For my tenth solo country, I decided to visit Lisbon, Portugal. Portugal is on the list of top 10 safest cities in the WORLD. Lisbon or Lisboa in Portuguese, the capital is very safe as well. The crime rate is very low and violent crimes are rather rare. This makes good safety points for a person traveling solo like myself. I spent a short 3 days here. It wasn’t enough time to explore everywhere but was the perfect amount of time to convince me to return.

Lisbon is built on seven hills, which you will find impossible to avoid. The plus side is that these distinctive hills will surely help with your workout plan and provide a great way to burn off all the delicious food and drinks that anybody traveling to Lisbon is bound to have. To my surprise, 99% of people I ran into spoke English making it super easy to adjust to the city and learn about the rich culture. Being from a melting pot like New York it amazes me how much other countries have similarities to certain parts of New York. Lisbon definitely gave me free-spirit, do what you please Lower East Side vibes. From the graffiti to the street acts, Lisbon has proved that entertainment and a good time are basically free. For a solo traveler, this makes Lisbon a great choice, everything was inexpensive from accommodation to food. Here are a few ways to enjoy Lisbon as much as I did.

Getting There/When to go

Getting to Europe these days is significantly inexpensive compared to a decade ago. Flights from New York City can be under $400. The flight was only about 6 hours long (my flight arrived in about 5.5 hours). I thought of this equivalent to flying to Los Angeles, quite a distance but nothing too crazy. However flying back is always a pain from Europe, due to jet streams it generally takes an hour longer. My favorite search engine for flights is Google Flights and Skyscanner. I type in where I’m going and search for the prices in green which are the lowest prices. I went in early March and only need a light jacket. Lisbon is surely one of Europe’s warmer countries. You can definitely visit all throughout the year, you just might not be able to catch a golden sun-kissed tan, but you will definitely enjoy yourself. The summer (May-August) is usually crowded. Crowds and heat were never my things so also keep in mind your personal preferences.

Where To Stay

There are a few neighborhoods that I would recommend staying while in Lisbon. I chose Bairro Alto. Being only 15 minutes drive and 40-minute train ride from the airport, it was convenient and central. I walked to many places that I visited and only took the metro when I was visiting places that obviously weren’t within walking distance. Bairro Alto is a hip location for all the happenings, mostly known as the nightlife district. You can find vivid street art (which I loved), quirky bars, street performers everywhere and most of all everyone spoke English. Bairro- Alto is just steps away from neighborhoods like Baixo-Chiado (my stop on the train), Bica, Príncipe Real (where I shopped), and Cais do Sodre (where I ate a lot). Here are a few hotels to choose from. Other neighborhoods to keep in mind are:

These are my top 3 neighborhoods and places you should consider staying

Getting Around

Uber vs Public Transportation is always the debacle. The Bairro Alto area is a super great area to stay in, especially for a soloist. I pretty much walked everywhere in the area. Taxi’s are fairly inexpensive costing under 10 euros to get across town. Google maps worked like a charm with accurate directions and timetables. The transit system will take you a little longer but it is:

€1.60 - each way

€6.40 - a day pass

I always choose the metro system over anything else, I personally feel more immersed in the culture while saving a lot of money. When you’re with someone it is of course easier to split the costs of Ubers. I did my own calculations and saved over 40 euros just taking the metro/tram. This granted more the opportunity to truly walk around and admire the city and run into places I would’ve driven by in a car.

SOLO Safety

Portugal is #4 on the safest countries in the world list. I never felt like I was in harm’s way, but I was very weary. The entire city is full of alleys. Where I’m from, nothing good happens in alleys. I always kept my belongings tight and prepared for anything. I did run into men trying to get my attention walking down the street by saying different remarks like “hey beautiful” aloud. I did not feel scared, I actually found it hilarious that even in Europe they had hood antics that I haven’t experienced since high school. We should never let our guards down just because a country is deemed safe. We never what can happen so we are always taking necessary precautions.

Where To Eat/FOOD

My favorite activity in any destination is eating local cuisine. There are a ton of food options to choose from. During my time in Lisbon, I made sure to interact with locals to find out what they really eat. Here a few recommendations of my personal recommendations.

