Alexander Meddings
Verified Writer4.912527 reviews
Verified Writer
5(118)
20 Guests Max
3 hrs
For travellers who like to pack plenty of sightseeing into their trips or get full use out of a city’s public transport, city passes are often well worth the initial investment. Like any travel card, the Lisbon Card (or Lisboa Card, as it’s officially known) works best for these kinds of travellers. Getting the most out of what it offers requires a fair amount of planning. But squeeze everything you can out of the Lisbon Card, and you can save a lot.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Lisbon Card, including what it includes, how much it saves, and whether there are any better alternatives.
The Lisbon Card (Lisboa Card) is the Portuguese capital’s official tourist pass. It offers unlimited use of Lisbon’s public transport network (buses, metros, trams, funiculars), free entry to major Lisbon attractions, and discounts on shopping, nightlife, and tours in Lisbon.
The Lisbon Card is available as a 24-hour, 48–hour, or 72-hour pass. Generally, the longer the pass, the better the value, given the reduced daily rate of the 48-hour pass and 72-hour pass. Below is a table breaking down the costs of each Lisbon Card.
24-hour pass | 48-hour pass | 72-hour pass | |
Adult rate (15+) | €31 (€31 per day) | €51 (€25.50 per day) | €62 (€20.67 per day) |
Child rate (4-15)* | €21 (€21 per day) | €28 (€14 per day) | €35 (€11.67 per day) |
*Please note that children under 4 get in for free, without needing a ticket.
You can purchase your Lisboa Card online, at the Ask Me Lisboa desk at the airport, or at several Ask Me Lisboa centres throughout the city. When purchasing your Lisboa Card online, you will get a confirmation email and voucher, which you show at the Tourist Information desk at Lisbon Airport Arrivals. Here, you can pick up your Lisbon Card.
Pro tip: Purchasing your Lisbon Card in advance and activating it upon arrival allows you to ride the metro for free from Lisbon airport to your accommodation in the city centre.
🔗Purchase your Lisboa Card online
Enjoy free tram and public transport rides with the Lisboa Pass
The Lisbon Card only becomes active after you first use it, so it’s fine to purchase it in advance of your trip. When you first use the pass, you should write the date and time on the back of the card so officials can check its validity. After that, you can use the Lisbon Card like any other ticket by holding it against the readers at the barriers to the metro or onboard public transport or presenting it at the ticket office of Lisbon’s partner attractions.
The Lisbon Card grants holders free use of Lisbon’s extensive public transport network (metro, buses, trams and funiculars). It also covers the fare of train journeys to Sintra, Cascais, and the southern side of the Tagus River.
Sneak peek of our award-winning Lisbon Food Tour 👀
The Lisbon Card gives you access to more than 50 top attractions, including some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. For some attractions, the Lisbon Card guarantees your free entry; for others, it offers discounts of between 10% to 50%.
Pro tip: Avoid activating your card on Mondays, when many museums are closed
Here are a few highlights you’ll want to consider:
One of the less talked about benefits of the Lisbon Card is that it encourages exploration beyond the city’s main attractions. Places like the Codfish Museum—a surprisingly fascinating spot devoted to Portugal’s beloved bacalhau—are included, giving you the nudge to go off-piste.
Other under-the-radar highlights:
Pro tip: If recovering the cost of the card is important, prioritise big-ticket attractions first.
To maximise your savings with the Lisbon Card, visit the following: the Jerónimos Monastery (free), the Belem Tower (free), National Pantheon (free), the National Museum of Tiles (free), the Interpretative Centre for the History of Cod (free), the Lisbon Story Centre (free), the Augusta Street Arch, Pilar 7, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (20% discount).
.webp&w=2048&q=75)
No, the Lisbon Card does not grant skip-the-line access. Holders will still need to queue at popular sites like the Santa Justa Lift and Jerónimos Monastery, especially during high season, so start your sightseeing early to get the most out of the Lisbon Card.
If you’re determined not to queue, you may want to pre-book timed-entry tickets separately.
If you’ve come across the Navegante Card Lisbon, you might be wondering how it differs. Simply put, the Lisbon Card is primarily for tourists and includes attractions, transport, and discounts, while the Navegante Card is a monthly public transport pass for residents or long-term visitors and does not include entry to anything.
Unless you’re staying for weeks and only need metro access, the Lisbon Card is far better value for short stays.
