What does a typical day in Lisbon look like?

Where do people who work in Lisbon actually live?

Most people who work in Lisbon live just outside the historic centre, in neighbourhoods like Arroios, Anjos, Alvalade or Campo de Ourique. Alfama and Bairro Alto look great on a postcard, but they are steep, busy and full of short-stay rentals. Arroios and Anjos are lively and sit on the green metro line, which takes you straight to the center. Alvalade and Campo de Ourique feel calmer, with a bakery on every corner.

Some people choose Almada, across the Tagus river, which makes a ferry part of the daily commute. Where you live decides what your day looks like. Once you know which neighbourhood suits you, here's how to find your accommodation in Lisbon.

What does a morning in Lisbon look like?

A Lisbon morning starts at the pastelaria on your corner with a bica. You drink it standing at the counter next to locals on their way to work, often with a pastel de nata on the side. 

Then comes the walk. Lisbon is actually built on seven hills, and the pavements are calçada: polished limestone cobbles that turn into a slide when it rains. Uphill in the wrong shoes is a mistake you only make once, so locals wear trainers with grip and leave a few minutes early. A route that looks short on the map can turn into a proper hike. The upside? You get a free workout every day, and after a few weeks you barely notice the hills.

I walk to work in the morning sun, which already puts you in a good mood before the day even begins - River

How do you get around Lisbon?

Most people in Lisbon get around by metro, bus or ferry with a monthly Navegante pass. It costs €30 within the city of Lisbon, or €40 if you also cross the river to Almada or take the train to the beaches at Carcavelos and Cascais.

The metro has four colour-coded lines that reach most residential neighbourhoods, and Carris buses and trams (city’s public transport) fill the gaps. Tram 28 is the one on every postcard, which is exactly why locals avoid it: it is packed with tourists all day.

Then there's the ferry across the Tagus river. The crossing between Cacilhas and Cais do Sodré takes about ten minutes and runs several times an hour, from early morning until late at night. Grab a spot on deck and watch the skyline grow as you cross. ⛴️

Now you know how to get around. Curious what your job here could look like? Browse the jobs in Lisbon!

Lunch, the Lisbon way

In Lisbon, lunch is a proper meal, not something you rush. Many employers have a canteen where colleagues eat together. When you eat out, look for the prato do dia (dish of the day): a fixed-price menu at a local café, often with soup, bread and a drink. You'll find a chalkboard with today's options outside almost every small restaurant. Short on time? Most cafés also do a quick tosta or a bifana, a pork sandwich that locals swear by.

Where do you do your groceries in Lisbon?

For everyday groceries, most people in Lisbon go to Pingo Doce, Continente, Lidl or Minipreço, and most supermarkets open on Sundays too. For fruit, vegetables and fish, the neighbourhood mercados are worth the detour: Mercado de Arroios and Mercado de Campo de Ourique are where residents shop. For the onion you forgot, there is always the mercearia, tiny corner shops that often stay open after the supermarkets have closed. Wondering how much you usually spend on groceries in Portugal? Read more about the cost of rent, groceries and everyday life in Portugal.

What do you do after work in Lisbon?

After work, people in Lisbon head to a miradouro, the beach or a tasca, and dinner rarely starts before 20:00. At the Santa Catarina viewpoint you grab a drink from the kiosk and watch the sun set over the river. 🌅

The beach is closer than most people expect. The train from Cais do Sodré reaches Carcavelos in about 20 minutes, so in summer there is time for a swim or a surf after your shift. For evenings that cost nothing, there is a whole list of free things to do in Lisbon.

After work, we explore neighbourhoods or take the train to the coast. Surfing near Carcavelos gives me a sense of freedom - Max

Dinner often happens at a tasca, a small family-run restaurant serving grilled fish and a jug of house wine. You can sit there all evening, and nobody will mind.

Trustpilot

First month in Lisbon

First I was a little scared to do that big step in another country to work there. But Lisa Maria supported and answered all my questions, she was giving safety. By now I’m one month in Portugal and the job I got is fun, a lot new friends I got and easy living with a lot opportunities to go out. It’s a much better work life balance then before

Kristina Kijaschkin

How does daily life in Lisbon change between winter and summer?

In summer, the sun sets around nine in the evening and life moves outside. In June, the Santos Populares (street festivals) fill Alfama and Graça with people and grilled sardines. 

Winter is a different story. Between roughly November and February it rains more often, and many older Lisbon flats have no central heating, so it can feel colder inside than out. Locals rely on an electric heater, thick socks and a blanket, and head outside the moment the sun returns. And it returns often: read why winter in Portugal feels lighter than back home.

Could a Lisbon day be your day?

Forget the tourist version of Lisbon. The Lisbon you'll actually live in is more authentic, and so much better: a quick bica standing at the counter, a ferry ride that feels as normal as catching the bus, and a viewpoint where you watch the sun sink behind the rooftops on a random Tuesday. That's when you know you're not visiting anymore. You live here! 🌞

Ready to start your own Lisbon routine? Browse the jobs in Portugal and see which ones are based in Lisbon. Applying through Yobbers is free.