Solo Female Travel & Backpacking in Lisbon

Solo travel experience

Lisbon was my first solo trip and I couldn't have picked a better city. I speak zero Portuguese (though I did try with my little phrasebook) but I managed fine. I felt very safe and I noticed lots of other female solo travelers there too.

Solo travel experience

I just came back from my first solo trip to Lisbon. Highly recommend it. Almost everyone speaks English. I know maybe three words in Portuguese and had no issues communicating. It is one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe with lots of culture, great food and so much to see. It is very easy to meet people.

Solo travel experience

I went solo and it was one of my best holidays ever. I felt comfortable in restaurants solo, the transit system is easy to navigate, and the food was reasonably priced. I took a day tour from Lisbon to Sintra ( a must ) with a few stops on the way. Walking tours were a good way to get the lay of the land and meet folks.

Solo travel experience

Personally, Porto blew me away, there's no place like it! It's very crazy looking with lots of hills, some really nice places to eat and drink down by the river, and secret little winding alleyways where you can find hidden gems! There's a really cool bookshop too, and lots of gorgeous blue tiled buildings (churches, the main station) which Portugal is famous for. The port wine is also unbearably good - lots of port wine cellar tours and tastings, and it's damn cheap! I liked Lisbon, but it just felt a bit meh compared to other European capitals - there are not loads to see (compared to, say, somewhere like Budapest, Krakow, or Berlin), and it's more expensive than Porto. Most people will probably choose Lisbon over Porto if they're only visiting one, but I didn't find it that incredible of a city.

Solo travel experience

I went to Portugal for the first time this summer and loved it. Lisbon is beautiful, walkable and inexpensive. Great food, amazing architecture and easy public transport. I liked Porto less but the river cruise down the Douro River with wine tasting was amazing.

Solo travel experience

My first solo international trip was to Lisbon. Felt very safe. I highly recommend at least a night at Home Hostel, which includes a free walking tour and is in the heart of the city. I was also super impressed with how easy the public transit from the airport was. I didn't experience street harassment and most people speak English. The city was gorgeous and affordable.

Solo travel experience

Loved Lisbon. Alfama and Barrio Alto were both great to walk and get lost discovering art, music and architecture. The food market was a wonderful place to sample all the yummy food and wines of Portugal. I also really loved Alentejo region, wonderful beaches and medieval towns.

Solo travel experience

I spent 10 days in Portugal solo. It was heaven! I stayed in Alfama district aka old town in Lisbon. I heard Fado (singing, I call it powerful lullaby) in small cafés/bars every evening. It was magical. I went to Porto, Sintra, Cascais, Madeira island. Transportation is easy from and to Lisbon. I stayed in old town because it was walkable anywhere, few blocks away from train to downtown or out of town and few blocks from ferry to the islands.

Solo travel experience

Was only 3 days, so I have to go back. I walked everywhere and stayed in a guest house near cais du sodre. Great location, near the river and city as well the old and very cute part Alfama. Went to Belem on the bus and was a great part too. Everywhere is easy to walk and people are friendly. Had fish and port wine at the castle s Jorge and of course pasteis de nata.

Public transport is great in Lisbon, and driving in the city itself is not much fun (small roads, trams, insane drivers, etc.). You can get a train to Sintra, Porto etc, which will actually take less time than driving, and are beautiful rides. Train tickets are half price if bought 2 weeks in advance.