What not to do in Lisbon: 16 things I’d avoid as a traveller

Lisbon is one of those cities that looks effortless in photos.

Yellow trams glide through narrow streets, miradouros overlook endless terracotta rooftops, and every corner seems dipped in golden light.

Before visiting, I imagined slow walks, relaxed cafés, and a charming European city that would be easy to explore in a few days.

Instead, within my first day in Lisbon during our 24-day Portugal trip, I was sweating my way uphill on slippery cobblestones, wondering why Google Maps thought a “5-minute walk” felt like a cardio workout.

I thought I could see a lot during four days in Lisbon with my family. But I could not.

That completely changed how I experienced the city.

Some of our best moments came from slowing down, skipping overrated experiences, and understanding how Lisbon actually works beyond Instagram.

I even stood in front of a famous attraction only to see a massive queue stretching outside and decided to skip it completely.

If you are planning your first trip, here are the biggest mistakes tourists make in Lisbon and what I would genuinely recommend doing instead based on my real experience.

Some of these may sound small now, but once you are in the city, you quickly realise why people say: “don’t make this mistake in Lisbon.”

TL;DR: Biggest Lisbon mistakes to avoid

Don’t underestimate Lisbon’s hills and walking distances
Do not try to visit every miradouro
Tram 28 is not always worth the crowd
Stay outside Baixa or Chiado if you want better value
Skip unrealistic day trips from Lisbon
Reach Lisbon Airport earlier than you think you need to
Tuk-tuks are more useful in Lisbon than they first appear
Do not assume Lisbon trams, buses, and metros are free. You must pay using cash, card, or a travel pass to use public transport.

1. Don’t underestimate walking in Lisbon

Lisbon looks small on the map. But what Google Maps does not really show is how hilly the city actually is.

Narrow Lisbon street at Alfama with people walking uphill between pastel coloured buildings — The Alfama hills

Many streets, especially in Alfama and Graça, involve steep climbs, stairs, cobblestones, and uneven pavements.

We once walked what looked like a quick 550-metre stretch from Santa Apolina bus stop to Campo de Santa Clara flea market with our stroller.

It turned out to be a steep uphill walk with slippery paths – thank god it wasn’t raining that day.

Google Maps walking route from Santa Apolónia to Feira da Ladra in Lisbon showing an 11 minute uphill walk — That short walk felt longer

National Pantheon in Lisbon with a man pushing a stroller across a cobbled street on a cloudy day — Lisbon hills are no joke – The route which was 11 minute on Google Map took us 35!

The map showed 11 minutes walk, but we took 35 minutes!

We stopped in front of National Pantheon for probably five minutes to admire it for free from outside. But the rest 30 minutes was needed for 550m wlaking.

By the second day, I realised one of the biggest Lisbon travel mistakes is underestimating how tiring the hills can get.

What to do instead

Try to explore one neighbourhood at a time instead of combining many areas in one day. You need more time than you expect in each area.

Pedestrians crossing road in Lisbon city centre with classic yellow buildings and traffic around — Walking around Lisbon streets – Easier Baixa

One of my best Lisbon walking tips is to use Bolt for uphill routes and walk downhill afterwards.

That made our days in Lisbon much more enjoyable.

If you are travelling with a stroller, switch Google Maps to stair-free routes whenever possible.

2. Wearing the wrong shoes in Lisbon can ruin your trip

Everyone says comfy shoes matter while travelling, but in Lisbon they feel mandatory.

The city’s famous calçada pavements look beautiful, but they get slippery very quickly, especially near tram tracks or after rain.

tourists walking along curved tram tracks on a narrow cobbled street in Lisbon wearing good walking flat shoes — I saw most tourists wearing comfy shoes – Hardly anyone in heels

Add the constant uphill walking, and even a normal sightseeing day can start feeling exhausting.

