Why visit
Lisbon climbs seven hills of azulejo tile, fado houses, miradouro viewpoints, and the Tejo river. Belém's pastries and Jerónimos monastery anchor the west; Alfama's narrow lanes anchor the east.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Lisbon is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Portugal. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Lisbon, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Portugal better matches the trip style.
Lisbon at a glance
City population
550k
Metro: 3.0 million
Elevation
2 m
7 ft
Time zone
UTC+0 (UTC+1 DST)
Europe/Lisbon
Airport
LIS
Humberto Delgado (Portela)
Founded
c. 1200 BCE (Phoenicians)
Getting around
Metro (4 lines), historic trams, elevadores, buses
Signature dish
Pastéis de nata, bacalhau à brás, bifana, ginjinha
Neighborhoods for travelers
AlfamaBairro AltoChiadoBelém
Portugal at a glance
Country center
39.5°, -8.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
92,090 km²
35,556 mi²
Country population
10.3 million
111/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+351
Language
Portuguese
Demonym
Portuguese
Internet
.pt
UN
Member state
ISO code
PT / PRT
Where in the world
39.5° - -8.0°
Portugal
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Lisbon is older than Rome: founded by Phoenicians ~1200 BCE.
- The city sits on seven hills, like Rome. Trams crawl up them since 1901.
- The 1755 earthquake killed ~60,000 and destroyed 85% of buildings in minutes. Rebuilding invented modern urban planning.
- Portugal had the longest colonial empire: spanning 584 years (1415 to 1999 when Macau was returned).
- The oldest bookstore in the world still in operation is in Lisbon: Livraria Bertrand, since 1732.
Bordering Portugal
Traveler notes
- Tram 28 is scenic but pickpocket-heavy
- Time Out Market for a food sampler
- Day-trip to Sintra is a must
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Lisbon
What currency is used in Lisbon?
Lisbon uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Portugal?
The primary language is Portuguese.
What is the international calling code for Portugal?
The calling code is +351.
What airport serves Lisbon?
Humberto Delgado (Portela) (IATA: LIS).
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