Planning to Rent a Car in Lisbon? Below is all the information you need:
Lisbon — main port of Portugal, located at the mouth of the Tagus River. This city is located in a picturesque hilly area, it is called the "City with seven hills". Initially founded as a major settlement of the Iberian tribe of Lusitania, Lisbon began to develop rapidly due to its convenient location, after which it was conquered by the Roman Empire, first under the rule of the Arab Caliph, and then the French knights. It wasn't until 1256 that Lisbon officially became the capital of Portugal, but after a massive earthquake that destroyed many historic buildings, it often became a battleground for numerous political powers. The years after the Second World War finally brought the long-awaited peace to the city.
Lisbon was already a city in Roman times. In the VIII century, it was occupied by the Arabs, who ruled Lisbon until 1147, when the first king retreated. During the period of great geographical discoveries, in particular, Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan set off on their sea expeditions from the Lisbon port of Belen. On November 1, 1755, a powerful earthquake struck Lisbon, which destroyed most of the city and killed more than 60,000 inhabitants. The city was rebuilt almost from scratch, achieving an attractive appearance, which is still proud of today. City official website: www.lisboa.pt.
Lisbon sights
Despite the devastating earthquake, many sights have been restored and they are becoming the most popular tourist destinations. One of the major buildings is the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which connects the city's airport with the motorway network, and is also a connecting point between Lisbon and the entire Europe.
Alfama - the oldest district of Lisbon, in the time of the Moors there was a city there. It opens on the slopes of the hill, from the shore of the Tag, the castle of San Jorge. It is a web of mostly winding and narrow streets. Fishermen and low-income people settled in Alfamie, and today it is an area for people, as a rule, not too rich. For some time, they were carrying out renovation work aimed at reviving the area.
Of course, you need to cross the streets of Alfama. From the banks of the Tegue, go to the Sé de Lisboa Cathedral, then Rua Augusto Rosa up the hill, along the tram tracks. Worth a look at Largo Santa Luzia and Largo das Portas do Sol, with panoramic terraces and a panorama of Alfama and Teg. Then further downhill, to the castle. The view is unforgettable.
Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest church in the city. Its history dates back to 1147 - from the moment Maurom recaptured the city, then began to build on the site of the former mosque. Since that time, the site has been reconstructed and rebuilt after the earthquake, so there are different styles of architecture. It was originally built in the Romanesque style, the chapels and the cloister in the Gothic style. Then, during the reconstruction, elements of baroque, or neoclassicism, were introduced. After a strong earthquake in 1755, the cathedral was partially restored, and the repair work was eventually completed at the beginning of the 20th century.
From the descriptions I found, it turned out to be an interesting object. From the outside, Sé de Lisboa looks quite interesting, unfortunately not very well lit, the austere interior is disappointing.
Saint George's Castle built on top of the highest hill in the historic center of Lisbon, is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. A well-fortified citadel was built by the Moors. After the conquest of Lisbon and the creation of the capital, the Portuguese rulers turned it into a royal palace.
For the sake of accuracy, it is worth explaining that there, behind the walls, has nothing. But the walls themselves look interesting, and the panorama of the city and its surroundings is amazing from them.
Lisbon Tours
There is one main airport in Lisbon — Aeroporto Humberto Delgado (LIS). You can rent a car directly from it and start unforgettable trips both inside and outside the city.
Sintra - This is a picturesque town nestled among the steep hills of the Serra de Sintra. This area was once popular among the Portuguese nobility, and even today extravagant palaces, rich 19th-century manors and the ruins of an ancient castle are hidden in the city itself.
The most unique attraction of the City is the magnificent Palácio Nacional da Pena, with its bright yellow and red towers high above the surrounding green forests. Other popular activities include the Gothic Palácio Nacional de Sintra and the Quinta da Regaleira with tunnels hidden under the gardens.
There are so many attractions in Sintra that in order to see the ruins of the Castle of the Moors, Monserrate Palace, Palácio de Seteais and the tracks in the surrounding hills of Vila Sassetti, you need to prepare for another day of visiting.
This the best place for a day trip from Lisbon, but unfortunately you can expect huge crowds of tourists. Travel tip: It's better to go to Sintra early in the morning and buy your ticket in advance to avoid waiting in long lines.
