Digital Nomad Guide to Lisbon, Portugal

Considering a trip to Lisbon? This is a great place for digital nomads, especially if you're checking out Ericeira too. Here are the best places to stay, coffee shops, coworking spaces and things to do in Lisbon.

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COVID Update: Feb 2023

Lisbon is recovering well from COVID - masks are no longer compulsory.

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Where to stay in Lisbon

Cais do Sodre

Cais is one of the most central neighborhoods in Lisbon, close to the Time Out Market, the port, and Pink Street. This is a great place to stay if you're new to Lisbon, and keen to get a feel for the city. Check out Outsite Cais do Sodre.

Príncipe Real

Príncipe Real is best known for it's boutique stores, speakeasy style bars and highly rated restaurants. It's located on one of Lisbon's 7 hills, meaning there are plenty of great viewpoints.

Alfama

If you've been researching places to stay in Lisbon, it's guaranteed images of Alfama will show up - this is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Lisbon. There are plenty of fado bars, and it's home to Sao Jorge Castle.

Intendente & Anjos

Intendente first shot to fame in a New York Times article, this used to be a neighborhood avoided by travellers - but now, it's an 'up and coming' neighborhood, full of bars and restaurants. This is an easier, quieter place to live in Lisbon, and home to Outsite Intendente.

Santos

Santos is very close to Cais do Sodre, however it's slightly less connected to public transport, and further from the city centre action. There are plenty of beautiful places to stay here, and it's ideal for many remote workers choosing to stay in Lisbon.

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Digital Nomad Communities in Lisbon 

There are a lot of digital nomads in Lisbon looking to foster a great community. You can meet fellow Lisbon digital nomads at Outsite, whether you’re staying as a guest or working in the coworking space. There are a bunch of other coworking spaces throughout the city where remote workers plant themselves to work, and these spaces often hold networking events that are open to people who aren’t members of the coworking space. The Lisbon Digital Nomads group on Meetup organizes events ranging from casual meet ups to coworking days to nomad parties! Not to mention, you’re bound to meet other nomads in coffee shops while you’re working from there. 

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Coworking Spaces in Lisbon

There are plenty of coworking spaces in Lisbon, wherever you're staying. Second Home, Cowork Central and Resves are some of the most popular ones. Outsite Cowork Cafe is located on the ground floor of Outsite Cais do Sodre.

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Best cafes with Wifi in Lisbon 

• Outsite Cowork Cafe
  This is the first cowork cafe from Outsite. You can buy passes to access the coworking space, or use the cafe while enjoying coffee or cocktails. All Outsite Members have access to the cowork cafe.
• Melbourne Coffeehouse
  Inspired by Melbourne's coffee and brunch scene, Melbourne Coffeehouse features a great menu - health based and delicious, with specialty coffee available. Inside you'll find a quaint and cozy interior, super sweet staff, and great wifi and outlet access. It's located on a quiet corner in Estrela, perfect for when you want to escape the beaten path.‍

• Copenhagen Coffee Lab
  If you’re looking for high quality third-wave coffee and a place to work with reliable wifi, look no further than the Copenhagen Coffee Lab. It’s also a great spot for breakfast, snacks, and lunch. This one’s a favorite among Lisbon digital nomads! 
• Boavida
  A small upstairs area with even more seating makes this spot great to buckle down and work at. Boa vida means “good life” in Portuguese, and here at Boavida you’ll be getting good vibes and good coffee. Plus, there’s a selection of seasonal food options, and of course, wine.
• Wish
  ‍Wish, or, Wish Slow Coffee House in LX Factory is a light, minimalist vibe cafe with plenty of seating and a good amount of power outlets. You’ll often find digital nomads coworking here. Hang out here all day or head to another café in the LX Factory.

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Check out our full guide to cafes in Lisbon.
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Day Trips from Lisbon 

• ‍Sintra
  ‍Whether or not you’re a history buff, Sintra is a must see. You’ll be able to check out palaces, castles, and underground “initiation wells” in this magical city that feels a world away from Lisbon, even though it’s just about an hour train ride away. There are so many amazing architectural and historical structures to check out here that you can easily spend a full day getting lost. Sign up for guided tours if you want to learn everything about what you’re seeing, or just buy your admission tickets and stroll around yourself if you’d like to take things at a more leisurely pace. 
• Cascais
  Another great spot that’s also just about an hour away from Lisbon is the coastal city of Cascais, which has a laid-back beach town feel. There’s plenty to do outdoors here – rent a bike and ride along the coast, suntan on the sandy beaches, stand up paddle board, or surf. The waves here are good for beginners and intermediate level surfers, but you can also find spots with bigger waves if you’re more advanced.
• Wineries & Vineyards
  If you’re a wine lover, venture out of the city to check out some of the vineyards and wineries that Portugal has to offer. While Italian and French wine often get all the hype, Portuguese wine is absolutely delicious, and there’s a lot to learn about it! Sign up for a tour of wineries in the Setabul Region which is south of Lisbon, or travel a little bit further to explore a few of the many vineyards in the Alentejo region, which produces some of the best Portuguese wine. 

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Gyms and yoga studios in Lisbon

• Baraza Yoga
  Baraza Yoga is a small, affordable yoga studio in Cais do Sodre.
• The Bakery CrossFit
  The Bakery is one of the only CrossFit boxes in Lisbon - they run classes daily, and you can pay by the class, week or month.
• Academia Life Club
  Academia is located right on the water - it's a comprehensive gym with indoor and outdoor workout space.
• Fitness Hut
  Fitness Hut is one of the most common gyms in Lisbon, they have multiple branches throughout the city.

Shopping and groceries in Lisbon

Grocery Stores

Mini Preco is a local chain of convenience stores in Lisbon, and this is where you'll find the basics. Continente Supermarkets are slightly bigger, and better for niche products.

Health Food Stores

It's easy to find health food products in Lisbon. Celeiro have a number of branches in the city.

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Lisbon FAQs

Cost: Is Lisbon cheap? 

As far as European countries go, Portugal is on the more affordable side, making it even more attractive to digital nomads who want to spend some time in Western Europe! Nomad List estimates the monthly cost of living in Lisbon to be $2,558, which is less than the cost of living in other nearby European cities like Barcelona, Paris, or London. 

Safety: Is Lisbon safe? 

Portugal is considered to be a very safe country, and Lisbon has great safety scores. You are at very low risk for major crimes in Lisbon, however, you should always keep an eye out for pickpockets. Hold on to your valuables when riding the tram, as this is where pickpockets tend to target tourists.

Getting Around Lisbon & How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon is an extremely walkable city. You’ll want to walk because the streets are so vibrant and charming. You never know what adorable cafe or cool boutique you might come across around the corner. The metro is very affordable, easy to navigate, and is the fastest way to travel longer distances in the city. It’s also one of the cleanest metros in Europe! The bus is another option, though not as speedy as the metro. Of course, you can also get around by taking the famous tram, for a more tourist-y experience. Uber is also readily available. 

Visas for Portugal

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For US citizens, no visa is required for stays under 90 days. For Europeans, Portugal is part of the The Schengen Area, making it extra simple for citizens from Schengen Area counties to travel to Portugal. 

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Ready to book? Outsite offers discounts on 30+ day stays, and you'll be instantly connected with the digital nomad community in Lisbon. Book now.

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