Lisbon

Get to know Lisbon

A sense of the place

Lisbon is the capital and most populous city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 658,236 as of 2025, within its administrative limits and 3,353,000 within the metropolis, as of 2025. The city lies on the Atlantic Ocean in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, fronting the northern shore of the River Tagus. The western portion of its metro area, the Portuguese Riviera, hosts the westernmost point of Continental Europe, culminating at Cabo da Roca. Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and the second-oldest European capital city , predating other modern European capitals by centuries. Settled by pre-Celtic tribes and later founded and civilised by the Phoenicians, Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia, adding the term to the name Olisipo. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was ruled by a series of Germanic tribes from the 5th century, most notably the Visigoths. Later it was captured by the Moors in the 8th century. In 1147, Afonso Henriques conquered the city and in 1255, it became Portugal's capital, replacing Coimbra.

Weather through the year

When to visit Lisbon

Planning time outdoors

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December combine monthly mean temperatures of 12–22°C with less than 100 mm of precipitation. These are useful dates to compare for a walking-focused visit; check daylight, opening times and the forecast for your actual trip.

Source: NASA POWER climatology · Reference period: 2001-2020. Long-term averages for the surrounding grid area. Conditions vary within a city; monthly averages are neither a forecast nor a guarantee of dry days.

Average rent in Lisbon

What is the average rent in Lisbon?

876 €/month is the recorded central one-bedroom rent reference for Lisbon, dated 2024. This is a dated comparison measure, rather than a home available today. Check current listings in your chosen neighbourhood, then add utilities, the deposit and commuting to make a budget for your own move.

Source: Statistics Portugal (INE) — Rendas de novos contratos de arrendamento de habitação, median €/m²/month by município · Reference date: 2024 · CC BY 4.0

Average salary in Lisbon

What is the average salary in Lisbon?

1,426.2 USD/month is the gross employee-pay reference dated 2025. It describes Portugal, not average salary in Lisbon. Gross pay is before deductions; household earnings depend on the household model. Use a current offer and your own tax circumstances for take-home budgeting.

Source: ILO — Average gross monthly earnings of employees · Reference date: 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (ILO datasets published from 3 May 2023)

How should I compare Lisbon with another city?

Compare the same dated measures for both cities, keeping local observations separate from national context. Start with rent, your expected income and the journeys you will make regularly. Then adjust the comparison weights to your priorities. Missing measurements do not prove an advantage; verify decisive costs and services with current local sources.

1. Choose a comparison below and read its sources and dates.
2. Set priorities for housing, work, transport and climate.
3. Check current listings and your own income before making a decision.

Plan your stay

Budget and everyday decisions

Compare the details

Lisbon at a glance

Portugal: the wider context

These are country-level figures, not measurements of Lisbon. Use them to compare national conditions; neighbourhoods, salaries and individual services can differ substantially.

Compare Lisbon with other cities

Read the source dates, choose your priorities and keep unavailable values separate from costs you know.

• Lisbon vs Valencia
• Lisbon vs Porto
• Lisbon vs Madrid