Lisbon
Lisbon scams: what to watch for
Lisbon is a low-violence city, but pickpockets work tram 28, the Baixa and Belém queues, and fake ticket sellers and restaurant touts target visitors. Keep your phone and wallet zipped in front, buy transport tickets only from Carris/Metro machines or official counters, and walk away from anyone who approaches you with a sob story or a menu you did not ask for.
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- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
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GuideLisbon
Key facts
- Most common
- Pickpocketing on tram 28, in Baixa and at Belém and Castelo queues
- Second most common
- Fake ticket sellers and overpriced tuk-tuk or restaurant touts
- Emergency number
- 112 for police, ambulance and fire
- Tourist policecheck
- PSP stations in Baixa and at the airport; report theft in person
- Card safety
- Use chip-and-PIN, cover the keypad, keep the card in sight
- Night riskcheck
- Low in central Lisbon; watch drink spiking and unlicensed taxis after midnight
- Insurance
- Report within 24 hours for a police report your insurer will want
Top picks
The scams that actually cost visitors money in Lisbon are few and repeatable. Ranked by how often they hit travellers, these are the ones worth a minute of attention before you arrive.
| Scam | Where | Cost if it lands | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickpocketing | Tram 28, Baixa, Belém queues, Castelo | Phone €300–900, wallet cash €50–200 (2026 estimate) | Zip bag in front, no phone in back pocket, step back from the crush |
| Fake ticket seller | Tram 28 stops, Rossio, Belém | €3–7 lost, or a fine on board (2026 estimate) | Buy from Carris/Metro machines, official kiosks or the Viva Viagem card |
| Tuk-tuk or restaurant tout | Alfama, Baixa, Cais do Sodré | €20–60 over the fair price (2026 estimate) | Agree the price in writing first, or walk to the next place |
| Fake charity or petition | Praça do Comércio, Rossio | €5–20, plus a distraction for a second thief (2026 estimate) | Say no and keep walking; do not open your bag |
| Unlicensed taxi or ride | Airport, nightlife districts after midnight | €20–40 above the meter (2026 estimate) | Use the official taxi rank or a licensed app; insist on the meter |
| Card skimming or shoulder surfing | ATMs near Rossio and Baixa | €100–500 (2026 estimate) | Use bank-branch ATMs in daylight, cover the keypad, decline dynamic currency conversion |
Prices and hours
What a scam costs you is easier to judge against the real price. These are the 2026 estimates for the legitimate version of each thing scammers imitate.
| Item | Real price (2026 estimate) | Hours or notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carris single tram or bus ticket | €2.00 on board, cheaper on a Viva Viagem card | Buy before boarding where machines exist |
| Tram 28 ride | Same as any Carris tram; it is a normal route, not a tour | Runs roughly 06:00–22:00; busiest 10:00–18:00 (check) |
| Metro single | €1.80 on a Viva Viagem card (check) | 06:30–01:00 daily (check) |
| Official taxi from airport to centre | €15–25 metered (2026 estimate) | Rank outside arrivals; ignore anyone offering a flat rate inside the terminal |
| Tuk-tuk short ride | €40–80 per hour if booked properly (2026 estimate) | Agree the route and total before you sit down |
| Police report for insurance | Free | PSP stations open 24 hours; bring ID and your policy number |
How to get there
The scams cluster where visitors queue, so plan the arrival. From Lisbon Airport, the metro red line reaches the centre in about 20 minutes, and the official taxi rank is directly outside arrivals. Inside the terminal, anyone who approaches you asking which hotel you are going to is not a driver you need.
On the ground, tram 28 and the Baixa streets between Rossio and Praça do Comércio are the two highest-risk zones. Ride tram 28 early, keep your bag on your lap rather than the floor, and treat any unsolicited approach in these areas as a sales pitch, not help.
If something is stolen, report it at a PSP station in person the same day. The report is what your insurer and your embassy will ask for, and it is free.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What scams target tourists in Lisbon?
Pickpocketing on tram 28 and in Baixa, Belém and Castelo; fake transport ticket sellers; tuk-tuk and restaurant touts with no clear price; fake charity petitions near Rossio; unlicensed taxis after midnight; and ATM skimming. Most are distraction-based, so keep bags zipped in front and buy tickets only from official Carris or Metro sources.
Is Lisbon safe at night?
Central Lisbon is generally calm at night, and violent crime against visitors is rare. The real risks after midnight are drink spiking in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, unlicensed taxis, and pickpockets in crowds. Stay with your group, watch your drink, and book a licensed ride home.
What should I do if my wallet is stolen in Lisbon?
Report it at a PSP police station the same day and get a written report for your insurer. Call 112 if you need immediate help. Block your cards through your bank's app, and if your passport is gone, contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Portugal
- officialCarris
- officialMetropolitano de Lisboa
- officialPolícia de Segurança Pública
- secondaryWikivoyage – Lisbon