No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores. Wildfires in Portugal There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:21:44Z
Full advisory →Make this report personalWho's travelling? A family, a woman alone, a business trip — the score and the key findings are re-weighted for your group, not the average traveller.8 districts
Is Lisbon safe? 🇵🇹
Portugal · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Lisbon scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Lisbon is one of Europe’s safest capitals for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Lisbon 🇵🇹
Portugal · Assessed 21 August 2026
86
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~93% of countries
What drives this score
Crime88/100GoodHomicide 0.7 / 100k
Sentiment70/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability79Good
Health86Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Portugal: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:10:25.0056137-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
518k residents
78
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Portugal0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
96
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging incidents are uncommon but have been reported after dark in Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Intendente, mainly targeting solo tourists.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is frequent on tram 28, metro stations and busy squares such as Rossio and Praça do Comércio.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
70/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler blogs and news comment that visitors feel comfortable walking in daylight, with only minor worries about petty theft after dark.
Yes — Lisbon is one of Europe’s safest capitals for visitors.
Lisbon’s composite safety index of 89/100 and a World Bank homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k place it well above the global average, with violent crime rare and only petty theft a meaningful concern.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Nationwide public‑sector strike caused transport cancellations and service disruptions across Lisbon, prompting warnings for travelers to plan alternate routes— DW.com
- Jun 2026Wildfire alert issued for the Lisbon region as summer heat persists; authorities have increased fire patrols and restricted open‑flame activities in parks— Portugalist
- May 2026Crashed Lisbon funicular after faulty cable inspection; inquiry confirms safety lapses but no injuries to passengers— Reuters
- Jun 2026Police arrested 15 officers linked to a rape and torture investigation, raising concerns about institutional abuse but not directly affecting tourist areas— Reuters
Common scams
- Pickpocketing on tram 28, metro stations and crowded squares
- Bag‑snatching in busy cafés and markets
- Fake drug offers and overpriced taxi rides in nightlife districts
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Lisbon is rated “VERY SAFE” by the World Bank (composite index 89/100) and records a homicide rate of just 0.7 per 100 k people—far below the global average. Violent crime is rare; the primary risk to visitors is petty theft, especially pickpocketing on the iconic tram 28, metro stations and crowded squares such as Rossio and Praça do Comércio. Recent traveler reports (June 2026) describe feeling comfortable walking in daylight, with only minor concerns about bag snatching after dark.
The most notable current incidents affecting safety are the nationwide public‑sector strike reported in June 2026 (DW.com), which disrupted buses, trams and trains, and the wildfire alert for the Lisbon region issued in June 2026 (Portugalist). Both are temporary and do not indicate a rise in violent crime, but they can cause service interruptions and require flexible travel planning. A June 2026 wildfire alert has also heightened fire‑safety awareness across the city.
Scams that specifically target tourists include pickpocketing on tram 28, bag‑snatching in busy cafés, and occasional “drug‑offer” approaches in nightlife districts such as Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Intendente. Some reports also mention overpriced taxi rides and fake drug solicitations after dark. The Canadian and UK advisories both advise exercising normal security precautions, and the Canadian advisory notes a high wildfire risk in Portugal from April to October.
Practical Tips
1. Keep valuables in a front pocket or hidden money belt and use a closed, cross‑body bag in crowds. 2. Stay alert on tram 28, metro stations and popular squares; thieves often work in groups. 3. Use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps, and always check that the meter is running. 4. After dark, stick to well‑lit streets and avoid isolated alleys in Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Intendente, especially if traveling alone. 5. Monitor local news for strike or wildfire updates that may affect transport or outdoor activities.
By following these precautions, visitors can enjoy Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, riverfront views and vibrant culture with confidence that the city remains one of Europe’s safest capitals.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Lisbon districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Lisbon safety map.
Intendenteavoidknown for drug activity and night‑time disturbances; not recommended for solo visitors
Alfamacautiontourist hub with pickpocket hotspots; stay alert, especially after dark
Bairro Altocautionvibrant nightlife but higher mugging and scam risk after dark
Martim Monizcautionbusy square with occasional night‑time trouble; stay vigilant after dark
Cais do Sodrécautionnightlife zone with increased petty crime; keep belongings secure
Baixa/Chiadosaferwell‑patrolled daytime area; avoid isolated side streets at night
Graçasaferquiet residential area with low crime; safe for walking day or night
Belémsafertourist‑friendly museum district; minimal safety concerns
07 · After Dark
Is Lisbon safe at night?
Mugging incidents are uncommon but have been reported after dark in Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Intendente, mainly targeting solo tourists.
After dark, be most careful around Intendente, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Martim Moniz. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Lisbon safety FAQ
Is Lisbon safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Lisbon is one of Europe’s safest capitals for visitors. Lisbon’s composite safety index of 89/100 and a World Bank homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k place it well above the global average, with violent crime rare and only petty theft a meaningful concern. (Assessed 21 August 2026.)
Which areas of Lisbon should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Intendente as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Lisbon?
- Pickpocketing on tram 28, metro stations and crowded squares
- Bag‑snatching in busy cafés and markets
- Fake drug offers and overpriced taxi rides in nightlife districts
How does Lisbon compare with other places in Portugal?
Lisbon ranks #9 of 9 Portugal destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the Portugal safety overview for the full list.
How is this Lisbon safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Portugal safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: lisbon.json (CC BY 4.0).