Expect an easy, flexible way to cover the city's hills without constant walking or figuring out public transport. The double-decker buses run on a few overlapping routes that hit most major sights — Belém, Alfama, the riverfront, and the upper viewpoints. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, though the commentary is fairly basic. You can hop off to explore and rejoin later; buses come every 15-30 minutes depending on the season and route. In summer it gets hot and crowded on the open top, and traffic can slow things down in the narrow streets.
The best time is spring or fall when the weather is mild and lines are shorter. Expect to pay around €25-45 for a 24-hour ticket and €35-60 for 48 hours. It's a decent value if you plan to visit several spread-out areas in one or two days, especially if your time is limited or mobility is an issue.
Tip: Get the ticket that includes all three routes rather than a single-route pass; the blue and red lines together give you the full picture. Skip the evening "sunset" tours — they're often just the regular route with worse traffic and no real added value. Sit on the right side going toward Belém for the better views.
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Terms.