I know this is going to be a loaded question but here goes. Everyone I know who went to Lisbon 5+ years ago raves about it. Everyone who went in the last year has complained about how crowded it is, how English is now the default language in Baixa, how prices have gone crazy with the digital nomad crowd.
We have a week in Portugal in April 2026 and Lisbon was going to be our base. Now I’m second guessing and wondering if we should base in Porto instead and just do 2 days in Lisbon.
Is it genuinely ruined or are people just being dramatic because it’s not a secret anymore? I don’t need it to be “authentic” in some gatekeeper-y way, I just don’t want to pay Paris prices for a city that feels like a theme park. Any recent-ish visitors want to give a real take?
I live in Lisbon and I’d say the truth is somewhere in the middle
Yes, it’s definitely more crowded than it was 5–10 years ago and prices have gone up — especially in central areas like Baixa and Alfama. But “ruined” is a bit of an exaggeration.
Lisbon is still a beautiful, very livable city with amazing views, food, and atmosphere. The key is where and how you experience it. If you stay only in the most touristy spots, it can feel a bit overwhelming. But neighborhoods like Graça, Campo de Ourique or even parts of Santos still feel much more local and relaxed.
April is actually a great time to visit — good weather, but not peak summer crowds yet.
Personally, I wouldn’t skip Lisbon as a base. You could easily do 4–5 days here and maybe combine it with a short trip to Porto instead of the other way around.
