The Best Guide For Digital Nomads Lisbon [2023 Update]

Today, the concept of the global village is more accurate than ever. In our 'little' village, two things are hot now: Lisbon and digital nomadism. While the Portuguese capital is just the optimum example of Portugal’s beauty and charm, it's a great place to start exploring this corner of the world! That's why we wrote this guide for digital nomads in Lisbon, so your exploring is much easier.

Why are there suddenly so many digital nomads in Lisbon?

Dubbed as Europe’s Chiang Mai and 'the next Berlin,' the budget-friendly city of Lisbon is drawing more and more tech professionals to the thick of its bustling tech scene. The tech industry draws in many young people, but the mixture of history and hip culture is the natural allure keeping digital nomads in Lisbon.

Providing fast, reliable internet and affordable accommodation right at its heart, the Portuguese capital has become a nomadic hotspot for those just trying out this digital dream lifestyle and corporate folks just looking for a temporary change in their setup.

What’s more? Lisbon is one of the sunniest cities in Europe, guaranteeing 300 days of sunshine per year. It makes an excellent base for exploration, and you can get your work done by bathing in the sun.

Why Lisbon is great for early-stage startup founders working remotely

Turning into Europe’s growing startup ecosystem, Lisbon has been dubbed one of the best places to launch a tech company. It was recently named the 4th most entrepreneurial city in Europe by  Forbes.

The city offers a supportive environment for young companies with many coworking spaces, accelerators, and incubators popping up.

The city offers a supportive environment for young companies with many coworking spaces, accelerators, and incubators popping up. And because it’s still relatively new to the scene, the cost of starting up is significantly lower than in other major startup ecosystems.

Lisbon is the perfect place to get started for digital nomads who are thinking of starting their own company.

The Best Cafes to Work in Lisbon

Finding the best café to work in Lisbon is not challenging since there are many unique places. Lisbon has a long historical culture of coffee-loving, so you'll find both new shops and older, locally-loved cafes. For the real Lisbon experience, you'll have to try a mix of both!

The Mill - Best Breakfast in Lisbon

If working while savouring a delicious breakfast sounds like a good idea, then “The Mill” makes for a tempting option. Digital nomads might go for the coffee and long, open tables, but they'll end up returning (many times) for the best breakfast in Lisbon! From toasted sandwiches to specialty coffee to Scandinavian-styled interior design, The Mill is a cozy sweet spot that’s open all day until early evening, making it convenient and tasty.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab - The Best Coffee in Lisbon

While you're working, why not sip a 'cuppa Joe made with different brewing methods? Brewing each cup delicately slow-brew style, this is the best coffee in Lisbon. Not just because of the coffee, Copenhagen Coffee Lab has been a top choice for those seeking a relaxing environment to work. Thanks to the lightning-fast Wi-Fi, you shouldn’t have a problem working for hours... make sure you count your cups of coffee before you bounce off the walls!

Village Underground - A Café for the Hipster Lisbon

The Village Underground stands out from the rest by providing guests with a unique work ambiance. Nestled inside a classic double-decker bus, the café features an indoor setting on the first story, while there’s also outdoor seating if you prefer to relax outside. This is the perfect café for creative freelancers and even the occasional hipster Lisbon. One thing is sure: it's a must-see café for all digital nomads in Lisbon!

Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon

Not all of us find it easy to keep our concentration in a café. That's why co-working spaces were born! They help all sorts of people work the way they like, which is the motto of digital nomads. Lisbon is full of professional areas that help you get work done, so let's dive into our list of the best coworking spaces in Lisbon.

Heden - Airy Office Space in Lisbon

A sun-soaked co-working space just off the busy square in Graça, Heden offers spacious flex desks with plenty of room to spread yourself out. Moreover, there’s a cute little lounge area housing comfy sofas and brilliant books, perfect for screen breaks. Plus, there’s a huge downstairs area for a conference. All for 15€ a day, tea and coffee included! This is also great excellent office space in Lisbon for dog-lovers, as they're allowed to come to work with you.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 9 pm

Which is the Best SIM Card for Portugal?

Since SIM cards don't need to be registered in Lisbon, buying one is relatively easy. MEO boasts of the best network coverage in the city with fast activation and lightning-fast internet speed. With MEO’s tourism SIM plan, you'll have 30 GB of internet for 15 days for €14.99. Other cheap companies to check for a fairly-priced SIM card for Portugal, like Vodafone or Lebara.

For the long-term digital nomads in Lisbon, there are also pay-as-you-go monthly plans with free What's App, Facebook Messenger and Snapchat connections. However, registration and a contract are required for these phone plans.

How to Get Around in Lisbon

You can quickly get around the Portuguese capital via Metro, Bus, Taxi and Uber. There are so many transportation methods here that you'll never wonder how to get around in Lisbon. All you have to do is pick your favourite plan way and go!

