How to Travel as a Solo Digital Nomad in Lisbon

Breathtaking panoramic views greeted me every day, as I left my hillside perched apartment, weaving down narrow cobblestone streets that carpeted the rolling landscape. Laptop tucked away, I was headed to Lisbon’s historic center for fun and discovery now that my work as a solo digital nomad in Lisbon was done for the day.

Mornings were a daily reminder that I was staying three months in lovely Lisbon, living as a solo digital nomad while working seamlessly as a 50+ freelancer, home-based in a top-ranked European hot spot, and gallivanting around Portugal.

After some research and planning, like booking an apartment in a good neighborhood, I had simply packed up my job and took it with me to Lisbon – just like I did in Nice, Barcelona, Florence, and Mallorca over the last three years – have laptop, will travel.

Adventuring abroad as a solo digital nomad, is one of the best ways to experience the local lifestyle, especially if you choose a destination like Lisbon – where the citizens are welcoming, you’re surrounded by a charming Old Europe ambiance, and you have opportunities to socialize with new friends and colleagues.

Your office can either be your apartment rental, one of the co-share work places like Regus, or at a cafe with Wi-Fi. Lisbon has recently become a favorite work-abroad destination with an increasing number of digital nomads, particularly millennials and over-50 adventurers, flocking to Lisbon. They’re particularly drawn to the city’s temperate weather, unique culture, ancient history including Vikings influence, foodie scene, and amazing day trip experiences outside the city.

And … the icing on the cake? Lisbon’s famous affordability.

Picture of street in typical hillside neighborhood in Lisbon. — Hillside Lisbon neighborhoods minutes from city center.

Portugal ranks as one of the most affordable European destinations thanks in large part to: budget-friendly fresh food markets, rental apartments that can be reasonably leased for a week or months, a wide price spectrum of eateries to please any wallet, and no need for a car rental since you can walk everywhere or take the tram or metro.

With the city’s unique landscape bearing seven hills and dotted with many districts (neighborhoods), navigating Lisbon provides an interesting and fun adventure in and of itself. When at Old Town’s lower level, the cobbled streets lead to the Tagus River and grand pedestrianized boulevards, showcasing an eclectic mix of artisan handicrafts, fancy patisseries, high-end designer boutiques, coffee bars, rows of colorful umbrella-shaded cafés, art galleries, and hand-crafted pottery and linen. You can lazily stroll an afternoon away, while being entertained by street performers and serenaded by wafting strains of Portugal’s soulful Fado music with a chorus of café-goers chatting in the background.

To explore the city’s historic upper districts, meandering discovery walks or old fashioned trolley rides get you to popular neighborhoods like Lisbon’s most authentic neighborhoods, Alfama and Graca, where the iconic St. George’s Castle looms over the valley below from its hilltop perch. Famous for their Fado restaurants, skinny lanes, and traditional cuisine, getting lost on purpose and just going with the flow while exploring Alfama and Graca, usually results in a unique immersive experience.

There’s a smorgasbord of nearby adventures as well. Only 30 minutes away by shuttle train, there are beautiful beaches like Cascais, palaces in Sintra and iconic landmarks like the Belem Tower. When you can free up a full day, you can take day-trips to top places like the charming village of Obidos and the ancient Roman Temple in Evora. You can even go as far North as Portugal’s 2^nd city, intriguing Porto.

Beach picture of former fishing village Cascais

As a digital nomad, you can engage your wanderlust, explore diverse cultures, and rub shoulders with the locals and like-minded entrepreneurs. Mixing travel with work changed the way I travel abroad now – living and adventuring like the locals. It also led to a great second-act career as a roving travel writer, which I gratefully enjoy today.