Lisbon Tourism Statistics

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and picturesque views, making it a top destination for travellers worldwide.

Over 6.54 million international tourists visited Lisbon in 2024.¹

• In 2019, Lisbon welcomed 5.99 million international visitors, marking the highest recorded international count in pre-pandemic years.
• When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 78% to 1.33 million visits.
• By 2021, Lisbon experienced an increase of 46% in international tourists, with 1.94 million visitors.
• Inbound tourism rose to 5.44 million international arrivals in 2022 and continued to recover in 2023 with 6.20 million visitors, surpassing the 2019 total by 3.5%.
• In 2024, Lisbon welcomed 6.54 million international visitors, a 5.5% increase over 6.20 million in 2023 and a 9.2% increase over 5.99 million in 2019.

Lisbon Tourism Statistics 2024: International and Domestic

In 2024, Lisbon’s tourism continued its strong recovery, welcoming 6.54 million international visitors alongside 1.98 million domestic guests. Together, this 8.52 million total represents a 5.5% rise in international arrivals and a 3.7% uptick in domestic travel compared to 2023.

• This reflects Lisbon’s enduring appeal on the world stage. Meanwhile, a steadily rebounding domestic market underscores the city’s broad attractiveness to Portuguese travelers as well as to overseas visitors.

How many people visited Lisbon in 2024?

In 2024, Lisbon welcomed a total of 8.52 million visitors. Of these 6.54 million were international tourists and 1.98 million were domestic visitors, representing a 5.1% increase over the 8.11 million in 2023.

• That 8.52 M in 2024 also tops the 8.22 million guests seen in 2019, confirming a full recovery and growth beyond pre-COVID levels.

The leading sources of foreign tourists to Lisbon are the USA, followed by Brazil, France, Spain, and the UK.

• In 2024, the USA was the top source of international visitors to Lisbon, accounting for 1.14 million visits with 17.5% of the market share.
• Brazil also contributed 532,000 visits, representing 8.1% of the international total.
• France accounted for 496,000 visits, or 7.6% of international arrivals.

The best time to visit Lisbon is in Spring during March to May due to its mild temperatures, blooming gardens, and fewer tourists than summer.

• Fall (September–October): Warm days, cultural festivals, and shorter museum lines.
• Winter (November–February): Lowest rates and minimal crowds if you don’t mind cooler, quieter days.

• People visit Lisbon primarily for leisure, recreation, and vacations (2.28 million visits). Another common reason is visiting friends and relatives (VFR), with 3.92 million visits. Business travel accounts for 970,000 visits, reflecting Lisbon’s role as a centre for professional events and activities.
• While religious (110,000) and health-related (51,000) travel have a smaller impact, they still demonstrate Lisbon’s ability to cater to niche travel motivations. The diverse mix of “other reasons” (490,000) further underscores Lisbon’s broad appeal, drawing people for a variety of unique and personal purposes.

• Direct Expenditure: Tourists spent €6.67 billion in Lisbon in 2024—a 10.8% increase over €6.02 billion in 2023.
• Economic Contribution & Employment: Tourism accounted for 20% of Lisbon’s total economic output and supported a significant share of the 1.2 million tourism jobs nationwide.
• Cruise Industry Impact: The cruise sector generated €1.934 billion in total production, contributed €794 million directly to GDP, generated €317 million in taxes, and supported over 20,000 jobs across Portugal.