My first solo trip ever: two weeks in Lisbon
I almost didn't book this trip. I'd never travelled alone and Lisbon felt like a big first step. It turned out to be the easiest possible city to start with.
I based myself in two neighbourhoods: Alfama for the first week (those tiled streets and fado bars) and a more modern stay near Príncipe Real for the second. Walking everywhere was the move — the 28 tram is iconic but pickpocket-heavy, so I treated it as a sightseeing thing, not transport.
Meeting people was easier than I expected. I did a free walking tour on day one (do this — it anchors your whole trip), and ended up with a little group I kept bumping into all week. Pastéis de nata for breakfast is non-negotiable.
Where I stayed
Stayed at a small social hostel in Alfama with communal dinners — great for a nervous first-timer. Second week I splurged on a private room near Príncipe Real.
Safety notes
Felt very safe walking at night in the central areas. Watch your phone on the 28 tram and in crowded miradouros — that is where the pickpocketing happens.