Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Portugal. Portugal is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Tue, 23 Dec 2025
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Is Lisbon safe? 🇵🇹
Portugal · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Lisbon scores 87/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Lisbon is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with violent crime rare and pickpocketing the primary concern. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Lisbon 🇵🇹
Portugal · Assessed 17 October 2026
87
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime79/100GoodCrime index 33.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability80Good
Health88Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-10-07T12:48:00Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Portugal: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:35:23.8043068-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
518k residents
75
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Portugal0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
96
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging risk to visitors is low overall but increases at night in Bairro Alto, Santos, and Intendente-Martim Moniz; avoid isolated backstreets after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are the main risks, concentrated on Tram 28, crowded metro stations, Time Out Market, and popular viewpoints during peak hours.
▸ 4 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
86/100
Reported feel84Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors consistently report feeling safe in Lisbon, with violent crime rare and most issues limited to petty theft; feeling safe walking alone in daylight scores 84/100.
Yes. Lisbon is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with violent crime rare and pickpocketing the primary concern.
Lisbon maintains a very high safety rating, supported by low homicide rates, strong governance indicators, and official advisories recommending only normal precautions. While violent crime against tourists is uncommon, petty theft—particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching—remains the main risk in crowded areas and on public transport. Visitors generally report feeling safe during the day, though caution is advised at night in certain nightlife districts.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Around 300 people protested in Lisbon against the visit of US Senator Marco Rubio over foreign policy concerns— Portugal Resident
- Oct 2026Protesters took to the streets in Lisbon over rising living costs and housing prices— Euronews.com
- Sep 2026Truckers and commuters protested in Portugal against soaring fuel prices, causing disruption in Lisbon— Reuters
- Aug 2026A Luxembourg-born driver was charged after fatally striking an attacker in a Lisbon robbery incident— RTL Today
Common scams
- Fake drug sellers offering hash or chocolate in Baixa and around Rua Augusta
- Groups loitering near multibanco ATMs to observe PIN entry and then force withdrawals
Full briefing
Lisbon remains one of Europe’s safest capitals for visitors, with violent crime rare and official advisories recommending only normal precautions. The city’s safety is reinforced by a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k, strong governance scores, and a high density of nearby hospitals. However, pickpocketing and bag-snatching persist as the primary concerns for tourists, especially on Tram 28, in crowded metro stations, and at popular viewpoints during peak hours. Travelers should keep valuables secure and avoid open bags in these areas.
Recent activity in Lisbon includes several public protests in October 2026 related to housing costs, fuel prices, and foreign policy visits, all of which remained peaceful and did not target tourists. An August 2026 incid
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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.
Intendente-Martim MonizavoidKnown for drug activity and prostitution; exercise caution at night due to shifty crowds and occasional trouble.
Baixa/ChiadocautionCentral tourist hub; safe by day, but pickpocketing and fake drug offers common, especially near Rua Augusta.
Bairro AltocautionLively nightlife area; safe until late evening, but mugging risk increases after midnight in quieter alleys.
Cais do SodrécautionNightlife and riverfront zone; pickpocketing and scams reported near stations; avoid isolated backstreets after dark.
SantoscautionTrendy area with bars; petty crime and drug-related approaches possible at night, especially in side streets.
BelémsaferHistoric riverside district with low crime; well-patrolled and tourist-friendly day and night.
AlfamasaferOldest neighborhood; generally safe but watch for pickpockets on narrow streets and tram 28.
Parque das NaçõessaferModern Expo district; well-lit, low crime, and safe for families and solo travelers at all hours.
07 · After Dark
Is Lisbon safe at night?
Mugging risk to visitors is low overall but increases at night in Bairro Alto, Santos, and Intendente-Martim Moniz; avoid isolated backstreets after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Intendente-Martim Moniz, Baixa/Chiado, Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Lisbon safety FAQ (2026)
Is Lisbon safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Lisbon is one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with violent crime rare and pickpocketing the primary concern. Lisbon maintains a very high safety rating, supported by low homicide rates, strong governance indicators, and official advisories recommending only normal precautions. While violent crime against tourists is uncommon, petty theft—particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching—remains the main risk in crowded areas and on public transport. Visitors generally report feeling safe during the day, though caution is advised at night in certain nightlife districts. (Assessed 17 October 2026.)
Is Lisbon safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Lisbon report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Lisbon should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Intendente-Martim Moniz as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Lisbon (2026)?
- Fake drug sellers offering hash or chocolate in Baixa and around Rua Augusta
- Groups loitering near multibanco ATMs to observe PIN entry and then force withdrawals
How does Lisbon compare with other places in Portugal (2026)?
Lisbon ranks #9 of 9 Portugal destinations we've assessed, scoring 87/100. See the Portugal safety overview for the full list.
How is this lisbon safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: lisbon.json (CC BY 4.0).