Traveling solo might seem like an exercise in loneliness for some. For many others, though, a solo trip is just what the travel doctor ordered. A trip sans travel companions can help gain personal growth and achieve a sense of confidence and freedom. It also gives the traveler the benefit of not compromising your itinerary.
And where is one of the best places for such a trip? The best solo trip is to Portugal. Specifically, Lisbon. Let us count the ways below, to show you where to go and some tips on having the best solo trip to Portugal.
Where to Go
A Guided Tour
One of the best ways to spend your time on a solo trip is to join a group for a few hours. A group tour has several benefits: you’ll get the low-down on the land and be able to orient yourself better in a new city. Plus, you’ll meet like-minded travelers.
On Walks’ Best of Bairro Alto tour, you’ll spend three hours traversing one of Lisbon’s most enchanting neighborhoods while stopping to eat and drink all that is delicious in Lisbon. Seven different tastings, five drinks, and four stops. As a big bonus, you’ll likely have some new food-and-drink-loving friends by the end of the tour.
Amble and Explore
One of the best activities for a solo trip to Portugal is to explore Lisbon’s various charming neighborhoods. You can meander in the riverside squares of Belém, savor the viewpoints of Alfama, stroll the narrow, winding streets of Mouraria, and pop into the intimate wine bars and cafes of the Bairro Alto. You can also explore the Bairro Alto deeper with a fun, three-hour food-and-drink tour of the neighborhood.
When you’re ready to point yourself at some specific sites, here are a couple of places that are particularly great for solo travelers in Lisbon. The National Tile Museum, housed in a convent from the early 16th century, tells the story of Portugal via the gorgeous, colorful tiles you see bedecking so many facades around the country. The museum also offers tile-painting workshops where you can create your own tile and take it home as a souvenir—plus, a great way to get in some socializing. And/or pop into the Livraria Bertrand in Chiado, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, as the oldest bookshop on the planet. The shop, founded in 1732, has a nice selection of English-language books and a cafe where you can take your new read to a table, order a coffee, and dig in.
Wine Not?
Frequent some wine bars while you’re in Lisbon. Why? For starters, Portuguese wine is very much worth trying, if you imbibe. But also, many of the wine bars in Lisbon have long bars, making it easier to socialize with the bartender and fellow patrons. When it doubt, head to By the Wine, a sleek space with a very long bar located in Chiado.
Another good idea for your solo trip to Portugal is to head to Bairro do Avillez, a collection of four restaurants, including a tavern and a wine bar, where there are large communal outdoor tables and a bar counter you can snuggle up to. The restaurant Galeto is also a good bet as it is made up mostly of bar counters—located at Avenida de Republica 14.
Tips
Hostel-ing for Every Age
Whether you’re 21 or 61, you shouldn’t dismiss staying in a hostel—many of which have both multi-bed rooms and private rooms, depending on what level of privacy you want and can afford. In terms of a solo trip to Portugal, the main benefit of bunking down at a hostel is for the social scene. Most hostels have a public room where guests hang out, play boardgames, read, sip coffee, and chat with fellow travelers. Yes! Hostels, located in the central Chiado neighborhood, for example, offers nightly group dinners where you can swap stories with other travelers and maybe make a temporary (or long-term) travel companion.
Stay Central
Lisbon is one of the safest big cities in Europe, but that doesn’t mean you should let down your guard if you’re a solo traveler. Martim Moniz, for example, located north of Chiado, doesn’t hae a particularly good reputation for safety. Neither does Chelas, which is not central, so you’ll only experience Chelas if you’re actually looking for it. Especially at night, avoid the streets of Cais Sodré.
FAQs
Why should you take a tour?
Taking a guided walking tour helps get your bearings on a new city. It also gives you a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the local history and culture. But if you’re traveling solo, it’s also an ideal way to 1) meet fellow travelers and 2) be able to ask the local guide whatever you want about the place. And taking Walks’ three-hour food-and-wine tour will introduce you to some of the best local dishes you’ll try in Lisbon.
When does the tour start and how long does it last?
Tours are offered every Monday to Saturday and they usually begin at 5:30pm, with the occasional tour starting at 6pm. The tour lasts three hours.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Like many places in Europe, the most ideal time to visit Lisbon is in the shoulder seasons—March to May and September to October—when crowds are fewer and prices are slightly more affordable than in the summer. Try to plan your solo trip to Portugal during these months for the optimum experience.
If you’re headed to Lisbon, especially if you’re on a solo trip to Portugal, and you want to do more than just scratch the surface of the Portuguese capital, hop on a three-hour adventure, a small-group walking tour fueled by ample amounts of local food, wine, and other beverages that will give you a better sense of place and the opportunity to meet like-minded travelers.