Pop Cereal Cafe

Cereal has always been one of my favorite snacks since childhood. So whether it be home in NYC or in Barcelona, if there’s a cereal cafe, I am definitely getting a bowl.

Price: €3.60 - €4.20

Seafood

Of course, people from the Mediterranean love their seafood and Portugal is no different. Try some of their codfish, cuttlefish, or gourmet sardines.

Price: Varies on the type of restaurant, my most expensive meal was €10.50

Dessert

As for sweets (my favorite), you can not leave without trying Pastel De Nata or Portuguese custard tart in English. Created by Catholic monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belem, I went to a shop called Manteigaria at Time Out Market, tried one then went back for 6 more.

Price: €1

Liquor

Try some Portugal liquors, like Ginjinha and Licor Beirao. I tried some at Lost In’s Lisboa.

Red Frog Speakeasy also serves a variety of mixed drinks that are too cute to drink.

Price: €5, but don’t expect too much in the cup

food tour

If you’re unsure about what to eat then a food market like Time Out Market can help you decide. It is a court filled with different vendors offering different tastes. If the sight of seeing so many vendors can be overwhelming for you, you can always book a food tour and let someone guide you.

Price: €20+

Bar Crawl

For the nightlife addicts, Pub Crawls are Thursday - Saturday. Usually hit up a few bars and end at a grand nightclub. Make sure to find out how many drinks are included.

Price: €20

Things to Do

Lisbon surely isn’t a boring place, you can come to this conclusion just by the art you see when walking around. The people here are vibrant and aren’t afraid to show it, so of course, the town with reciprocates this energy. There were many activities that kept me feeling alive throughout my 3 days here.

Pink Street

One of the most photographed streets in Lisbon also filled with restaurants and bars. I recommend eating at Povo.

Free Walking Tour & Street Acts

Every city I have visited has had a free walking tour. They start at different times of the day so if you aren’t a morning person there are mid-day and afternoon options.

On your own, walking through the squares like Baixa- Chiado, Restauradores Square you will find different individuals showcasing their talents. Remember to always leave tips!

Price: Your choice, 100% tip based!

Ride a Tram

This is like best way of saying “I’ve been to Lisbon”. Riding a tram or standing in front of one for a keepsake photo.

Price: €3 or FREE

Santa Justa Elevator

Once at the top you get a magnificent view of the city.

Price: €5

Belem

A short 15-20 minutes ride from Bairro Alto. Here you can find Belem Tower & Jeronimos Monastery, Monument of Discoveries

Alfama

Go to Alfama or take a pic of Castelo de São Jorge

Price: €10 Students €13 Adults

Sintra

About an hour away from Lisbon and supper cost-efficient. The metro can take you there for only 1 euro. Here you can find the beautiful red and yellow castle, Pena Palace, and other appealing architecture.

Street Art/ Street Art Tour

There’s no hiding from the street art in Lisbon. Every corner you turn will have some kind of marking some left behind. If you prefer not to explore on your own, definitely book a tour.

Price: €30

Feira da Ladra

Feira Da Ladra is a flea market where you can find pretty much anything. Best of all, is that you can find hidden gems

Fado

Fado is the music of Portugal and very popular in the capital of Lison. You can see a show or dine at certain restaurants like Povo, where they have live shows while you eat. I personally was not interested but enjoyed my local dish.

LX Factory

A cool, hip place that’s bumping during the weekends. Kind of reminds me of the Wynwood district in Miami. Here you can find cafes, restaurants, shops, stands selling various items, and this library.

Spend a day in Cascais

A beach day to relax.

Luxury Shop

With a higher tax refund than Paris, you can save on luxury items you’ve been lusting for in the U.S.

Here are the best places for Instagram photo-ops

Praca do Comercio
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Museum hop (MAAT, Coach, Azulejo)
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Palacio Dos Marqueses da Fronteira
São Jorge´s Castle (medieval castle)
Casa dos Bicos
Lisbon cathedral or Sé de Lisboa
Rossio square
Botanical garden
Pena Palace

Solo Conclusion
Whether you would like to visit solo or with company, Lisbon is definitely a place that you will enjoy. It was very cost-efficient for a soloist compared to many other countries I visited. I hope to visit again soon and highly recommend you experience it!