food, central metro access |
Solo travel across Portugal
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Porto | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lagos | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Algarve | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Madeira | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sintra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cascais | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Azores | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Faro | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ericeira | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coimbra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Douro Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Évora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Braga | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Aveiro | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Silver Coast | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Albufeira | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nazaré | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tavira | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Lisbon good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Europe's easiest nomad capital: sunny, English-friendly, safe, with great food, coworking and day trips.
How do you meet people in Lisbon?
Social hostels in Baixa and Alfama, coworking events, Meetup language exchanges, walking tours, surf lessons at Carcavelos and nomad dinners in Santos and Cais do Sodré. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Lisbon?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Lisbon safe for solo female travelers?
One of Europe's easier cities for solo women. Expect some persistent street sellers in the centre; use app rides after midnight.
More about Lisbon
Going to Lisbon solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lisbon meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.