I realised pretty fast that Lisbon is not the place for flat sandals, thin soles, or fashion-first shoes. E

ven my good walking shoes felt tired after hours of hills and cobblestones. It is one of those common mistakes in Lisbon that sounds small until your feet start hurting halfway through the day.

What to do instead

Wear shoes with:

good grip
proper cushioning
closed support

Close-up of traditional cobbled pavement in Lisbon with pink trainer shoes standing on the stones — That is what I wore- I couldn’t be more grateful for my trainers

If possible, carry two comfortable pairs and rotate them during the trip.

Your shoes will genuinely affect how much you enjoy walking around Lisbon.

3. Don’t expect Lisbon weather to be always sunny

Lisbon is one of the sunniest capitals in Europe, and you will often hear people talk about its “300 days of sunshine”.

But do not expect perfect weather all the time, especially from October to April.

I visited in late October, and the weather kept changing throughout the day. One moment it was sunny, and the next it was windy or raining.

Lisbon gave us rainy mornings and bright, colourful sunsets on the very same day.

Family posing with an umbrella near the Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon on a rainy dayRa — Rain at 11am

Sunset silhouette of a man holding a baby near the Tagus River in Lisbon with the bridge in the background — Sunshine and gorgeous sky at 5.15PM

We experienced:

sudden wind at viewpoints
cloudy sunsets
chilly evenings
occasional rain
surprisingly tiring afternoon heat

Another day, the weather looked perfectly sunny, and even the forecast only mentioned a slight chance of drizzle in the evening.

So, we relaxed for a while at the Campo das Cebolas play area. But within minutes, the bright sunny evening disappeared, drizzle started suddenly, and we had to leave immediately.

What to do instead

Keep your plans flexible, especially if most of your itinerary involves being outdoors.

Traveller carrying stroller on Lisbon tram tracks showing challenges of walking with kids in the city — And some parts of Alfama which is way too narrow – You cant use strollers at all

Avoid Alfama when it rains – it is the steepest area of Lisbon and gets tricky when it rains.

It helps to have a few indoor backup options for rainy days in Lisbon, especially from September to April.

Carry light layers, do not plan sunsets too rigidly, and always check the weather before heading to viewpoints.

Some of Lisbon’s moodier weather actually made the city feel even more beautiful.

Lisbon tram and modern tram near Praça do Comércio with reflection on wet ground — Lisbon rain added charm

4. Staying in Baixa or Chiado isn’t ideal for every budget

Baixa is Lisbon’s main central area, home to places like Praça do Comércio and the Santa Justa Lift.

Chiado sits just above it, known for shopping streets, cafés, viewpoints, and the Bica funicular.

I loved wandering around both areas.

People crossing street near large yellow building of costly hotel Meraprime — Meraprime – One of the expensive and famous hotels of Baixa’s flat streets

Baixa has some of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares and grand streets, while Chiado is home to many unique Portuguese brands that are genuinely fun to browse.

But because these neighbourhoods are so central, they are also among the most expensive areas to stay in Lisbon.

During my trip, both felt crowded, tourist-heavy, and pricier than nearby neighbourhoods, especially by evening.

What to do instead

My Lisbon travel advice is to consider staying in Príncipe Real like I did. It still felt central, but much calmer and less touristy than Baixa or Chiado.

Quiet Lisbon street with pastel buildings and trees in bloom showing a calm alegira street ideal for accommodation — The Alegria Park at the base of Principe Real

Entrance of Safira hotel in Lisbon with traveller carrying luggage — Hotel Safaira entrance – you can spot our big trolley inside

If you do not mind a bit of uphill walking, Graça is another lovely option with beautiful viewpoints and a more local atmosphere.

Before deciding which area to stay in, check my guide on best Lissbon neighbourhoods and accommodation options for different budgets and travel styles.

5. Renting a car in Lisbon ruins your trip

Driving in Lisbon feels more suited to experienced local drivers than travellers visiting Lisbon for the first time.

The roads are narrow, steep, crowded, and constantly shared with trams, tuk-tuks, buses, and pedestrians.