If you’re planning to pack plenty of sightseeing into your schedule, prioritise Lisbon’s expensive attractions, and get plenty of use out of public transport, then the Lisbon Card is worth it. But if you would rather go with the flow and take your city break slowly, you might be better off skipping the Lisbon Card and paying for museum and transport tickets as you go.
Voted Viator Experience Award Winners for 2024 and 2025, our Lisbon tours are your all-access pass to the city’s best bits—no stress, no guesswork, just unforgettable moments.
Preview of our award-winning Lisbon Food Tour 👀
With local guides who live and breathe Lisbon, you’ll experience full immersion in its stories, secrets, and seriously good food and drink.
Come and see what the fuss is about!
Taste your way through the historic Baixa neighbourhood on our Lisbon Food Tour.
Come and join us in Lisbon and see what all the hype is about!
Verified Writer
No headings found in content.
You might have heard of the “Seven Wonders of the World” but did you know this phrase also applies to food? Try three of the seven wonders of Portuguese cuisine on our Lisbon Food Tour where you’ll taste your way through the historic Baixa neighbourhood.
A local guide will take you and a group of fellow foodies to three of the city’s most delicious eateries to try traditional petiscos and drinks. Tantalise your taste buds with Portuguese presunto, chourico, and seafood, all perfectly paired with four local beverages. You’ll try the country’s favourite drink, Ginjinha, a traditional liqueur. You’ll also get the chance to indulge in the flavours of local wines including the iconic vinho verde or “green wine”. And of course, no tasting is complete without a sweet treat. To end your tour you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic dessert before continuing the night with your newfound friends.
What are you waiting for? Eat like a local and book our Lisbon Food Tour today.
5(118)
The hills in Lisbon are no joke so it’s best to stay hydrated with the Lisbon Tipsy Tour. Forget about a mundane walking tour— this is where history meets a night out on the town. Meet fellow travellers from around the world while exploring Lisbon’s bustling nightlife with a local, expert guide.
We’ll kick off the tour at Largo do Carmo where we’ll introduce you to the darker side of Lisbon’s history. You’ll hear a dramatic and bloody love story between a Portuguese prince and a Spanish lady of the court. After such a riveting retelling you’ll deserve a drink–or four, so we’ll head into Bairro Alto to discover some local, trendy bars. Start the night with a refreshing drink before breaking the ice over more twisted and fascinating tales. You’ll hear scandalous stories you won’t hear on your standard walking tour, including facts about Lisbon’s naughty past that will make you gasp.
As the adventure continues, we’ll visit some of the most sought-after bars in the city including the only one that serves a one-of-a-kind shot you can only find there. If you’re still thirsty for more you can get more shots in exchange for giving up your bra—yes you’ve heard that right. A bra for shots? It’s a win-win! You’ll also try a long drink featuring bitter almond liquor and other classic Portuguese shots. Learn about the origin stories of locally loved drinks all the while discovering Lisbon’s hidden gems. Still thirsty? The tour might be over, but the night is still young. Take to the streets and continue exploring Lisbon’s nightlife with your newfound friends.
Forget the standard boring walking tour. Learn about history all the while sipping on tasty, local drinks because let’s be honest, if you’re going to do a tour you might as well do it tipsy.
4.98(205)
Let’s explore all of Lisbon’s hills together! The Portuguese capital isn’t just winding cobblestone streets and beautiful squares, it’s also the second oldest city in Europe with centuries of history to uncover. Join us as we take you back in time to explore the best bits of the city, all the while hearing stories, facts, and legends that bring Portuguese culture to life. Your local guide will lead you around four of the city’s most bustling neighbourhoods including Chiado, Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Alfama.
Over two hours you and a group of fellow adventurers will discover 3000 years of Lisbon’s history and loads of hidden gems. Our route takes you to the viewpoint of Santa Justa where you’ll witness jaw-dropping views of Lisbon. We also pass the oldest cafe in the city as well as Bertrand bookshop, the longest operating bookshop in the world! Along the way you’ll learn about the devastating earthquake that rocked the city over two hundred years ago and brought the Royal Palace crashing to the ground. You’ll also be immersed in the birthplace of Fado, a local musical tradition, developed over centuries in the tabernas and back alleys of Alfama.
Make the most of your time in Lisbon and let us show memorable sights and tell you the fascinating stories behind them. Our guides will answer your burning questions, show you the prime selfie spots, and give you insider tips for the best recommendations in the city.
4.93(189)