10 Things to do in Lisbon as a Solo Traveler

10 Things to do in Lisbon as a Solo Traveler

There are few cities in Europe where traveling solo is more enjoyable than in Lisbon.

Lisbon is a compact and easily walkable piece of Portugal. For when you really need to get between two districts, there’s the metro, and to reiterate how tiny this city is there are only four metro lines with a handful of stops on each.

Something that comes up time and time again amongst travelers who have arrived in big groups is that everyone takes to the hilly nature of the city very differently. Some travel companions can’d handle the harsh ups and downs, others prefer to taxi everywhere out of laziness and some want to walk until their legs give in. It’s a precarious factor to seek balance in.

by Kamila Maciejewska – Unsplash

Being alone in Lisbon allows you to come and go as you please; by foot, by tuk-tuk, by whatever your heart desires and always on your own time. Here are 10 things I most enjoy doing alone in Lisbon.

1. Walk the Fiera da Ladra in Lisbon

This is Lisbon’s biggest and oldest surviving flea market. It happens twice a week and is a massive, slow and mediative kind of experience to make your way through each cluster of stalls.

This is one place where you’ll appreciate being on your own time, especially when the sun is baking down.

Be sure to bring cash, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and recycled bags to carry your purchases. 

Fiera da Ladra Market in Lisbon – by Discover Walks

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday & Saturday – 9am to 6pm

ADDRESS: Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-472 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Lisboa Santa Apolónia

2. Watch a Fado Performance in Lisbon

Fado is a big component to Portuguese, and particularly Lisbon, culture. The musical genre was birthed in Mouraria in north Lisbon and eventually trickled into most of the restaurants and bars in the city center.

Fado is a unique style of music; it’s quite emotive and thought provoking, in a sad sort of way. Watching fado alone is a beautiful, moving experience.

There is no better spot than the original Cafe Luso in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto district. Don’t be surprised if you make a friend or two in the process, this is a social hub .

PRACTICAL INFORMATION – Café Luso

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7:30pm to 2am

ADDRESS: Praça do Comércio, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

3. Take a Day Trip to Sintra near Lisbon

Sintra is a town about an hour outside of Lisbon. It can be reached by car or by train.

The area is known for it’s lush forests and countrysides, exquisite palaces and luxury hotels. The main village has a small cluster of streets boasting cafes and bookshops worth spending a few hours in. 

Sintra – by Tania Mousinho – Unsplash

4. Take a Day Trip to Cascais near Lisbon

Another unmissable day trip from Lisbon, with or without friends, is to take the train from Lisbon’s city centre through to the beaches of Cascais.

It’s a forty minute journey and all you need on arrival is a swimming costume, something to lay on and a book to keep you company. A beautiful day out with yourself.

Cascais – by xiquinhosilva – Wikimedia Commons

5. Take a Tile Making Class in Lisbon

Lisbon is the city of tiles, and tile making classes are growing in popularity around the city center. They make for great souvenirs to take home and also connect you with the history of the art in the Portuguese capital to a large extent.

There are a few classes on offer in and around Lisbon. Click here to find out more.

6. Walk Your Way Through Lisbon

The single best way to see and appreciate this city to its core is to walk it.

You can blindly wander, guide yourself of even join a free guided walking tour through one of the main districts. There is so much to see, do, eat, drink and photograph, you’ll be anything but alone while out and about in this bustling city.

Chiado – by Rehman Abubakr – Wikimedia Commons

7. Swim and Tan at the Oeiras Oceanic Pool in Lisbon

If making the journey to Cascais doesn’t sound appealing to you as a solo traveler, then there are other places to swim and refresh closer to the city.

Hotel pools are one option, but the Oeiras Oceanic Pool in the west of the city beats these any day. This giant public pool sits on the edge of the Tagus and has place to swim, tan, eat and drink. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10am to 7pm

ADDRESS: Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras, Oeiras, Portugal

Metro STATION: Santo Amaro

8. Explore the Lx Factory in Lisbon

Lisbon’s Lx Factory is officially one of the cities most prominent attractions; people from all over the world flock here every day, they even make this their go-to during layovers at Lisbon airport.

The Lx Factory is a co-operative abandoned factory ground offering restaurants, cafes, live music, bookstores, retail shops, bars, art and more. You can lose yourself for hours here.

Lx Factory – by Bex Walton – Wikimedia Commons

DESIGN YOUR PRIVATE LISBON TOUR NOW   »

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours:

ADDRESS: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Alcantara-Mar

9. See Street Art in Mouraria in Lisbon

Mouraria in the north of the city center may have birthed the fado music movement, but they’ve had an equally as strong pull on the Lisbon street art movement as well.

Stroll through the very tiny district of Mouraria enjoying all the colorful and creative panels that live on these walls.

Mouraria – by Andreas Manessinger – Wikimedia Commons

10. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day in Lisbon

Traveling solo is beautiful but can harbor stressful energy at the same time. There are some great spas in the city center where you can treat yourself to a massage or any other spa experience.

I particularly like the Float Spa close to Bairro Alto. They offer sensory deprivation floating tanks in addition to regular spa treatments.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION – Float Spa

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 10am to 9pm

ADDRESS: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rato