Is a solo trip to Lisbon on your mind? After visiting this stunning city myself, I can’t wait to share all of my top solo travel tips with you! Lisbon is a city full of colorful buildings, charming atmospheres, historical squares and social adventures waiting for you!But of course you should never visit a city on a solo trip without doing the research first. Read along to find out everything you need to know!

Is Lisbon Safe For Female Solo Travel?

I went on a solo trip to Lisbon recently and loved every minute of it! During my stay, I felt completely safe walking around on my own during the day, and I never had any unpleasent experiences or encounters. The locals are generally welcome and helpful, if you are in need of advice or directions. And as most major sights are placed in the center of the city, you won’t find yourself suddenly strolling into any unsafe outskirts of the city. That being said, I think it is important to always follow these safety precautions and tips on feeling safe in order to enjoy your solo trip to Lisbon to the fullest.

The only time I really felt uneasy was walking in the area around the train station at night, which I only did because I arrived late in the evening. But if I am being honest, this has been my experience in most cities. Train stations attract a certain type of people, who will be standing around on their own or in groups with no obvious purpose. This can easily make you feel unsafe, which means I personally avoid these areas during the night, if I can.

Best Places To Stay In Lisbon For Solo Travellers

As a female solo traveller, one of the first things I research about a destination is the best places to stay. And more importantly: where NOT to stay. Luckily, Lisbon is a generally safe city, and most central areas in the city are completely safe and great to stay at! The areas below are my top recommendations, if you want to feel safe while living in a clean space close to the main sights. And I have absolutely loved staying in both areas!

Baixa-Chiado & Bairro Alto: For The Best Hostels In Lisbon

Baixa, Chiado and Bairro Alto are the ultimate places to stay in Lisbon for first time visitors due to the close proximity to most major sights. You will find yourself in the very heart of the city, only a short walk from amazing dining options, beautiful historical sights, peaceful squares and buzzing bars. As a solo traveller, this has the added bonus of always being near other tourists during the day and night! And it also happens to be where most hostels are located – which isone of the best ways you can meet new people while travelling solo!

The Good Morning Solo Traveller Hostel is one of the very best hostels to stay at in terms of social activities, great rooms and high ratings. The hostel offers daily tours, great common areas and even free sangria during happy hour! If you are looking for a beautiful party hostel, the Sunset Destination Hostel in Lisbon has a sunny rooftop for you to lounge on, and weekly pub crawls and DJ sessions to create the best atmosphere for those looking for a fun night.

Alfama: For A More Quiet, Luxury Experience In A Safe Area

If you are the type of traveller, who likes to stay outside of the hustle and bustle but remain within walking distance of great restaurants, Alfama is the perfect place for you. It is the oldest district in Lisbon and has the most special, charming atmosphere. Not to mention it is home to some of the best views of the city!

However, it should be noted that there are barely any hostels in this area of the city, which means you will be staying in B&B’s and hotels during your stay. Which in my opinion is SO needed sometimes during longer solo trips. The Tandam Palacio Alfama Suites has some of the highest value for money with beautiful rooms, views of the oceon, an outdoor pool and even gym facilities! And if you are looking for something at a lower budget, Hotel Convento Do Salvador has a beautiful, peaceful courtyard and an on-site restaurant and bar.

Things To Do In Lisbon For Solo Travellers

Below I have listed some of the best acitivities and things to do for solo travellers in Lisbon. If you feel the need for further inspiration, check out this detailed 3 day itinerary, which I carefully crafted based on my favorite experiences!

Live Your Best Life Exploring The Many Beautiful Sights On Foot

I don’t know about you, but one of my absolute favorite activities when travelling solo is simply wandering around a place, exploring every corner I fancy on my way. And luckily, Lisbon is in no shortage of charming corners and hidden gems! Be sure to set enough time for exploring whereever your heart tells you to, and capture it all in beautiful photos or videos along the way. Don’t forget to head to the colorful Praca do Comércio, visit the historic Belém District, catch a glimpse of the iconic Tram 28 and get the best views of the city from Sao Jorge Castle or one of the many Miradouro’s. 

Join One Of The Many Fun Group Tours And Activities In Lisbon

One of the BEST things you can do on a solo trip to Lisbon is to join a fun group tour og -activity! These are absolutely genius, if you need a bit of socialization to maintain sane… and at the same time want to enrichen your experience of the city! What enriches an experience more than a city tour with delicious food and drink tastings included? Maybe you want to challenge yourself by learning how to bake the famous Pastel de Nata in a designated cooking class? Or join a beautiful sunset cruise with an open bar? The possibilities in Lisbon are endless, and there will undoubtably be a perfect activity for YOUR solo trip.

Enjoy Dining And Hanging Out Alone Without Sticking Out

One of the biggest challenges that most solo travellers face is the one of dining out alone. Not because it is a specifically uncomfortable or bad experience. But there is just something about it, which normally makes me SO aware of myself when in reality, I just want to be enjoying myself and focusing on the now. So naturally, one of my favorite things about Lisbon was how COMPLETELY normal it was to be dining out alone. Locals do it ALL around you, which means you won’t be sticking out in any type of way. Go to that restaurant you have been dreaming of. Sit in solitude on that perfect park spot. And enjoy.

Take A Breathtaking Daytrip To The Fairytale Town Of Sintra

Finally, I cannot conclude the best things to do in Lisbon on a solo trip without giving an honorable mention to the fairytale town of Sintra! Sintra is a UNESCO site in the mountains of Portugal, that will undoubtably make your heart beat faster. Filled with castles, colorful palaces and historical ruins, the town will easily color a full day of your itinerary with pure exploration and adventures. And do you know what the best part is? It is only a 40 minute train ride from Lisbon! If you want to know more, check out this guide I made for you with all of the details on what to see and how to get there!

In conclusion, Lisbon is an amazing destination for a solo trip that will no doubt fulfill your needs for sunshine, social activities and absolutely stunning surroundings.As long as your travel with common sense and follow the safety guidelines mentioned in this post, you will be absolutely fine. And even better: I bet your will have the time of your life! Go book that trip.