What to pack for a trip to Lisboa?
Most visitors arrive in Lisbon expecting a relaxed, photogenic city break and leave with aching legs, blistered feet, and at least one story about being squeezed on tram 28.
In short, what catches you out here
- Lisbon's seven hills mean constant steep climbs and descents on cobblestone streets (calçada portuguesa), leaving legs and feet exhausted and blistered by midday.
- The iconic tram 28 is so overrun with tourists that locals barely use it; pickpockets actively work the route and passengers are pressed together with no personal space.
- Many small shops, bakeries and local restaurants close between 13:00 and 15:00, leaving visitors stranded without food or supplies during the hottest part of the day.
Why this list?
What catches people off guard is not the heat — it is the relentlessness of the hills. Every miradouro you want to reach involves a steep climb on polished limestone cobblestones that punish any shoe without a proper grip. Add 28°C temperatures, zero shade at the most popular viewpoints, and a lunch service that simply stops mid-afternoon, and the city rewards preparation far more than improvisation. The tips here focus on what experienced Lisbon visitors wish they had known: the shoes that actually work on calçada portuguesa, how to navigate the tram 28 tourist trap, when to eat so you are not stranded hungry, and how to protect your phone, cash, and documents in the neighbourhoods where pickpockets are most active.
When to go
March to June ·September ·October
Spring and autumn offer mild, sunny weather; July and August are very hot (35°C+) and overcrowded.
Less favourable : July to August
✔To do before you leave
Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.
- Portugal is in the EU but some MVNO and budget plans exclude roaming data; discovering this on day one in Alfama without signal is a common and avoidable frustration.
- Popular Lisbon restaurants fill up fast after 20:00 and do not accept walk-ins; visitors who eat on a Northern European schedule of 18:00 find kitchens not yet open.
- Mobile data is consumed rapidly by navigation in the winding medieval streets; an offline map means you can find your way through Mouraria even when signal drops or data runs out.
- Tram 28 is legitimately a pickpocket gauntlet and the wait can exceed 30 minutes in summer heat; Bus 737 or walking the same route is safer, cheaper, and often faster.
- Many local restaurants and tascas shut mid-afternoon; arriving at 14:30 expecting lunch will leave you hunting for 20 minutes in the midday heat with a closed door at every turn.
- Carrying your only card and all your cash together on tram 28 means a single pickpocket incident wipes out everything; split them between bag and inside pocket before boarding.
✔The essentials
Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.
- Polished calçada portuguesa cobblestones are brutally slippery and uneven; a smooth-soled shoe or sandal guarantees blisters and ankle twists before the first miradouro.
- The combination of steep hills and cobblestones destroys feet faster than any other European capital; most visitors need one by day two and pharmacies in Alfama are scarce.
- Tram 28 and the Alfama alleys are active pickpocket zones; a backpack worn behind you on a packed tram is opened in seconds.
- Portugal's public health system is accessible to EU nationals with an EHIC; without it, any GP or hospital visit becomes a full out-of-pocket expense.
- Portugal requires valid ID for hotel check-in, some museum discounts, and any police interaction; a photocopy stored separately protects against loss.
✔Nice-to-haves
Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.
- Evenings in Lisbon drop to 20°C and Atlantic breezes hit the hilltop miradouros after sunset; after sweating all day, the temperature shift feels sharp.
- If your passport is stolen in the Alfama — a real and reported risk — having a photocopy stored separately or in email speeds up the consulate replacement process significantly.
- Tascas and pastelarias in Alfama and Mouraria regularly have no card reader or enforce a €10 minimum; a €20 note in your pocket saves an embarrassing moment at the counter.
- Navigating the labyrinthine streets of Alfama on Google Maps, checking tram 28 live positions, and using ride-hailing apps drains a phone to zero well before dinner.
✔Weather & season
Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.
- Tram 28 carriages are not air-conditioned and pack tourists in tight; a fan is the only relief during the 40-minute ride through the hottest part of the day.
