Lisbon, through the solo lens

1. Arriving aloneeasyThe red metro line starts at the airport and reaches the centre in about 20 to 25 minutes for about 2.40 euros including the card, and a Bolt or Uber is about 10 to 18 euros.
2. Where to sleepfineBaixa and Chiado make an easy first base, but the hills, Bairro Alto's late noise and Alfama's maze of alleys at night are worth weighing before you book.
3. Getting aroundfineThe centre is walkable but steep, the stone pavements get slippery in rain, tram 28 has long queues, and the historic lifts are closed for now.
4. Eating aloneeasyPastry counters, cafés and tascas with a lunch menu are everywhere, and eating on your own at a counter is completely ordinary.
5. Things to do aloneeasyViewpoints, a fado night in a small tasca, Belém in the morning and long walks all work beautifully on your own.
6. Feeling at easeeasyThe central neighbourhoods feel comfortable day and evening; the real risk is pickpocketing on tram 28 and in crowds.
7. Meeting people, if you wantfineFado nights, food tours and walking tours make it easy to talk to people if you want to, and easy to skip if you don't.
8. Solo moneyfineRooms have gone up in recent years, so a central room for one is about 80 to 150 euros, while a lunch menu with a drink is about 9 to 14 euros.
9. When to go alonefineMay, June and late September to October are the sweet spot; August is hot and crowded, and winter is cheaper but rainier.
10. The wow factorbig wowSunset from a miradouro over the river, then fado in a small tasca where the room goes quiet for each song. It's the kind of evening people remember a trip by.