Driving in Lisbon

Driving in Lisbon is unnecessary since distances are not huge and public transportation covers most of the city. Navigating the narrow hilly streets of the old center is also challenging, and traffic can be a nightmare in the big avenues and access roads. Besides, this is a city best explored on foot.

However, driving makes sense if you are visiting some of Portugal's smaller towns or rural areas, or if you want to go to some of Lisbon's harder-to-reach beaches. Here are a few important things to know before you get behind the wheel:

If you're British you should remember that in Portugal people drive on the right-hand side of the road, and normally vehicles approaching from the right have priority, except when the signs tell you otherwise. Vehicles already using a roundabout take priority over those entering it.

Seatbelts are compulsory and the alcohol limit when driving is 0.5g/l, which is the equivalent of a small beer. Transit police often make random stops.

Slow down and watch other drivers - the Portuguese are notorious for their lack of patience on the road, with incessant honking and constant rear-ending.

Parking in the center of Portugal's largest cities and towns is difficult, but there are usually good-sized parking areas in the outskirts.

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