TLDR: Lisbon is one of the safest capital cities in Europe — ranked top 10 globally on the Global Peace Index for years. Violent crime is rare. The main visitor risk is pickpocketing on Tram 28, in Bairro Alto bars, on the metro line 4 (red) to the airport, and around Praça do Comércio at peak tourist hours. The drug solicitation in Baixa around Rua Augusta is annoying but harmless. Casa Almada in the Old Town is in one of the safest residential corners of the central city.
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Insider tip from Casa Almada
On Tram 28 in particular, do not put your phone or wallet in any back pocket or outer side pocket. Inner zipped pocket only. Pickpockets work the crowded sections through Alfama in pairs — one creates a small distraction, the other removes the wallet. Keep bags at the front of your body in the standing-room sections. The same applies to crowded metro carriages at peak hours, especially the red line to the airport with luggage-laden travellers.
Lisbon is genuinely safe. The 2024 Global Peace Index ranked Portugal seventh safest country in the world, ahead of Switzerland, Japan and Canada. Violent crime against tourists is rare and the police presence in the central tourist areas is reliable. Most visitors return home having had no negative incidents whatsoever.
That said, there are specific situations to know about — pickpockets on Tram 28, drug-solicitation hassle in Baixa, late-night Bairro Alto edge cases. Casa Almada sits in the quieter Old Town near the Sé Cathedral, one of the safest residential corners of central Lisbon. This is the practical local guide to Lisbon safety in 2026 — what is genuinely a risk, what is overblown, and what to actually do about it.
The big picture — Lisbon is genuinely safe
Portugal ranks seventh on the 2024 Global Peace Index, one of the highest scores in the world. Violent crime per capita is roughly 1/4 of the UK rate and 1/8 of the US rate. Murder rates are among the lowest in Europe. Walking the Old Town at midnight as a solo traveller is genuinely safer than the equivalent in London, Paris, Rome, Madrid or Barcelona.
The PSP Turismo (Tourist Police) operate dedicated visible patrols at all main tourist sites — Praça do Comércio, Castelo de São Jorge, Belém, Cais do Sodré, Sintra. English-speaking, well-trained, and quick to respond. The tourist police phone is +351 213 421 634 (24/7).
For comparison, Lisbon’s overall crime rate is below Madrid, Barcelona and Paris, similar to Vienna and Helsinki. Visitor pickpocket statistics specifically are higher than those low-crime cities (because of the dense narrow lanes), but still well below Rome, Naples or Barcelona.
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220 m² luxury apartment in the heart of the old town, sleeping up to 9 guests plus 2 infants. Tram 28 at the bottom of the street, Sé Cathedral around the corner. From €219 per night.
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Where pickpockets actually work
Tram 28 is the single biggest pickpocket risk in Lisbon. The Alfama section in particular — the tram is packed standing-room-only, the route shakes and lurches, and a moment of distraction is enough for an experienced thief to remove a wallet from a back pocket. Pickpockets often work in pairs.
Metro line red 4 to the airport is the second most reported. Pickpockets target travellers with luggage who are visibly heading to the airport — easier marks because of the distraction of bags and the closing-door rush.
Bairro Alto bar district after 11pm. Crowded outdoor drinking, dim cobbled streets, and outdoor tables with bags hung over chairs. Phones lifted from tables, wallets from jacket pockets.
Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta at peak tourist hours. The pedestrian flow is dense and the central tourist area is the most worked spot in the city.
Cruise-ship landing days at Cais do Sodré. Pickpockets follow the cruise crowds from the ship to Praça do Comércio and back. Keep alert in this corridor.
How to actually protect yourself
Phone and wallet: inner zipped pocket only. Never back pocket. Never outer jacket pocket. A money belt under clothing for cash and passport is genuinely useful for nervous travellers. A cross-body bag held at the front of your body for purses.
Bags on outdoor tables: never leave them on the back of a chair. Keep on your lap, between your feet, or with the strap looped through a chair leg. Outdoor restaurant theft is a regular occurrence in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré.
Phone use on Tram 28: avoid scrolling or filming through the window. Pickpockets target visible phones first. Keep it in your zipped pocket and look out the window with your eyes instead.
Crowded metro carriages: stand with bags at the front of your body, not the side. Especially on the red line to the airport with luggage. Watch for groups of 2-3 working in coordination.
Drink safety: the rare cases of spiked drinks have been reported in some Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré bars. Keep your drink in your hand or in sight. Same as any major city.
If something does happen: report immediately to the PSP Turismo (+351 213 421 634, 24/7). They issue police reports in English for insurance purposes. The British, American, French, German and most major embassies are within 20 minutes of Casa Almada.
