General Information about Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, as well as its most important city. Its privileged position at the mouth of the Tagus River made it one of the most influential cities in the control of the Atlantic Ocean.
We’ll try to answer basic questions when planning a trip:
Frequently asked questions
What is the official language in Lisbon? Can I visit Lisbon if I only speak English? Will I be able to explain myself in restaurants?
When's the best time to visit Lisbon? Is it always warm there? Does it rain a lot in the winter?
What are the most important public holidays in Lisbon and Portugal? When is the largest public holiday? Do they celebrate Christmas?
Other general topics
Lisbon in numbers
Lisbon has a population of 600,000, and its metropolitan area has around 2.6 million people.
Required papers
EU Residents can enter Lisbon with either an ID card, or passport, as long as they are valid.
Currency
The official currency in Lisbon is the Euro.
Time difference
The official time zone in Portugal is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which means that it’s the same as in London.
Electricity and electrical sockets
Electric plugs in Lisbon have two round pins and its voltage is 220V.
Business hours
Most shops in Lisbon open from Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm. From 7pm on you can find shopping centres and souvenir shops open.
On Saturdays most of the shops only open in the morning.
Important telephone numbers
- Emergencies: 112.
- Information: 118
- Area code for Lisbon: 21.
- Country code for Portugal: 351.
