January in Lisbon
Unique Experiences
GET A TASTE OF OUR UNIQUE CULTURE
from historical neighborhoods to trendy restaurants and innovative tech hubs, Lisbon has something for everyone
DIVE INTO BREATHTAKING NATURE
like Portugal’s expansive beaches, sunny hills, and beautiful landscapes
LEARN EVERYWHERE
by walking around Lisbon, as the city is like an outdoor museum
300
days of sunshine in Lisbon every year
230 M
native speakers of Portuguese worldwide
60%
of all energy in Portugal comes from renewable sources
Your Destination
Located at the very tip of Europe, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. With one of the most eclectic collections of museums and picturesque postcard views from the city’s seven hills, it will most certainly captivate your eye! Despite being known for its history and blend of Roman and Moorish architecture, Lisbon has also developed to become a modern and vibrant city, home to innumerous startups, Michelin Star restaurants, and a trendy design and street art scene.
CIEE Lisbon is conveniently located inside the host university, allowing students to easily reach out to center staff.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Enjoy Lisbon’s street views, monuments, cafés, restaurants, and design stores
- Explore the less known secrets of Lisbon, like the flea market “Feira da Ladra” or the international neighborhood of Martim Moniz
- Get acquainted with the best trails of Street Art in Lisbon and learn to understand the social impact of this art form
- Go watch a soccer game and enjoy the passion of Portuguese soccer fans
- Learn about real political decision making with a visit to the National Parliament of Portugal
- Explore the enchanted Sintra, a romantic town in a mountainous area in the North of Lisbon
- Tour around Óbidos, a medieval town that was named a UNESCO City of Literature
Program Blogs
January in Lisbon!
Inviting, busy, historic, quiet, diverse. When asked about our initial impression of Lisbon, these were some words written on the board. As I sat there, I couldn’t help but ponder... keep reading
3 Lessons Learned from Studying Abroad
By: Josephine White #1: Do the Homestay, Seriously. When I say do a homestay, I mean it with every fiber of my being. Study abroad isn’t just about traveling and... keep reading
Reconnecting with My Portuguese Roots
By: Madison Dias The most meaningful experience I’ve had during this trip has been the redefining of my relationship with Portugal and my Portuguese heritage. I grew up two blocks... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
CIEE Lisbon offers various housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. Whether you live with a host family in a homestay or with fellow students in a residence hall, all housing options are located under 30 minutes from CIEE Lisbon and are conveniently near shops, cafés, public transportation, and eateries.
Standard: Includes a room in a homestay or residence hall with Internet access and utilities provided.
- Homestays: Live with a local host, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city's language and culture. Each student has an individual room.
- Residence Halls: Live with a mix of CIEE students, local students, and international students. If local health and safety regulations permit, you'll be in a single, double, or triple room. The kitchen and common areas are shared with other students.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
MEALS
- Homestay: Breakfast and dinner (seven days a week) provided. Dietary needs may be accommodated.
- Residence Halls: Meals not included; communal kitchens are available.
Academics
Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities to immerse them in the culture and facilitate intercultural learning. Classes take place at CIEE Lisbon.
Course Information
Languages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program January 2026 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Joana Almeida
Center Director
Joana has been working with CIEE Lisbon since 2011. She holds a B.A. in Art History, an M.A. in Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Historical Sociology.
Sara Cunha
Operations Manager
Sara has been working for CIEE Lisbon since 2014. She holds a Ph.D. in Management with a specialization in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. She has studied and lived abroad in Spain, Hungary, Sweden and Brazil.
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
You might also like
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
Your CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad program in Lisbon lasts 12 weeks and features three key components: A part-time internship with an international organization (15-20 hours per week), an internship seminar, and two academic courses (six credits) taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, ASU.
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Full-Time Internship
Your CIEE Semester Global Internship program in Lisbon lasts 12 weeks and features three key components: A full-time internship with an international organization (30-40 hours per week), an internship seminar, and a 3-credit academic course taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, ASU.
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Study Program
Come explore Portuguese culture and history