Neighborhoods to avoid in Lisbon and best areas to stay

To prepare your next weekend in the capital of Portugal, you are wondering where to stay in Lisbon to visit on foot? Are there any neighborhoods to avoid, what is the best neighborhood to visit Lisbon on foot?

To answer these questions, here is the 2024 guide to the neighborhoods of Lisbon and my advice for choosing the best for a tourist stay.

Is Lisbon dangerous?

NO: At the European level, Lisbon is a much less dangerous city than many Italian or French cities like Montpellier, Nice, Toulouse, Rome ou Naples.

This is confirmed by the last Numbeo ranking on the crime level of 158 European cities. We can see that in 2024 Lisbon is among the least criminal cities in Europe with a very low crime rate (28.40).

On the other hand, crime indices are averages given for the entire city. But we know well that insecurity in all large cities is concentrated only in certain places. In fact, apart from a few neighborhoods, the city of Lisbon is absolutely not dangerous.

It's a much safer city than Barcelona, Paris, London ou Los Angeles.

Map of Lisbon neighborhoods

Lisbon is quite extensive and includes 53 neighborhoods (parishes). I am not going to review them all for you but I will only tell you below which are the worst and the best neighborhoods in Lisbon.

And to help you identify the best and the neighborhoods of Lisbon to avoid, here is a map that can be enlarged to locate them: Google Maps

Lisbon neighborhoods to avoid

Security in central Lisbon has improved considerably over the past 20 years. However, tourists are advised to avoid certain neighborhoods that have a bad reputation as there are in all major cities.

I present them to you below with their Google map situation.

chelae

Chelas often makes headlines in newspapers and on Portuguese television. Shootings, car chases, assaults, vandalism.

A few metro stations from the city center, Chelas is a neighborhood to avoid in Lisbon. See his location in the city.

Cova da Moura

This district which is located in the North West of Lisbon is a very poor district where housing is precarious and unhealthy. Cova da Moura has the nickname of Favela of Lisbon.

In this difficult social context, drug traffickers have established themselves and are causing growing insecurity. See his location in Lisbon.

Portugal Novo

Located between Areeiro and the beautiful Olaias district, Portugal Novo has deteriorated for more than 40 years and become an area of ​​anarchy. This area developed in the 70s but since then, the municipality has completely abandoned it. See article: Nas Olaias, em Lisboa, há um bairro que é new, but só no nome.

The accommodations are no longer suitable, some are squatted, others are used by drug dealers… See the article: The Bairro Portugal Novo is one of the most dangerous in the country: “ I went on vacation and when I got back my house was occupied ! "

Lisbon neighborhoods to avoid at night

Tourists who do not want to take unnecessary risks should avoid walking at night in the park of Monsanto. Located to the west of the city center, this park brings together several districts (Campolide, Benfica, Sao Domingos de Benfica, Ajuda, Alcantara, Santa Maria de Belém and Sao Francisco Xavier).

The same goes for Eduardo VII Park, the Martin Moniz, Intendente and Cais do Sodre neighborhoods.

Red Light District in Lisbon

Without being like the red light district Amsterdam or Pigalle to Paris, Pink Street is the liveliest district of Lisbon at night. This street, which is actually called Rua Nova do Carvalho, has become very popular for spending a nice evening. Indeed, the real red light district of Lisbon is located Cais do Sodre just 100 meters from Pink Street.

Dangerous neighborhoods in Lisbon?

There is no truly dangerous neighborhood in the city center. On the other hand, it is advisable not to take accommodation in certain suburbs of Lisbon.

Indeed, in the 1970s, extensive neighborhoods on the outskirts of Lisbon began to develop. They have a reputation for being hotbeds of criminal activity (theft, receiving stolen goods, drugs, prostitution, etc.).

As the newspaper indicates journaleconomico.sapo.pt, the Greater Lisbon area has about ten slums where more than 1800 families live. The municipalities of Seixal, Almada (Bairro Branco-Monte de Caparica), Loures (especially in Quinta do Mocho) and Amadora (Cova da Moura, Estrela d'África and Santa Filomena) are difficult and sensitive areas.

Best neighborhoods in Lisbon

The most beautiful areas of Lisbon are very safe for tourists but are familiar with the phenomenon of pickpokets. In fact, the wealth of tourists attracts thieves. We must therefore remain cautious even in the beautiful neighborhoods that I am communicating to you below.

Best neighborhoods in Lisbon around Chiado

Chiado is an area located between the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Baixa.

This area brings together with the Principe Real district the most chic and elegant districts of Lisbon. It is the ideal place for walking, enjoying good restaurants and shopping (Armazéns Chiado shopping center). See location of this area of ​​Lisbon.

Baixa Pombaline

It is the historic and very lively district of Lisbon that is part of Chiado. Its streets are lined with traditional fish and seafood restaurants, bars and small shops. It is a district that also brings together some tourist attractions such as the Fashion Museum and the Santa Justa lift (see Baixa, an ideal district for tourists below).

Alfama

This district is a very old district and very popular with tourists. It has the charm of tradition, steep alleys and a few typical fishermen's houses.

It is in this district that you can go out in the evening to listen to the famous Fado in certain restaurants. See his location.

Mouraria

For those seeking authenticity, the Mouraria district is one of the most traditional districts of the capital.

Just above Alfama, near São Jorge Castle, it is a district of colorful houses, narrow streets, many stairs and walls decorated with azulejos.

Belém district

Belém is a little out of the way from the very center of Lisbon. But it is a district very frequented by tourists. This is where the Torre de Belém, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the Hieronymites Monastery and the most famous pastry shop in Portugal are: the Pastelaria de Belém.

Best area to stay in Lisbon to visit

The Baixa district is ideal when you want to visit Lisbon because it is very central. Despite a high population density and a fairly lively and therefore noisy nightlife, it is an area recommended for visitors who want to be as close as possible to the tourist sites. Especially since the area is full of bars, restaurants and shops!

See her Google Maps location

The hotel that I indicate to you below is located in this beautiful district of Lisbon in Baixa-Chiato.

Its location is ideal for tourists as it is in a quiet location but very close to Lisbon's sights and restaurants. In addition, this area is also ideal for shopping in Lisbon.

If you are looking for a cheap hotel, here is my recommendation:

Located opposite the Tagus River, next to the train station and close to the metro, this hostel features a swimming pool and a rooftop.

It is recommended accommodation for travelers seeking exceptional value for money while being in a great location for visit Lisbon on foot.