Although Setúbal — Mainly an industrial city and one of the area's main ports, one will find a surprising number of sights to see on a day trip. In the center of Setubalu lies the charming Old Town, and its beautiful boulevards open up at the mouth of the garden. From the bustling coastline, home to a group of bottlenose dolphins, you can see the Troy peninsula.
Major attractions in Setúbal include the Mercado do Livramento, Portugal's best fish market, and overlooking the city of Fortaleza de São Filipe. On a day trip, you can take a ferry to the Troy Peninsula and spend some time on the beautiful beaches of the region. Although Setúbal is not a popular day trip destination from Lisbon, it is a great place to experience modern authentic Portugal.
Evora is in the heart of the Alentejo, a region full of vast plains and olive trees sweating under the intense summer sun. It boasts a rich history — it used to serve as an important trading city of Rome and a fortress bastion of the Moors, and was also one of the main religious centers of the turn of the XIII -14th century
This turbulent past has left Évora with many fascinating tourist attractions, including a Roman temple, a spectacular aqueduct and the disturbing Chapel of the Skulls. Evora boasts the second largest number of national monuments in Portugal, second only to Lisbon. There, of course, there is something to see.
This is one of the most famous restaurants in Lisbon, where seafood is served, a must on the list of lovers of seafood delicacies. Undisputed number 1. in the rating of Lisbon seafood restaurants stations. Very often you have to wait for a free table in the evenings or on weekends, so it's better to make an early booking (you can do it online). Entering there will be no sanctions or crowds, let's enjoy great food that is worth the sometimes long wait for a table!
Sea Me – Peixaria Moderna ( +351 21 346 1564, Rua do Loreto 21 in the Chiado area)
Excellent location, in the heart of Lisbon. The Sea Me - Peixaria Moderna restaurant offers not only seafood, but also a wide range of fish dishes. The food is always fresh and the team in the restaurant kitchen knows how to cook food to perfection. An additional advantage of the restaurant is a large selection of wines. The restaurant also offers a pleasant interior and attentive staff.
This is one of the best restaurants in Lisbon serving excellent fresh seafood and fish, which is kept in a kind of unique style of elegant restaurants with a touch of antiquity. The cuisine and service are top notch. On the menu, you should try “lulas fritas a Andaluza”, i.e. fried squid or “camarao dourado com arroz de lima”, i.e. shrimp with lime rice. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance at this restaurant. The restaurant allows you to enjoy small snacks - Portuguese dishes and good beer / wine, and, by the way, peep at the work of the chef preparing dishes from always fresh ingredients.
Parking features in Lisbon
According to the Portuguese Automobile Club (ACP), for each parking space there are four cars in Lisbon. Therefore, traveling to Lisbon by car, mainly for Spaniards, may seem very tempting due to its proximity, but it can become a real nightmare if you need to park in the historical center or in tourist areas. Bookingautos can help you rent a car to get around the city comfortably.
There are three parking zones (EMEL) in Lisbon. Firstly, the green zone, which is the cheapest and includes some areas on the outskirts of Lisbon, prices range from 0.25 euros for 15 minutes to 3.80 for 4 hours, which is the maximum stay.
On the back streets of the city center is the yellow zone, it has a maximum parking time of 4 hours. Prices range from 0.35 to 4.60 euros.
Finally, the red zone, which consists of the streets of Chiado, La Baixa and some of the main streets of the city, including Liberdade, La Berne. The maximum stay in these areas is 2 hours and prices range from €0.35 to €4.80.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
24 € / Day
Best price
17 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Lisbon
January
€130
February
€103
March
€149
April
€161
May
€184
June
€251
July
€293
August
€210
September
€133
October
€97
November
€90
December
€140
* The average cost of renting a car in Lisbon for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Lisbon is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €18. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Lisbon is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €18 for a Compact car.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Mercedes CLA reaches €44 per day.
In Lisbon you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:
Cabriolet;
Business Class;
SUV;
Minivan.
Also available other models and you can rent them in Lisbon at a convenient time and on favorable terms.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Mercedes EQC when ordering in Lisbon will cost quite a modest amount.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience
Download Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Lisbon is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Toyota Aygo or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Lisbon.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Astra Estate will cost €44 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Lisbon may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Lisbon, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Lisbon - EUROPCAR with an average rating 9.9 points and SIXT with 9 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Lisbon is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Lisbon
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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