Lisbon street with tram, bus and cars sharing narrow road showing mixed public transport in action — All transport in one street- You don’t want to drive here

Steep street in Lisbon Portugal with parked cars and city view showing hilly terrain and driving conditions — Lisbon city- driving here is not for faint hearted

I never drove in Lisbon myself, but after seeing the traffic, steep streets, and chaotic roads, I realised not renting a car in the city was probably one of my best decisions.

Parking also looked stressful almost everywhere we went. Many areas had limited parking, resident-only spots, or expensive parking charges.

What to do instead

Use Lisbon’s public transport as much as possible – it is easy and super efficient to use.

Woman and baby travelling inside citybus transport in lisbon with stroller and seating area visible — Lisbon city bus by Carris

We mostly used trams and buses, sometimes the metro, and relied on Bolt whenever needed. Bolt is surprisingly affordable in Portugal.

We only rented a car after leaving the city for places like Nazaré and the outskirts of Sintra.

6. Riding Tram 28 is the not best Lisbon experience

A huge Lisbon travel mistake people make is thinking Tram 28 is the ultimate Lisbon experience.

Every time we tried taking it, it was packed. Forget empty seats, sometimes there was barely space to stand. It was similar case with tram 12 also, but better than 28.

You will see tourists doing all kinds of crazy stuff in here

Red Lisbon tram turning through narrow calcad de vicente Alfama street lined with old buildings and overhead wires in Lisbon — Calçada de São Vicente’s historic tram

I also kept reading warnings about pickpocketing since the tram is heavily used by tourists.

In the end, watching Lisbon’s yellow trams felt far more enjoyable than riding them. One evening, I took Tram 12 back home and actually liked the experience much more.

And seeing trams pass through Alfama while sitting at cafés or viewpoints felt genuinely magical.

What to do instead

Do not obsess over riding Tram 28 just for the experience.

If you still want to try it, go very early in the morning.

Otherwise, simply enjoy watching the trams around Alfama and other scenic parts of Lisbon.

Lisbon café table with pastries and drink beside open doorway as colourful tram passes outside on rainy street in Lisbon — Fora cafe and the view

Yellow Lisbon tram waiting at a stop on a rainy street with reflections on the pavement — Watch trams instead of riding

And if you want a calmer Portugal tram experience, I found Porto’s trams much easier and less crowded, but equally charming.

7. Don’t miss taking tuk tuk tour in Lisbon

As a budget traveller, I usually stick to public transport and avoid overly touristy experiences. So in Lisbon, I almost skipped tuk-tuks completely.

Online opinions also confused me.

Colourful tuk tuk driving through a Lisbon street during sunset with old buildings and tram tracks — Sunset and tuktuks of Lisbon

Tuk tuks parked near Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon under a blue sky — Tuk tuk tours at the famous Monastery

Some people called them part of Lisbon’s charm, while others said they were just tourist traps.

But after days of exhausting uphill walking, booking a tuk-tuk ended up being one of our smartest Lisbon decisions.

It helped us cover more ground without exhausting ourselves and gave us useful local insights along the way.

Family sitting inside a tuk tuk ride in Lisbon with a child in a seat and open roof view — Rain or shine, we enjoyed tuk tuk tour in Lisbon

What to do instead

Use tuk-tuks strategically instead of treating them like a novelty ride.

Pick one area, take a tuk-tuk tour for a few hours, and then explore the rest on foot at your own pace.

Pink tuk tuk parked on a cobbled street in Lisbon beside pastel coloured buildings — Aesthetics of Lisbon tuk tuks

They work especially well if you are:

short on time
travelling with family
struggling with Lisbon’s hills
visiting during hot weather

For us, it felt more like a practical shortcut through the city than a tourist gimmick.

I have also shared my full tuk-tuk tour experience in Lisbon, including tips, mistakes, and the tour options I would personally recommend.

