Lisbon Hop On Hop Off Bus – Guide and Tickets

Lisbon Bus Tours: Routes, Stops and Travel Tips

The Lisbon Hop On Hop Off bus is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to explore the city’s main attractions. You can ride the full route for an overview or hop off whenever you want to explore a neighbourhood at your own pace.

It’s especially handy for first-time visitors who want to see a lot without worrying about Lisbon’s steep hills or public transport connections.

Lisbon Hop on Hop Off Bus Overview

Taking a Lisbon City Bus tour is one of the most relaxing ways to see the city’s top landmarks without worrying about steep hills or public transport connections. The routes pass through many of Lisbon’s highlights, including Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio Square and the Park of Nations.

There are two main Lisbon sightseeing bus companies, Yellow Bus and City Sightseeing Lisbon. Both offer unlimited rides for 24 or 48 hours, with audio commentary available in several languages and open-top decks for the best views.

The main routes operate daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with the full circuit taking about 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on traffic. You can hop on and off as many times as you like during your ticket’s validity period.

After comparing both, our preferred option is the Yellow Bus, mainly for its better route coverage, frequent departures (around every 20 minutes), and more positive reviews for customer service and value.

How does the Lisbon Sightseeing Bus works

The Lisbon sightseeing buses follow a loop around the city, stopping at all the main landmarks along the route. Several buses run throughout the day, so you never have to wait long, usually around 20/25 minutes between each one.

You can get on and off at any stop that interests you, spend as much time as you like exploring and then catch the next bus when you’re ready to continue. It’s an easy way to move between neighbourhoods like Baixa, Alfama, Belém, and the Park of Nations while enjoying panoramic views along the way.

All buses are air-conditioned, which makes a big difference during Lisbon’s warmer months. You’ll also find audio commentary available in multiple languages, sharing stories about the city’s history and culture as you ride.

When you first board, you’ll receive headphones to use with the audio guide and your ticket will be scanned each time you re-enter the bus. Tickets are usually valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on which option you choose, and you can easily track the buses in real time through the official Yellow Bus app, which helps you plan your stops smoothly.

Benefits of the Lisbon Hop on Hop Off Bus

The hop on hop off bus in Lisbon is an easy and flexible way to see the city’s main sights without the stress of planning transport or walking long distances.

We find this type of tour especially useful if we only have a day or two in Lisbon, are travelling with children or prefer not to deal with the city’s steep hills and long distances between attractions. It’s also a great choice in summer, when the heat can make walking less appealing or if you simply want to enjoy Lisbon at an easy pace with the help of the onboard audio guide.

That said, if you have several days to spend in Lisbon and enjoy exploring on foot, you might prefer wandering through the historic areas like Alfama, Baixa and Chiado to soak up their charm.

So, in short, here’s what we think:

When the Lisbon Hop On Hop Off Bus is Worth It

• Great if you’re short on time or just visiting Lisbon for a couple of days.
• Convenient for families, travellers with mobility concerns or anyone wanting a more relaxed experience.
• A smart option during Lisbon’s hot summer months.
• Handy if your accommodation is outside the city centre and you’d rather not rely on public transport.
• Perfect if you want to hear stories about Lisbon’s history and landmarks through the onboard audio guide.

When It Might Not Be Worth It

• Less useful if you enjoy walking and have plenty of time to explore Lisbon’s historic centre on foot.

Lisbon Hop on Hop off Stops

The Lisbon Hop On Hop Off Yellow Bus tour has 28 stops spread across two main routes. Here’s a list of all the routes and stops:

Belém Route	Modern Lisbon Route
1. Restauradores Square (Terminal)	1. Rossio Square
2. Restauradores (Restauradores Square)	2. Restauradores
3. Marquês de Pombal	3. Avenida da Liberdade
4. El Corte Inglés Shopping Center	4. Graça
5. Parque Eduardo VII (Eduardo VII Park)	5. Panteão Nacional / Feira da Ladra
6. Amoreiras Shopping	6. Lisbon Cruise Terminal
7. Basílica da Estrela	7. Museu do Azulejo
8. Pilar 7	8. Beato
9. Belém / Museu dos Coches (Coach Museum)	9. Marvila
10. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jeronimos Monastery)	10. Oceanário
11. Torre de Belém (Belém Tower)	11. Vasco da Gama Shopping
12. Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries)	12. FIL
13. MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)	13. Torre Vasco da Gama / Hotel Myriad
14. Docas Cruise Terminal	14. Rossio Square
15. Jardim da Estrela
16. Restauradores Square (Terminal)

How to Buy Tickets for the Lisbon Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Tickets are usually available at the main stops, where staff are stationed throughout the day. You can also find stands selling tickets near some of Lisbon’s main attractions and in the city centre, although these may sometimes charge a small premium.

We recommend booking online in advance to secure your ticket and choose from two different options. It also saves time and avoids the sales conversation at the ticket stands, which can be a bit intimidating sometimes.

Here are the available options as of 2025:

Lisbon Sightseeing Tour: Frequently Asked Questions

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