Lisbon Metro:

The Lisbon metro is the fastest and the cheapest way to get from one corner of the city to the other. It runs from 6 am to 1 am with a train typically available every 6-9 minutes. A metro card or the ‘Viva Viagem Card’ costs €0.50 in addition to the fare, which is affixed at €1.45 for a single journey. Alternately, you can travel unlimited for 24 hours for only €6.30. Beware of pickpockets on the metro cars, however.

The Lisbon Bus

The Lisbon bus system is undisputedly the most efficient and flexible means of getting around Lisbon and discovering the city. Buses in Lisbon run from around 5 am to 1 am. At the same time, a single journey costs €1.85; digital nomads in Lisbon can use the ‘Viva Viagem card’ to travel unlimited for a day.

Uber in Lisbon

The Uber app works well in Lisbon and is cheaper than the conventional black cabs. Uber in Lisbon has not been outlawed, so there's no law-breaking involved when hailing a discount taxi.

Best Food Delivery App Lisbon

As freelancers, we know how hard we all work! Sometimes, we work so hard that we forget to feed ourselves. That's why it's always handy to know the local delivery apps. We found Lisbon's best food delivery apps and put them all on this list. When hunger strikes, you'll thank us!

Uber Eats Lisbon

Uber Eats Lisbon offers an instant solution to your hunger pains with wide-ranging restaurant menus, pictures, and user reviews to help you decide where you want to eat. It's the capital's most popular food delivery app, so digital nomads in Lisbon will be spoiled for choice.

Average Price for a Month via Airbnb - Lisbon

One can rent out single rooms via Airbnb from 350 to 500 euros per month! On the other hand, a one-bedroom studio apartment costs 600 up to 1,200 euros depending on the area and the season. However, with all of the digital nomads Lisbon has drawn in, why not share a room with a fellow freelancer?

Best Bars in Lisbon

Like any hub for creative freelancers, Lisbon has a thriving, totally-cool bar scene. Check out some of the best bars in Lisbon - but don't stop there! Keep exploring until all the most incredible hidden gems are on your radar.

Maria Caxuxa - Everyone Knows Maria Caxuxa!

This premium bar is an excellent stop-off spot after a tiring day at work and is a perfect place to wind down to hip soundtracks. While DJs spin dub and house music, the caipirinhas they mix here are legendary too. Honestly, Maria Caxuxa is the Lisbon bar that everybody knows.

Pensão Amor - Best Cabaret Bar in Lisbon

A cool hangout place with an exciting Golden-era vibe, Pensão Amor boasts stunning plasterwork and ornate decoration that imparts an old-styled disco look.  The bar houses weekend concerts too, but not just any shows. Pensão Amor has a style that nothing can tone down, which gives it its reputation as the best cabaret bar in Lisbon.

Places to Eat in Lisbon With the Best Value

It's finally time to treat yourself to a nice dinner. All that hard work paid off! Still, we want an excellent value for our money. How can we experience delicious local Portuguese food without breaking our budget? Well, it's simple: check out these places to eat in Lisbon that'll give you flavour and frugality.

Cervejaria Ramiro - The Best Seafood Lisbon Has to Offer

Labelled as the ‘seafood temple,’ Cervejaria Ramiro is the place to indulge in Portugal’s fantastic seafood. From giant red scarlet shrimps to spikey shellfish to, of course, the classic clams and percebes, this place is worth splashing out for.  It was featured on a Netflix show called "Somebody Feed Phil," although it was popular long before this feature. After all, you can't keep Lisbon's best seafood a secret!

Pro Tip:  Arrive early to avoid long queues, as this is a well-known restaurant!

Atira-te ao Rio - Lisbon Restaurants with a View

Do you want to look at the Portuguese capital along the Tagus River? Look at Tagus River's beautiful Portuguese capital... Here’s a cute little restaurant where the tables and chairs are lit by torches and set along the water’s edge. After all, the idea is to savour the delicious food while enjoying the breathtaking view. The Atira-te ao Rio is a famous Lisbon restaurant with a viewstatementview statement that draws many tourists. Don't let that stop you! The food is even better than the view. Don’t miss their signature tuna pâté with fish stew or the Portuguese steak! 

Average Wi-Fi Speed and Free Wi-Fi in Portugal

As digital nomads in Lisbon, it's our business to worry about the Wi-Fi speed! However, we don't need to worry about Lisbon. The average wi-fi speed in Lisbon or download speed is 14,47 Mb/s. In addition, so many cafes and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi in Portugal, so you'll never have to go without Wi-Fi on a lousy connection day (if that's even a thing).

Digital Nomads Lisbon Meet-up & Community

Lisbon Digital Nomads is a community of experienced and aspiring digital nomads that organizes regular meetings and get-togethers, allowing them to learn from and cooperate.  For the digital nomads in Lisbon, there is no better community or a more active Lisbon Meet-up group of similar individuals. If you want to connect with even more people, I highly recommend working out of the Remote Year or Outsite coworking spaces.

Have a favourite place in Lisbon? Comment below.