
We see a lot of travelers falling into the same traps when they visit Portugal for the first time. Lisbon is an incredible city full of delicious food and postcard perfect views, but avoiding a few common missteps can make or break your trip. We put together a list of things you should definitely not do while exploring the City of Seven Hills so you can skip the stress and enjoy the adventure.
- Dragging your luggage everywhere: Lisbon is famous for its steep hills, narrow sidewalks, and cobblestone streets. Trying to drag a heavy suitcase around before check-in is a terrible idea. Have a service pick up and store your bags so you can actually enjoy your first day.
- Eating at Baixa tourist traps: If a restaurant has a laminated menu in four languages and waiters trying to lure you inside, it is likely overpriced and less authentic. Look for traditional tascas outside the main tourist areas for cheaper and bigger portions.
- Wearing the wrong shoes: Leave the high heels and flip flops at home! You will spend a lot of time walking on cobblestones, and they get seriously slippery when wet. Comfortable sneakers with good grip are a must to avoid twisting an ankle.
- Thinking you can walk to the beach: Portugal is famous for its coastline, but there are no beaches in central Lisbon. If you want sun and sand, you need to take a train or transport to nearby towns like Cascais or Costa da Caparica.
- Assuming the table bread is free: When you sit down at a traditional restaurant, the waiter might bring bread, butter, and olives before you order. This is called the couvert and it is not a free welcome snack. You will be charged 1 to 3 euros for it if you eat it. If you do not want it, just politely decline.
Curious about the rest of the list? We covered a total of 12 common tourist mistakes on our blog, including the best time to visit Belem and how to avoid overpaying for taxis. Head over to our post on what not to do in Lisbon to read the full guide.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other Lisbon tips to share! Safe travels!