Tourists sitting inside a white tuk tuk on a cobbled street during a city tour in Lisbon, Portugal — Us and our tuk tuk guide Thomas

8. Trying to visit every miradouro will exhaust you

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make in Lisbon is trying to visit every miradouro.

Before my trip, I had saved countless viewpoints online, expecting each one to feel very different.

A plastic cup of cold beer placed on a stone ledge with panoramic rooftops and São Jorge Castle overlooking Lisbon city, Portugal. — Beer at Miradouro

People watching the sunset by the Tagus River in Lisbon with Cristo Rei visible in the distance — Not all miradouro give you the same veiw

But after rushing between miradouros on our first day, many started feeling similar. Same rooftops, same river views, same crowds.

That was when our tuk-tuk guide, Thomas, said something that stayed with me: Lisbon viewpoints are more about the atmosphere than just the view.

And he was absolutely right.

What to do instead

Pick 2–3 viewpoints you actually want to enjoy properly instead of trying to tick them all off.

Stay a little longer, watch the sunset, grab a drink, and slow down a bit. That felt far more memorable than rushing around for photos.

vacaywork author ashrith sitting on a stone wall with the National Pantheon dome in Lisbon behind — A different Lisbon skyline

Also, do not feel pressured to pay for viewpoints in Lisbon.

Many rooftop terraces add up quickly, especially on a Portugal budget trip, and some of the best views are completely free.

Though Santa Luzia viewpoint in Alfama is super Instagram-famous, I honestly felt it was worth skipping. The view was nice, but the overall experience wasn’t.

My personal favourites were Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and São Vicente viewpoint.

Santa Luzia viewpoint looks beautiful on Instagram, but my experience was very different. The view was nice, yet I still felt it was worth skipping. Here’s why.

I have also shared a full list of free Lisbon viewpoints worth visiting before you decide which ones to add to your itinerary.

9. Don’t visit viral spots of Lisbon without researching

Instagram makes Lisbon look full of aesthetic hidden gems, and I wanted to visit them too.

But some viral places honestly felt more like Lisbon tourist traps than must-visit experiences.

View of a large bridge and open space in Lisbon with cloudy skies and street art nearby — LX Factory

Colourful street art covering buildings along a cobbled street in Lisbon LX Factory — LX Factory street art – I feel, it could be any city in the world

LX Factory, for example, felt a bit overrated to me.

It reminded me of trendy creative neighbourhoods you can find in many other countries and did not feel especially Portuguese.

Then comes the Santa Justa Lift, which was closed for renovation during our visit. Honestly, it is just a tall metal elevator going up and down.

It is not even fully open or panoramic like many tourists expect. For us, it is one of the most overhyped paid attractions in Lisbon.

Instead, just walk up through the nearby streets to the viewpoint near the Carmo ruins. The view from there is much better.

Pink Street in Cais do Sodré was another one.

We visited in the afternoon, spent barely five minutes there, and moved on. It is only a part of Pink street is charming with umbrellas and is flooded with photo clickers

Pink painted street under an archway in Lisbon with people walking through the lane with under construction building on either side — The reality of Rua Nova do Carvalho AKA Pink street

What to do instead

Leave room for unplanned wandering instead of travelling across the city only for Instagram photos.

Research areas like Alfama and Belém that not only look good in photos but also feel enjoyable when you are actually there.

Quiet cobbled alley in Lisbon with pastel houses, hanging laundry and flower pots in Alfama — The real Lisbon – Alfama charm

Curved cobbled street in Lisbon lined with white houses and a large flowering tree — A non famous yet beautiful street near Gloria

Graffiti-covered wall beside a street in Lisbon with a person walking past colourful artwork — No rush to admire the graffiti in a non-famous lane

Some of my favourite places in Lisbon were not viral spots at all.

There are plenty of streets and spots in Principe Real and Baira Alto junction which hardly get any tourists. I loved those streets more than these famous ones.

