Best Time to Visit:
Spring (Mar-May) or Autumn (Sep-Oct)
Average Cost:
€1,400 - €2,200 / month
Wi-Fi Speed:
Generally excellent in cafes and co-working spaces"
Visa Situation:
Schengen Zone (90/180 days); D7 Visa for long-term
Pros
Vibrant nomad community, amazing food, highly walkable, beautiful scenery, rich history.
Top 3 Cons:
Incredibly hilly, competitive housing market, can be overrun with tourists in the summer.
Table of contents
- Why Lisbon? My Personal Take
- Best Neighborhoods for Nomads & Backpackers
- Cost of Living: My Projected Budget in Lisbon
- Co-working Spaces & Best Cafes with Wi-Fi
- Getting Around Lisbon
- Top Things to See & Do (On a Budget)
- Visas, SIM Cards & Other Annoying Logistics
- The Verdict: Is Lisbon Worth It for You?
- What are your thoughts?
Why Lisbon? My Personal Take
Best Neighborhoods for Nomads & Backpackers
Alfama
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The Vibe: Historic heart of the city. A charming maze of steep, narrow, cobblestone streets, Fado restaurants, and incredible views. It can be noisy and packed with tourists.
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Best For: Experiencing traditional Lisbon, photographers, and those who don't mind a serious leg workout every day.
Principe Real
The Vibe: Trendy, upscale, and chic. Full of boutique shops, beautiful gardens, and some of the city's best restaurants and cocktail bars. It’s a bit quieter than its neighbor, Bairro Alto.
Best For: Those with a slightly higher budget looking for a sophisticated and central base.
Santos
The Vibe: The "design district." It's more residential and relaxed, with a mix of art galleries, traditional restaurants, and a growing number of great cafes. It offers a more local feel while still being close to the action.
Best For: Creatives, and those looking for a slightly calmer, more authentic neighborhood to live in.
Cost of Living: My Projected Budget in Lisbon
| Category | Average |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Private Room/Studio) | €800 - €1200 |
| Groceries |
€250 |
| Eating Out & Coffee | €300 |
| Public Transport | €40 |
| Co-working (Hot Desk) | €150 |
| Activities & Fun | €200 |
| PROJECTED TOTAL |
~€1,740 - €2,140 |
Co-working Spaces & Best Cafes with Wi-Fi
- Copenhagen Coffee Lab
- Hello, Kristof
- Selina Secret Garden
- WISH Slow Coffee House
- Second Home Lisboa
Getting Around Lisbon
Top Things to See & Do (On a Budget)
Watch the sunset from a Miradouro: These viewpoints are scattered all over the city and offer breathtaking views. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is a local favorite.
Take a Day Trip to Sintra: It's a fairytale town of palaces and castles just a 40-minute train ride away. Go early to beat the crowds!
Explore the LX Factory: A cool, industrial complex turned into a hub of creative shops, restaurants, and art spaces.
Get lost in the Time Out Market: A bustling food hall where you can sample dishes from some of Lisbon's top chefs. It can be pricey, but the atmosphere is fantastic.
Visas, SIM Cards & Other Annoying Logistics
SIM Cards: The easiest option is to grab a SIM card at the airport upon arrival. Vodafone and MEO are the main providers and have good coverage. I walked up to the Vodafone kiosk, and they had a prepaid tourist plan that was set up in minutes.
