While my decision to travel alone for the first time was sort of spontaneous, I still did my research before choosing a destination. I wanted to be sure that wherever I decided to go I would be safe traveling as a young woman alone. When I googled ‘Safest places for women to travel alone”, I began stumbling upon many of the travel blogs that I love so much now for the first time. There is an endless list of places that I would love to see, but as I looked through various articles, I noticed that Lisbon continuously being mentioned along with a few other spots. Once I narrowed my choices down and started to look more into each destination, I decided upon Lisbon. Lisbon now owns a little piece of my heart and I couldn’t have made a better decision. Here’s why:
You Feel Safe
Even though Lisbon is a capital city it is much less touristy than other European cities such as Rome, Paris, London, etc. You still need to use common sense while out and about to stay aware of pick-pocketing, as you would anywhere else. But beyond that, I never once felt uncomfortable during my time there. When I was researching the city, I saw a few comments made about some people trying to sell the tourists fake drugs on the streets, but I never witnessed or encountered this. I am used to staying on my toes and on high alert where I am from while walking alone at night. I quickly began to realize that this behavior was a bit over-paranoid in this beautiful city and the streets felt as safe at night as they did during the day. This doesn’t mean that things couldn’t happen, so always use common sense and don’t let your guard drop too much whenever traveling alone.
It Is Super Affordable
One downside to traveling alone could be the fact that you aren’t splitting certain costs with another person. I was able to find an adorable boutique hotel for a really good price, even with it being located in the middle of the city. The cost of food and drinks was also very cheap, with some bars selling beers for as low as €1.20 ( $1.45 USD)for a pint.
The Locals Are Very Friendly
Chatting with locals and learning more about their culture very quickly became one of my favorite things about traveling alone. Almost everyone I met in Lisbon spoke English, which made getting around and talking with people very easy. Whether I was ordering one of their delicious egg tart pastries, or buying a ticket for the metro, everyone I encountered was warm and welcoming. I even met a woman who owned a tiny antique shop in the Alfama district while I was browsing the shops. While talking with her she told me all about Lisbon’s history, her family’s roots there, and Portugal’s economy. It was really cool hearing different stories from someone who has lived there her whole life. If you open yourself up to talking to the locals during your time there, you will most likely meet some very captivating people.
It Is Easy To Navigate
Lisbon is almost similar to San Francisco when it comes to all the hills. I was able to use the hills and the water as a reference, so even when I didn’t entirely know where I was, I at least knew which direction I should be moving in. If you visit during summer the way I did, walking the hills all day in the heat can be tiring. No worries if you feel all sweaty and worn out, there are tons of options for getting around besides walking. Different trams are integrated throughout the whole city, buses navigate various streets, and there is also the underground metro system. And worst comes to worst, you can always try grabbing a taxi (which are fairly cheap as well).
Lisbon is Known for Its Nightlife
If you find yourself having a boring night in Lisbon, then you must not have left your hotel room. If you are looking for drinks, music, and lots and lots of people also enjoying those same things you can head over to Bairro Alto. In this neighborhood, you’ll notice that after midnight the streets are the venue. You can find bars practically side by side up and down the streets. Once you grab a drink, you can just step back out into the street where it is literally filled with crowds of people just hanging out. There are a few nightclubs as well if you’re in the mood to dance. Just make sure you squeeze a nap in if you aren’t usually up late. Most of the bars don’t open until 10pm and don’t start getting busy until midnight.
A Little Something for Everyone
You like beaches? There are several beaches you can easily get to by the metro. You like views? It’s pretty much impossible to not stumble upon great views everywhere since the whole city is made up of hills. You like street art? The city has tons of awesome graffiti that turn the streets into works of art. Interested in history? There are plenty of cultural and historical sights to see all over along with the stunning designs and tiled buildings. Addicted to shopping? There’s lots of that too. There’s really so many different ways to experience Lisbon which is what makes it so perfect for everyone.