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Neighbourhoods, night safety and family travel
Old Town (where Casa Almada sits): very safe day and night. Residential character, well-lit, regular police patrols. The streets quieten by 11pm. Families with children walk these streets without concern.
Baixa and Chiado: very safe day and night. The drug-solicitation hassle on Rua Augusta and Rua dos Sapateiros is annoying but harmless — sellers offer “hashish” (almost always herbs or fake) to passersby. Walk on, do not engage. The salesmen disappear if they get no response.
Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré: safe but watch your bags after 10pm with the bar crowds. Alcohol-related petty incidents pick up Friday-Saturday after midnight. Walk in groups, avoid quiet side streets late.
Mouraria and Intendente: the immigrant district north of Castelo. Historically had a tougher reputation in the 1990s and 2000s but is genuinely safe in 2026 — gentrified, family-friendly, and one of the most culturally interesting neighbourhoods in the city. Walk during day and evening with normal city sense.
Family safety: Lisbon is genuinely a strong family-friendly capital. Children’s play parks in every neighbourhood, family-friendly restaurants, the metro is reliable for school-age kids, and the social culture is open to families being out late. Casa Almada specifically has cots, toddler beds, blackout blinds and family-grade entertainment for visiting families.
- Portugal Global Peace Index ranking 2024: 7th safest country in the world.
- Tourist police phone: +351 213 421 634 (24/7).
- Emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire).
- Main pickpocket risks: Tram 28 Alfama section, metro red line to airport, Bairro Alto, Praça do Comércio at peak.
- How to protect: inner zipped pocket only, bags at front of body, no phones visible on Tram 28.
- Drug solicitation in Baixa: annoying but harmless. Walk on, do not engage.
- Safest central neighbourhoods: Old Town (where Casa Almada sits), Estrela, Lapa.
- Late-night care: Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré after 11pm. Walk in groups.
- Family safety: excellent. Lisbon ranks among Europe’s most family-friendly capitals.
- Solo female travellers: Lisbon is widely considered safer than most major European capitals. Standard city sense applies.
Photos of Casa Almada
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Stay with us in Lisbon
Casa Almada — luxury family apartment in the heart of Lisbon
220 m² of beautifully restored space across 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, sleeping up to 9 guests plus 2 infants. Three super king beds that split into singles, blackout blinds throughout, original art by Lisbon artists, Egyptian cotton linens, Rituals products, and a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Tram 28 at the bottom of the street, Sé Cathedral around the corner, Castelo de São Jorge ten minutes on foot. A far cry from the soulless chain hotels of yesterday.
From €219/night. FTC disclosure: this is our own apartment booking page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lisbon safe for tourists?
Yes — genuinely one of the safest major European capitals. Portugal ranks 7th globally on the Global Peace Index. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are pickpocketing on Tram 28, in Bairro Alto bars at night, and around Praça do Comércio at peak tourist hours. With basic precautions (inner zipped pocket, bags at the front of body) the vast majority of visits are incident-free.
Is Lisbon safe at night?
Yes for the central tourist neighbourhoods — Old Town, Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré. The streets are well-lit and patrolled by the Tourist Police. Late-night care after midnight in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré is sensible (bag awareness, walk in groups, avoid quiet side streets). Casa Almada in the Old Town is in one of the safest residential pockets of central Lisbon.
How bad are pickpockets in Lisbon?
Lisbon has a noticeable pickpocket scene concentrated in specific spots — Tram 28 (especially Alfama section), the metro red line to the airport, Bairro Alto bars, Praça do Comércio. Pickpockets work in pairs, often using small distractions. The risk is real but manageable: keep phones and wallets in inner zipped pockets, never back pockets or outer side pockets.
Is the drug solicitation in Lisbon Baixa dangerous?
No — annoying but not dangerous. Sellers approach passersby on Rua Augusta and Rua dos Sapateiros offering “hashish” or “cocaine”, which is almost always herbs or fake substances aimed at tourists who do not know better. Walk on without engaging. The sellers move away if they get no response. Real drug crime in Lisbon is at low rates.
Is Lisbon safe for families?
Yes — one of Europe’s most family-friendly capitals. Children’s play parks in every neighbourhood, family-friendly restaurants, low violent crime, reliable public transport. Casa Almada specifically sleeps up to 9 guests including 3 toddlers plus 2 infants, with cots, toddler beds, blackout blinds, child-safe entertainment and a 24/7 host contact.
If you are planning your stay around this, take a look at the rest of our Lisbon travel blog for itineraries, restaurants and seasonal tips.