- Climbing Lisbon's seven hills in 28°C heat causes salt loss that plain water does not replace; headaches hitting by mid-afternoon are often dehydration-plus-electrolyte deficit, not just sun.
- Dry summer air combined with prolonged sun exposure at open viewpoints causes cracked lips that most visitors attribute to dehydration but is actually UV damage.
- At 28°C with constant uphill walking you dehydrate fast; Lisbon has free drinking fountains (bebedouros) citywide, making tap refills a practical alternative to buying bottles.
- Miradouro queues and tram stops are fully exposed; UV index hits 9–10 in summer and you will wait 20–40 minutes in direct sun with nowhere to shelter.
✔ My own items
Create an account to save your lists and find them on all your devices.
- Every checklist you generate, kept and available anytime
- On your phone as well as your computer
- Your ticks picked up right where you left them
✔ Good to know
- Check your passport validity before booking: make sure it has at least 3 months remaining beyond your planned departure date from Portugal, as this is a standard Schengen entry requirement. source
- If you're from a visa-exempt non-EU country (US, UK, Canada, Australia…), keep an eye on the ETIAS authorisation launch — once live, you'll need to register online before travelling to any Schengen country, including Portugal. source
- Pack a Type F (Schuko) plug adapter and verify your devices support 220–230 V / 50 Hz: travellers from the UK or North America will need an adapter, and high-wattage appliances like hair dryers may also need a voltage converter. source
- Plan to pay by contactless card for most things in Lisbon — including metro, buses, trams and elevators, which now all accept tap-to-pay — though keeping a small amount of cash for markets or very small vendors is still a good idea. source
- Sort out health cover before you leave: EU/EEA/Swiss travellers should carry their EHIC card for access to public healthcare; travellers from outside the EU are billed for care, so a travel insurance policy with medical cover is strongly advisable. source
- Stay alert in busy tourist spots (trams, Alfama, Baixa): petty theft and pickpocketing do occur in crowded areas of Lisbon, so consider a crossbody bag worn in front and keep cards and phone out of back pockets. source
- Large rolling suitcase — Lisbon's hilly cobblestone streets (especially in Alfama and Bairro Alto) make wheeled luggage very difficult to manoeuvre — a backpack or soft-sided bag is far more practical.
- High-heeled shoes — The steep, uneven cobblestone pavements across most of central Lisbon can be slippery and hard on ankles — comfortable flat shoes will serve you much better.
- Wads of cash — Contactless card payment is now accepted across Lisbon's public transport and most shops and restaurants, so carrying large amounts of cash adds unnecessary risk in pickpocket-prone areas.
✔ Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Lisbon?
Tap water in Lisbon is safe to drink and regularly monitored — the national regulator ERSAR reports that over 98% of distributed water in mainland Portugal meets health standards. You can fill a reusable bottle straight from the tap or use one of the public fountains found in squares and parks, which is both convenient and free.
How to get around Lisbon by public transport?
Lisbon's network covers the metro (4 lines), Carris buses and trams (including the iconic tram 28 to Alfama), historic funiculars, Tagus ferries, and suburban trains to Cascais/Estoril in about 30 minutes. The rechargeable Navegante card (around €0.50 for the card itself) works across all modes — you can pay per trip in zapping mode (roughly €1.50 for metro or bus) or load a 24 h/48 h/72 h unlimited pass if you plan to travel a lot. Pick the card up at any metro station on arrival.
What to pack for Lisbon in July and August?
Summer in Lisbon means dry heat with temperatures often reaching 35 °C, strong sun, and very little rain, so light breathable clothes, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essentials. The cobbled hills of Alfama and Bairro Alto call for comfortable walking shoes with a grippy sole rather than thin flat sandals. Throw in a swimsuit for the Estoril coast beaches reachable by train, and a light jacket for air-conditioned venues or cooler evenings on a terrace.