10. Don’t visit Jerónimos Monastery just because it’s famous

Yes, I said it. Jerónimos Monastery is on almost every Lisbon itinerary, and I wanted to visit too.

But during our Belém tuk-tuk tour, I saw a massive queue stretching outside under the sun.

Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon with crowds of tourists gathered outside the historic building — See the waiting line?

Even people with pre-booked tickets were waiting a very long time to enter.

There is no doubt the monastery is beautiful.

Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon with crowds of tourists gathered outside the historic Jerónimos monastery — No doubt, Jerónimos monastery is beautiful. But is it worth it?

Close-up of the ornate carved facade of Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon under bright daylight — Every inch had tiny details – exteriors of Jerónimos Monastery

But personally, waiting nearly 1.5 hours in heavy crowds did not feel worth it unless you are deeply interested in the history or architecture.

What to do instead

At the very least, do not spend hours standing in line for it.

Seeing Jerónimos Monastery from outside and enjoying the Belém area itself felt enough for me.

And if you are travelling around Portugal, I personally enjoyed monasteries like Alcobaça and Batalha much more because they felt calmer and less crowded.

Alcobaça Monastery cloister framed by stone arches with courtyard garden and historic walls — Quiet places hit harder – Alcobaca monastery without crowd

Historic church facade in Alcobaca monastery surrounded by narrow streets showing beautiful architecture — Hello less crowded monastery of Alcobaca

I loved Alcobaça monastery where it was almost empty. It was easily part of our 2 days Nazare trip.

11. Don’t think all pastéis de nata taste the same

Before visiting Portugal, I assumed pastel de nata (the famous Lisbon-born egg tart) would taste more or less the same everywhere.

I was completely wrong.

Rows of pastel de nata with caramelised tops and flaky pastry shells cooling on trays inside a bakery in Portugal. — Fresh from the oven – Pastel de nata

Pastel de nata held in hand at a viewpoint in Lisbon during sunset with people and trees in the background — We ate Pastel de nata in random places

Like many tourists, we started buying them randomly from fancy cafés and touristy spots.

Some even cost nearly €3 but did not taste great at all.

Some were too eggy, some overly sweet, and others had soggy or overly flaky pastry.

I genuinely did not expect the difference between bakeries to be this noticeable.

What to do instead

Try pastéis de nata from places known for doing them really well, especially Pastéis de Belém and Manteigaria.

Entrance of Pastéis de Belém bakery in Lisbon with blue tiles and people standing outside — The best place to eat it in it’s birth place -Pastéis de Belém

Fresh pastel de nata displayed inside a pasties de belem bakery window in Lisbon with a price sign showing 1.50 euros — Pasties de Berlem – 1.5 Euros only

Pastel de Belam held in hand in front of Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon on a sunny day — Buy one at Pastéis de Belém bakery and eat it at Jerónimos Monastery

One of the easiest tricks is to see where locals are buying them. Not every stylish café in Lisbon serves a good pastel de nata.

Even better, join a local food tour in Lisbon. It is one of the best ways to find smaller bakeries and local spots most tourists completely miss.

12. Skipping local padarias is a big mistake in Lisbon

Lisbon has beautiful brunch cafés like any modern European city. You will find fancy interiors, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and expensive coffee everywhere.

Small café interior in Lisbon, Portugal, with pastry display counter, wooden shelves, and sign that says welcome to Brooklyn above the door. — A cafe in Alegria looks cool and cosy – But northing Portuguese about it

Bright yellow corner building with cafés and outdoor seating on a Lisbon street

But after a while many started feeling repetitive, crowded, and overpriced compared to local Portuguese bakeries.

Meanwhile, simple padarias gave us fresh local pastries like pão de ló, strong coffee, affordable breakfasts, and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Some of my favourite breakfasts in Lisbon cost less than a trendy coffee elsewhere in Europe.

What to do instead

Try local bakeries in the morning instead of only visiting trendy brunch cafés.

