Car Hire in Lisbon

Why hire a car in Lisbon?

The capital and largest city of Portugal, Lisbon is one of the most interesting European destinations. The city is known for its grand imperial history and many landmarks, but the real pleasure of Lisbon is in its colourful neighbourhoods, steep avenues, and joyful atmosphere.

Top ways to enter Lisbon

• Lisbon Airport. The busiest in the country, Lisbon Airport handles about 31 million travellers annually and offers flights to destinations not just in Europe, but also in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The airport is very close to the city centre and can be reached in only about 15-20 minutes by car.  

Top sights and activities

• Alfama. Known for its waterfront location and trams that travel at angles seemingly defying the laws of physics, Alfama is one of the most interesting neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Characterized by its Moorish architecture, but actually inhabited long before that, the area is home to such gems as Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle) and Lisbon Cathedral among many others.
• Ajuda Botanical Gardens. Built by the Portuguese royal family not long after the devastating earthquake in 1775, Ajuda is often mentioned among the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. A part of the larger palatial complex, this charming green area is near a number of other famous landmarks such as the Belem Tower.
• Jerónimos Monastery. Even if you’re not a big fan of ecclesiastical architecture, visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site is definitely worth your time. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, this fine example of Portuguese Gothic architecture is now home to the National Archaeology Museum and the Navy Museum of Lisbon.

Traffic and parking

• You can only enter a roundabout after giving way to cars already on it.
• The car’s documentation and proof of insurance always have to be inside a vehicle.
• Drivers can only use a mobile phone if it is hands-free or an earpiece.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.2 for novice drivers.
• Safety cameras are in use.
• On-street parking is available in the centre of Lisbon. In the red zone, parking costs €1.60/hr ($1.9/hr), with a maximum stay of 2 hours. In the yellow zone, parking costs €1.20/hr ($1.42/hr),  with a maximum stay of 4 hours. In the green zone, parking costs €0.80/hr ($0.95/hr), with a maximum stay of 4 hours. 
• There are numerous car parks in the city centre where parking costs €15-45 ($18-53) per day. A better option might be heading south of the city centre where car parks like Santa Apolónia, Docas and Docas Ponte charge around €5-6 ($6-7) per day. Look up more information about parking in Portugal on Empark.
• When parking on the street, your car must be parked facing the direction of travel.

Ideas for day trips

• Sintra. An unmistakable presence in every Lisbon travel guide, the historic city of Sintra cannot exactly be called a hidden gem, but that is only because there’s so much to see here. Located some 30 km (18 miles) from the centre of the capital, the area is home to a number of historical palaces, Sintra-Cascais National Park, and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe.
• Nazaré. A Central Portuguese beach town of some 15,000 inhabitants, Nazaré would be a fairly unassuming destination if not for the fact that it is home to the highest wave ever surfed by man. Ever since the American Garrett McNamara braved the 23.8 m (78 feet) high wave in 2011 (a record that was further improved by the Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa in 2017), Nazaré has attracted thousands of visitors every year – and the Portuguese government even memorialized the monumental effort by releasing a special postmark. Even if you prefer to stay dry, watching the stunning tide in Nazaré, about a 90-minute drive north of Lisbon, is a special experience.

Most popular cars

The most hired car in Lisbon is the Fiat 500, followed by the Volkswagen Polo and the Seat Ibiza. The most popular car types are mini, economy, and intermediate.

Car hire prices in Lisbon

• Small cars - starting at £7 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £18 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £25 per day
• Convertibles - starting at £22 per day
• Large cars - starting at £16 per day
• SUVs - starting at £15 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £31 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £52 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some good methods to save money on your car:

• Compare rates of different car providers
• Book your car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Lisbon is the cheapest in March.