Lisbon

Trendy district

The queer heart of Lisbon beats in the Príncipe Real, an elegant urban district on one of the hills of the upper town. Around the central square with its old cedar tree, cafés, boutiques and bars are lined up, many of them with a clear queer clientele. Just below it begins the Bairro Alto. During the day its narrow streets seem quiet, in the evening they fill up. If you are looking for the scene, you are in the right place between these two districts, because they are only a few minutes apart on foot. During the day, it is worth strolling through the boutiques and concept stores that characterise the quarter; as soon as it gets dark, life shifts to the bars.

Nightlife

In Bairro Alto, going out often shifts to the streets because the restaurants are small and people are standing in front of the door with their drinks. Queer bars mingle with a dense range of pubs here. The evening starts relaxed and drags on. Further down the river, around the Cais do Sodré, for example, are the larger clubs where people dance until it gets light. Portuguese nightlife starts late, before midnight much remains quiet.

Beaches

Lisbon is located on the Tagus River and close to the Atlantic Ocean, and good beaches can be reached in less than an hour. South of the city, the Costa da Caparica stretches for many kilometers. There is a long-established queer beach section there, which is served via the summer tourist train. To the west are the beaches around Cascais and Estoril, easily accessible by suburban train from Cais do Sodré. The water of the Atlantic remains rather fresh even in midsummer.

Best time to visit

May, June and September are considered the most pleasant months, with plenty of sun and temperatures that do not make strolling through the hilly streets a torture. In July and August it gets hot and touristy, but the beach weather is reliable. If you want to get into the middle of Lisbon Pride, come in the summer, when the parade moves through the city center. Winter brings mild but rainy days, useful for sightseeing, less for sitting outside.

Arrival

Humberto Delgado Airport is located just a few kilometers from the center and is directly connected to the city center by metro. There are direct flights from many German cities, the flight time is around three hours. In the city itself, you can get around easily by metro, buses and the historic trams, and many paths can also be walked. The famous line 28 jerks through Alfama, at the same time a means of transport and a small sightseeing tour. A rental car is not worthwhile on the short distance, because the narrow, steep network of streets and the parking lot speak against it.

Safety & LGBT Rights

Portugal is one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of LGBT rights, marriage for all has been in force since 2010, adoption and legal gender recognition are regulated. Lisbon is open and relaxed, holding hands is hardly noticeable in the central districts. The city is considered very safe; Caution is advised above all against pickpockets in trams and at tourist hotspots. As a German citizen, you enter the country without a visa, your identity card is sufficient in the Schengen area.