Lisbon Safety – 8 Tips And Advice For A Stress-Free Trip
Lisbon is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Europe. This lively city is popular with tourists hailing from across the world. It has a reputation as a safe, welcoming, and fascinating place to visit in Portugal.
Of course, it’s always good to be careful when traveling. And thieves and other criminals sometimes target unsuspecting tourists in popular tourist destinations like Lisbon. This article will provide 8 essential tips on staying safe while visiting Lisbon.
Understanding Safety Concerns in Lisbon
Even though Lisbon is one of the safest European capitals, like any city, it has some common scams and unsafe areas that visitors should know about. Knowing how to avoid these issues will ensure your vacation is much safer.
Common Scams to Watch Out For
One of the most common scams in Lisbon is pickpocketing. These criminals commonly target tourists in crowded areas because they can easily remain undetected and slip away through a busy crowd. In other situations, one thief may attempt to distract tourists while the other pickpockets.
You should always remain aware of your surroundings, guard your belongings, and exit forced social interactions if you ever feel uncomfortable. If people attempt to harass you by signing a petition or engaging in another strange exchange, it is okay to refuse firmly and walk away.
It’s essential to keep your guard high at all times. Tourists are usually targeted when they’re distracted or intoxicated. You should always remain aware of your surroundings and avoid getting sucked into distractions. Never drink more than you can handle, especially if you don’t have friends or family.
Remain cautious while you’re shopping and visiting restaurants. Some vendors will attempt to scam tourists by charging exorbitant amounts of money instead of typical prices. You should research how much a service or product costs before purchasing and go to another vendor if overcharging occurs. Always double-check your receipts.
Be cautious when using ATMs and other card-reading devices. Card skimmers are sometimes installed on ATMs or other card-reading devices by criminals who want to steal credit or debit card information and make fraudulent transactions. Use cash whenever possible and avoid ATMs located in unsecured areas.
Lastly, make sure to watch out for fake taxis. Authentic Lisbon taxis use a meter to determine the correct price. If a taxi driver attempts to charge you a fixed price, they are most likely trying to overcharge you. While taxi prices can vary depending on the day and hour, you should research the cost in advance to ensure the rate the driver estimates is fair.
Areas to Avoid in Lisbon
If you want to stay safe in Portugal’s capital city, there are two areas you should avoid: touristy areas and Alfama at night. Touristy areas are risky because pickpockets and other thieves prey on the unsuspecting tourists who flock to these areas. Worse yet, the thieves find it easy to escape once they’ve stolen money or belongings because they have large crowds to hide in.
Touristy areas also tend to be where scams take place. Restaurants and shops in tourist areas may sell low-quality food or merchandise. Some of them may even overcharge customers. You should research any restaurant or shop you intend to visit in advance if it is in a touristy area to verify the business is completely authentic.
You should avoid Alfama at night because many areas of this historic neighborhood need to be better lit. Worse yet, the narrow cobbled streets can be challenging to navigate and move quickly. Thieves or muggers may target people who wander Alfama at night because they would have difficulty seeing the thief in advance or getting away.
It’s much safer to wander a brightly lit and easy-to-navigate area of Lisbon if you want to walk around at night. Crowded tourist places are safer at night because criminals may feel too likely to be caught. Regardless of when you go out and about Lisbon, you should exercise proper caution and always remain aware of your surroundings.
Staying Safe in Lisbon
While Lisbon is an incredible city, staying safe is essential to make the best of your visit. When you use common sense, take the proper precautions, and use emergency services as needed, you’re much more likely to have a positive experience while visiting the city.
Use Common Sense
One of the most important things you can do to stay safe in Lisbon is to use common sense. You should always remain aware of your surroundings. If you appear distracted, criminals are more likely to target you because you will stand out as a tourist, and they will feel more confident that they can get away with a crime. If you remain vigilant, you can detect a dangerous situation before it happens.
You should also travel with a group whenever possible, particularly in unsafe areas or at night. Lisbon is much more dangerous when alone because thieves and pickpockets will feel encouraged to target you. If you’re out with friends, criminals will likely leave you alone because they realize that someone is more likely to see them — and that your group outnumbers them.
Take Safety Precautions
You’ll be much safer in Lisbon if you take the necessary precautions. One of the most important things you can do to deter thieves is simply having nothing to steal. You should avoid wearing expensive jewelry or clothes that will make you stand out as a target. Use bags secured close to your body and always remain within your line of sight.
If you have cash or valuables, you should avoid showing them publicly. Keep them secured in your bag or put them into a hotel safe. You should only take whatever you need immediately. This is particularly important with cash. While pickpocketing can happen to even the most well-prepared travelers, it will be much less of an emergency if only 15 Euros are stolen.
Solo travelers in particular must always remain aware of their surroundings. If you let yourself get distracted, you’re much more likely to be the target of a criminal. You should avoid letting your guard down in public. Criminals target many people because they do things like leave their bags unattended or even fall asleep on public transport.
Know the Emergency Numbers
Finally, you should make sure that you know all three emergency numbers by heart: emergency services (112), police (21 342 16 00), and tourist police (21 342 16 10). Knowing these numbers is important because you’ll be able to reach the necessary helpers in seconds in the case of an emergency.
Emergency services (112) is the number you need to call if any accidents happen. This line will respond to car accidents, medical situations, and lost children. You can also use emergency line situations if you need emergency help after a crime, as they will quickly connect you with all of the proper authorities.
Police (21 342 16 00) can help if you need any protection or assistance in a situation related to the law. For example, if someone steals you, you can call the police to report the crime and get help recovering your belongings.
Tourist police (21 342 16 10) can help if you need any assistance with travel-related situations. For example, if you have any issues with visas, passports, or similar services, the tourist police can help you get everything in order.
Staying Safe While Traveling in Lisbon
Staying safe while you’re traveling is vital. While Lisbon is one of the safest cities you can visit in Europe, following the proper precautions is essential for ensuring you don’t become the victim of pickpocketing or theft. If you use common sense, take the necessary precautions, and use emergency numbers as needed, you will have an incredible vacation in Lisbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon a Safe City for Tourists?
Lisbon is a safe city for tourists. For a good reason, it is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations — it is beautiful, fun, and incredibly safe. It is exceedingly rare for visitors to Lisbon to be the victim of violent or extreme crime. However, many pickpockets and thieves exploit unsuspecting tourists like any other popular tourist destination. You should always remain guarded and aware of your surroundings when in Lisbon.
How Safe Is Public Transportation in Lisbon?
Public transportation in Lisbon is exceptionally safe. Violent crime and other upsetting incidents aren’t common on Lisbon’s public transportation system, as the trains, trams, metro, and buses are well maintained. That said, theft is common in Lisbon’s public vehicles because tourists often lower their guard while on board. You should always keep your belongings guarded while using Lisbon’s public transportation.
Are There Any Areas in Lisbon to Avoid?
Generally speaking, Lisbon is a very safe place to visit. It is considered one of the safest cities in Europe that you can visit! However, if you want to make the best of your vacation in Lisbon, you should guard your possessions carefully whenever you visit a historical site or ride public transportation. These locations are perfectly safe for travelers, but their popularity with tourists does attract pickpockets and thieves.
Are Drugs a Problem in Lisbon?
While Lisbon is a remarkably safe city, drug dealers in Portugal’s capital city often approach tourists. They may even approach tourists with the offer of selling merchandise such as sunglasses, when in reality, they are selling the tourist drugs.
Although drugs were decriminalized in Portugal in 2001, it is still illegal to have them on your person for personal use. So it is especially important to be cautious of situations such as these, as the police in Lisbon take drug possession very seriously.