Small local bakery in Portugal with simple exterior showing affordable places to eat like local bakeries — Local Padaria saves money . PC: istock

Outdoor café seating area in Lisbon with cloudy skies and the National Pantheon dome visible behind rooftops — Nothign fancy, but local food at Restaurant Tabernita

Look for small padarias near metro stations or bus stops. Most serve simple coffee like bica (espresso) or galão with fresh pastries and cakes.

Some of my best food memories in Lisbon came from these small neighbourhood bakeries.

Heads up: In Lisbon and across Portugal, the bread, cheese, and olives brought to your table first are called couvert. They are not free. Even one bite means they will be added to your bill.

So either ask the waiter to take them away or avoid touching them if you do not want to pay.

There are a few more restaurant rules in Portugal worth knowing before eating out in Lisbon. Read this to avoid awkward surprises.

13. Planning too many day trips from Lisbon can backfire

One of the most common mistakes tourists make in Lisbon is trying to squeeze too many places into one day.

Pena Palace in Sintra with colourful yellow and red towers, stone walls and cloudy sky — Sintra does drama well

Us, at the westernmost point of Mainland Europe is in SIntra

Monseratte palace gardens in Sintra Portugal with a person walking uphill showing scenic areas — Gardens and palace of Monserrate in Sintra

Because Portugal looks small on the map, it is easy to assume you can comfortably do Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais together. Some people even combine Fátima and Nazaré in a single day.

Personally, I would not recommend it. You end up spending too much time travelling and rushing from place to place.

I spent 4 days in Lisbon and did not take a single day trip from the city. Later, I visited Sintra, Nazaré, and Óbidos separately and stayed overnight in each place instead of rushing through them.

Even the “easy” Lisbon day trips involve more transport and walking than most blogs mention.

What to do instead

My biggest Lisbon tips for first timers would be to skip day trips completely if you are in the city for less than 3 days. Lisbon itself deserves that time.

Cobblestone street lined with white houses and blue details in Óbidos village — Óbidos slow walk

Man holding a child on a cobbled street in Óbidos beside a white house covered in pink flowers — My spouse and kid enjoying obidos while I click them

A winding road leading towards a hilltop castle and whitewashed town houses in Óbidos, Portugal, under a cloudy sky. — A deviation from highway to the medieval fortified town

And if you still want a day trip, pick somewhere simpler and closer like Cascais or Óbidos instead of trying to cover multiple places in one go.

Sintra alone deserves a full day at minimum.

Read my guide to places near Lisbon worth visiting for a day, where I have explained which destinations are better by bus, train, or car.

14. Don’t choose random luggage storage service in Lisbon

Whether you are taking a day trip or flying to places like Madeira or the Azores, there is a good chance you may need luggage storage in Lisbon.

Underground station in Lisbon with signs pointing to luggage lockers and railways with turnstiles — Lisbon underground metro stations Lockers

We had to store our luggage while flying to Madeira with only cabin bags, and I quickly realised not all luggage storage options in Lisbon felt reliable.

Some lockers require you to walk in and check availability, while others are not open 24/7.

There are plenty of options across the city, from metro station lockers to airport storage services, but choosing randomly at the last minute can become stressful.

What to do instead

Book a verified luggage storage service in advance instead of deciding on the spot.

Hand holding luggage storage token in Portugal showing paid services — The bounce token

Backpack and suitcase with storage tag in Portugal showing bounce luggage storage option for travellers on the move — We stored a backpack and a trolley at Bounce

I personally used Bounce storage in Lisbon because it felt more reliable and convenient than airport luggage storage and random locker options.

Good logistics genuinely make Lisbon travel much smoother.

Check my story on why I chose Bounce storage in Lisbon over airport luggage storage and why I found it more convenient than other options.

15. Lisbon airport delays are more common than you think

Lisbon Airport (LIS) has a reputation for long queues, delays, and confusion. I did not find it terrible, but it is definitely not the smoothest airport either.