CIEE College Study Abroad in Lisbon, Portugal

CIEE College Study Abroad in Lisbon, Portugal

Location
  • Portugal
    • Lisbon
Term
Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Economics Entrepreneurship European Studies Film Finance Gender Studies Geography Graphic Design History International Business International Relations Journalism Law Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Mathematics Media Relations Music Philosophy Political Science Religious Studies Social Sciences Sociology Statistics Sustainable Development Tourism +18
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! Our high-quality programs include tuition, housing, on-site airport pick-up, field trips and cultural activities, 24/7 on-site professional staff, and automatic iNext insurance. There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals Travel Insurance
Jan 29, 2026
Apr 28, 2026
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Lisbon is a major economic center, tourist destination, and headquarters to multinational businesses. It also enjoys the status as one of the oldest cities in the world, evidenced by its cobblestone alleyways, Gothic castles, and ancient ruins.

Courses are available in English and Portuguese.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students appreciate the program’s supportive staff, cultural immersion, and well-organized excursions that showcase Portugal’s history and vibrant city life.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Explore the area outside of Lisbon with excursions to noted towns rooted in medieval and coastal history.
  • Students who want to share their time and gain practical skills can connect with a range of organizations throughout Lisbon that need support.
  • Courses are taught in English at CIEE Lisbon and are complemented with immersive co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding.

Popular Programs

CIEE Legon Summer Programs

The western tip of Europe is steeped in ancient history, creating a rich base to launch a great summer. Come explore Portuguese culture and history while learning to speak Portuguese.

CIEE Legon Semester Programs

This intensive language program sets students of all language levels up for success, whether they take courses in English, Portuguese, or both. Students pursue their studies in an academically challenging environment at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Instituto Universitário de Lisboa School of Business (ISCTE IBS), supplemented with cultural activities and excursions.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 17 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.12%
  • 4 rating 5.88%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.65
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 17 reviews
Avery Nagel Profile Picture
Avery
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Semester In Lisbon Abroad

I am an Indiana University student who studied abroad in Lisbon in the spring semester of 2026, and my experience with CIEE was incredible. The staff did a great job planning fun day trips and events, which made it really easy to meet people and feel connected within the program. The housing was also a huge plus, it was modern, clean, and in a super convenient location that made it easy to explore the city. Lisbon itself is an ideal place for a college student to study abroad, with a great mix of culture, food, nightlife, and accessibility. Overall, the program struck a perfect balance between independence and support, making it a really memorable experience.

13 people found this review helpful.
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE in Lisbon

I had an amazing time in my study abroad experience. The staff are wonderful and they were very supportive throughout the program. The housing was also excellent and it was great to live in a residential part of the city that was very close to the campus where I had class. I also really enjoyed the day trips that the program offers and they acted as a great way to get to know other parts of Portugal along with the culture. The classes were also great and the program offers a good variety of subjects.

42 people found this review helpful.
Meghan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Everything about Lisbon

My experience abroad in Lisbon was amazing. There was the largest variety of food I had seen throughout everywhere I travelled in Europe. The Uber and Bolt rides are extremely cheap, making it super easy to travel to places like Sintra, Praia Da Ursa, and Ericeira that would normally be an expensive journey. The public transportation is very easy and affordable with the metro and bus system going nearly everywhere I could want to go. The weather was another game changer, with it never going below 50 even in December. The sunny days make the city lively and bright with people always out walking or biking. I can not recommend Lisbon enough for people who love food, drinks, a fun nightlife, immersive culture, beautiful landscapes, and a friendly community.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program would be to take advantage of the public transportation and cheap Uber and Bolt prices and explore the parts that are a drive or bus away such as Sintra, Cascais, Lagos, Ericeira, Porto, and all the other beautiful places that travelers will often miss because it seems far on a map, but Portugal has amazing transportation services that are easily accessible.
Pros
  • Cheap food and drinks
  • Easy public transportation
  • Immense variety of food
47 people found this review helpful.
Brooke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Lisbon Language and Culture program Spring 2024

My experience in Lisbon was so amazing. I learned so much about myself and about what I want for my life through exploring Portugal. The views, character in the city and the history was so incredible to learn about. Portugal as a country really spoke to me and Lisbon as a city made me feel so at home. Lisbon was unlike any place I have seen. I am forever so thankful for how the country of Portugal made me feel, and I cannot wait to go back. The staff on my program were so incredible as well, planning day trips to must see places, and making sure that we were taken care of and doing well. I felt completely supported and safe during my time in Lisbon, and I miss it so much everyday.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing that I ate was the sardines. In Portugal, sardines are a very significant part of their culture, and they make them in a special way. They came out on a plate, on fire right in front of us! I then tried them and ate way more than I expected to. I have never been interested in trying sardines before, and I was surprised and excited to have liked them so much!
Pros
  • Beautiful and artistic city
  • Easy and convenient public transportation
  • Amazing weather for hikes and going to the beach, surfing
Cons
  • Missing home
  • Wanting to see more places and travel more than is realistic
110 people found this review helpful.
Geena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun and great people

I really loved my experience studying here. The staff is so amazing and responsive and the teachers are very kind and passionate. The city itself is gorgeous and there's tons to do and it's super safe. If you want to go abroad but not spend a whole semester or year somewhere, the program duration is just right where you get to feel like an experienced local but still get to spend time doing whatever else you might want for the summer. CIEE is a very reliable program and I feel very comfortable traveling with them. If you've always wanted to visit Lisbon this is the way to go.

130 people found this review helpful.
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Lisbon Language and Culture Spring 2024

My time studying in Lisbon through CIEE has been an incredible experience and has taught me so much. Lisbon itself is an amazing city and gave me everything I wanted in an abroad experience, warm, by the water, city etc. The people were all eager to welcome me and my peers and educate us about the culture in Lisbon. CIEE was a great resource throughout this experience. The classes were insightful and the professors were all so friendly and educated. CIEE staff were all super helpful and caring and made Lisbon feel like a new home! My only issues arrived prior to departure where communication with CIEE was difficult and VISA process was tough but as long as you get through that the program itself was amazing. 10/10 recommend!

141 people found this review helpful.
Kristina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Lisbon

Very fun experience! The classes were both educational and helpful for understanding Portugal a little more. CIEE excursions were always fun because you got to hang out with the other people on the program more. Public transportation is very simple, so you can get to surrounding cities eaily, such as Sintra and Cascais. You can also take the ferry across the river and visit more sites down there. Lisbon is a great city because it blends both history and modernity. There is great food around every corner and always an adventure to be found

Pros
  • Lots of historical sites
  • Great food
Cons
  • Dorms can get hot
  • Budgeting gets difficult after awhile
192 people found this review helpful.
Shauna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ciee Lisbon

The cultural emersión program is filled with meaningful learning, exciting excursions and supportive staff members that help create a near perfect study abroad experience!! The program offers a good variety of travel across the country of Portugal! The Portuguese buddies attached to the program gives a good view of Portuguese culture from young peoples perspective! Both the homestay and dorm experience were amazing! The dorms are like mini studios and are perfect for mingling with others in your program!

Pros
  • Support from staff
  • Long weekends to travel
  • Amazing city and country
Cons
  • School is early with little breaks
  • Missing class is restricted
  • Not a full year
204 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers