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3 Days in Lisbon: How to Plan the Perfect Lisbon Itinerary

We loved Lisbon. It’s the largest city in Portugal – also the capital – with a rich history that features a diverse cast of characters, from the Romans and Visigoths in medieval times, to the Muslims hailing from North Africa, to the Christian Crusaders, and many more.

They were also the first people to go around the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa to India (you can see Vasco da Gama’s tomb at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém), and the fact that Portugal played such a big role in early exploration at sea is something I always forget.

Over the course of your 3 days in Lisbon, you’ll learn all about the rich history – some good, some not so good – that was made in Lisbon, one of the most storied cities in all of Europe. 

As we were on a walking tour with Isabel, a local who now lives in a suburb of Lisbon, she was telling us about the earthquake in 1755 (and the fires and tsunami that soon followed) that leveled large swaths of Lisbon.

Most of the city had to be rebuilt from the ground up, which immediately reminded me of the forest fires in California, our home state, that have grown more and more intense with each passing year. In their wake, they leave destruction and suffering. But then a beautiful thing happens.

From the ashes, something new emerges. In the case of California’s forests, it’s a new set of flora and fauna. In Lisbon’s case, a modern city emerged, more resilient and equipped to deal with future disasters thanks, in part, to the urban planning of the Baixa District, which was envisioned and brought to life by the Prime Minister after the earthquake, Marquês de Pombal.

Today, Lisbon is firmly on the tourist map after a series of “best new destination” wins in travel magazines over the past decade or so.

The Portuguese capital is a real treat, full of incredible views from miradouros that look out over the colorful buildings adorning the city’s many hills, great food and drinks including fresh seafood that is among the best in the world, and some amazing historical sights and stories. 

In this guide to planning your Lisbon itinerary, we’re going to go through everything you’ll need to organize an amazing trip to Lisbon.

From the boring logistics, like how to get around and where to stay, to a complete 3 day Lisbon itinerary, to itinerary alternatives if you have more or less time, we’ve done our best to give you all the information you need to plan your trip, all in one place. 

Throughout the guide, we’ll share our favorite finds and experiences in Lisbon based on our trip to help you plan your unforgettable trip.

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Is 3 Days in Lisbon enough Time?

We think 3 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon. Obviously, three days is not nearly enough to see everything in Lisbon, but given limited vacation time, 3 days is a great introduction.

Lisbon is a fantastic city in and of itself, but there are a couple of great day trips from Lisbon that are also worth taking, which means adding an extra day or so (depending on how much time you have) to get outside of the city and see those spots. 

3 days in Lisbon is the perfect amount of time to explore both the city of Lisbon, and take a day trip to Sintra , which would be our choice of the day trip options.

You can do it in two days, but we’d definitely cut out the day trip to Sintra and stay within Lisbon’s city limits. One day is a stretch (here’s how we’d spend one day in Lisbon ), but you can see SOME of the sights in Lisbon – it’s a fairly compact city – so you’ll know what you want to see more of on your return trip. 

Where to Stay in Lisbon

There are basically two neighborhoods we’d consider for a trip to Lisbon that is under five days, especially if it’s your first time.

We have an entire, detailed guide dedicated to the subject of where to stay in Lisbon . Read that for more information.

We stayed at Porta do Mar , a nice serviced apartment complex in Baixa within walking distance to, well, pretty much everything in Lisbon. Apartments have full kitchens, which is a main reason we stay in apartments (I have Celiac Disease and need to eat strictly gluten free – here’s my guide to gluten free Lisbon !).

If you’ve been to Lisbon before and are looking for a fun new place to stay, consider Bairro Alto (be warned – the nightlife is wild) or Principe Real .

Chiado is about as central as it gets in Lisbon, which is why it’s our top pick for most people.

It’s conveniently positioned between Baixa down the hill, Alfama to the east, and Bairro Alto / Principe Real to the west. It’s also up the hill, so you won’t be walking uphill quite as much (although there will definitely still be plenty of uphill walking).

It also has its own metro stop, which you’ll be thankful for after long days of walking around Lisbon. 

In Chiado , here are three places to consider – a hotel, a serviced apartment, and a budget option – depending on your style and budget. 

• Want a hotel? Casa de Barao is our top pick in Chiado. It’s in a historic building from the 1700’s that was recently renovated, and it’s right in the heart of Chiado. Plus, the pool!
• Looking for an apartment? For groups of one to four people, we’d look at Lisbon Charming Apartments in Chiado , which have one and two bedroom apartment options at the north end of Chiado. For bigger groups, look at LV Premier Apartments , which have two and three bedroom options that can sleep between six and ten guests, depending on how comfortable people are sleeping on a sofa bed.
• On a budget? Look at Lost Lisbon’s Chiado House . They have rooms with private external bathrooms, which will save you a little bit of money without sacrificing on comfort. 

Alfama is set on the hill to the east of Chiado and Baxia, São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) towering above the serpentine streets that snake their way downhill to the river.

This area is one of the oldest in the city and reminds me a lot of neighborhoods like Trastevere in Rome and Montmartre in Paris.

Those neighborhoods, along with Chiado, transport you back in time with their narrow, winding cobblestone streets and open plazas. It’s somehow simultaneously quiet and bustling, with a mix of people going about their business (like doing laundry) and people eating at open air cafes.

In other words, it’s uber romantic and charming, and would be a nice home base for a trip to Lisbon. However, it is up a hill from basically everything else in Lisbon, and public transit connections are strictly okay (the 28 tram runs through Alfama, but it’s usually packed). 

Here are three places to consider in Alfama – a hotel, a serviced apartment, and a budget option – depending on your style and budget. 

For what it’s worth, we stayed at the Porta do Mar Apartments for our first trip to Lisbon, and loved it. It’s in Baixa, but it’s two blocks from the Sé de Lisboa, which means you’re at the bottom of sprawling Alfama. The location was pretty much perfect. 

• Want a hotel? The Hotel Convento do Salvador is set in a former convent that is steps away from Miradouro das Portas do Sol, one of the best views of the city (and a terrific place to sit on the terrace and have an Aperol Spritz at sunset). Rooms are compact, but comfortable, and for a little extra you can have a river view from your room. 
• Looking for an apartment? For groups of one to four, look at Casas do Bairro Conqvistador , which is just outside the castle walls. They have one bedroom apartments with an option for a sofa bed to house up to four people. Bigger groups, look at Alfama – Lisbon Lounge Suites , which have a couple of two bedroom apartments that will give you a little more space. 
• On a budget? The rooms at Archi-Pelago Alfama Design Suites are small, but have everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay. There’s a range of room types and sizes, so you can pick the right one for your style and budget. Plus, the rooms are gorgeous, filled with natural light and design elements reminiscent of places where you’d pay triple the amount it’ll cost you to stay here. 

A Complete 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary for First Timers

Now let’s talk about exactly what to do with your time in Lisbon. We arrived in Lisbon late at night, and we’re going to assume you have three full days to explore the city, NOT INCLUDING your travel days (arriving in Lisbon, and leaving Lisbon). 

If you have less time, we have some ideas on how to compress this Lisbon itinerary into one or two days in Lisbon below the main itinerary. 

A note on our travel style before we get into it – we’re not huge museum people, nor are we into going inside every single church in the city (there are too many to cover in Lisbon anyway, in a country that is still over 80 percent Catholic). 

We’re far more into experiences that connect us with locals who can show us their version of the city, which is why you’ll find a walking tour (we LOVED this walking tour , which we did on our first day) and a food tour on our Lisbon itinerary rather than a list of six churches and three museums.

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose, but we’d much rather spend our time going deeper on fewer things than running around from tourist sight to tourist sight trying to see it all. 

Day 1: Walking Tour + Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama

Spend your first day in Lisbon exploring the main tourist center of Lisbon that includes Baixa, Chiado, and the most romantic and charming part of Lisbon, Alfama.

But First, Coffee

Lisbon has a surprisingly vibrant specialty coffee scene, which is music to my ears. I love coffee, and especially love experiencing coffee in new ways – whether that’s a new drink, beans from a place I’ve never tried before, or new flavors or processing.

I’m a little bit of a coffee nerd, so during our time in Lisbon I went on a quest to find the best coffee in Lisbon . 

Here are the two places I’d recommend that are near the center of Lisbon. 

• Bloom Coffee Room : They curate the best beans from around Europe, and you’ll find roasters from Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and other places even further afield. The best coffee we had in Lisbon came from this place. 
• Fábrica Coffee Roasters : They have multiple locations around the city, and are building a specialty coffee empire in Portugal (now they have a location in Porto, too). They roast their own beans, and the cappuccino we had there was the best we had in Portugal.

Get Oriented with a Walking Tour

We really, really enjoy doing a walking tour on our first day in a new city to get our bearings, connect with a local who can help us learn the language and give me some pointers on what to do, see, eat, and drink, and check out some of the main sights to give us an idea of what want to come back to. 

We have two options for you here – we did both ourselves and liked them, obviously, or we wouldn’t be recommending them to you.

The tour we did is the “ Lisbon Highlights and Hidden Gems ” walking tour with Withlocals, a tour company that we’ve fallen in love with in Europe, and have basically used in every city we’ve visited over the last few months where tours are available.

They’re perfect because they’re private tours (at regular tour prices, I might add, especially if you have more than two people), and thus they’re customizable to your particular needs and interests. 

We did a tour with Isabel in Lisbon, and highly recommend her as a guide. 

Shoot for a tour that starts around 10:00 am, which means you’ll be done and ready to go by 1:00 pm.

It covers many of the sights between Bairro Alto and Alfama, all with a professional guide who knows far more about the city than any guidebook, and who can help you with restaurant recommendations, things to know about the city, getting around, and more.

Plus some fun anecdotes (and some not-so-fun) and history lessons along the way! We really enjoyed it, and think you will too. 

Click here to book your walking tour

Lunch + Pastel de Nata in Chiado

Head to Chiado for lunch on your first day in Lisbon. It’s the most central neighborhood, and there are some great places to eat in the area.

We’d opt for seafood at Pinóquio (technically in Baixa), vegan food at The Green Affair , or pastel de bacalhau – a cod, potato, and cheese pastry – at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau washed down with a nice port wine. 

After lunch, it’s time for a quintessential Lisbon experience: pastel de nata! Pastel de Nata is a staple on any Lisbon itinerary. It’s essentially an egg custard tart, enveloped in a crispy, crunchy, flaky crust.

The best we found in Lisbon – and our waking tour guide agreed with our assessment – is at Manteigaria .

They’re best when they’re warm, and you’ll want a nice dusting of cinnamon on top (which they will provide).

Aloma , right across the street, was our guide’s second favorite spot. Try both, and compare for yourself!

Afternoon: Exploring Alfama

After lunch and doing a bit of poking around in Chiado, head to the most romantic part of the city, Alfama.

Alfama is the oldest feeling part of the city, with narrow cobblestone streets that wind their way down from the Castelo de São Jorge at the crown of the hill. It’s also home to several of the best viewpoints in all of Lisbon, which you should definitely make an effort to get to. 

Here are a few suggestions of things to do and see in Alfama. My advice is to start near the top of the hill with the castle, then make your way downhill from there to the Lisbon Cathedral ( Sé de Lisboa ).

You can ride the 28 tram up the hill and walk back down if climbing up to the castelo on your own two feet doesn’t sound like your idea of fun. 

One note: your next stop is actually further up the hill from the miradouros (to another miradouro and some pre-dinner drinks), so plan on heading uphill from the miradouros. It’s a little bit of backtracking, but we think it’s worth it for one of the best views in all of Lisbon. 

Castelo de São Jorge

The castelo sits on top of the hill, with Alfama sprawling down the hill from its walls towards the river. It used to be an important defensive position, and was the scene of many battles over the centuries before the Portuguese took Lisbon and established it as their capital.

Since then, it has been many things, including a hospital and a prison, and only in the 20th Century was it restored to its former glory.

Today, you can visit the grounds (it costs 10 Euros) and, most importantly, walk on the castle walls for some amazing views. 

Miradouros Galore

There are several great viewpoints in Alfama, including two that are just a few blocks away from each other.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia ( here on Google Maps) is the first, and it’s a nice view out towards the river. There are some cool tiles to check out on the side of the Igreja de Santa Luzia (right next to the viewpoint) depicting a battle for the Castelo.

The second is Miradouro das Portas do Sol (on Google Maps here ), which has even better views out towards the Tagus River, including the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora out to the northeast on the hill.

Don’t miss the statue of St. Vincent , the patron saint of Lisbon. The latter viewpoint has a nice little outdoor terrace with a bar, which would be a lovely place to enjoy, say, an Aperol Spritz or a Port Tonic while watching the sun’s golden glow light up the hillside. 

When in Lisbon, you should try canned fish at least once, even if you think it’s not your thing. And we think Miss Can is the place to do it.

It’s owned by a woman whose family has been in the fishing industry for generations, and she does the work to ensure her product is sustainable, from the fish to the cans.

We tried a bunch, and really, really liked the bacalhau (that’s cod) in garlic and olive oil. It was the least “fishy” option if you’re not a huge fan of fish flavors. You can either get some to enjoy at the small restaurant, or pick up some cans to enjoy later.

They also make great souvenirs to bring home for friends and family. 

On our return trip to Lisbon a few months after our first visit, we came back and bought about seven cans to bring home to friends, all of whom absolutely loved them (and some even ordered their own to ship all the way to the United States).

Pre-Dinner Drinks in Graça + Dinner Back Down the Hill

Rather than head down the hill after doing some exploring of Alfama, make your way to nearby Graça to get some drinks before dinner in Alfama on your journey back down the hill. 

First, head up to take in what might be the best view in all of Lisbon at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte . Fair warning, it’s quite the hike, but it’s worth it. See?

Then, check out either 8a Graca for some of the best craft beer in Lisbon, or down the hill to Graça do Vinho for an extensive selection of Portuguese wines and some light snacks (think bread and cheese). 

For dinner, there are A LOT of very touristy, very overpriced restaurants in Alfama, as our tour guide warned us. If you choose one of those, you’ll pay for the atmosphere, and the food won’t be great. Here are three alternative suggestions that are all in Alfama, but are actually highly rated. 

• Lisboa Tu & Eu
• Farol de Santa Luzia
• Ginjinha da Sé

Day 2: A Food Tour + Belém

On your second day, explore the delicious world of Lisbon’s food scene before hopping on the tram for a short ride out to Belém, home to a couple of cool sights (and one important taste). 

A Food Tour of Lisbon’s Best Flavors

If, like me, you have Celiac Disease (which means I need to eat strictly gluten free), then this tour isn’t for you. If you don’t have Celiac Disease and you love food, then you should take a food tour with a local who will bring you to places where you can try some of Lisbon’s authentic flavors. 

This is the tour we’d recommend, though – disclaimer – we haven’t done it ourselves. It has 4.95 stars and over 4,000 reviews at the time of writing, which puts it among the most highly rated tours I’ve ever personally seen on Airbnb before.

And the CEO of Airbnb has done the tour, which should tell you something. You’ll taste everything from fish to liqueurs, and do it at small, family-owned places that you wouldn’t otherwise find on your own. Plus, it’s plastic free!

Catch the 10:00 am tour and show up hungry. Seriously. Don’t eat beforehand. You should be done by about 1:30 pm, when you’ll be ready for either a nap, or a trip out to Belém. 

An Afternoon in Belém

After your food tour (and a nap?), head out to Belém for an afternoon and evening of fun. 

Belém used to be a separate city, but as Lisbon has expanded it has swallowed it up and now it’s a district within the broader city of Lisbon.

It’s right along the river, and is home to several cool sights, including the Torre de Belém, a huge monastery, and, perhaps the most important, Pastéis de Belém, which is said to be the birthplace of the original pastel de nata.

Today, the entirety of Belém is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In Belém, we’d recommend starting at the furthest end with the Tower of Belém, then working your way back towards Lisbon. 

Getting to Belém

The easiest way to get there from the center of Lisbon is to hop on the 15E Tram from around Praça do Comércio.

It takes about half an hour each way, and costs three Euros in either direction. You can buy tickets on the tram, but you have to use the machines which sometimes don’t work AND only accept coins and require exact change.

You should either get a Viva Card (see the “Getting Around” section below the itinerary for more detail) at one of Lisbon’s Metro Stations so you can tap on / off with less hassle, or today might be a good day to invest in a 24 hour pass for the metro, buses, and trams, which will set you back 6.40 Euros. 

Torre de Belém

First of all, don’t go up into the tower. We just saved you 6 Euros a person. Lines are long, and the view from the top isn’t really worth the money or the time it’ll take you to get there. 

It is, however, worth admiring from the outside. It was built in the 1500’s for two reasons – to serve as an entry / exit point for people coming in and out of the city by ship, and to serve as a coastal defense for Lisbon, as it’s ideally placed along the banks of the river near the mouth to fend off any attacks. 

Unfortunately, it didn’t do so well on the second front. It was taken in 1580 by the Spanish. But it was upgraded following that catastrophe, largely living out its days as a prison until it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980’s. 

More information on the tower, including tickets, here . 

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Wander along the waterfront heading east to head to the Monument of the Discoveries (in Portuguese, Padrão dos Descobrimentos), which is a tribute to Portugal’s amazing history of explorers. Do you remember from fourth grade who the first person to circumnavigate the world was?

I didn’t, but our walking tour guide was quick to remind me that it was Vasco da Gama, and we actually visited the town where he was born just outside of Porto later in our trip to Portugal. Funny enough, that town is definitely inland, not along the sea at all. 

Vasco da Gama is one of the figures featured in the depiction on the side of the monument, which was built in the middle of the 20th Century under Portugal’s dictator, António de Oliveira Salazar, who was really into romanticizing Portuguese history.

Naturally, the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th Century was near the top of the “aren’t the Portuguese people great?” list, which is problematic because let’s be real for a second – all of the places they “discovered” were… already discovered. Just not by people with white skin.

We’re not going to solve that issue here, so I digress.

Anyway, the square in front of the monument is beautiful, with art made from limestone tile donated by South Africa, and the towering monument that rises 171 feet over the river. 

You can go inside, but we’d skip it, and instead just admire it from the outside. 

Jerónimos Monastery

The monastery (and the garden across the street) are worth a visit too. It’s a former monastery – meaning it’s not active today – and housed monks from the order of Saint Jerome (hence, the name). 

It’s a great example of typical Late Gothic Manueline architecture in Lisbon, which was created in the 16th Century during the Age of Discovery, and incorporates maritime symbols – ships, shells, and seas – into the Gothic style.

It’s typical in Lisbon, and there are a bunch of statues and examples of it around the city, including the statue of St. Vincent in Alfama, who is the patron saint of Lisbon and is holding a ship with two ravens, which is the coat of arms of Libson. 

Like I said, Maritime elements galore. 

Construction started in 1501 and took over 100 years to complete, which should tell you something about the grandness you’re about to witness. It’s free to enter, but you have to pay to go into the cloister, which is pretty impressive, but not necessarily worth the money. 

Pastéis de Belém

Head about a block east from the monastery to your final stop in Belém – the birthplace of the pastel de nata . Allegedly, anyway. 

The legend goes that the pastel de nata was created by monks from the monastery wayyyy back in the early 19th Century. And the story is actually fascinating, and completely plausible.

Next to the monastery, there was a sugarcane factory, and after the revolution in Portugal in 1820, all convents and monasteries were shuttered in 1834, which meant that the monks had nowhere to go, and no way to make a living.

Before that, they bought A TON of eggs (the whites were used for starching robes) and found themselves with some leftover egg yolks, so they started making sweet treats as a little bit of a side hustle (and probably, more importantly, to enjoy themselves). 

Ever the entrepreneurs, they sold that recipe to the pastry shop – the same one that exists there today – using that handy dandy sugarcane factory and those eggs. Guess what the two main ingredients are in those pastries? Sugar and eggs. 

They started pumping out these “Pastéis de Belém” – which would eventually become known more broadly as “Pastéis de Nata” – and two centuries later, the recipe and methods are said to be almost exactly the same as they were back in the 19th Century. 

They’re so serious about their brand that only the pastéis that come out of this kitchen can legally be called “Pastéis de Belém” – the original. 

Part of me wonders how much of that story has been romanticized over the years, and how similar the recipes really are today. The other part of me says “yeah, that’s a good story, let’s go with that.” But are they really the best? Here’s a completely subjective and unscientific take. 

Everyone says to go here for the best pastel de nata you’ll have in Lisbon. So we put it to the test. And by “we” I really mean my two brothers and Alysha. No gluten for me. 

The results? This one came in second behind Manteigaria. The crust was the best out of the three we tried, giving the pastry a nice texture contrast between the crispy outside and the ooey-gooey custard, but the custard was the downfall here, which was less flavorful than the ones they had tried previously.

Still, well worth a stop when you’re nearby. The more cinnamon, the better. 

On your way back to the heart of Lisbon, make a pit stop in Alcântara to check out LX Factory .

When you walk through the entryway here, you might feel like you’re in a hip part of Los Angeles or Brooklyn. And that’s kind of the vibe they’re going for, if we had to guess. 

In the mid 19th Century, this area was home to an important textile factory. Today, it’s an outdoor hub of different shops, bars and restaurants, and small businesses who have all come together to create one of the most engaging, creative, and unique places in the entire city.

You’ll find a nice bookstore, a great wine shop, countless restaurants, and plenty more. Here were some of our favorite stops (though we think you should take your time and explore for yourself). 

• Livraria Ler Devagar : You’ve probably seen this one on Instagram, with the big art fixture hanging from the ceiling of a person on a bike with their scarf trailing behind them. It’s a huge bookstore with a small English language section, a record shop on the first floor (that’s the second floor, to us Americans), and some cool old printing presses on the top floor that are worth checking out. 
• More Than Wine : We found both wine and cider that we liked here, but they also sell things like chocolate, jam, honey, and ceramics. 

We visited LX Factory in the morning, which we realized was not the right time to be there, and we ended up thinking to ourselves “I bet this place would be cool at night.”

That’s why we have you stopping here on your way back – because we think it’s worth grabbing dinner and drinks here, where you’ll have options ranging from Mexican food to gourmet hot dogs or sushi. 

Day 3: A Day Trip to Sintra

On your third day, take a day trip from Lisbon out to Sintra, home to Pena Palace and a couple of other worthwhile sites.

Things to Know About Visiting Sintra

The first thing you should know is that Pena Palace, which is a must-visit and is the most popular site, is at the top of a steep hill if you’re coming from the town of Sintra. We strongly recommend that you make Pena your first stop of the day, and make your way down the hill from there. 

There are a couple of different ways to get from the train station up to Pena Palace. 

• Bus : There are a couple of bus options leaving from the same general area. To get to Pena Palace, you want the 434, which takes you from right outside the train station (exit the station and turn right around the corner, towards the tourism office – here’s a map ) up to Pena Palace. It costs 3.90 Euros for a single ride (e.g. from the station to Pena Palace), and 6.90 Euros to get a hop-on, hop-off ticket that allows you to ride the bus there and back (but only in one direction). Here’s a helpful guide .
• Taxi / Uber : If you have two people or more, this is the best way to do it cost-wise. The bus is crowded and lines are long, so if you’re okay with walking down from the top, hop in a cab or Uber, pay the 10-15 Euros to get to the top, and you’ll likely beat everyone else up there.
• Tuk Tuk : We had a group of four, and as we were debating what route to take, a friendly tuk tuk driver pulled up and asked if we wanted a ride to the top for 20 Euros. Now, normally, we’re all for taking public transportation, and we’ve never actually taken a tuk tuk (except Alysha in Thailand). But for whatever reason, we were in a touristy mood, so we did it! It wasn’t exactly the fastest ride (though we did beat the bus), and there were times where I was pretty certain we were going to have to get out and push. But, alas, we made it to the top right as the Palace grounds opened and had some laughs along the way!

Getting to Sintra

Sintra is an easy 45 minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio Station in Baixa. Getting to Rossio is pretty easy from basically anywhere in Lisbon, including Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama. 

The most important thing to know is that you will want to be on the first feasible train out to Sintra, which totally depends on how early you want to wake up.

The train we chose left at 8:11 am, which we think is the perfect time because you’ll arrive in Sintra around 9:00 am, and most of the attractions open at 9:30 am, giving you about 30 minutes to get up the hill to Pena Palace to start your day and beat the rest of the visitors. 

What to Do in Sintra

Here’s the thing – there’s actually A LOT to do in Sintra. So much so, that you’re definitely not going to be able to comfortably fit it all into a single day, which is likely the amount of time you have. 

For context, we were on one of the first trains out to Sintra, and didn’t make it back to the city until somewhere around 3:00 or 4:00 pm. And we only really did a couple of the many tourist attractions in Sintra.

We would suggest picking two or three things that you’re most interested in, and tackling those two plus the town of Sintra, which has some good places to eat and drink. 

We also obviously have an opinion on what you should focus your time on, and we think the two sites you should choose are Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle .

Both offer different experiences – one is an opulent palace with fertile gardens, one is a replica of a former, you guessed it, Moorish Castle with spectacular views out over the ocean. 

If you want to add in a third sight, we’d recommend the Quinta da Regaleira . We’d do the two aforementioned sights before lunch, making your way down the hill as you go, having lunch in the town of Sintra, then doing the 10 minute walk out to the Quinta da Regaleira before heading back into town to catch the train back to Lisbon. 

Strap in, bring water and snacks, and prepare yourself for a full day affair. 

Here are some more details on the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle. 

Pena Palace

There are two parts of the Pena Palace complex, and they require different tickets.

There are the gardens, and then there’s the interior. We decided to skip the interior – we’ve seen plenty of opulent palaces over the course of our travels, maybe the rich dudes should have spent the money that they spent on their summer home on something, I don’t know, more useful?

Seriously, Pena Palace is essentially a summer home, built in the Sintra Mountains by King Ferdinand II. Originally, it was a monastery on the hill, but it was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake and sat there in disrepair for years.

Then, Ferdinand said “wouldn’t it be great to have a place to escape the oppressively hot Lisbon summers? Maybe a place on a hill, with nice views and a cool coastal breeze?” 

12 years later et voilà! Pena Palace, built by German architect Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege. Eventually, the state of Portugal bought the palace from the royal family (honestly, isn’t that insider trading or something?) and turned it into the museum it is today. 

The colors and décor of the palace are pretty unusual. Just look at this odd guy sitting atop one of the arches on the exterior of the castle. 

It’s an unusual mix of architectural styles, borrowing from multiple different eras and styles to create a multicolored mishmash. 

We would recommend just getting a ticket for the grounds, and admiring the palace from the outside. Here’s how we’d spend your time: 

• Start by exploring the gardens. When we arrived, the palace was fogged in and you could barely make out the bright yellow facade. If you find yourself in the same boat, fear not! It will likely burn off. Head out to the High Cross in the gardens, which is a nice view (if the fog happens to be gone – it wasn’t when we were there). In general, our favorite part of the gardens was the lakes area at the bottom of the hill. 
• Then make the walk up to the palace. Admire the arches and tiles along the outside, and go up into the chapel, which is free. 
• Walk the walls of the palace . There’s a short path around the palace walls, which you should save for last because it’s a great view out over Sintra and all the way to the coast, so you want it to be clear. 

From there, head down through the gardens to the lower entrance, and walk up to the Moorish Castle. 

Important Info : Tickets for the gardens cost 7.50 Euros, while combo tickets that include the interior cost 14 Euros. The castle is often shrouded in fog in the morning, which usually burns off by about 10:00 or 11:00 am. For that reason, we recommend above that you spend your time admiring the gardens first before heading up to the palace itself. More info here . 

Castelo dos Mouros

Honestly, we were SO close to skipping this. But we were so glad we didn’t! Walking along the reconstructed walls of this Moorish Castle from the 8th or 9th Century was the highlight of our time in Sintra, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. 

It was built when the Muslims from North Africa were in control of the Iberian Peninsula, and then it was taken by the Christians in the 12th Century, and basically left in various levels of desertion ever since as tensions calmed and people no longer felt the need to live within the castle walls and started making their way downhill towards Sintra and proverbial greener pastures.

At least until the 1800’s, when restoration efforts began under King Ferdinand in the same vein as the Pena Palace restoration. 

There are some historical sights to see along the way, but we’d focus your time on walking the walls from one end to the other, which involves some steps (which are actually kind of hard), and is basically a nonstop spectacular view from start to finish. Go counter-clockwise. 

Important Info : The cost to enter the castle perimeter is 8 Euros. We originally balked at that cost, but afterwards decided it’s probably worth it for the great views alone. Plus, how often do you get to walk on former castle walls? More information here . 

Less Time in Lisbon? Here’s What to Do

At a high level, if you have less than three days in Lisbon, we’d immediately cut Sintra. It’s great, don’t get us wrong, but we’d opt for spending your time in Lisbon itself rather than getting out of the city. Save it for next time. 

With One Day in Lisbon

If you only have one day in Lisbon – and we mean one full day, morning, afternoon, evening, we’d spend it like this. 

In the morning, head out to Belém and do the Torre de Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Jerónimos Monastery (though the cloister won’t be open when you’re there, which is fine) before going to Pastéis de Belém to try the alleged original pastel de nata. 

Head back to Lisbon’s center and choose between the walking tour (if you’re more interested in history and culture) or the food tour (if you’re a foodie). Our preference is the walking tour, but you can’t really go wrong either way. 

In the evening, follow the Alfama guide in the itinerary above and spend a few hours in the most romantic part of Lisbon, at least in our opinions. 

PS: We have an entire guide dedicated to helping you make the most of one day in Lisbon .

With 2 Days in Lisbon

Follow days one and two of the itinerary above as written. Voila! 2 great days in Lisbon. 

More Than 3 Days in Lisbon?

If you have more than three days, we’d recommend slowing down and splitting up the activities in the itinerary above, giving each more room to breathe. In addition, here are a few things we’d add on to the itinerary. 

• We’re really excited about the We Hate Tourism Tours “ Lisbon Walk in the Real City . ” The tour company here – We Hate Tourism Tours – focuses on responsible and sustainable tours. For example, you won’t find them packing groups of 20 people onto the 28 Tram, which is a major thoroughfare for locals, and it’s basically unusable at this point due to tourists between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Instead, you’ll spend a few hours exploring neighborhoods you probably wouldn’t make it to on your own, and learning about the cultural and economic context around the city you’re exploring. We haven’t done it (yet), but we will when we’re back in Lisbon in a couple of months. It’s a different kind of tour than the other walking tour you’ll have already done, focusing on parts of the city most tourists don’t make it to. 
• The Time Out Market , as touristy as it is, is worth a visit. There’s a collection of some of the best restaurants in Lisbon all in one nice food hall, with a bar in the middle of it. Try a couple of different places and share amongst the group for the best experience. I’m still trying to wrap my head around why Time Out (of the magazine fame) got into the real estate / restaurant game, but that’s a question that’s out of scope for this particular guide. 
• We kind of wanted to take a trip across the river over to Cacilhas after seeing Phil do it on our favorite food TV show of all time, Somebody Feed Phil . It involves a ferry ride, which also seems very pleasant. Here’s a nice guide to exploring that side of the river. 

The Best Time to Visit Lisbon

Lisbon’s Mediterranean climate makes it a very pleasant destination basically year round, and a nice escape from the parts of Europe that have cold and dreary winters. Summer is blazing hot, and we’d say that visiting Lisbon in the summer is not ideal for two reasons.

First is the heat, which feels even warmer when you’re trekking straight up a hill. Second is the crowds, which are pretty overwhelming during July and August, which is peak summer season in Lisbon. It’s even worse when cruise ships are docked at the port near Alfama. 

Shoulder season is our pick, which means Spring and Fall. We visited in September, and the weather was pleasantly warm (bordering on hot), and crowds were around, but nowhere near what you’d see at the height of summer. 

We’re returning to Lisbon in December, so I will go ahead and update this guide with our thoughts on Lisbon in the winter after that trip. 

Getting to Lisbon

Lisbon is fairly accessible from most parts of Europe thanks to plenty of flights coming into Portugal’s capital, though if you’re coming from outside of Portugal the train and bus situation leaves a bit to be desired. Flying is your best bet if you’re coming from continental Europe, the UK, or the US and Canada (obviously). 

Flying to Lisbon

Lisbon’s airport is right smack dab in the middle of the city, which makes it easy to get from the airport to your accommodations.

Flights are plentiful, with most major carriers in Europe and abroad flying a route that takes you to Lisbon. You’ll arrive at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), which is 7km away from the city center. 

Taking a Train or Bus to Lisbon

Trains or buses are a good way to get to Lisbon if you’re coming from a city within Portugal, like Porto to the north, or Lagos down on the Algarve , Portugal’s southern coast. 

One note : if you’re staying in the main center of Lisbon, Santa Apolónia Station is the one you want. It’s walkable to Baixa and Alfama, and you can hop on the metro to access other parts of the city from the train station. Oriente, Lisbon’s other train station, is further north and requires a longer journey to reach the heart of the city. 

From Porto , which is Portugal’s second biggest city (and is well worth a visit), it’s a three and a half hour train ride from Campanha Station in Porto to Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia station.

Express Trains – called Alfa Pendular or AP – take two hours and forty five minutes or so, and are the most expensive (and comfortable) option.

Intercity trains – called Intercidades or IC – are cheaper, less comfortable, and take a little longer at three and a half hours.

For what it’s worth, we took multiple IC trains, and it was plenty comfortable and super affordable, especially when you buy tickets in advance. 

From Lagos or Faro on the Algarve

You have a choice between train and bus, which are essentially the same journey in terms of time and cost.

The train leaves from Lagos and makes a connection in Tunes. From there, it’s a straight shot up to Lisbon. The bus runs directly from Lagos’ bus station to Lisbon – no connection required. Both options will cost you roughly 20 Euros. 

The only major city outside of Portugal that has reliable service to Lisbon is Seville, Spain, but you’ll need to budget an entire day to make the trip.

From Seville , you can take a FlixBus that goes directly from Seville to Lisbon, taking roughly eight hours to complete the journey. Your other option from Seville is to take the bus to Faro, and catch the train up to Lisbon from there, which takes more like 8-10 hours. 

Getting Around Lisbon

Lisbon is a great walking city, despite the hills. It reminds me a lot of San Francisco, our last home, in that way. 

Most of the main sites and neighborhoods that you’ll want to visit as a tourist are within walking distance of the center, with the exception of Belém and Alcântara (home to LX Factory), which are a short tram ride away. 

Lisbon – like most cities, really – is best explored on foot. You’ll discover all sorts of fun spots along the way if you use your own two feet to navigate the grid layout of Baixa, and the winding serpentine alleys of Alfama, Chiado, and beyond. 

The obvious thing to note here is the hills. Lisbon is very hilly outside of Baixa and the area along the river. Chances are, you’ll be walking up and down the hills of Lisbon at some point, so be prepared with comfortable walking shoes and a reusable water bottle.

If walking the hills is a problem for you, you can use the metro or trams to get to the top of the hill, then meander your way back down.

Public Transportation

The public transportation in Lisbon is pretty fantastic. 

There are above-ground trams, a below ground metro system, a few funiculars to get you up the crazy hills, and a bus system. It’s comprehensive, and will get you everywhere you need to go quickly, efficiently, and for a really affordable per-trip rate, too. 

We were also really, really surprised at how clean everything was. From sparkling trams (other than the 28, but the rusticness is part of the charm!) to pristine buses, everything seemed a lot cleaner than the public transportation we’re used to taking in San Francisco. Like, A LOT cleaner. 

To use the public transportation system, you’ll want to buy a Viva card , which costs 0.50 Euro and makes each ride significantly cheaper, and then you’ll be able to load it (and reload it) with the amount of money you need to ride.

You can get the Viva Card at one of the machines inside a metro station – they have instructions in English if you don’t speak Portuguese. Here are the rates as of 2023 (you can check the most up-to-date figures here ):

• Single ride : 1.50 Euros (1.34 if you’re using a Viva Card)
• Day Pass : 6.40 Euros

Make sure you validate your ticket at the little yellow stands near the entrance to metro stations before every ride, and whenever you make a transfer. Otherwise you could be in for a fine. 

We’d recommend skipping the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa), which is essentially a tourist trap. You can walk through the mall or up the hill from Baixa without paying the 5 Euros or waiting in the long line. It is, however, worth walking out to the top of the lift for the view out over Lisbon towards the Castelo.

Here’s a good guide to Lisbon’s public transportation system for some further reading. 

Uber and Taxis

Uber is surprisingly affordable in Lisbon, and so are taxis. We’re fans of ridesharing apps in terms of convenience and ease of use (not so much in terms of the company itself, though), and you can pretty easily zip around Lisbon for about 5-7 Euros per ride. Only use marked taxis, and make sure they run the meter. 

Taking a Taxi from the Airport

We hopped in a taxi at the airport, and got scammed like typical tourists immediately on arrival. I’m telling this story in hopes that you learn from my mistake. 

The taxi pulled up alongside the official taxi line, which we had waited in, and the first red flag was that he pulled up at the curb, rather than one of the designated taxi pull-through spots (which, by the way, are genius – never seen pull-through taxi spots before!). I should have pulled the plug there. 

Not knowing whether it was a flat rate ride or a metered situation was my second mistake. Taxis from the airport should be metered, and it should cost between 10 and 15 Euros to go to the city center. This guy told me it was a flat rate, and showed me a semi-official looking laminated piece of paper showing the rates. 

Our ride came out to 27 Euros, and only after the fact did I realize that we got scammed. 

The point is this : only use official taxis that pull into the designated spots at the taxi stand at Lisbon’s airport, and make sure they run the meter. Don’t pay more than 10-15 Euros for a ride, and ask roughly how much it will cost before you get in. Decline anyone that tells you it’s a flat rate. 

Actually, the real point is TAKE THE METRO from the airport . It’s super cheap, super efficient, and has a direct line to the city center. Here’s more on taking the metro to and from the airport. 

We hope this massive guide to exploring Lisbon was helpful! If you liked this guide, there’s more where that came from.

Planning a trip to Portugal?  

Here are our other Portugal travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip (even if you have to eat gluten free!).

If there’s no link below, it means we’re still working on it – long, in-depth guides take time! We’re working on it, though, we promise.

• 10 Days in Portugal: Planning the Perfect Portugal Itinerary
• 25 Incredible Things to Do in Lisbon: A Complete Guide
• 3 Days in Lisbon: Planning the Perfect Lisbon Itinerary
• One Day in Lisbon: The Best of Lisbon in 24 Hours
• Where to Stay in Lisbon: Our Guide to 4 Amazing Places to Stay
• Gluten Free Lisbon: A Complete Guide to Lisbon’s Best Gluten Free Restaurants
• The Best Coffee in Lisbon: 9 Amazing Lisbon Coffee Shops to Add to Your List
• 3 Days in Porto: Planning the Perfect Porto Itinerary
• One Day in Porto: How to See the Best of Porto in a Day
• Where to Stay in Porto, Portugal: The 3 Best Places to Stay

The Algarve:

• A Complete Guide to Planning an Algarve Road Trip (3-7 Days)
• Where to Stay in the Algarve: 5 Charming Towns to Use as a Home Base
• How to Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail: Complete Trail Guide

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

12 Comments

I am so happy that I found your blog posts on Portugal. We had 3 days in Lisbon and 3 days in Lagos. Your recommendation of the Be Poet Baixa Hotel made for easy walking to many of your suggestions. They also offered lots of information about sites and restaurants in the area. We enjoyed our time in Portugal and will be back again.

Hey Wendy! Glad you found it helpful and enjoyed your trip. Baixa is great in terms of location – you’re within a short walk or bus ride of just about everything! We like Chiado a tiny bit better in terms of vibe, but both are excellent choices. Noted on Be Poet Baixa – thanks for the info.

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Best Time to Visit

Neighborhoods to Know

Public Transportation Guide

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Lisbon

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Beaches Near Lisbon

Lisbon's Coolest Architecture

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Top Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Your Trip to Lisbon: The Complete Guide

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It offers stunning contrasts between historical sites, modern architecture, lively neighborhoods, parks, and world-class festivals.

Planning Your Trip

• Best time to visit: Lisbon boasts 290 days of sunshine   , but the best times to visit are spring and fall. The weather is warm and stable, lines at attractions are shorter, and accommodation prices are at their lowest.
• Language: The official language is Portuguese   . English is widely spoken, and Spanish is often understood.
• Currency: Currency is the euro. Major credit cards are widely accepted, but always have some ready cash for coffees, snacks, and taxis.
• Getting around: The most spectacular and popular way of getting around is by the two tram lines . But there can be long lines and they are quite expensive. Buses are faster and cheaper, and the metro is also a popular method of transport. Taxis are not too expensive but taxi drivers are prone to "flash strikes." For more freedom and spontaneity, you can also hire bicycles or rent a car if you plan to go outside city lines or to the beaches.

Things to Do

Riding the historical tram no. 28, visiting the 16th-century Torre de Belem at the river Tagus and the Monastery of St Jeronimos, and exploring historical neighborhoods like Alfama are just a few of the many things to do . For breaks between attractions, stop for some " pastel de Belem " to recharge your batteries after your long walks.

Ride tram 28: The yellow, historical tram takes you on a journey through the most popular districts of Lisbon, rattling through impossibly steep and narrow streets, making it a unique sightseeing tour not to be missed.

Torre de Belém: The 16th-century tower of Belém on the north shore of the river forms part of a defense system and is one of the most famous landmarks of Lisbon. A UNESCO World Heritage site   , the tower offers you a look at the architecture from that time and also insight into the country’s relationship with other societies from around the world, notably South America. 

25th April Tagus bridge: Walk across another Lisbon landmark, the red suspension bridge over the Tagus River , for a panoramic view of the city. Often compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge because of its color, it was actually built by an American company and was the site of a car chase in the 1969 James Bond movie "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service."

Explore more Lisbon attractions with our articles on the best things to do and also the best budget-friendly things to do .

What to Eat & Drink

Lisbon is a cosmopolitan city which means you can find just about any food you fancy, even the most exotic. But your trip to Lisbon should focus on the dishes and drinks that are typical to the city.

Lisbon loves stews, prepared with the freshest local ingredients like fish and seafood, pork, vegetables, cilantro, and ham. Try the sandwich called Bifana, the ever popular soup Caldo Verde, and a delicious seafood stew known as Cataplana de Marisco. For a sweet tooth, indulge in pastel de nata .

No meal in Lisbon is complete without wine and a liqueur for digestion afterwards. The best table wines are Porto and Vinho do Douro as well as Madeira. Liqueurs you should try are Beirao and Ginja, made from cherry-like berries fermented in Brandy. If you prefer beer, the most popular brand is Sagres.

For a night on the tiles with all the food, music, and drink, you want start in Bairro Alto and move on from there until 3 or 4 a.m. if you have the stamina. 

Explore our articles about Portuguese food and drink .

Where to Stay

Where to stay depends on your budget, the length of your stay, what you want to do and see, and whether you travel as a couple or with kids. Luckily, Lisbon offers a solution for all options.

If you have only one or two days and want to see as much as possible without spending time on public transport, the neighborhoods of Baixa, Chiado, or Rossio are right for you. Rossio is one of the few flat areas in Lisbon. All the major sites are within walking distance, and if you want to reach Bairro Alto (for the nightlife for instance), there is an elevator. Baixa is the main shopping area, Chiado is lively with cafes, restaurants, and book stores, and both are also close to all landmarks.

If you have more time or want to experience the old Lisbon, Alfama should be your choice. It’s the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon   , which survived the earthquake of 1755. Great for pubs and atmosphere but it's on top of a hill, so be prepared for a lot of climbing and use of elevators.

From Cais do Sodre, you can reach the other side of the river and are well connected to public transport including trains to other parts of the country. (You aren’t in walking distance of major sites, though.)

Explore the the best neighborhoods to stay in Lisbon.

Getting There

Lisbon’s international airport is Humberto Delgado (previously known as Portela Airport). The airport has two terminals: T1 is the major hub, and T2 caters exclusively to low-cost airlines. Connections to the city can be made by metro (the stop lies at the southern end of T1), bus and Aerobus for passengers with bulky luggage, or taxi. Metro and bus passengers must purchase a 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem Card which can be topped up and used on all Metro and Bus lines.

Lisbon is also a popular destination for cruise ships, so you may be arriving on a cruise and heading for a land excursion. The terminal stretches along the river Tagus, and there are five docks, the most important being Santa Apolonia and Praia da Rocha. Santa Apolonia is closest to the city center, but there are good connections from all of them.

Culture and Customs

Portugal does not have a tipping culture like the U.S. does, but it's always appreciated. The safest bet is to round up the bill to the next whole number or so. If, for instance it comes to 7.75 euros, leave 8. Be aware that sometimes a 10 percent service charge is already added, in which case you shouldn't tip at all.

Money Saving Tips

Free walking tours: If you wish to explore Lisbon in the company of others and a knowledgeable guide, go on a free walking tour. https://www.discoverwalks.com/tour/city/lisbon-walking-tours/

Free admission to museums: Some museums are free on Sundays, others on Friday, but always free of charge are: Berardo Collection Museum (modern art), and the Archaeological Museum.

Free concerts: Lisbon is a city of culture and music with art and music festivals year around.

Public transport and admission fees: If you plan to stay longer than a day, get the  Lisboa Card . You can purchase it for 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours, and it also includes free admission to more than 30 Lisbon attractions. Buy online and collect at the airport.

Turismo de Lisboa Visitors & Convention Bureau . "Why Lisbon?"

Turismo de Lisboa Visitors & Convention Bureau . "Useful Information."

UNESCO World Heritage Centre . "Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon."

Turismo de Lisboa Visitors & Convention Bureau . "Alfama, Castelo."

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Your Trip to Budapest: The Complete Guide

Getting Around Lisbon: Guide to Public Transportation

Your Trip to Boston: The Complete Guide

Lisbon Travel Guide

Washington, D.C. Guide: Planning Your Trip

San Antonio Guide: Planning Your Trip

Where to Stay in Lisbon: The City's 5 Best Neighborhoods

Your Trip to Rome: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to the Czech Republic: The Complete Guide

Cairo Guide: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to Denver: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to San Francisco: The Complete Guide

Dublin Guide: Planning Your Trip

The Top 8 Attractions in Bairro Alto, Lisbon

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The Ultimate 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary

Climbing from the banks of the sparkling Tagus River in a dizzying series of neighborhoods, monasteries, viewpoints, steep hills, pastry shops, and more, experiencing the best of Lisbon in 3 days requires some careful itinerary planning!

Once an offbeat gem of a city and now a popular European city break, Lisbon can both stand on its own as a long weekend getaway and act as a fantastic launching pad into a larger trip to Portugal.

With its colorful architecture, famously sunny weather (the second-sunniest capital city in Europe!), picturesque castle, steep hills, long and intense history, and an uncountable number of shops selling iconic pastéis de nata, learning for yourself exactly what’s special about Lisbon is a delightful experience.

We’ve called Portugal’s vibrant and (literally) bright capital city home for a year now, and have packed this 3 day Lisbon itinerary with enough detail to ensure you have the perfect first trip to the “Queen of the Sea”.

Here’s how to spend 3 days in Lisbon, Portugal!

Table of Contents

The Perfect 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary

Where to stay in lisbon for 3 days, getting around during 3 days in lisbon, more than 3 days in lisbon, portugal, 3 day lisbon itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Day 1 in Lisbon: Explore the heart of Lisbon in Alfama and Baixa.

Legend says that Lisbon was built (like many other cities, including Rome ) as a “City on 7 Hills”.

While the accuracy of this is questionable at best, there’s no doubt that Lisbon’s many hills play an important role in the city’s topography and history.

You’ll kick off your itinerary for Lisbon at the top of one of them!

Start your morning with a visit to the famous Castelo de São Jorge.

Lisbon’s famous Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) is situated at the top of São Jorge Hill and is a fantastic place to start your 3 day Lisbon trip.

Castelo de São Jorge has its roots in Lisbon’s (or back then, Olisipo’s ) history, and later was instrumental in the formation of Portugal as a political entity in 1143.

The castle has been rebuilt many times, and today, ramparts, excellent views, peacocks, and a small museum remain.

However, there are no interior rooms or furnishings, like what you’ll see in the palaces of Sintra.

Because of the lack of interiors, some argue that Castelo de São Jorge is overrated, however, our family and friends who have visited us in Lisbon have loved it, with some even naming it their favorite sight we saw in the city!

The lines to get in are notoriously long, though, so we highly recommend getting started as early as you can (the castle opens at 9:00 AM) and pre-booking your tickets in advance !

This skip-the-line ticket also includes a 15-minute introduction to the castle and city, which is a great way to get your bearings at the beginning of your 3 days in Lisbon.

Book your skip-the-line ticket for Castelo de São Jorge  today!

Make your way to Pastelaria Santo António for your first (of many) pastéis de nata.

Housed in an azulejo-covered building just down the street from Castelo de São Jorge, Pastelaria Santo António consistently makes one of our favorite pastéis de nata in the city!

Consistently busy (meaning you’re virtually always buying a fresh pastel de nata) but not overwhelmingly so, Pastelaria Santo António won the “best pastel de nata in Lisbon” award in 2019.

Their pastries will set a high bar for the many other pastéis de nata you’ll no doubt enjoy as you make your way through this itinerary for Lisbon, and we highly recommend enjoying some with a coffee!

Two natas per person is usually enough for a light breakfast, though of course, you can always have more.

Don’t forget the cinnamon, either: whether or not you should sprinkle cinnamon (and/or powdered sugar) on top of your pastel de nata is something of a debate, but it’s worth trying at least once!

Head over to Miradouro de Santa Luzia to enjoy one of the best views in Lisbon.

Easily one of Lisbon’s most famous viewpoints, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia offers gorgeous azulejos, excellent views of the Lisbon skyline, and a charming (albeit often crowded) small park to enjoy.

On your way here, if you’re a hiker, you can make an extremely short detour along Rua de Santiago to check out the facade of the Santiago Church.

The church is typically closed, but it’s the starting point of the Portuguese Way to Camino de Santiago, the Portuguese version of the famous pilgrimage.

… and then hop over next door to the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

Right next door to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, you’ll find the Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

The view from here has graced many a Lisbon travel guide, postcard, and advertisement, and it is stunning!

The view is better from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, while the viewpoint itself (the terrace, the azulejos) is much more charming next door at Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

It’s definitely worth seeing both!

And, as you walk between them, be sure to admire the famous Tram 28 rumbling by (though we don’t recommend riding it).

Wander semi-aimlessly through Alfama.

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and one of its most picturesque, thanks to the fact that it was one of the only places in central Lisbon that was spared in the tragic earthquake of 1755.

(As a side note, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the earthquake of 1755 before visiting Lisbon. The earthquake reshaped the city, physically and emotionally, and is a defining moment in Portuguese history. You’ll hear about it constantly when visiting Lisbon’s historic attractions.)

Alfama is more or less as old as Lisbon itself and is laid out in a delightfully confusing mix of steep, winding streets.

You’ll find shops and cafes here, but also many quiet residential streets.

Try not to climb too far down, unless you want to head back up the steep hills for your next stops on this 3 day Lisbon itinerary!

Pay a visit to the Lisbon Cathedral.

Dating to the 12th century, the Lisbon Cathedral is the most important church in Lisbon, if not necessarily an absolute favorite among visitors.

Partially rebuilt many times over the centuries, the Lisbon Cathedral is done in a mix of architectural styles, heavy on soaring stone and stained glass.

It doesn’t really “feel” like a typical Lisbon church on the inside, which usually tend toward being much more opulent, and also costs 5 Euro to enter (while all of the other churches included on this Lisbon itinerary are free to visit).

Despite these potential blemishes, though, the cathedral is a stunning building, and your entrance fee includes a few rooms of museums upstairs (which feature some charming azulejos, though you’re not allowed to photograph them), and a chance to admire gorgeous views from its balcony.

With views of rumbling trams below and the Tagus River in the distance, the view from the balcony is definitely a perk of visiting the cathedral!

If you are trying to visit Lisbon on a budget, though, I wouldn’t necessarily call the cathedral a must-see: if you’d prefer to simply snap a photo of the outside, that’s understandable.

If you would like to skip the cathedral but want to sub another attraction, the remains of Lisbon’s Roman Amphitheatre are just up the street.

The ruins are much less impressive than in many other cities, to be honest, but the very fact that they are there 2,000 years later makes them a marvel (and they also helped put Lisbon on the history map: the discovery of the amphitheater helped scholars realize that Lisbon was a more important city in Roman times than was once believed).

… and St. Anthony’s Church.

Just down the street from the Lisbon Cathedral, you’ll find the much smaller St. Anthony’s Church, built on what is, according to legend, the birthplace of St. Anthony himself.

As the patron saint of Lisbon, St. Anthony is a beloved figure in the city and you’ll see his name all over the place (including at your pastel de nata stop earlier this morning).

The church itself is lovely, but the fun of visiting is taking a hard left right after you enter and walking down the tiled hallway to the crypt.

A small shrine to St. Anthony is set up in the crypt and is free to visit.

There are also restrooms in the hallway, a major perk for travelers who have spent the last few hours sightseeing.

Once you wrap up at the crypt and church, if you’re hungry, consider stopping at the Dear Breakfast location a bit further along in the same square.

Dear Breakfast is one of our favorite brunch spots in a city that is mildly obsessed with brunch, and it makes an excellent break (but don’t eat too heavily–there’s more food to come!).

Head to the shores of the Tagus River to visit the Praça do Comércio and Cais das Colunas.

After wrapping up at the church(es), it’s time to head down to Baixa.

Lisbon’s rebuilt historic center along the river is one of the flattest and most modern-feeling neighborhoods during this 3 day itinerary for Lisbon.

The grid-style, carefully-organized streets are a marked departure from the winding alleys of Alfama, and tell the story of Lisbon’s modernization in the wake of the 1755 earthquake that reshaped the area.

Make your way to the Praça do Comércio (note the elephant on the statue in the center!) and then to the Cais das Colunas along the Tagus (in Portuguese, Tejo ) River.

After soaking up views of the 25 de Abril Bridge (fun fact: it was built by the same company that built the Oakland Bay Bridge, though not the similar and iconic Golden Gate), head up to the striking Rua Augusta Arch, cross under it, and start making your way through the streets of Baixa.

You can pause to head to the top of the arch if you like: it’s not a must-do and not one of the absolute best views of Lisbon, but it only costs 3 Euro and I’ve never once seen a line there.

The views of Praça do Comércio from the top of the arch are pretty spectacular!

Stroll up Rua Augusta until you hit Rossio Square.

The pedestrianized Rua Augusta is one of the main thoroughfares in Baixa and runs from the Rua Augusta Arch all the way to Rossio Square (technically named the Praca Dom Pedro IV, but calling it Rossio is much more common).

Bustling and touristy, this is one of those streets that is worth walking through and definitely not worth stopping for a meal along, no matter how many waiters try to tempt you.

There is an exception, though: Manteigaria, one of the most beloved bakers of pastéis de nata, has a location here.

We have lots of food upcoming, though, so only have one, if any (I can’t blame you for being tempted into a snack, though).

Keep an eye out for the Santa Justa Lift to your left as you walk down the street, too–it’s truly striking!

Opened in 1902 and designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who was a student of the one and only Gustave Eiffel, you may notice some similarities to a certain other famous iron tower.

Once an important part of Lisbon’s public transportation, today the Santa Justa Lift has been given over entirely to tourists.

Appreciate the construction, but don’t wait in the long lines to ride it: this Lisbon itinerary will guide you to the top without needing a ticket or to wait in line tomorrow. 

Meander through Rossio Square.

Charming Rossio Square features fountains, statues, excellent views of the roofless Carmo Convent (another Lisbon attraction that you’ll see up close tomorrow), and a beautiful array of the distinctive calçada   portuguesa (or Portuguese pavement) that you’ll see throughout the country

If you happen to luck out and being visiting Lisbon in May, you’ll also be treated to some stunning jacaranda blooms here!

Step around the corner to visit the Church of São Domingos.

Found behind an unassuming white facade, just steps away from Rossio Square, lies the memorable Church of São Domingos.

It’s one of the most unique churches in Lisbon, and one of my personal favorites!

Originally dedicated in the 13th century, the Church of São Domingos was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1531… and then again in the infamous earthquake of 1755.

Fast forward a couple hundred years, and a 1959 fire caused even more damage.

The church has been restored, but in such a way that its scars are clearly and obviously preserved.

The effect is one of the most striking church interiors in Lisbon and one that’s definitely worth ducking inside to see.

Get acquainted with Portuguese cuisine on a Lisbon food tour.

We’re big proponents of food tours around the world: combining traditional local food with a chance to take a walking tour of a city is a fantastic way to get acquainted with a new place!

We’ve taken a few Lisbon food tours over the years, all wonderful, but on your first trip to Lisbon, there’s none that I recommend more highly than this food and wine tour .

With a convenient starting point that is very close to the Church of São Domingos, this food tour is filling, delicious, and informative.

Best of all, it focuses primarily on introducing you to classic Lisbon cuisine, which makes it an excellent addition to your Lisbon itinerary that will help you with ordering in restaurants for the rest of your time in Portugal.

Perhaps the biggest endorsement we can offer is that we have returned to several of the included establishments since, including bringing our friends and family to some of them when they visit us in Lisbon!

Book your Lisbon food tour today!

Day 2 in Lisbon: Visit Belém, and then make your way to Chiado and Bairro Alto.

On your second day in Lisbon, take a break from climbing hills and spend the morning among the famous monuments along the river out in Belém (and for a chance to sample the most iconic pastel de nata of them all).

In the afternoon and evening, head out to the trendy neighborhoods of Chiado, Bairro Alto, and Príncipe Real to see a different side of Lisbon!

Sample the famous Pastéis de Belém for yourself.

When it comes to Portugal’s most famous pastry, one bakery has a reputation above all others: Pastéis de Belém, home to the original pastéis de nata.

Baked from a recipe that has been a closely guarded secret for generations (ever since the original proprietor purchased it from the monks at the nearby Jerónimos Monastery), these sweet treats are known for their incredible taste… and their long lines.

Arrive for a breakfast treat in order to make the most of your few days in Lisbon (and yes, pastéis de nata are 100% an acceptable breakfast food in Portugal).

Instead of opting for the generally crowded takeaway line, grab a table and settle in for a memorable breakfast–their spacious dining room reminds me vividly of Cafe du Monde in New Orleans .

Whether or not these are really the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon is a matter of intense debate, but they are absolutely delicious (I’m an especially big fan of the crust).

Make your way over to the iconic Jerónimos Monastery.

Built at the turn of the 16th century, the Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most fantastic buildings in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most popular places to visit in Lisbon.

Considered one of the best examples of the detailed, opulent Gothic Manueline architecture in Lisbon, the Jerónimos Monastery (also called the Hieronymites Monastery) dwarfs the surrounding neighborhood even today.

As you approach, imagine how imposing this gigantic, detailed building would have been in the 1500s, when it was located outside of town.

Spared in the earthquake of 1755 by virtue of being located in Belém (fun fact: happening to be in Belém at the time is also what spared the Portuguese royal family on that fateful day), the Jerónimos Monastery is one of the oldest monuments in Lisbon that was not reconstructed.

It also happens to be ridiculously popular.

We strongly recommend buying your tickets in advance and arriving before the doors open at 10:00 AM to ensure you can enjoy this landmark without dedicating too much of your few days in Lisbon to it!

Bear in mind that you will need to wait in line twice to view every part of the monastery: the ticketed portion, which includes the famous cloisters, should be your first stop.

Buy your Jerónimos Monastery ticket today!

Visit the Church of Santa Maria de Belém.

Physically attached to the Jerónimos Monastery but visited via a separate entrance (that includes its own line), the Church of Santa Maria de Belém is one of the most significant in Lisbon.

With soaring ceilings and beautiful details, this Manueline church would be worth a visit for its architecture alone.

Its significance to Portuguese history, though, comes more from the many tombs there, including those of King Manuel I (the man behind Manueline architecture), Luís de Camões (a beloved poet), and most famously, Vasco da Gama (the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope and successfully sail from Europe to India).

All 3 figures were important to Portugal’s Age of Discovery, which resulted in Lisbon’s importance and wealth at the time that the Jerónimos Monastery and Church of Santa Maria de Belém were being constructed.

Unlike the monastery itself, the church is free to visit.

Make your way to the Monument of the Discoveries.

After wrapping up at the monastery, make your way through the Praça do Império Garden (keep an eye out for the pretty Thai pagoda!) and head toward the Tagus River.

As you approach the street, you’ll find a pedestrian underpass that will take you swiftly and easily to the Monument of the Discoveries.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Lisbon, the Monument of the Discoveries catalogs Portugal’s Age of Discovery from the 1400s to the 1600s, a time period that dramatically shaped Portugal’s past and present.

The figures carved on the monument were all men relevant to seafaring exploration, from poets to cartographers to sailors.

At the head of the monument, you’ll find Henry the Navigator.

Built in the mid-20th century at the behest of dictator António de Oliveira Salazar, this is a highly romanticized monument (in other words, don’t expect any hard-hitting analysis of colonization here, despite the obvious implications).

Depending on the time, you may want to head to the top to appreciate the beautiful view of the 25 de Abril Bridge, Tagus River, Jerónimos Monastery, and more.

Stroll along the Tagus River to the Belém Tower.

Just a 12-minute walk along the Tagus River from the Monument of the Discoveries, you’ll find Lisbon’s famous Belém Tower!

(You will have to turn slightly away from the river to get past a harbor, but for the most part, it’s a straight walk between the 2 monuments).

Built at roughly the same time as the Jerónimos Monastery, this 500+-year-old fortification is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Lisbon.

Done in the detailed Manueline style, the Belém Tower once served as a ceremonial entrance and exit point of Lisbon.

While you can go inside , we don’t recommend it: the interior is unfurnished, somewhat plain, and not large enough to accommodate the number of people who want to visit, resulting in having to wait in multiple lines.

The one time we went inside (on an iffy weather day in September), we felt more like we were constantly lining up for a Disney ride than exploring a historic structure!

If you’re a huge Portuguese architecture nerd, it may be worth it in the off-season (seeing the exterior of the building up close is lovely), but otherwise, we suggest sticking with enjoying the Belém Tower from the outside.

Optional: Enjoy views from the Tagus River by sailboat.

Depending on how long of lines you encounter and how speedy your sightseeing style is, you may or may not want to squeeze a quick Tagus River cruise into your 3 day Lisbon itinerary–but if you wrap up at the Belém Tower by mid-afternoon, we recommend it!

The views of Lisbon from the Tagus are wonderful, and there’s nothing quite like experiencing the city from the water.

Lisbon’s history and culture are deeply tied to the Tejo and to the wide open sea that lies beyond it, and relaxing on a sailboat is a fantastic way to reflect on the last day and a half of exploring the best attractions in Lisbon.

Plus, it’s simply lots of fun, and more affordable than you might expect!

Most Tagus River cruises leave from Belém, so this is the best opportunity during your trip to Lisbon to hop on board.

Book your Tagus River cruise today!

Switch neighborhoods and head over to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

After taking in the popular attractions in Belém, it’s time to head back to the hills, and specifically, to the neighborhoods of Chiado, Bairro Alto, and Príncipe Real, which all flow easily together when exploring on foot.

These areas include some of my favorite parts of Lisbon: they’re popular, historic, and beautiful, but feel less overwhelmingly touristy than a neighborhood like Baixa.

To get there, the easiest thing to do will be to take a taxi to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, one of the best viewpoints in Lisbon.

However, if you want to ride one of the iconic funiculars during your 3 days in Lisbon, you could also have the taxi drop you in Restauradores Square and ride the famous Glória Funicular up to the miradouro instead.

Personally, I tend to prefer snapping photos of the funiculars from the outside than dealing with the crowds on the inside, but if you’re inclined to take a ride, this is the best opportunity to do so on this itinerary for Lisbon!

Marvel at the Church of São Roque.

Dating to the 16th century, the Church of São Roque is one of the most spectacular churches in Lisbon.

The earliest Jesuit church in Portugal, the Church of São Roque has a collection of incredible gilded (primarily Baroque) chapels, as well as a magnificent painted ceiling.

Unlike some churches where you can simply duck inside and admire the view from the back of the building, here, it’s absolutely worth circling the interior of the church and admiring the intricate detail of the individual chapels–that’s where the Church of São Roque truly stands out.

The church itself is free to visit, and visiting the small attached museum (which is optional) costs 2.5 Euro as of the time of writing.

For a whimsical detail, stop by the O Cauteleiro statue (Lottery Ticket Seller) in the square out front, and rub the ticket in his hand for good luck!

Step inside the Carmo Convent.

Yesterday, in Rossio Square, you saw the roofless Carmo Convent sticking out notably from Lisbon’s skyline–and now, it’s time to go inside.

Construction broke on the magnificent, Gothic-style Carmo Convent in 1393.

Fast forward a few centuries, and the church collapsed in the infamous earthquake of 1755.

And fast forward a couple  more  centuries, and you have the fascinating Carmo Convent of today: a roofless church stretching out over the Lisbon skyline.

The Carmo Convent was partially restored after the earthquake, but its roof was never put back on–and the resulting atmosphere is worth a visit.

In addition to the church itself, the small Carmo Archaeological Museum features artifacts from both Portugal and around the world, including 2 Peruvian mummies.

Admire the views from the top of the Santa Justa Lift (without the lines).

If you’re standing in the shady Largo di Carmo square, facing the Carmo Convent, you’ll see a road leading alongside the right side of the convent.

Follow it, and within less than a minute, you’ll find yourself at the top of the Santa Justa Lift!

From here, you can freely walk onto the beautiful iron structure, admiring the same views that you would have gotten by waiting in line to ride it.

It really is one of my favorite views of Lisbon, too–the dead-center view of the São Jorge Castle perched high on a hill about Baixa is stunning (the top photo from this Lisbon blog post was taken here).

Explore Rua Garrett and the oldest bookstore in the world.

A short walk from the Santa Justa Lift will take you back to the center of Chiado, along the trendy Rua Garrett shopping street.

Here, bibliophiles will be delighted to find Livraria Bertrand , which holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest bookstore in the world (that is still operational).

In addition to Livraria Bertrand, Rua Garrett is home to a wide variety of shopping ranging from international brands to local art galleries.

You’ll also find some beautiful churches here (the Basilica of Nossa Senhora dos Mártires is a cool, fast stop), the bustling Luís de Camões Square, and plenty of views of passing trams.

For (comparatively) high prices but a stunning Art Deco interior with ties to Lisbon’s early 20th century writers, Café A Brasileira has been one of Lisbon’s most famous and distinctive cafes since 1905.

Sample traditional Portuguese culture at Fado in Chiado.

Fado, Lisbon’s most iconic form of music, is near-synonymous with the city.

Deeply heartfelt and nostalgic, fado is traditionally performed with a female singer and a male playing guitar, each performing with deep emotion that is described in Portuguese as saudade .

Melancholic nostalgia is a fairly close translation, but it’s one of those words that can’t quite be defined in other languages–only through Portuguese music.

This popular fado show in Chiado is a popular, easy introduction to fado over the course of a one-hour performance, and a great addition to your few days in Lisbon.

Book your fado performance tickets today!

Have dinner in the trendy neighborhood of Príncipe Real.

Before officially closing the book on this busy day exploring different Lisbon neighborhoods, there’s one more to check out: the glamorous and trendy Príncipe Real.

Known for its excellent restaurants, shopping, and views, Príncipe Real is one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in Lisbon.

You’ll be spoiled for choice among restaurants here, but consider Atalho Real for steak (they have a beautiful back garden, too), A Cevicharia for casual seafood, or Tapisco for incredible petiscos (Portuguese tapas).

Wherever you choose to go for dinner, your evening will likely go much more smoothly if you make a reservation in advance!

Day 3 in Lisbon: Take a day trip to Sintra.

The dazzling town of Sintra, Portugal is one of the most popular places to visit in the country for very good reason–and it’s less than an hour from Lisbon!

Home to an impressive collection of iconic, beautiful, and often downright whimsical palaces, Sintra is a memorable place and a worthy addition to any Lisbon itinerary.

When it comes to visiting Sintra from Lisbon, there are 2 excellent options, each suited to a different kind of traveler: visiting independently by public transportation and/or taxi or taking a tour.

Here are the pros and cons of each!

Option 1: Take an independent day trip to Sintra.

If you’d like to visit Sintra independently, you absolutely can!

Trains run regularly from Lisbon’s centrally located Rossio Station, and take about 40 minutes to reach Sintra.

Once arriving, you’ll board one of 2 main tourist bus routes with stops just outside the station that will whisk you away to the palace(s) of your choice!

On an independent day trip, you can generally cover 2-3 palaces, depending on exactly which ones you choose to visit, the speed at which you sightsee, if you want to get lunch in town, etc.

Pena Palace (the iconic red and yellow one!) and the Moorish Castle (where you can walk on medieval walls) are within walking distance of each other.

Quinta da Regaleira , where you’ll find the insta-famous well and a garden worthy of Alice in Wonderland, is a bus ride away.

Those aren’t the only palaces in Sintra (the Sintra National Palace, for example, has some of the best interiors), but they are the most popular!

Wherever you plan to go, one thing is for certain: you’ll need to plan ahead, book tickets in advance for Pena Palace , and be prepared for crowds.

Sintra is popular for good reason, and its public transportation system is very usable, but it’s definitely congested as a result, and not as walkable as first-time visitors might imagine.

If you do choose to visit Sintra independently, a Lisbon Card might be a good value for your trip (just make sure you double-check the pickup instructions if you go this route).

Buy your tickets for Pena Palace or compare prices with the Lisbon Card today!

Option 2: Sample the best of Sintra and beyond on an organized day trip.

Don’t want to deal with the hassle of navigating to and between Sintra’s palaces, or are you someone who tries to pack in as much as possible on your trip?

If so, this day trip to Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca might be the right option for you!

On one of the most popular tours in Portugal, you’ll see Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca (once believed to be the westernmost point on mainland Europe), and the beach resort town of Cascais.

If that sounds like a lot, it is–you won’t see as much of the actual town of Sintra as if you visit independently–but the coast near Lisbon is absolutely phenomenal, and a worthy trade for the right traveler.

Plus, you’ll have your tour of Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira arranged for you!

I love all of these areas, and don’t think there’s a wrong answer here: visiting independently vs with a tour comes down to what you’re in the mood for, essentially.

If you’re craving palaces and architecture exclusively, a self-guided tour might be right for you.

On the other hand, if sea air, stunning views, and a stress-free visit to the iconic Pena Palace and whimsical Quinta da Regaleira sounds ideal, this incredibly popular tour has you covered.

Book your day trip to Sintra today!

Option 3: Stick to Lisbon, or take an alternate day trip.

If Sintra doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of other fantastic day trips from Lisbon to try, or many other things to enjoy around the city!

If you’d like an architecture-focused but less crowded day trip, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries to the north is a fantastic option (Batalha Monastery and Alcobaça Monastery rank among my favorite places in Portugal.

For a little sun and sea air, consider rounding out your Lisbon 3 day itinerary by taking the train or a taxi to Cascais.

Or, within Lisbon itself, consider visiting some of the hidden gems of Lisbon, like the Monastery of São Vicente, the National Tile Museum, the Naval Museum, or the Museum of Architecture and Technology.

(Also, if you are the museum-hopping type, the Lisbon Card might also be a good fit for your trip!)

For foodies, a pastel de nata baking class is always a fun option.

We’ll cover more suggestions in a different section of this blog post below, but suffice it to say that you won’t run out of things to do in Lisbon.

Lisbon is a city of neighborhoods, and that means that there is a huge variety of places to stay!

When deciding where to stay in Lisbon, we recommend picking somewhere central with good transportation connections around the city.

Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Príncipe Real, and Barrio Alto (for nightlife lovers who want to be in the center of the action) are great names to keep an eye out for when browsing hotels in the city.

With only a few days in Lisbon, we don’t recommend staying in Belém unless you’re on a budget.

While some of the best things to do in Lisbon can be found in Belém, it’s fairly isolated from everything else on this Lisbon itinerary.

And, keep in mind that Lisbon is fairly large and spread out: no matter what neighborhood you choose to stay in, you won’t be within walking distance of everything!

For a budget-friendly hostel experience (with private rooms available), the  Sunset Destination Hostel  is a great, centrally located option.

At a mid-range price tag, you can’t beat the location or rave reviews for  Tempo FLH Hotels Lisboa .

Looking for a splurge?

The Lumiares Hotel & Spa  is part of the much-acclaimed Small Luxury Hotels of the World Collection, and offers stunning views that you won’t forget anytime soon!

Check rates & book your stay in Lisbon today!

Lisbon is a city of distinct neighborhoods, spread across a fairly large area that famously includes very steep hills.

In other words, while this 3 days in Lisbon itinerary features lots of walking, you’ll definitely need alternate transportation to get around, too!

A couple that you may want to use include:

The Lisbon metro isn’t as all-encompassing as in a city like Paris or London, but it is helpful for getting around.

Many of the stations are decorated with modern azulejo art, which gives the metro system a whimsy of its own.

We frequently opt to use taxis around the city and find them incredibly convenient.

The base rate starts at 3.5 Euro, and we regularly travel around the city for well under 10 Euro.

Taxi stands are commonly found in popular locations (Rossio Square, Avenida da Liberdade, across the street from Jerónimos Monastery, outside of Jardim da Estrela, etc.), and we also recommend downloading FreeNow .

FreeNow is active in many cities around Europe and is essentially Uber for official taxi services.

Uber exists in the city, too, but it’s not quite as common as taxis, and Ubers will often drop you off before you reach your destination due to traffic restrictions (highly inconvenient when you’re trying to reach São Jorge Castle, for example).

Obviously, Lisbon’s iconic trams are a popular option for getting around!

I’ll be honest, as an ex-pat who gets easily motion sick and doesn’t care for crowded transportation, I don’t use the trams much at all (I do love photographing them, though).

However, they’re definitely a memorable Lisbon experience!

The iconic Tram 28 gets extremely crowded, so if you have your heart set on riding it, we recommend getting a very early start.

Route 12 is a quieter alternative that will take you up to Graça (the Miradouro da Graça is one of my favorite viewpoints in the city).

A Note on Walking in Lisbon

Wandering the streets of Lisbon is absolutely one of the best ways to enjoy the different neighborhoods in the city!

However, do keep in mind that the hills can be incredibly steep (you’ll definitely get a workout in while visiting places like Alfama), and supportive, comfortable shoes are a must.

The distinctive Portuguese pavement (or  calçada portuguesa ) that you’ll see throughout the city offers its challenges, too: these walkways are both beautiful and a bit of a hazard in the rain.

Here’s the thing… they’re  incredibly  slippery when wet, especially if they happen to have fallen leaves sitting on them.

Watch your step, especially on hills, and opt for shoes with some grip on them!

While we’ve stuffed this itinerary for Lisbon as much as we can (and then some), sadly, with only a few days in Lisbon it’s impossible to see it all!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 3 days in Lisbon, it’s safe to say you won’t run out of places to visit–I honestly had a hard time narrowing down what to include here, as there are so many excellent options.

A couple of the most popular places to visit in Lisbon that didn’t make our itinerary include the trendy LX Factory (don’t miss the quirky Ler Devanger bookstore!), and the famous Time Out Market (Ground Burger, while not Portuguese food, is excellent).

The Cais do Sodré neighborhood right behind Time Out Market is trendy and excellent for nightlife and seeing the famous Pink Street.

For a chance to enjoy some of Lisbon’s more relaxed and charming neighborhoods, check out the beautiful Campo de Ourique and nearby Estrela (our stomping grounds!).

In Campo de Ourique, the market and the Prazeres Cemetery are both memorable.

In Estrela, the Basilica da Estrela (be sure to climb to the top to see the church from the inside of the dome) and the Jardim da Estrela are both absolutely worth visiting.

Over in Graça, you can soak up some of the best views in the city!

Parque Eduardo VII and Avenida da Liberdade (modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris , though arguably more peaceful) are also lovely.

Many of Lisbon’s smaller museums and historic buildings, including the Monastery of São Vicente, the National Pantheon, the National Tile Museum, the National Coach Museum, and more, are worth adding to your itinerary for Lisbon!

If you’re a museum-hopper, definitely look into the Lisbon Card : the more small museums you visit, the better value it becomes.

Check prices and shop for your Lisbon Card today!

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “The Ultimate 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary”

Loved your post! I’ve read numerous 3 day itineraries and yours is the best! Have learned alot and also, confirmed quite a bit. Thanks!

Thank you so much, Ro! Hope you have a fantastic trip to Lisbon!

Your 3 day itinerary was easily the best of those I read. Thank you. It made our trip planning so much easier!

That’s great to hear, thank you! Hope you guys love Lisbon!

Thank you so much for explaining every detail, it takes a lot of work. I made notes from your itinerary. Thanks much 🙂

So glad you found it helpful, Kavita!

Hope you have a great few days in Lisbon!

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The Ultimate Guide to Lisbon: A Capital of Warm Welcomes

LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE LISBON TRAVEL GUIDE?

With its historical architecture, exceptional cuisine, gorgeous views, and friendly hospitality, it’s no wonder that Lisbon is one of the top vacation spots in Europe. When planning your Lisbon itinerary, you want to make sure you include some of the best restaurants, sites, and things to do.  Behold my ultimate travel guide to Lisbon Portugal.

Don’t want to explore Lisbon by yourself? Take a private or group tour of this beautiful city.

We recommend this 5⭐️ Half Day Sightseeing Tour on a Private Electric Tuk Tuk or this budget-friendly Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour .

First things first, my best piece of advice before coming to the sunny capital of Portugal: wear, take, buy, but whatever you do, you MUST have non-slip shoes. This is almost as vital as bringing underwear. Also, bring your appetite for the freshest seafood of your life.

Ready for the ultimate guide on what to do in Lisbon, chock full of travel tips like a guide to Lisbon neighborhoods and info about where to stay in Lisbon? Let’s dive in.

First things first, a little historical background knowledge is in order:

• Lisbon is older than Rome and was founded by the Phoenicians in 1200 BC. The city is known to have seven hills, but this was just to copy Rome. There are, in fact, nine hills.
• Lisbon locals are known as ‘Lisboetas’ and Alfacinhas.’ Not so interesting, but just a cute fact.
• One of the world’s most deadly earthquakes occurred on 1st of November, 1755. Unfortunately, because of this, there were fires and, consequently, a tsunami. Some of the city recovered, and some of it did not.
• From 1932-1974, Portugal was overrun by a dictator, António de Oliveira Salazar. Times were really hard for most big businesses, and people had a ‘secret language’ where they’d speak in code when in public. The dictatorship ended on the 25th of April, 1974, known as the ‘Carnation Revolution’, and each year there is a parade in remembrance.
• The Vasco da Gama bridge is the longest bridge in Europe and has striking views of the city. 
• Lisbon boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites— Mosteiro dos Jerónimos , a maritime-inspired Gothic monastery, and Torre de Belém, a 16th-century landmark tower on the Tagus River.

Guide to Lisbon

Where is lisbon.

So where is Lisbon Portugal located? If you’re planning a trip and traveling Lisbon-bound, it’s good to know a bit about its geography. Nestled in the western part of Portugal , this dazzling capital sits right by the edge of Europe, overlooking the expansive Atlantic.

And guess what? It’s not just the ocean that gives Lisbon its iconic views. And as you can see from the Lisbon map, the Tagus River snakes its way through the city, providing some seriously picturesque scenes. FYI, I highly recommend booking a Lisbon boat trip .

Plus, its prime positioning makes it perfect for travelers itching to explore more: with enchanting day trips like Sintra just a stone’s throw away and transport connections for anyone that wants to head North to Porto or South on the Algarve to Lisbon train.

🤔 Still a little bit on the fence on whether you should visit Lisbon Portugal? Read ► Why Visit Portugal Lisbon? 7 Reasons To Visit The Portuguese Capital

Best time to Visit Lisbon

May – June; September – October; Christmas (obviously, you can visit during other seasons )

February could also be an option if you’re keen on Carnaval festivities, but the BEST month is June (13 June specifically) because of Santos Populares, which is when the whole country celebrates the saint from their town by decorating the streets with banners and eating the most delicious grilled sardines and drinking ginjinha. It’s basically a month-long Festa but can be more subtle, depending on the area. 

🍒 Ginjinha : Also known as ginja, is a sweet liqueur made from Morello (sour) cherries soaked in a distilled spirit called aguardiente. The mixture is flavored with sugar and spices like cinnamon. It is deceptively sweet, small, and packs a punch.

What to Wear

A travel guide to Lisbon isn’t complete without a guide on what to pack. Did you remember your non-slip shoes? Well, that’s a must, other than that, what you pack really depends on when you will be visiting Lisbon . Here is our travel guide to what to pack for your Lisbon trip:

Spring // Fall

The weather in Lisbon is never too cold, and it starts getting warm around April. In fact, you’ll probably see people already swimming in the ocean as early as March.

Temperatures are warm Apr-Sep, the peak travel time. The warmest (without being too hot) times to travel to Lisbon Portugal are between May-June and Sept-Oct. The weather isn’t too hot and not too cold; it’s just about right. Fun fact, Portugal is one of the best European countries to visit in the fall . So what should you pack?

The months of Jul–Aug are hot, sunny, and dry . So make sure that you pack:

The weather gets much colder from November until March. If you do plan on heading to the city of Lisbon during this period of time, you should pack the following:

Public Transportation 

Public transport in Lisbon is not the absolute best in all of Europe, but better than others . You should have no problem navigating the metro and buses. Plus, the airport is super central. Uber works really well here and is super cheap.

You have probably heard about the famous 28 Tram Lisbon. If you’re on a budget, then try to catch it at the end of the line: Campo de Ourique (Prazeres) instead of at Martim Moniz. 

🎫 If you are in Lisbon, consider getting a 24, 48, or 72-hour Lisbon Pass . With this pass, you can enjoy unlimited travel on city transport and free admission to 39 museums, historic buildings, and more. Or you can opt for a Hop-on-Hop Off bus and tram tour with a river cruise .

OTHER LISBON PORTUGAL TRAVEL TIPS:  If you want to schedule a walking tour in Lisbon or a tours by locals Lisbon experience, there are a number of great options in the city, like this Lisbon: Food and Wine Walking Tour , Lisbon Tram No. 28 Ride & Walking Tour , or this Lisbon: Full-Day City Private Tour .

If you want a go on a day trip to Sintra , there are a number of great tour options available , including a private tour guide Lisbon. There are plenty of tours in Lisbon, so you’ll be able to book the perfect one for you and your needs.

If you didn’t already know, the official language of Portugal is Portuguese. Do you know how to say Lisbon Portuguese? It’s Lisboa. Here are some more words and phrases that can come in handy during your trip to Portugal:

• Hello (Olá) similar pronunciation in Spanish but a bit more nasally
• Please (por favor)
• Thank you (Obrigado , if you identify as a man & Obrigada, if you identify as a woman)
• Goodbye (Tchau, pronounced like “ciao” if you’re speaking informally & ”Adeus”, if it’s to someone formally, ‘ah dey oush’)
• Quanto custa? (how much does that cost?)
• Você fala inglês? (do you speak English? formally)

So, would you say that Portuguese people mostly speak English and you can get around in the city even if you don’t know a lick of Portuguese? Definitely. Lisbonne Portugal is a touristic city, which means that the majority of people that you will meet while wandering through the cobblestone streets will be able to talk to you in English.

Lisbon Neighbourhoods Guide

There are several different areas of Lisbon you could stay in. There are 24 officially delineated Lisbon areas and many more designated by the Lisbon inhabitants.

Picking the right neighborhood can make all the difference. If you’re on the hunt for trendy spots and stylish hangouts, Príncipe Real is your best bet. For those coming with family, Belém offers a mix of history and spacious parks, making it ideal for both kids and adults.

Dive deep into Lisbon’s essence with a leisurely walk through the charming lanes of Alfama . If it’s your first time in the city, Baixa-Chiado offers a blend of Lisbon’s classic and contemporary sides, placing you right at the city’s core.

For the night owls, Bairro Alto ofers an energetic nightlife scene and in contrast, Campo de Ourique feels like a cozy, little town tucked inside the city. And for travelers who like being at the heart of action, Avenidas Novas is strategically positioned (in central Lisbon), giving you easy access to almost everything Lisbon has to offer.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

📍 Some of the best areas to stay in are: Alfama/Graca, Rossio, Avenida, São Bento, Principe Real, and Santos. Here is a list of my favourite hotels in Lisbon:

• The Vintage Lisbon (📍 Rato ) | A 5* boutique  hotel  where one-off art & design can be found in every corner.
• The Independente (📍 Bairro Alto ) | A stunning, opulent building originally built as an ambassador’s residence
• The Postcard Lisbon (📍 Rato ) | Understated B&B in a historic house 
• Torel Palace Lisbon (📍 Alfama ) | Set on a hillside in downtown Lisbon, this upscale hotel occupies 2 Pombaline-style buildings
• Casa dell’Arte Club House (📍 Alfama ) | An upscale guesthouse in an elegant 19th-century building with a colorful, tiled facade.
• Casa Balthazar (📍 Baixa ) | Quaint adults-only B&B with modern artwork and a gorgeous view over Lisbon

🏨 Looking for some more options? Read our article: The 23 Best Boutique Hotels In Lisbon.

Food & Drinks

From savory seafood dishes and iconic pastries like pastéis de nata to the warming sip of ginjinha and vibrant local wines, Lisbon has several restaurants, brewpubs, and pastry shops ready to treat your taste buds. Let’s explore some of the best:

Best Restaurants in Lisbon

Breakfast (pequeno almoço) – typically, portuguese eat a light breakfast consisting of a croissant/small pastry, an espresso, and an orange juice, but here are some other options for breakfast or brunch:.

• Java (Praca Dom Luis I 30, go through the elevator) → best rooftop view of the city
• Curva (Rua Damasceno Monteiro 108D) → art mixed with food
• Manifest.Lisbon (Rua da Sociedade Farmaceutica 31)
• Tease (found all throughout the city)
• COMOBA → great vegan options
• Café Janis → all-day café
• Fauna & Flora (there are two)
• Hello Kristof / The Mill → specialty coffee, brunch, pastries & magazine store.
• Dear Breakfast (two locations) → All-day brunch
• Amelia (Rua Ferreira Borges 101) → delicious pancakes
• Zenith (Rua do Telhal) → brunch and cocktails
• Clube Caffeine → mostly just coffee and also has some nice cocktails)

// Hipster guide to Lisbon option: if the weather is nice, would be to have a stroll in LX Factory on a Sunday afternoon and have lunch there.

lunch (almoço) + dinner (jantar) — typically, Portuguese eat lunch around 13.00-14 and dinner at 20h/21h, but obviously, you can eat whenever you’d like. Try to eat bacalhau (codfish) because it’s famous around the country! Polvo (octopus) is also fresh everywhere. 

• Ramiro → famous place and always has a line outside, so during lunch, it’s usually better, but it’s the best seafood you’ll have in your life
• O Velho Eurico → traditional Portuguese cuisine
• Taberna do Calhau → traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist
• Senhor Uva → only local products with a modern twist
• SEM Restaurant → restaurant & wine bar which cooks with regenerative food and without a bin
• Ultimo Porto → opens only for lunch and has wonderful seafood
• Raizes → traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist
• Time Out Market → a largely closed space food court with a huge variety of different food options
• Casa do Alentejo → traditional Portuguese cuisine from the region of Alentejo
• O Tachadas → authentic, no-fuss Portuguese cuisine in Madragoa (do order the steak)
• Tasquinha Ilha do Madeira → typical food from Madeira, and you must get a poncha drink
• Taberna Portuguesa → traditional Portuguese cuisine from the region of Alentejo
• Cantinho d’Ourique → authentic, no fuss Portuguese cuisine in Campo de Ourique
• Lisboa Tu & Eu → cute lunch spot with small plates
• Taberna Sal Grosso → a modern take on Portuguese dishes
• Adega do Kais → expensive, but you basically eat inside of an obnoxious castle but seriously incredible food
• Sala de Corte → If you’re wanting to have a high dining experience because the chef is famous and has many restaurants in Lisbon
• The Food Temple or O Gambuzino → both restaurants are vegan-friendly

// If you have time to kill one afternoon or for sunset, we highly suggest hopping on the ferry from Cais do Sodré Fluvial Terminal to Cacilhas and then walking to the restaurant Ponto Final in Almada to eat! You should definitely make a reservation as tables fill up quick!

If Portuguese cuisine isn’t your groove, here’s a list of the best international restaurants:

• Mezze → middle eastern tapas style restaurant run by Syrian refugees
• Tantura → middle eastern restaurant
• Aura Dim Sum Lab → handmade dim sum
• Farès → Lebanese food
• El Taco Chingo n  → Mexican food
• Las Gringas → Mexican food (takeaway and delivery only)
• Retrogusto84 → best pizzeria in Lisbon 
• Boa-Bao → Chinese/Thai fusion and is very aesthetically pleasing inside
• “Illegal” Chinese Clandestine → these are located around the area of Martim Moniz. Rua Guia 9, go to the second floor. Oriental Dongfong Dumpling is also tasty
• A Cevicheria → (famous spot so I would try to go early if you can)
• Paco Bigotes → best tacos along the river Tejo

dessert (sobremesa)  —we have a rather large sweet tooth, but honestly, Portuguese sweets don’t excite us so much because typically they’re a bit too dry or too sweet, but they can do a wonderful chocolate mousse. I would suggest gelato if the weather is nice, either from Nannarella or Gelato Davvero (Italian-owned.)

It would be breaking the law, practically, if this article didn’t mention the staple of Portuguese sweets:  the pastel de nata .

Only three people on earth know the secret recipe of the original pastéis from Belém, which are obviously the tastiest ones (no further comments) so make sure to visit the shop while in Lisbon.

Other incredible pastelarias include:

• Manteigaria
• Pastelaria Cristal
• Pastelaria Santo António  

BrewPubs for Beer (Cerveja)

There are two main beers in Portugal called Super Bock and Sagres, which you can find everywhere, but if you’re keen on trying some breweries:

• Sputnik Craft Beer
• Delirium Lisbon
• Dois Corvos
• Duque Brewpub
• Quimera Brewpub

wine Bars (vinho)

Wine in Portugal is absolutely phenomenal and SO CHEAP here! Opt for red wine from Alentejo, Douro, or the region Dão . White wine is good from Setúbal, Alentejo or Monção e Melgaço. Moscatel from Setúbal is delicious but is a bit sweeter.

Vinho Verde (green wine, but not really green) is from its own region in the north and is best during the summer because there is little carbonation and less alcohol content. Vinho do Porto is typically drunk after a meal and is a must-try while in Portugal.

• BlackSheep → Portuguese wine bar run by Americans actually and is super cozy
• Tati → also a tapas place and is AMAZING
• Senhor Manuel → just recently opened . The owners also own Senhor Uva.
• Bythewine → an excellent choice for drinking wine by the producer Jose Maria da Fonseca, from Setúbal
• Jobim → our go-to wine bar owned by Brazilians with some tapas and fun vibes
• The Wine Cellar

Here are some places where to purchase wine: BlackSheep, Terra Wine Shop, Ladidadi Wines, and Garrafeira Estado D’Alma

Bars & Cocktails

• Café Janis → happy hour literally from 19-20h on Fridays. I come here quite frequently so you might find me here on a Friday, aha
• Onda Cocktail Room
• Java → beautiful rooftop bar
• Lumi Rooftop
• Tasca do Chic o → go at 9 pm for Fado music or go earlier to eat and stay
• Tasca Mastai → the only place I go in Lisbon for an Aperol Spritz if you’re feeling Italian
• Casa Independente → probably my favorite place for drinks in Lisbon , but also for the dancing on the weekends
• Park Ba r → rooftop
• Topo Martim Moniz → rooftop
• Rio Maravilha → rooftop
• Zazah Good View → rooftop
• Madame Petisca → rooftop
• Ferroviário → rooftop
• No13 Lisboa
• Café de Garagem → roof and inside seating
• anywhere in Bairro Alto~ 
• any kiosk around Lisbon!
• Incognito 
• Plateau (80s jams)
• Lux CLUB (great for dancing! Arrive around 2 AM)

For some great clubs and bars, make sure to head on over to Pink street

Things to See

Planning a Lisbon visit? Once you’ve finished eating and drinking, take a walk and see some of these amazing sights in and around Lisbon, Portugal. Here are some attractions of Lisbon for the perfect visit in Lisbon:

• Comércio Square
• Alfama district   ➡ head to a Fado show.
• A Visit to Belem ➡ Some Belem Lisbon highlights include the iconic Belem Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, and the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery.
• Museu Nacional do Azulejo
• National Pantheon 
• Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira (a bit out of the city, but you could always take an Uber as it is stunning)
• Santa Justa lift 
• São Jorge Castle
• Convento do Carmo 
• Aqueduct Lisbon ➡
• Oceanário de Lisboa (Aquarium Lisbon) ➡ an aquarium in Lisbon
• National Museum of Contemporary Art ➡ MNAC is a must-see for those wanting to learn about and enjoy Portuguese romantic, naturalist, modern, and  contemporary art .

Most weekends, there are little markets all over the city! Looking for a city guide to Lisbon’s off-the-beaten-path gems? Basically, a small guide to Lisbon? Check out our article about Lisbon’s 10 hidden gems .

best Spots For A Sunset

• Miradouro da Santa Catarina 
• Miradouro de Santa Luzia… walk a little further for Portas do Sol
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (newly reopened)
• Jardim do Torel (bit of a walk but nice views)
• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (highest point in Lisboa and has best view of the city but also is quite a hike up)

Escaping the City

Our city guide to Lisbon wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention some weekend getaway destinations .

⭐️ Some of the best day trips from Lisbon include Sintra, Cascais, Azenhas do Mar, Obidos, Costa da Caparica, and Sesimbra. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to learn more about what to do around Lisbon, you’ll love this article 👉 20 Best Day Trips From Lisbon.

If you are looking to escape the city for the day, then here are some day trips that you can go to:

• Take the train to Sintra, take the bus to Pena Palace, or take an organized tour .
• Monserrate Palace is beautiful!
• Castle of the Moors
• Eat at Cafe Saudade 
• Cabo da Roca (the most western point of Europe)
• Piriquita – famous pastry shop

For more information about a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, make sure to read our article: A Sintra Day Trip: Your Complete Guide . If you are looking to do a day trip to Cascais from Lisbon, many of the Sintra tours from Lisbon offer a stop in Cascais.

Along the Cascais line , the best beaches are São João and São Pedro do Estoril.

Along the Sintra line, the best is Praia do Guincho, Praia da Ursa, Praia da Adraga, and Praia das Maçãs . If you have time, check out Azhenhas do Mar.

If you have a car, drive across the April 25th bridge to Costa da Caparica or Fonte da Telha . However, the best beaches are in a national park called Arrabida : Ribeira do Cavalo and Praia de Galapinhos. These can also be done as a day trip from Lisbon.

⭐️ If you plan on taking a road trip to Porto, there are a number of beautiful stops along the way. Here are ten amazing places that you can visit if you are driving from Lisbon to Porto. Also, here are a couple of day trips you can take from Lisbon.

Guide to Lisbon: Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do i need in lisbon.

Three days in Lisbon gives you a solid introduction to the city. In that time, you can hit up the major attractions and enjoy the local food.

If you want to explore outside the city, like the fairytale town of Sintra or the beach areas of Cascais , add a few more days.

And if you’re thinking about visiting Porto or the Algarve, you might want to extend your stay. The Algarve is known for its picturesque coastline, which stretches approximately 200 kilometers (about 125 miles). So you’ll need at least 3-4 days to explore.

Are 3 days in Lisbon too long?

Not at all. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods, there’s plenty to do in Lisbon. Three days will allow you to explore without feeling rushed, and you’ll still have some downtime to just relax and soak in the atmosphere.

Is Lisbon friendly to American tourists?

Absolutely. Lisbon is a popular destination for many, including Americans. The locals are known for their friendliness and hospitality. So, expect a warm welcome.

Do they speak English in Lisbon?

YES — especially in the main tourist areas of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve . Many of the restaurants, shops, and attractions will have English-speaking staff. But, as you venture into less touristy areas, it might be less common, so knowing a few basic Portuguese phrases could be helpful.

What is better Porto or Lisbon?

It’s hard to choose! Lisbon is the bustling capital, renowned for its historic districts, tram rides, and ocean views. Porto, on the other hand, offers a unique blend of riverfront vistas, iconic blue-tiled buildings, and of course, the world-famous port wine. Both cities have a distinct charm, and your preference might depend on your interests.

Is Lisbon a walkable city?

YES — walking is one of the best ways to explore Lisbon. But a heads up: the city is known for its seven hills, meaning there will be some uphill and downhill walking. Good, comfortable shoes are a must.

If you don’t want to walk around Lisbon Europe by yourself, there are plenty of walking tours that you can go on, including the Free Walking Tour Lisbon. For a list of the best walking tours Lisbon Portugal has to offer ► 12 Best Lisbon Walking Tours: From Cobblestones To Castles .

What is the best time to visit Lisbon?

The months of May, June, September, and October, also known as the shoulder seasons are usually the best times. The weather is mild, not too hot or cold, and you avoid the summer tourist rush, which means fewer crowds at popular spots.

Is Lisbon cheap or expensive?

Relative to some other European cities, Lisbon can be more budget-friendly. Dining and accommodations often come at a better price. However, how much you spend also depends on your plans and choices. Planning and budgeting ahead can help you get the most out of your trip.

How Do Your Pronounce Lisbon?

Lisbon is pronounced as “lihz-buhn” in English. However, in Portuguese, it’s “Lisboa” and pronounced approximately like “leesh-BOH-uh”. If you’re traveling to Portugal, you’ll likely hear the Portuguese version more often.

In some languages, the name for Lisbon does sound more like “Lissabon.” For instance:

• In German: Lissabon
• In Dutch: Lissabon
• In Swedish: Lissabon

In these languages, the pronunciation would be closer to “LISS-ah-bon” or “LISS-uh-bon.”

So while “Lissabon” is not the English pronunciation, it is correct in other languages. If you heard “Lissabon,” it could be from someone speaking one of these languages or a similar one.

More Lisbon Travel Guides & Articles

Hopefully, this ULTIMATE tourist guide to Lisbon gave you a good foundation to jump off. Remember that Portugal is not just Portugal Lisbon city and Porto, so make sure to go and explore a little bit.

If you’re looking for more info on traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, check out these additional Lisbon travel blogs, Lisbon guides, and related articles:

• 20 Best Day Trips From Lisbon: Incredible Places To Visit
• The 12 Best Walking Tours Lisbon Portugal
• 15 Best Boat Tours In Lisbon: An Unforgettable Guide to Lisbon
• 40 Best Sights In Lisbon: A Rough Guide to Lisbon
• Wine Tours In Lisbon: 12 Amazing Sip And Savor Experiences
• 15 Food Tours In Lisbon: A Guide To The Best Eats In The City
• Visiting Lisbon? The Best Area To Stay In Lisbon
• 15 Best Guide Lisbon Tours for the Ultimate Sightseeing Experience
• The Best Fado In Lisbon: 11 Fado Houses To Explore
• Looking for An Adventure? The Best Outdoor Activities in Lisbon (and around Lisbon)

// So, hopefully, this little city guide to Lisbon helps you on your way to exploring Lisboa! But don’t worry if you fall in love with the city (or the incredibly kind people) after the first day! And remember your non-slip shoes and travel insurance (just in case)

boa viagem!

Yvonne Ivanescu is the founder of Now in Portugal and Now in Rio Swim, an ethical and sustainable swimwear company. She is a writer, editor and marketer with over 10 years of experience.

Storytelling is her second nature and she wants to share the magic of Portugal with the rest of the world.

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I’m moving to lisbon this year. Great article

So happy that it helped you!

Thanks a lot for your great article, it is helping me a lot to plan my travel in end of may / early June 🙂

I’m very excited about planning my trip to Lisbon, and your guide has been incredibly helpful. The history you’ve included makes the city even more intriguing. I love the idea of celebrating Santos Populares in June with the local traditions and food, particularly the ginjinha!

Your advice on footwear is duly noted, it makes perfect sense considering the city’s hilly terrain. Also, your seasonal packing guide will definitely come in handy.

Finally, I really appreciate your recommendations for tour options, especially the Food and Wine Walking Tour, which is right up my alley! I’m looking forward to my trip. Thanks for the comprehensive guide and cant wait to visit Lisboa.

I am so happy it helped you!

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3 Days in Lisbon, Portugal: A Detailed Lisbon Itinerary

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Lisbon, Portugal – the City of Seven Hills – has an intriguing past and soulful vibe. Shaped by royalty, religion, the Age of Discovery and the 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake, Lisbon’s fascinating history can be found in the architecture, traditions and amazing Portuguese food. Filled with historic sights and scenic landscapes, spending 3 days in Lisbon is an ideal amount of time to get acquainted with the city – and we feature the highlights in our perfect Lisbon itinerary.

Planning 3 Days in Lisbon, Portugal

On our first trip to the city in 2010, we booked three days in Lisbon as part of a larger Portugal Itinerary . We bought a guidebook that outlined Lisbon must-see sights, but we made no other effort to plan our time in the city. Once we arrived, we struggled – really struggled – to understand the love and hype of Lisbon.

The hills were steeper than we anticipated. The weather was hotter than we anticipated. And our sightseeing Lisbon guidebook was less helpful than we anticipated.

Four years later, we returned to Lisbon with open minds. We had obviously missed something – because everyone we talked to raved about the city. With two weeks in Lisbon and a much better plan, we were quick to see how wrong our first impressions were. We fell in love with Lisbon!

In 2019, we visited Lisbon once again – this time staying for five weeks. While reminiscing about our first-trip debacle, we compiled 3 perfect days in Lisbon that highlight the best of the city – an itinerary we wished we would have had for our first trip to Lisbon!

About Our Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary

Our 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary is packed with top Lisbon activities and experiences. We have included a helpful Lisbon map of all the sights at the end of the article.

However, we highly recommend purchasing a Lisbon tourist map before arriving. Understanding the layout of Lisbon will help immensely when trying to navigate the streets.

Still undecided on how many days in Lisbon to plan for your trip? We include sample Lisbon itineraries at the end of the post for one day in Lisbon to one week in Lisbon. We also offer tips for popular Lisbon day tours and other essential information for your Lisbon, Portugal travel itinerary – like where to stay and how to get there.

3-Day Lisbon Itinerary

Our advice for things to see in Lisbon in 3 days includes full days of sightseeing. We focus on visiting the distinctly different Lisbon neighborhoods and finding the best vantage points in the city to take in the views and atmosphere. In short, our post is filled with detailed tips for what to do in Lisbon for 3 days!

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Lisbon Itinerary to plan your Portugal Trip!

Day One in Lisbon, Portugal

On Day 1 of your Lisbon travel itinerary, visit top sights and learn about the history on a Lisbon city tour then, in the afternoon and into the evening, explore further on the streets of the famous Alfama district.

Lisbon Walking Tour

Discover Lisbon landmarks and hear stories of the past on a walking tour of Lisbon. Stroll through Lisbon’s iconic neighborhoods, like Bairro Alto and Baixa, while gaining a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the city.

Join a guide on a popular Lisbon sightseeing tour – like the Free Lisbon Walking Tour by Sandemans New Europe (tip-based) or this highly-rated City Tour Lisbon on Viator .

Alternatively, you could create your own self-guided tour. However, we think starting your 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary with a local guide offers an excellent introduction.

Lunch on Praca do Comercio

Built on the site of the Royal Ribeira Palace (which was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake), Praca do Comercio is the most regal square in Lisbon. Opening to the Tagus river, the square once functioned as the center of the city’s commerce and port authority.

This picturesque Lisbon square is framed on three sides by yellow, arcaded buildings, which house museums, restaurants, cafes and government offices.

When Praca do Comercio was built, it utilized an existing staircase that rises out of the Tagus River (and once led directly into the palace). From the stairs, visitors can walk in a straight line – passing the equestrian statue of King Jose I, walking under the opulent Arco da Rua Augusta arch, strolling down Lisbon’s long shopping street – to the city’s other main square, Praca do Rossio (Rossio Square). 

Find a place for lunch on Praca do Comercio, like the historic Martinho da Arcada. Museu da Cerveja and Baia do Peixe are two of the other best Praca do Comercio restaurants. 

Top Tip: Budget travelers can make a quick detour to the west to the Cais do Sodre station and pick up inexpensive picnic items from the Pingo Doce grocery store – then head back to Praca do Comercio and enjoy lunch on the waterfront steps.

Alfama Exploration

The Alfama district lies to the east of the city center and nods to the past with a tangle of narrow, cobblestone streets and laundry drying on lines outside windows. Home to many Lisbon top sights, but the charm of the neighborhood really comes alive on the narrow backstreets.

It’s easy to get off the beaten path in Alfama by roaming – with no set agenda, except to get lost. The maze of Alfama alleys leads to quaint squares, small churches, hidden cafes and Lisbon lookout points that are local hangouts.

While exploring Alfama, you are certain to catch a glimpse of women in their screenless windows, gossiping with neighbors as they hang their sheets to dry. You will see the famous Lisbon trams rambling down tracks on streets barely wide enough for the carriage.

Take note of the building exteriors – some covered in traditional tiles – azulejos – and others that are decorated with street art. And, when you find a local café with delectable pastries and inexpensive wine, take a seat and savor the ambiance of Alfama.

Alfama, Lisbon Sights

While we encourage aimless wandering in Alfama, there are a few sights that you will want to be certain to include in your 3 Day Itinerary of Lisbon. We have listed these sights below – and you can use this map for a walking route…but don’t hesitate to make detours!

Se Cathedral Lisbon

Built in 1147, the Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest church in the city. The stoic, fortress-like exterior matches the dimly-lit interior. It is free to enter the church, but a small fee is charged to enter the cloister where excavations have unearthed evidence of previous civilizations.

Santo Antonio Church, Lisbon

Sitting in the shadow of the Se Lisbon Cathedral is a small church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, one of Lisbon’s patron saints. A chapel marks the birthplace of St. Anthony. Artwork telling the story of his life decorates the church.

Discover More Great Lisbon Churches !

Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol

Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol are two popular Lisbon viewpoints – or miradouros. The views from Santa Luzia – which features a rectangular fountain, traditional tiles and a trellised archway – offers panoramic views over the Tagus River. The smaller Portas do Sol provides views of two historic sites in Alfama: Sao Vicente de Fora and the domed National Pantheon.

Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George Castle Lisbon)

The hill-topping Castelo de Sao Jorge is one of the top Lisbon tourist attractions. Dating to the 11th century, the fortifications of Sao George Castle were built to protect soldiers in the case of an attack (not as a royal residence).

Within the São Jorge Castle grounds guests can visit a permanent history exhibition, an archaeological site, gardens and more Lisbon viewpoints. Tickets are required and can be purchased in advance .

Sao Vicente de Fora Church, Monastery and Museum

A monastery was built for the Augustinian Order in 1147 – and the adjacent Igreja Sao Vicente de Fora (dedicated to Lisbon’s official patron saint, St. Vincent) was added in the early 1600s.

The church is free to be explored and the accompanying museum (which charges a small fee) features artworks and a large display of traditional azulejo tiles. Museum visitors can also access the rooftop for Lisbon city views.

National Pantheon, Lisbon

The enormous domed National Pantheon took an astounding 284 years to build. Inside, visitors will find sarcophaguses of some of Portugal’s most famous citizens – like Fado singer Amalia Rodrigues and poet Joao de Deus.

Cenotaphs memorialize other celebrated Portuguese people – like Vasco da Gama, Henry the Navigator and Portuguese poet Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. Make sure to head up to the rooftop for sweeping views over Alfama and the Tagus River. A ticket is required to enter the Pantheon.

Feira da Ladra (Lisbon Thieves Market)

The Thieves Market – or Feira da Ladra – is one of Lisbon’s oldest and most interesting markets. The flea market sprawls to the east of the Pantheon into the streets of Alfama. Vendors peddle their wares that are scattered across tables and tossed onto blankets.

The odd assortment of goods includes everything from rare antiques to used clothing to toiletry items to old cellphones. Note: The Feira da Ladra market only takes place on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Miradouro Graca, Lisbon

Providing phenomenal views of Castelo de Sao Jorge and the Lisbon city center, Miradouro Graca is a popular gathering point at sunset. Benches are arranged under leafy trees and an on-site café serves up cold beers. If the nearby Graca Church doors are open, we recommend popping in for a quick look.

Top Tip : For another impressive viewpoint, trek uphill just a bit more to Miradoura da Nossa Senhora do Monte.

Get To Know All The Best Lisbon Scenic Viewpoints !

Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum)

Located northeast of the Alfama District, the National Tile Museum in Lisbon is a fascinating place to see. Housed in an ancient monastery, the small museum features the artistic ceramic tiles that are famous in Lisbon (and all of Portugal). If you can squeeze a visit to the museum into your Lisbon 3 Day Itinerary, we highly recommend it. 

Fado in Lisbon

Some say Fado was born in the streets of Alfama. The musical genre is best known as being melancholy, heartbreaking and stirring. Listening to live Fado in Lisbon is an absolute must for your 3 days in Portugal. 

There are many places throughout Lisbon that offer Fado experiences (from amateurs to professionals, which are priced accordingly).

We recommend booking ahead if you want to ensure a seat for a Fado dinner performance. Some of the top-rated Fado restaurants in Alfama are Sr. Fado de Alfama ( reviews ), Clube de Fado ( reviews ) and Parreirinha de Alfama ( reviews ).

Lisbon Day Two

Most of the second day of your Lisbon three-day itinerary will be spent on short Lisbon excursions to Belem and the Cristo Rei statue. Be back in the Lisbon city centre for an evening of fun!

Belem, Lisbon

The riverside town of Belém is just 4 miles from the center of Lisbon, but feels a world away – and it’s an absolute gem! Well-connected to central Lisbon by public transport (bus, train and tram) and even a riverside walking path, it’s an easy trip to Belem from Lisbon.

The top sights in Belem include the Belem Tower (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Monument to the Discoveries and Jeronimos Monastery (another World Heritage Site). Visitors should also stop at Pasteis de Belem for a taste of the most famous Portuguese custard tart and spend some time walking along the picturesque Tagus River shoreline.

Use Our Detailed List Of Things To Do in Belem, Portugal

Time Out Market, Lisbon

Origins of Lisbon’s Mercado da Ribeira Velha date to the 1100s – and the market reigned as one of the thriving food markets for centuries. However, in modern times, many aspects of the market became obsolete (such as the chicken slaughterhouse and wholesale market), which nearly led to the closure of the remaining market.

However, in a partnership with Time Out Magazine, the market was completely revitalized in 2014 and transformed into a foodie haven.

The main market hall now boasts 40 restaurant stalls – which feature some of Lisbon’s top chefs – where guests can dine on traditional and innovative Portuguese cuisine. Travelers who want to get a taste of Lisbon’s best food should definitely put the Time Out Market on their Lisbon in 3 Days Itinerary.

We recommend indulging in the famous food from Porto , the Francesinha sandwich, from Miguel Castro e Silva or the Plate of the Day from Marlene Vieira. Wherever you eat, don’t leave the Time Out Market without at least one custard tart from Manteigaria!

Cristo Rei Lisboa

After lunch, hop on a ferry for a ride across the Tagus River to visit the dominating Cristo Rei statue on the south bank. Officially called the National Sanctuary of Christ the King, the statue is reminiscent of the Christ Redeemer statue that stands over Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Built in the 1950s, the Lisbon monument is just one sight in the complex. Other places to visit at Cristo Rei include a chapel, sanctuary, Stations of the Cross, gardens and galleries. The 92-foot-tall statue stands on a 269-foot-tall platform, which can be visited for incredible views (for a small fee).

See Our Detailed Guide Of Visiting Cristo Rei

Watch an Amazing Lisbon Sunset

Once back on the north side of the river, choose a spot to watch sunset, either on the riverfront Ribeira da Naus or with an elevated perch at Miradouro de Santa Catarina. Both locations are sure to have a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the scenery.

Top Tip : If you decide to head up to Miradouro de Santa Catarina, rather than making the uphill climb, take the convenient (and fun!) Elevador da Bica.

Cais do Sodre Restaurants and Bars

The once-seedy Cais do Sodre district has seen a significant transformation in just a few years’ time. After Time Out gathered top eats under one roof at Mercado de Ribeira, the city spruced up the entire district and Cais do Sodre quickly emerged as a hip hangout were all are welcome.

Chic restaurants and fashionable clubs have saturated the neighborhood, making it one of the new go-to spots in Lisbon. Visitors who want to party until dawn should check out the clubs on Pink Street. At the very least, we highly recommend having a cocktail at the famous and quirky Pensao Amor ( reviews ).

More Best Lisbon Bars for your 3 Days Lisbon Itinerary

Not up for an all-night party? (It’s okay, neither are we.) There are still plenty of stylish places to have a drink!  Craft beer aficionados will want to check out local Lisbon brewery MUSA da Bica ( reviews ); wine enthusiasts should go to nearby By the Wine ( reviews ); and for cocktails go to O Bom O Mau e O Vilao ( reviews ), where they also feature live jazz.

Day Three in Lisbon

Day 3 of your 3-Day Itinerary for Lisbon, Portugal can be spent two ways: Discovering the Lisbon west side districts or going on a Sintra tour from Lisbon. Either way, spend the last evening of your trip to Lisbon back in the city center. Below, we outline the sights of West Lisbon (included the districts of Estrela, Campo de Ourique and (formerly) Lapa. Options for day tours from Lisbon are listed in the next section.

Ride Lisbon Tram 28

Riding a tram through the city is an essential Lisbon experience. The historic yellow carriages on the Lisbon Tram 28 line are a favorite for tourists. Not only because they are charming, but because the route passes through the best neighborhoods – Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela on the west side.

Jump onboard a westbound Tram 28 to the final stop – Campo Ourique/Prazeres – to start your exploration of the Estrela District.

Top Tip : Tram 28 fare can be purchased from the driver and paid in cash (€3 each ride). For a reduced fare, use a Viva Viagem pre-loaded transportation card, which can be purchased in Metro stations.

Cemiterio dos Prazeres (Prazeres Cemetery, Lisbon)

Some people may think it is eerie to visit a cemetery, but the Lisbon Cemiterio dos Prazeres is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the city. Founded in 1833, the cemetery is the final resting place for some of Lisbon’s most elite residents.

The cemetery walkways are lined with ornate mausoleums and elaborate tombstones. From the west end of the cemetery, visitors have sweeping views of the 25 de Abril Bridge, Tagus River and Cristo Rei.

Top Tip : The Tapada das Necessidades Park to the south of the cemetery is one of our favorite Lisbon parks. The former palace gardens now feature moss-covered walkways, abandoned structures and fountains. If you have time in your Lisbon itinerary, we highly recommend visiting!

Campo de Ourique Market

Similar to (but on a much smaller scale than) the revitalized Time Out Market, Campo de Ourique Market has an intimate, community ambiance. The market hall dates to the 1930s and was renovated in 2013.

Vendors craft traditional meals and Portuguese snacks – along with a good choice of international fare – that are devoured on-site or can be packed for take-away. For something to drink, we recommend a bottle of special label Mercado de Campo de Ourique wine from Vihnos do Mercado.

O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo (World’s Best Chocolate Cake)

Although there are several temping desserts at Campo de Ourique Market, there’s something even better just across the street: O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo. The small bakery, whose name literally translates to The Best Chocolate Cake in the World, makes an outrageously incredible chocolate treat.

The confection is layered with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate like we’ve never before experienced. After one slice, we were tempted to buy a whole cake!

Basilica da Estrela and Estrela Park, Lisbon

The towering dome of Basilica da Estrela can be seen from afar…and is even more impressive from up-close. The church was built in the late 1700s and features intricately designed colored marble throughout.

For a small fee, visitors can take a peek at the 500-piece Nativity Scene that was created in 1785 and can climb to the rooftop dome for city views.

Across the street from the basilica is the elegantly designed Estrela Park. The gardens feature exotic plants, a gazebo and a duck pond – and is filled mostly with locals sharing stories, walking their dogs or exercising.  

Ride Lisbon Tram 25 to Praca da Figueira

To return to the Lisbon city center, forego the crammed Tram 28 and hop on a Tram 25 instead. Lisbon Tram 25 picks up passengers right in front of the Estrela church, winds through residential neighborhoods and terminates at Praca da Figueira, which is exactly where you want to be to start your evening exploration!

Igreja de Sao Domingos, Lisbon

One of the most evocative churches in Lisbon, Igreja de Sao Domingos was first built in 1241. Reduced to rubble in the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt…and destroyed by fire in 1959. During renovation, they decided to leave visible marks of fire damage throughout the church, which has a haunting effect.

Drink Ginja at A Ginjinha

Ginjinha – or Ginja for short – is Lisbon’s sweet cherry liqueur and a must-try while in the city. The A Ginjinha bar opened in 1840 and was the first place to sell the liqueur, which at the time was used to cure common ailments. Today, visitors line up at A Ginjinha for a taste – and can order an inexpensive shot with or without a liquor-soaked cherry. Ginja is also available from kiosk all around Lisbon, especially during the winter.

Rossio Square

From A Ginjinha, walk past the Teatro Nacional D Maria II through Praca do Rossio (both sights should be included on your Day 1 Lisbon Walking Tour, but it’s well worth a second look when you can appreciate the square at your own pace). Pause to take in the sights of the majestic square before heading into the Bairro Alto district.

Santo Justa Lift

Built in 1902 to allow passengers to get from Baixa to Bairro Alto without the steep climb, the Santa Justa elevator has naturally become somewhat of a tourist attraction. Still useful for getting from Baixa to Bairro Alto, the 147-foot-tall observation deck is why many visitors take the ride up.

Convent do Carmo

Only a shell remains of the Carmo Convent and Church that was built in the late 1300s and destroyed in the 1755 earthquake; there is no roof over the stone arches. The church now houses a small archaeological museum (which requires a ticket).

Top Tip : Try another brand of ginja, this time from Ginginha do Carmo where you can get the shot in a consumable chocolate cup.

Igreja de Sao Roque

Behind the plain façade of Igreja de Sao Roque is one of the most ornate and glittering churches in the city. Featuring opulent Baroque architecture, the church is filled with colorful statues, historic tiles and masterpiece paintings.

Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

Take one last long look over the Lisbon Old Town from Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara. The two-level park features planned gardens, benches and fountains…and a stunning view of Castelo de Sao Jorge. Stay for sunset or spend the last light of the day wandering through Bairro Alto.

Bairro Alto Nightlife

After the sun goes down, Bairro Alto changes from a trendy shopping district with Bohemian roots to a lively and youthful nightlife destination. The narrow and hilly streets are lined with small restaurants and buzzing bars.

For dinner, graze on an evening meal of typical Lisbon petiscos – which are small plates for sharing (similar to tapas). The top establishments for petiscos in Bairro Alto are Leve Leve ( reviews ) or Tapa Bucho ( reviews ). 

Alternatively, for a sit-down meal go to the nearby favorite neighborhood spot, Toma La Da Ca; the local dishes are incredible ( reviews ). Top picks for places to go for a drink in Bairro Alto include PARK for cocktails-and-a-view ( reviews ) and Tasca do Chico for Fado ( reviews ).

Lisbon Map of Sights

View our map of Lisbon that includes markers on the sights we recommend seeing on your 3-day trip to Lisbon. In the Key, the sights are listed in the same order as in the post. The sights are color-coded by day; Day 1 = Teal, Day 2 = Navy, Day 3 = Blue. 

More Lisbon Tours for your 3 Days in Lisbon

Some of the absolute best Lisbon, Portugal tours take place right in the heart of the city with local guides. Fellow travelers may want to enhance their Lisbon 3 Days Itinerary with one of the highly rated Lisbon guided tours to learn more about this history and cuisine of the city.

Lisbon Food and Wine Tour

Enjoy an evening of the best bites in Lisbon on this highly-rated Food and Wine Tour. Participants get a taste of the best dishes, while learning about the history of the local cuisine – Get the details ! 

Evening Fado and Food-Tasting Tour

Join a local guide to discover an evening in Lisbon. Tour participants learn about the history of Fado, sample multiple traditional ‘small plates’ and listen to Fado music from two different Fado houses – Find out more !

Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour

Set sail at sunset for a relaxing cruise along the river. While gazing at the shoreline monuments, tour guests sip on regional wine and enjoy the setting sun – Book it here!

Tour Lisbon on Electric Bike

The City of 7 Hills can be a challenge to navigate on foot! Instead, visitors can hop on an electric bike and let a guide lead the way to the top city sights – Learn more here!

Best Day Trips from Lisbon, Portugal

We think there are plenty of activities in Lisbon, Portugal to keep you busy when you visit Lisbon in 3 days. However, taking one of the popular Lisbon day trips – like a day trip to Sintra – is difficult to resist.

Depending on your travel style, you may want to condense our list of suggested places to visit in Lisbon in 3 days into Two Days in Lisbon so that you can venture to nearby attractions.

Nearby Lisbon Beaches

Lisbon’s proximity to the Atlantic coastline allows visitors several opportunities to spend a day at the beach. Public transportation can be used to get to many of the nearby beaches in Lisbon – like Cascais and Costa da Caparica.

However, destinations like Berlenga Grande Island are best visited with an organized tour group ( get the details here !) Top Tip: Most Cascais Beach Lisbon Tours combine a day at the beach with sightseeing Sintra as well.

Lisbon to Sintra Tour

A Lisbon to Sintra day trip is the most popular city excursion. Tour participants set off on a full-day adventure to discover the sights of Sintra – the Pena Palace and Sintra National Palace – before heading to Roca Cape and Cascais Beach. Check out the specific details of this highly-rated tour on Viator .

Only have a few hours? Make the most of your short time in Lisbon with a fully-customizable Sintra Half-Day Tour. Find out more !

Top Tip: Visit Sintra on your own with the help of our incredible detailed Lisbon-to-Sintra Guide !

Lisbon Region Wine Tour

Enjoy a private tour in the beautiful Setubal wine region on a full-day trip from Lisbon. Enjoy sipping local wines while visiting two wineries and a spirit producer. Get the details here !

Lisbon to Evora Day Trip

See renowned Roman ruins on a day trip to Evora. The 8-hour journey includes visiting the Capela dos Ossos and Templo de Diana ruins, as well as lunch at a restaurant, wine at an Alentejo vineyard and a stop at the Arraiolos Castle. Book this tour !

Fatima Tours from Lisbon

Travel to the countryside to visit three historic Portuguese towns – Fatima, Nazare and Obidos – on a highly-rated, small-group Lisbon day trip. Visit the Sanctuary of Fatima, Batalha Monastery and the Nazare cliffs. Details About This Trip !

Lisbon to Porto Day Trip

Take a journey to the north coast of Portugal with a private driver on an all-day tour from Lisbon to Porto. Learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage city and taste the famous Port Wine from the Douro Valley while enjoying incredible views of the Douro River. Find Out More about this Tour  

Create a Lisbon and Porto Itinerary

We love Porto and think it deserves more than just a day! Make Visiting Porto a part of your Portugal vacation plans – and with our tips, build the perfect Porto and Lisbon Itinerary. 

Use our Porto Walking Tour to get acquainted with the city, get a taste the Best Porto Food – and then find out where to enjoy great Porto Craft Beer !

How Many Days to Spend in Lisbon?

Whether you are trying to plan a weekend in Lisbon – or a week in Lisbon – we can help! Using our tips of what to see in Lisbon in 3 days as a base, we have created multiple suggested Lisbon itineraries for more – or less – time to help you plan your trip.

Pro Tip:  Consider using  Travel Planning Printables to get your vacation to Portugal organized!

1 Day in Lisbon

We don’t recommend trying to see all of Lisbon in a day – it’s just not enough time. However, if a Lisbon one-day trip is all you have time for, then make the most of it!

How To Create a Lisbon Itinerary 1 Day

Use the above outlined Day 1 of our 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary as a guide of what to see in Lisbon in one day. For a more ambitious Lisbon 1-Day Itinerary, take a morning walking tour, visit Belem mid-day and be back in Alfama by late afternoon to finish out your day.

Lisbon Itinerary 2 Days

With 2 days in Lisbon it is possible to see a lot of the city! We recommend following Days 1 and 2 of our 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary. However, if you want to squeeze a few more things to see in Lisbon in 2 days, it is possible.

An Ideal Lisbon 2 Day Itinerary

Follow our ambitious Lisbon One-Day Itinerary (Walking Tour, Belem, Alfama) – then on Day 2, visit Cristo Rei in the morning, spend the afternoon in Lapa and the evening in Bairro Alto.

Lisbon Itinerary 4 Days

With 4 days in Lisbon you will have plenty of time to see the city sights and go on one of the Lisbon trips to nearby destinations.

How To See Lisbon in 4 Days

We recommend following our detailed guide of what to visit in Lisbon in 3 days – including the Lapa District on Day 3. Then on the last day of your Lisbon trip, take a full day trip from Lisbon to Sintra .

Lisbon Itinerary 5 Days

With 5 days in Lisbon, you can really get a good feel for the city and surrounding sights – plus spend some time on a beach.

Best 5 Day Lisbon Itinerary

Follow our above recommendation of what to see in Lisbon in 4 days, then on the last day set off on an adventure to the south to visit the beaches of Costa da Caparica, the town of Sesimbra and the Arrabida Park.

Lisbon Itinerary 6 Days

Visitors with 6 days in Lisbon have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed trip and delve deeper into a favorite part of the city – or discover something new!

Creating a 6 Days Lisbon Itinerary

We recommend following the above recommendations in our Lisbon 5-Day Itinerary – and then on the last day step out onto the streets of one of the city’s districts. You could revisit a favorite neighborhood, have a picnic in the park, go to a museum, tour more churches and sip wine at a cafe.

On the other hand, spend the day exploring a district you have yet to see. Principe Real is ideal for wandering (the architecture is top notch!) – and it’s also home to two fabulous gardens: the Principe Real Garden and the Botanical Garden of Lisbon. Additionally, the National Museum of Science and Natural History is in the Principe Real District.

Lisbon Itinerary 7 Days

Visitors with 7 days in Lisbon will still have plenty to do! In fact, we have easily spent a week in Lisbon -and longer – and never got bored.!

A Perfect One Week Lisbon Itinerary

With 1 week in Lisbon, we recommend using our above outline Lisbon itinerary for 6 days. On the last day, enjoy one of the city’s many cultural experiences.

Visit the National Tile Museum (if you didn’t have time on Day 1) – and then learn how to create your own Tiles . Alternatively, learn how to cook authentic Portuguese cuisine at a cooking class . 

Travel Tips for your 3 Days Lisbon Trip

We have shared our top sightseeing tips in our Lisbon Three Day Itinerary, but we have a few travel tips that will help you easily plan your Lisbon vacation. 

Planning Your Best 3 Day Itinerary Lisbon

Planning how to spend 3 days in Lisbon is a big task. Our guide of what to do in Lisbon in 3 days will surely help – but you still need to plan, gather and organize all the details of your personal trip. 

In addition to our 3 Day Itinerary in Lisbon, we have also created detailed guides that feature top tips on the best things to see in Lisbon in 3 days. 

• Great Scenic Viewpoints in Lisbon
• Beautiful Lisbon Churches
• Free Things To Do in Lisbon
• A Day in Belem
• Visiting Cristo Rei

Furthermore, we offer our top travel advice in our Portugal and Europe guides that can be used in conjunction with our 3 Day Itinerary Lisbon.

• Best of Portugal in 10 Days
• Things To Do in Funchal (including our Madeira Foodie Guide )
• What To Do in Porto, Portugal
• Madeira Island Itinerary
• Top Reasons To Visit Braga, Portugal
• How To Plan a European Vacation

As you make decisions about what to do in Lisbon, Portugal for 3 days, you will need to keep track of the information and reservations. We recommend using a our Printable Travel Planner – so that nothing falls through the cracks! 

Getting Around Lisbon, Portugal

During a 3 day Lisbon trip, it is not necessary to rent a car – unless you want to explore on your own outside of the city center. Use our tips for getting the best car rentals before you make a reservation .

The Public transportation system in Lisbon – run by Carris – consists of trams, trains, buses, subways and ferries. It is incredibly affordable and fairly easy to figure out (even with just 3 days in Lisbon).

Rides cost even less when using the Viva Viagem transport card or an all day ticket, both of which can be purchased in Metro stations. We recommend purchasing a pre-loaded Viva Viagem Card for visitors traveling in Lisbon for 3 days.

Lisbon Sightseeing Bus

Getting around Lisbon can take a bit of effort with all those hills, especially under the scorching summer sun. Make it easier by using the Hop On Hop Off Lisbon, Portugal bus that makes stops at all the city’s top sights – including routes to Belem. Buy your tickets in advance !

Lisbon Card

If during your Lisbon Itinerary 3 Days you plan on visiting Lisbon attractions – and traveling via public transportation – the Lisboa Card  can provide significant savings.

With the Lisboa Card, all public transportation (including the Santa Justa Lift) is included. Additionally, the card provides reduced admission to many museums and top Lisbon sights – like St. George Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge).

Where To Stay in Lisbon, Portugal

During our many trips to Lisbon, we have stayed in a variety of accommodations – from charming Airbnb apartments to luxury hotels. Deciding the best place to stay in Lisbon will depend on your budget and activities. 

That said, with only 3 nights in Lisbon, we recommend staying in the city center – as it will be easier to get around to all the sights and attractions. On the other hand, basing yourself in Belem is a good choice if you want a quieter, more relaxing area to stay.

Hotels in Lisbon

There are many Lisbon Hotels to choose from in – or close to – the city center. We are highlighting a few of the top rated places to stay in Lisbon. 

My Story Hotel Augusta

Located right in the heart of the city, My Story Augusta offers comfortable (if not slightly small) rooms at an value price. The Lisbon hotel also gets rave reviews for cleanliness and an excellent breakfast. Check rates and availability for your stay!

Browns Downtown Hotel

A quiet hotel in the city center, Browns Downtown Lisbon Hotel features chic design and quiet rooms with comfortable beds. Check rates for your stay!

Budget Hostels in Lisbon

Travelers on a budget might opt to stay in one of the top rated Lisbon hostels – like  Lisboa Central Hostel  and  Lisbon Destination Hostel . 

Altis Belem Hotel and Spa

Travelers looking for a relaxing trip outside the Lisbon city center should consider the posh Altis Belem Hotel and Spa . We stayed in Altis on our first trip to the city and absolutely loved the modern decor, river views and private balcony. Just keep in mind the hotel is about 4 miles from the Lisbon center. 

Read our tips for Booking the Best Hotels – then start your search on Booking.com !

Short-Term Lisbon Apartments

In general, we have found that staying in Airbnb apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms. We also like staying in holiday apartments to take advantage of a kitchen and, usually, more space (but with so many things to do, see and eat in Lisbon, you likely won’t need it!). Use our Tips for Airbnb Guests before you make a booking. 

Getting To Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon can be reached by plane, train, bus or car. Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSettingFools, after all!).

Use our Tips for Booking Flights – then start your search for cheap flights to Lisbon on Skyscanner . 

The Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), where flights to Lisbon will land, is the main Lisbon airport with frequent direct flights from Paris , London , Madrid and Frankfurt as well as seasonal summer flights from San Francisco , Philadelphia , NYC , Boston , DC and Chicago !

If arriving/departing Lisbon by train or bus, there are several stations in the city. When booking travel by train or bus to Lisbon, pay close attention to the station of arrival/departure. 

Before You Go To Lisbon, Portugal: What To Pack

Our final tips cover what you will need to pack for your Lisbon 3 Days Itinerary. You can find our top packing hacks and complete packing list on our dedicated Travel Packing page, but first grab your FREE Packing Checklist!

City Walking Shoes for Exploring Lisbon in Three Days

Lisbon is a walkable city…but only if you have the right travel shoes for all those hills! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. Lightweight casual sneakers – like my favorites from New Balance – are great for sightseeing in Lisbon. Kris was comfortable navigating in his Merrell  trail shoes.

Camera for Travel

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your 3 day trip to Lisbon – the city is incredibly photogenic! Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual travel camera for higher quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos and is a great budget camera for beginners!). 

Lisbon Map and Portugal Guidebook

It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city…and especially Lisbon (trust us on this one!) Make sure to have a good city map and/or guidebook before arriving.

Day Bag for Travel

Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase , you’ll also want to have a great day bag to organize and secure all your favorite everyday travel items !

Portugal Trip Insurance

Plans can change, people get sick , planes get delayed and luggage can get lost . If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Portugal, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Portugal ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

We want to know: What do you think is the best way to spend 3 Days in Lisbon? Anything you would add to our Lisbon Itinerary? Give us your best tips and advice in the comments! 

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Casual Travelist

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25 Tips for Your First Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

By Brianna | April 18, 2018

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Lisbon, Portugal seems to be on everyone’s travel radar these days. Europe’s second oldest capital is equal parts grit and grandeur with both a timeless appeal and modern allure. Lisbon has centuries of history and tradition but is also fiercely independent with a creative streak which makes it one of the most captivating cities in Europe. With so much to see, do and eat planning to travel to Lisbon can be a little daunting, but armed with these tips you can make your first trip to Lisbon one to remember.

This post contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small  commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

1.Arriving to Lisbon

The Lisbon Portela Airport is Portugal’s main international hub and is well serviced by over 30 airlines. For the most direct way to reach your hotel taxis and Uber are plentiful and costs apporoximately 15 Euro. The most affordable ways to get to Lisbon’s city center are the Metro ( a 25 minute trip on the red line connecting through Saldanha station) or by bus with multiple bus routes serving the city. Check Lisbon Airport’s site for the lastest route information. Visitors from the EU, Britain, Canada and the US do not need a visa, check Visit Portugal for the latest entry requirements.

2.Transportation in Lisbon

Public transportation in Lisbon is decent but not as good as other European capitals. The VivaViagem card is reusable (and offers discounted fares vs. single fare tickets) and can be used for trams, buses, trains and the metro. Taxis, tuk-tuks and Uber are also widely available.

3. Money in Portugal

As part of the EU Lisbon uses the Euro, but compared to other European capitals your money goes far here making Lisbon a great destination for the budget traveler. ATMs are plentiful and most businesses accept credit cards. Beer or a glass of wine can be had for as little as 2 Euro, a quick sandwich for less than 5 Euro, casual menu del dia for 8 Euro and sit down dinners from 15 Euro.

4.Weather in Lisbon

Weather in Lisbon is fairly moderate with warm summers and cooler,wetter winters. Average high temperatures from June-August range from 80-90 degrees F (25-30 degrees C) while daytime temps in December-February average around 55 degrees F ( 13 degrees C) but are typically wetter than other times of the year. Spring and autumns are glorious with sunny days and average temperatures in the 70s F (22-26 degrees C).

5. Accommodations in Lisbon

Lisbon has a wide range of accommodations from budget hostels to boutique inns and luxury hotels. Renting an apartment is an increasingly popular option but with the popularity of Lisbon as a travel destination many apartment owners are opting to rent through short term sites like Airbnb instead of the traditional long term rental. This unfortunately has priced a lot of locals out of the center of Lisbon.

>Hostels in Lisbon  

>Boutique Hotels in Lisbon

>Luxury Hotels in Lisbon

6. Lisbon has hills. Seven of them.

Like Rome, Lisbon is a city of seven hills and no matter which direction you go it feels like you are always walking up. While I am more than happy to walk these hills (mainly so I can justify eating all the pastel de nata), the people of Lisbon have developed a few easier ways to traverse these steep hills including its famous trams and even an elevator in the middle of the city ( I’ll have more on these shortly).

Itinerary for Four Days in Lisbon

7. Make sure to wear good shoes

Lisbon’s sidewalk mosaic tiles are gorgeous but also quite slick. Be sure to wear shoes with good tread to avoid taking a spill.

8.Lisbon trams

Perhaps no other image is more associated with Lisbon than a yellow tram climbing the cobblestoned hills past historic tiled buildings (I may or may not have taken over 100 pictures of trams during my visit). Trams are a part of Lisbon’s public transport and can be a great way to get from point A to point B. Tram #28 is especially popular with tourists as it goes pasts several of Lisbon’s most popular sights however it can be quite crowded with wait times to board at over an hour. Tram #28’s popularity with tourists has also made it quite popular with pickpockets as well.

9. For the best views in Lisbon follow signs for Miraduoros

If you see a sign leading the way to a Miraduoro it would be a good idea to follow where it goes. These scenic overlooks can be found throughout Lisbon. For views overlooking the red tiled roofs of the Alfama district and the Tejo River head to Miraduoro Portas do Sol; or check out the Miraduoro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara near Barrio Alto for great views and people watching.

10. Take in Lisbon’s beautiful sunset views

More than any other city I’ve been to it seems like much of Lisbon was built solely for taking in amazing sunset views. Join the locals and end your day taking in some of the best sunsets in Europe.

Lisbon Neighborhoods

The Alfama district is a beautiful maze of cobblestone alleys, cozy squares, terracotta tiled roofs and surprises around every corner. Lisbon’s oldest and most traditional neighborhood was untouched by the earthquake of 1755 and today you’re still likely to the sounds of fado echoing through the alleys as you pass ladies hanging their laundry out to dry but you’ll also find Lisbon’s creative spirit on display in the form of colorful street art. The Alfama District is home to the 11th century Sao Jorge Castle and the Se Cathedral, which has been serving Lisbon’s catholic population since 1150.

12. Barrio Alto

A quiet residential neighborhood by day the Barrio Alto comes alive once the sun goes down. Bistros, bars and clubs keep the Barrio Alto buzzing late into the night.

13. Cais do Sodre

Once a seedy area frequented by hard-drinking sailors Cais do Sodre is now home to trendy bars and cafes. Be sure to stop by the Time Out Market and the Mercado da Ribiera to taste the best of Lisbon’s contemporary and traditional flavors.

To the west of downtown Lisbon lies Belem, once the port area for Lisbon and departure point for Portuguese explorers during the Age of Exploration. A visit to Belem is one of the top things to do in Lisbon . The Tower of Belem (which in my opinion would make an excellent Game of Thrones filming location) has been seeing off explorers since the 16th century. Nearby the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is an intricate Unesco World Heritage site with fantastical architecturl details. Belem is also home to Lisbon’s museum district including the contemporary MAAT ( Museum for Art, Architecture and Technology).

To reach Belem take the train or tram 15E from Cais do Sodre.

15.Chiado/Baixia

Located between Barrio Alto and Alfama the neighborhoods of Chiado and Baixia are Lisbon’s upscale neighborhoods. Chiado is artistic, with grand cafes, chic art galleries and a proud literary history. This is also where you’ll find some of Lisbon’s most beautiful architecture including the stunning Carmo Convent, a medieval convent that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1755 whose facade is beautiful and timeless. Baixia is home to wide leafy boulevards lined with tony boutiques and the Elevator de Santa Justa, a wrought iron lift that connects Chiado and Baixia. A popular tourist attraction, waits to ride the elevator can be over an hour. Snap a picture and go on your way.

Food and Drink in Lisbon

16.food in lisbon.

With a focus on simple, fresh ingredients food in Lisbon may be the most underrated cuisine in Europe. With miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean Lisbon is a seafood lovers paradise (more on that below); but carnivores should be sure to sample porco preto , Portugal’s beloved black pork. These Iberian pigs eat a diet of acorns from the cork oak trees that thrive in the Alentejo countryside producing pork with a distinctly nutty taste. Also not to be missed is presunto , a silky dry-cured ham that in my opinion is better than Spain’s jamon iberico. Caldo Verde is a simple but comforting classic Portuguese kale soup. I believe a food tour is a great way to get to know a city and its cuisine in a short amount of time, join one of the culinary walking tours with Backstreet Eats.

What to eat in Lisbon

17. those appetizers aren’t free.

It’s common for waiters to bring out a little plate of nibbles (known as couvert ) at the beginning of the meal that usually includes olives, bread and cheese but be aware it’s not a freebie. To avoid being charged politely send the plate of goodies back untouched.

From simply grilled sardine and freshly fried octopus to hundreds of ways to prepare cod (bacalhau) Lisbon is without a doubt one of the best cities for seafood lovers. Lisbon also elevates canned seafood to an art form. Colorful tins contain oil packed sardines, tuna, mackerel and smoked eel that is worlds above that sad can of tuna sitting in your pantry and make for a great souvenir to get in Lisbon .

19. Eat all the pastel de nata (and other pastries)

When you’re in Lisbon you really need to make it your mission to eat as much pastel de nata as humanly possible. This creamy, egg yolk-based custard tart is ubiquitous throughout Lisbon. The guide books will tell you to go to Pasteis de Belem, which has been serving up flaky tarts since 1837 but can also have up to a two hour wait. Instead get your tart fix at Manteigaria, a cozy art deco pasteleria in the Barrio Alto neighborhood. Aside from pastel de nata you will find bakeries on every corner filled with a diverse variety of Portuguese pastries. Be sure to pair your sweet treat with a cup of coffee or bica  (espresso), which is excellent thanks in part to Portugal’s close relationship with Brazil.

20. What to drink in Lisbon

You’re likely familiar with port, the sweet fortified wine from the north of Portugal, but Lisbon has a wide variety of great wine thanks to its proximity to the Alentejo. Whether you enjoy a glass with lunch or head to one of Lisbon’s many wine bars after the sun goes down wine is Lisbon is plentiful, affordable and above all very good.

The other drink you must try in Lisbon is ginjinha, a sweet liqueur made from sour cherries. Served straight or in a chocolate cup (my favorite), ginjinha can be found in the many kiosks that dot Lisbon.

The soulful melodies of fado are Lisbon’s version of the blues. Songs full of meloncholy and heartache sung with the masterful strums of a 12-string guitar are the soundtrack to Lisbon. Head to a tasca for authenic fado, Povo Lisboa  in Cais do Sodre and Tasca do Chico in Barrio Alto are local favorites.

22.Safety in Lisbon

Portugal has a fairly low crime rate but it’s advised to take the usual precautions as you would in any big city. Pick-pocketing and petty theft can be common in trams, particularly the touristy tram #28.

Day trips from Lisbon

Cascais is the closest beach town to downtown Lisbon . A 30 minute train ride from the Cais do Sodre train station this charming town offers sun drenched beaches, dramatic cliffside views of the Atlantic Ocean, whitewashed homes and perpetual sunshine. I was contemplating a move here 10 minutes after arriving.

>Hotels in Cascais

If you take only one day trip from Lisbon make it Sintra . The main draw in Sintra is the colorful fairytale castle of Pena Palace , but this Unesco World Heritage Site also boasts the medieval Moorish Castle and the whimsical home and gardens of Quinta de Regaliera .Trains to Sintra leave from Lisbon’s Rossio train station every half hour and the journey takes around 40 minutes.

>Hotels in Sintra

Evora is the heart of the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest wine and agricultural region. Explore Roman ruins and the Chapel of Bones (a church decorated with hundreds of bones from human skeletons) or taste your way through the nearby vineyards. Evora is about a 90 minute train or bus ride from Lisbon.

Hotels in Evora

More Lisbon and Portugal Inspiration

The Perfect Weekend in Lisbon

Amazing Scenic Lisbon Viewpoints

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal

What to See in Lisbon in Two Days

Planning a trip to Lisbon? Pin this post for later!

About the Author

Freelance travel writer and blogger who seeks out laid back luxury. Focus on culinary, adventure and nature travel. [READ ALL ARTICLES]

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Tamara says

April 19, 2018 at 8:09 am

Great tips, thank you! Perfect timing as I am headed there next week.

April 19, 2018 at 12:04 pm

#17 took us by surprise on our first trip! We learned quickly though! Great tips!

Esther says

April 20, 2018 at 12:41 pm

I agree with all of these! Visited Lisbon twice and couldn’t get enough. I also recommend Lux, an old textile factory now home to many independent shops and great restaurants and clubs. For a day on the beach I recommend Sesimbra over Cascais, it’s a lot less crowded and touristy. #WeekendWanderlust

April 20, 2018 at 1:47 pm

Amazing tips! I will definitely need them for when I go in the near future. Pinned.

Brianna says

April 27, 2018 at 9:41 pm

Goblinette says

April 20, 2018 at 5:37 pm

Great tips. Haven’t been in LIsbon yet, but it looks lovely.

April 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm

I loved Lisbon and can’t wait to go back!

April 20, 2018 at 5:42 pm

MMMM. Pastel de Nata is my favourite! Great resource!

April 27, 2018 at 9:43 pm

Pastel de nata is the best!

Obligatory Traveler says

April 20, 2018 at 9:37 pm

Great Post. Thanks for including so much great information, especially information about transportation. Since we usually don’t rent cars, it’s good to know the reliability of the public transportation. It’s also nice to know about the wait time for Tram #28 to meter expectations. The food and drinks look delicious. #WeekendWanderlust

April 27, 2018 at 9:45 pm

I hope you find this post helpful if you make it to Lisbon.

Sandi Kowalyshyn says

May 27, 2019 at 9:20 am

Hi Brianna! Can you tell me if it is safe to wear my diamond Jewelry in Lisbon?

Thanks! Sandi

Simone says

April 21, 2018 at 4:47 am

As I’ll be in Portugal during my van trip in September, I’ll definitely use all this infos once in Lisbon. Great pictures!

Can’t wait to see your adventures!

Rhonda Albom says

April 21, 2018 at 8:23 am

I skipped Lisbon when I travelled through Portugal years ago and have regretted it. You seem to have put all the basic travel information about Lisbon together in one spot. This is one resource that I will use when I return to see Lisbon.

Amanda Grace says

April 21, 2018 at 10:57 am

Yessss. This is exactly what I needed!!! Thank you for sharing.

April 27, 2018 at 9:48 pm

You will love Portugal!

Nicole says

April 21, 2018 at 11:24 am

This is a great post. I think that you cover many practical issues that travellers need to know in order arrive and move around the city easily. We spent days in Sintra a few years back and loved it there. We will definitely need to go back to Lisbon to explore more.

April 27, 2018 at 9:49 pm

Isn’t Sintra just magical?

Annie Soul says

April 21, 2018 at 1:16 pm

Great tips! I’m really looking forward to checking out some of the districts and food 🙂 thanks for the info!

April 27, 2018 at 9:50 pm

Any district or food pique your fancy?

Marcus and Mel says

April 21, 2018 at 1:19 pm

A great detailed and useful list. We were there last Spring and loved the place. You definitely need good shoes with all those hills and the pretty pavements are quite slippery, especially when wet. The Time Out Market offers a range of food suitable for all tastes. We really enjoyed our trip to Sintra, make sure you go early.

April 27, 2018 at 9:52 pm

Glad you enjoyed this post, I want to go back!

Lorial Roballo says

April 21, 2018 at 1:44 pm

Ugh I love Lisbon. I visited here in 2016 and it one of my op places to travel to in Europe. That view from the Miraduoro is absolute perfection and even though you get a GREAT instagram photo. It just isn’t the same from real life. Pastéis de Belém was hands down the best pastry that I’ve had during my time in Europe. And I wish I could find it here in St. Louis. Maybe I can I just haven’t checked. Great article and wonderful photos! 🙂

April 27, 2018 at 9:54 pm

Thank you! Perhaps it’s time for a return trip?

April 21, 2018 at 8:53 pm

Thank you very much for this post, I’m actually just starting to plan my trip to Portugal and this post is the first to be saved into my Portugal folder. I’m looking to go in July, flying into Porto and heading North before heading south and of course I will be spending quite some time in Lisbon. Friends of mine have told me i will fall in love with it, and from just reading through this post I can see why. It’s good to know that appetisers are not free, and good advice on the footwear for the slippery streets – I’ll be honest after reading through this I’m most looking forward to trying my first pastel de nata with a Bica 😀 – I can’t wait to get out there 😀 😀

April 27, 2018 at 9:55 pm

I can’t wait to see how your trip goes!

April 22, 2018 at 4:02 am

This is a really great list! Hoping I’ll get to go to Lisbon soon so definitely saving this 🙂 #WeekendWanderlust

April 27, 2018 at 9:57 pm

Thanks a bunch!

Fiona Maclean says

April 22, 2018 at 9:47 am

Although I’ve travelled around Portugal a lot, I haven’t been to Lisbon since I was 30. In fact, it was for my 30th birthday! I went with my boyfriend in search of fado and ended up drinking far too many tequila slammers…I definitely needed some of your tips to keep me focussed. I’m planning to go back this year so I’ll be bookmarking this and using some of your great tips on where to go (Belem for instance) and what to eat (black pork!)

April 27, 2018 at 9:59 pm

Stick to port and ginja this time;)

April 22, 2018 at 12:13 pm

I remember arriving in Lisbon and thinking we can walk all over— oh wait, we could but it is hilly so you are right— you need to wear comfy shoes. We bought the tram card and that kinda saved our lives. Lisbon is pretty but its a lot of exercise— well I guess we just eat and walk it off. We also enjoyed the day trips outside Lisbon.

April 27, 2018 at 10:01 pm

Like I said, I didn’t mind all the walking so I could eat more 🙂

Dorene says

April 22, 2018 at 5:34 pm

Could the sky have been more blue than during your visit to Lisbon? 🙂 I so look forward to getting there, and this is the perfect post for me – lots of great tips and navigation before arrival. I like your detail of the neighborhoods – good to know where to go. Alfama will definitely be on my list. Good to know about the friendly appetizer plates, I would have definitely fallen for that. Bookmarked for future visit.

April 27, 2018 at 10:02 pm

Alfama is absolutely beautiful, great choice!

Efthimis Kragaris says

April 23, 2018 at 7:52 am

Great guide. Hopefully I will visit Lisbon this year. Can’t wait to enjoy some great Portuguese wine while listening to fados and watch the sunset view from the various miradouros. The tiles and the trams are also so instagrammable!

Michelle says

April 23, 2018 at 12:20 pm

I haven’t been to Lisbon yet, so these tips will come in handy when we get there. I didn’t realize the city was so hilly!

Kathleen says

April 23, 2018 at 3:30 pm

Such great tips. I’ve just recently become interested in visiting Portugal, although I never would have turned it down before. Lisbon is so beautiful and picturesque. I really love the tiled walls and sidewalks. The little tarts look like some we had in China. I wonder if they are similar. The ones in China are a sweet egg tart, not tasting like egg at all.

April 27, 2018 at 10:04 pm

Portugal’s food culture spread around the world so I’m guessing the tarts would be very similar.

Siddhartha Joshi says

April 23, 2018 at 11:36 pm

Lisbon is such a dream destination for me, and sadly I haven’t been there at all despite going to Europe so often. Thanks to your lovely guide I am even more inspired 🙂

Thanks for including handy tips also like pick-pocketing in trams and so on…very useful for planning and being mindful 🙂

Indrani says

April 24, 2018 at 12:23 am

I agree with you on – the yellow trams are a symbol of Lisbon. The Elevator de Santa Justa surprised me. Seeing the queue I took just a pic 😛 🙂 Enjoyed reading the post, it was like revisiting.

Medha Verma says

April 24, 2018 at 6:43 am

What a beautifully detailed post! Thanks for the advice on wearing good shoes for those street walks and I am happy to know that it’s a budget destination. Also, it seems like the VivaViagem card is a good investment for those who want to travel in a budget way, using public transportation. Alfama district’s street art looks great!

Julie McCool says

April 25, 2018 at 8:49 am

Excellent round-up of tips. I love the mix of practical info and travel inspiration (those sunsets look amazing). I stayed in Sintra but only passed through Lisbon, so it’s time for another trip to Portugal.

Miranda| Migration Expert UK says

May 7, 2018 at 11:00 pm

Great blog post with lots of useful information about Lisbon! Thanks so much for sharing.

May 10, 2018 at 12:37 pm

Great tips Brianna, thanks very much! I am planning to visit Lisbon for the first time soon, these will come handy.

June 13, 2018 at 8:36 pm

Hopefully you get to Lisbon sooner rather than later!

Sarah Montgomery says

May 13, 2018 at 6:23 am

We’re heading over to Lisbon for the summer and your article was really insightful. It’s great to know that public transport would be easily available as we’re not looking to rent a car. I’m especially looking forward to watching over the stunning views and munching on pastel de nata. Loved the read.

June 13, 2018 at 8:39 pm

I’m glad you found it helpful!

Tina Wright says

May 14, 2018 at 6:05 am

Thanks for such an informative blog. Perfect for our 48 hours in Lisbon next month. So glad I found you, makes my planning easier.

June 13, 2018 at 8:40 pm

You will have a fantastic time in Lisbon!

Matthew Ali says

May 17, 2018 at 5:06 pm

Wonderful post – you covered almost every aspect for a trip to Lisbon. I’ve been there 2 years ago and it is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.

June 13, 2018 at 8:42 pm

I absolutely loved Lisbon and can’t wait to go back!

KB Burt says

November 1, 2018 at 8:24 pm

Ooh, it brings it all back! I haven’t been since 2010 but I loved it. I was quite ill and had to spend a good portion of my ten days on the hotel rooftop in Baixa and it could not have been a better place to recuperate (I’m a city girl and not good at beaches). The people were so nice and helpful, genuinely and I couldn’t agree more about the food! It’s a great place for dietary restrictions as well as you can get such simply cooked, delicious food. One piece of advice I got there was to be careful where there are signs warning against pickpockets – apparently lots of people check their wallet as soon as they see it and it’s a big help to pickpockets hanging around! 🙂

February 20, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Lisbon used to be a nice place to visit but it changed completely over the past 5 years. Now it’s just an artificial and stressful city packed with tourists everywhere. It became the perfect place to have coffee at Starbucks, have fast-food at international food chains or expensive dinners at the latest Butanese restaurant, cross thousands of useless souvenir shops full of made in China products, queue for anything slightly interesting while pickpockets do their job, squeeze and bump into other tourists in overcrowded side walks and not being able to meet and talk to a single Portuguese resident with a non-tourist job. It also became a very expensive city with dinner costing 40 euros/person and hotels averaging 100 euros/night. If you want to experience the Portuguese culture and gastronomy for 1/3 of those prices then run away from Lisbon as fast as you can. I hate to say this but overtourism killed Lisbon and its authenticity. I’d recommend other places in Portugal that are still not that popular such as Braga/Guimaraes/Geres/Coimbra/Aveiro in the North, Sintra/Guincho/Cascais/Evora/Sesimbra/Arrabida/Comporta close to Lisbon or Costa Vicentina/Algarve (Lagos, Tavira, Vilamoura) in the South.

Michela says

April 21, 2019 at 4:23 am

I have been to Lisbon a couple of times, and just realised that it’s a long time ago! This post is inspiring and very detailed, that make me want to go back to Portugal and Lisbon, hopefully soon again. Thanks for sharing!

September 6, 2020 at 2:49 am

This is a great list of tips, we totally agree with the amazing food in Lisbon, however we would recommend that you try to find the smaller cafes and restaurants, where you will here the locals, this will often mean that the food is made for local tastes and not for tourists. But yes, where ever you go to in Lisbon, try a pastel de Nata, like the Bacalhao, every baker, has a slight twist on the recipe, which means you never get the same one twice, which means that you have to try every one you see.

Sarah Patel says

January 15, 2024 at 6:57 am

Hey Brianna!

I really enjoyed reading your post, it is very complete!

I am planning a trip to Lisbon, and I really wanted to make a stop at Évora, since I am passionate about history, and I do enjoy drinking a glass of wine from time to time.

A friend of mine, who’s been there a few times, suggested I booked a guided tour , but I am still looking for more options, collecting as much of information as I can so I can make an informed decision.

Based on your experience, what would you recommend?

Thanks again for this great post!

Sarah Patel

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Wander-Lush

Lisbon Guide for First-timers: A Local’s Tips

Planning a visit to Portugal ? This local’s Lisbon guide offers an ideal introduction to the city – including the top things to do in Lisbon, where to eat, which neighbourhoods to stay in, and other practical information for planning the perfect city break .

About the author: Marco Santos moved to sunny Lisbon three years ago on a mission to rediscover his Portuguese heritage. He now shares his passion for exploring Portugal and Spain on his blog, Travel-Boo .

Portugal, and more so Lisbon, is definitely on the up and up thanks to the numerous ‘Top World Travel’ awards it’s garnered in the past couple of years.

Lisbon is one of those rarities – a place that creeps into your heart and never let’s go, captivating anyone who visits.

What exactly makes Lisbon such a truly special place? Perhaps it’s the warm weather and sunshine, the friendly and welcoming people, the gorgeous views, the fantastic food and nightlife, or even the incredible architecture.

In my view, it’s all of the above… And so much more!

My partner and I decided to make Lisbon our home three years ago, and we haven’t looked back. In this city guide, I will be outlining all the relevant info you may need to help plan the very best trip possible, directly from someone who calls this city home!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Lisbon guide: Basic Lisbon travel info

• Language: The official language in Portugal is Portuguese. In saying this, most Portuguese – more so in the larger cities such as Lisbon – do speak English fairly fluently. So, you’ll easily get by on English when visiting. Although it won’t hurt to learn a couple of local words, too!
• Forms of payment: Both card and cash are generally accepted in Portugal. Many shops or restaurants will only accept card payment for purchases exceeding €5. Some don’t accept international cards and only allow local Portuguese cards due to the higher merchant costs associated with international transactions. As such, always be sure to carry both card and cash.
• ATMs: ­You will find ATMs, called multibanco in Portuguese, scattered throughout the city. Withdrawing money from these, even when using an international card, shouldn’t be any hassle.
• Tipping: Generally speaking, tipping is not required in Portugal as staff earn a full-time wage. However, it’s totally up to you. If you feel the service was truly excellent, then absolutely feel free to add a tip. Your waiter will love you!
• Opening hours: Official office hours in Portugal normally run between 9am to 6pm. Lunchtime usually lasts around 2 hours, between 1pm and 3pm. People normally eat Dinner around 9pm at night. 

Best time to visit Lisbon

High tourist season in Portugal usually starts in July and lasts through to the beginning of September. During this periods, Lisbon is jam-packed with throngs of tourists, resulting in higher than normal hotel rates.

August and September are also the warmest months. As such, I would highly recommend visiting between May and June or September and October.

If you don’t mind the cold then November and December are also great months to visit. Especially in December during the festive season.

How to get to Lisbon

Considering that Lisbon’s International Airport receives flights from across the globe, travelling to Lisbon from either Europe or abroad shouldn’t pose any problem. Flying directly into Lisbon is unquestionably the easiest way to get to Portugal’s capital city.

Lisbon’s airport is located relatively close to the city centre. You can easily get to your destination using either the metro, bus or taxi.

The red metro line connects Lisbon’s airport with downtown Lisbon and is the preferred method to travel. Alternatively, ride booking services such as Uber, Bolt or Kapten are another option. Since Lisbon is such a compact city, cars can be quite affordable.

Lastly, the Aerobus service runs frequent daily departures between the city and the airport.

Tip: For a hassle-free airport transfer, pre-book an Aerobus ticket or private hotel transfer by car online in advance.

If you’re travelling from Spain , you may also consider getting to Lisbon by bus or train. From Madrid you can catch the overnight RENFE service to Lisbon, arriving at Santa Apolonia train station the next morning.

Bus services such as ALSA or Flixbus also connects other cities within Spain to destinations within Portugal.

Moving around Lisbon

As already mentioned, downtown Lisbon is fairly compact, allowing you to get around pretty much anywhere on foot. This is especially true if your accommodation is located centrally (see the next section for recommendations).

Lisbon does offer a good metro, bus and tram system, making travel further afield a breeze.

The metro system operates four different lines (blue, yellow, green and red) and will require you to purchase a reusable Viva Viagem card for a one-off amount of 0.50€. From there, you can load stored value on the card (for example 3€ or 5€). This is called ‘Zapping’, and you will pay €1.34 per metro journey using this method.

Oftentimes, and especially if you’re travelling as part of a group, it may be worthwhile taking a cab instead. Making use of apps such as Uber, Bolt or Kapten may in fact work out cheaper than taking the metro, depending on where you’re headed.

Planning on doing lots of sightseeing? Then the Lisboa Card may be a good option for you. You can purchase a pass for a predetermined number of days to travel free on trains, buses and trams. It also offers free entry or discounts on some of the major Lisbon sights and museums.

Tip: Pre-purchase your Lisboa Card in advance through Get Your Guide and pick it up as soon as you arrive in the city.

Lastly, you could make use of the many electronic bicycles or e-scooters found throughout the city to get around. These normally require that you download the relevant operator app in order to unlock the bicycle or scooter.

You usually pay per kilometre travelled or on a time basis. Uber also has an e-bike option that you can make use of directly through the app.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Best lisbon neighbourhoods.

Deciding on where to stay when travelling to a new city is always somewhat daunting for me. That’s why I’ve decided to keep my recommendations simple and to the point.

If you’re visiting Lisbon and like to be right in the heart of all the action, then I’d highly recommend you stay in Chiado or neighbouring downtown Baixa . Choosing to do so will almost certainly ensure you can get around all the major sights of Lisbon on foot. Depending on exactly where you stay, Chiado can be a tad bit hilly in places, whereas Baixa is pretty much flat.

On the other hand, if you want peace and quiet and prefer to be slightly further away from the tourist hotspots, then I would suggest basing yourself in the beautiful tree-lined Avenida Liberdade around Marques Pombal or in the posh and leafy suburb of Avenida Novas . Both these areas are still fairly accessible to downtown Lisbon either on foot or by train or taxi.

For a trendy alternative, you may also consider staying in the neighbourhood of Principe Real . Typically considered the LGBT neighbourhood, you’ll find all sorts of hip bars, restaurants and boutique souvenir shops in and around this area. If you’re a gin drinker make sure you visit Gin Lovers in Principe Real, which is set in a stunning Moorish Palace.

Also read: The 20 best Airbnbs in Lisbon .

Where not to stay in Lisbon

Personally, I would not recommend staying in the neighbourhood of Belém. It’s a little way out of the main city centre and will require that you make use of public transport to get around. The tram and bus services into the city from Belém can get very crowded, especially on weekends.

Similarly, I would advise against staying in the older historic neighbourhood of Alfama, especially during the Santos festivals in June when the streets are packed and parties happen every night with music blaring until 3am. We were rather unfortunate to experience this and I can assure you it isn’t pleasant!

Don’t get me wrong – Alfama is gorgeous. But given that certain sections are incredibly steep, it can pose a challenge to travellers with mobility issues. It’s definitely no fun dragging your suitcase up steep cobbled streets, either. Believe me, I’ve experience that too!

Recommended Lisbon hotels

Thankfully, despite the surge in tourism in recent years, Lisbon still remains one of Europe’s more affordable destinations. You can easily bag some great hotel deals in any of the suggested neighbourhoods.

Rates vary of course depending on the season. Prices are considerably higher in the peak period of July through to September.

Here is a selection of my top recommended Lisbon Hotels to choose from.

• 3* My Story Hotel Ouro – Baixa
• 3* Holiday Inn Express Lisboa – Avenida Liberdade
• 3* HF Fenix Music – Marques de Pombal
• 3* Hotel Expo Astoria – Marques de Pombal
• 4* Evolution Lisboa Hotel – Saldanha
• 4* Lisboa Carmo Hotel – Chiado
• 4* Altis Prata Hotel – Baixa
• 4* HF Fenix Lisboa – Marques de Pombal
• 5* InterContinental – Marques de Pombal
• 5* Memmo Principe Real – Principe Real
• 5* Pousada de Lisboa – Baixa
• 5* Bairro Alto Hotel – Chiado
• 5* Tivoli Avenida Liberdade – Avenida Liberdade

5 awesome things to do in Lisbon

I often get asked how long a person should spend in Lisbon and I can confidently say, even if you stayed an entire week in this stunning city, you wouldn’t get bored. It still somewhat surprises me when I hear of travellers spending only one day in Lisbon .

There is honestly so much to see and do in Lisbon, from delicious food and wine , to history, museums, art, entertainment, sightseeing and more.

Here is my selection of the top 5 things you have to see and do on a visit to Lisbon.

Top rated Lisbon city tours & experiences

– Belem Tower Fast-Track Ticket (from €8.60) – E-bike Tour of Historic Belem (from €36) – Lisbon Street Art Tour (from €35) – Live Fado Performance & Dinner (from €20) – Gourmet Tour and Wine Tasting (from €46.50) – Make Your Own Portugese Custard Tarts (from €55.40)

1. Check out Belem

When exploring the city, I would recommend that you spend at least half a day discovering all that the Belem neighbourhood has to offer. To get there, head out by train or tram from the Cais do Sodré train station.

Spend some time visiting the notable sights (some of which are UNESCO-Listed). These include the Torre de Belem (Belem Tower) , the Discoveries Monument (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), the Jeronimos Monastery (an absolute must visit!), the National Coach Museum, and MAAT (the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology).

Oh, and don’t forget to go try out the Pasteis de Belem at the Fábrica de Pasteis de Belem, the original home of the famous Pasteis de Nata custard tarts. The bakery started operating in 1837 and incredibly, it’s still in operation today.

2. Explore the oldest parts of Lisbon: Alfama and Castelo

As I mentioned earlier, I personally wouldn’t recommend staying in Alfama. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t visit. I would highly advise spending another half a day getting lost in the narrow, windy and often hilly streets of this beautiful district.

Be sure to check out the Feira da Ladra flea market open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Or, enjoy a Fado and dinner show where you’ll get to listen to the melancholic and traditional sounds of the Portuguese folk music, which is said to have originated in Alfama. You’ll also find the Fado Museum located in this neighbourhood.

Ready to ogle at some incredible views? Then check out the Portas do Sol viewpoint as well as the Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

3. Visit downtown Lisbon: Baixa and Chiado

Downtown Baixa is where you’ll find Rossio Square, the Santa Justa Elevator, the Rua Augusta pedestrian shopping street (with the iconic Rua Augusta arch at the end), Praça do Comercio square, and so many more iconic Lisbon landmarks.

Head up to Chiado and visit the Carmo church ruins, the Sao Roque cathedral and the Praça Luis Camoes square. Grab another Pasteis de Nata at Manteigaria while you’re there.

4. Indulge in Lisbon’s food and wine scene

Food lovers will delight in Lisbon’s vibrant food and wine scene. Whether you want to try out some local traditional fare or prefer international cuisine, the city has a lot to offer.

Head to the TimeOut Market ( Mercado da Ribeira ) in Cais do Sodré for a full-on foodie experience. Here, you can browse the myriad stalls and restaurants and try a selection of Portugal’s finest food and drink.

Alternatively, for a more unique experience, why not book in for a Pasteis de Nata baking workshop . Yes, you can now learn how to make delicious Portuguese egg custard tartlets yourself. There’s even a special vegan-friendly workshop .

After a more refined experience? Then go ahead and book a fine-dining experience at one of Lisbon’s many Michelin starred restaurants. These include Alma, Belcanto, EPUR, Eleven, Feitoria, Fifty Seconds and Loco, where you will no doubt have an unforgettable culinary experience.

5. Enjoy the many viewpoints and rooftop bars

Lisbon is hilly, and when I say hilly, I mean it is known for it’s seven hills! That does mean a lot of steep uphill climbs await. But, once you get to the top, you’ll no doubt be rewarded with incredible views.

This is, in my mind, one of Lisbon’s advantages. I have yet to come across another city with so many different vistas, angles and perspectives to admire.

Head up to one of Lisbon’s many viewpoints ( Miradouros ) or seek out the closest rooftop bar and take advantage of the sweeping outlooks over the city.

Some of my favourite viewpoints include the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara as well as the Miradouro de Graça. For a stunning rooftop restaurant and bar, head to Topo Chiado, Sky Bar Lisbon or Lost In, to name but a few.

Top 3 day trips from Lisbon

If you do intend to spend 2 days in Lisbon or more, then planning a couple of day trips from Lisbon is an absolute must! Here are my top 3 to consider.

First on the list of day trips should be fairytale-like Sintra, the former royal summer residence from when Portugal was still a monarchy.

Scattered with palaces, castles and noble estates, Sintra is pure magic! And best of all, it’s only 40 minutes by train from Lisbon’s Rossio train station.

Tip: Pre-purchase your tickets for Pena Palace online and skip the queue.

Only an hour away from Lisbon by bus, the medieval walled city of Óbidos is incredibly charming, with its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. It also plays host to various cultural events throughout the year, including a Chocolate Festival around April/May, the Medieval Festival around July/August and a Christmas Village during the December festive season.

Tip: Join an accompanied tour to Óbidos from Lisbon for an in-depth introduction to medieval Portugal.

And lastly, at approximately an hour-long journey by train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station lies Cascais. This chilled seaside town is situated on a beautiful coastal stretch running all the way from Lisbon that is often referred to as the Riviera of Portugal.

Swim at fantastic beaches, sample fabulously fresh seafood, and wander through the quaint town centre.

Tip: Take a tour to see the best of Cascais and Sinta in a day .

Lisbon guide: Pin it

More Portugal inspiration

• Beautiful places in Portugal , small towns, islands, national parks & more
• Best cities in Portugal , historic cities & urban metropolises
• One day itinerary for Porto , Portugal’s second city
• The best Airbnbs in Portugal , live like a local
• The best things to do in Portugal , the ultimate wish list
• The best Portuguese souvenirs , what to buy in Portugal
• Best beaches in Lagos , where to go on Portugal’s stunning coast

One Comment

Great article!

While the train offers convenience, I’d suggest an alternative.

A few years back when I went to Lisbon, I decided to book a guided tour to Sintra and I enjoyed the experience a lot!

It is completely different to explore a place with knowledgeable guides who offer insights into a city’s rich history and attractions!

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Lisbon Travel Guide

Lisbon is arguably Western Europe's most underrated capital city. It's also one of the continent's oldest. First founded as a trading port city in 1200 B.C., Lisbon pre-dates Rome. Most of the old city was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755. But today, the "City of Light" is thriving. In the last 50 years its population and annual visitors have more than doubled as the rest of the world discovers what this second city on seven hills has to offer.Indeed, Lisbon checks all the boxes. It's home to colonial architecture, destination museums, and even its own genre of music. Hop on an iconic yellow tram and explore a fortified castle, a bustling waterfront, or a colorful maze of cobblestone streets. There's fun food – think themed trucks and even cereal bars – and fine food – five Michelin-star restaurants. At night, retire to a funky hostel, beautiful boutique property, or a 16th Century five-star hotel.

GMT during the winter (last Sunday in October – last Sunday in March)

GMT+1 during the summer (last Sunday in March – last Sunday in October)

Best Time to Go

Lisbon is a shoulder season destination. The best time to visit is in the spring, March to May, or fall, September to November, when the weather is pleasant. During the winter months, it's often cloudy or raining, and the city can feel like a ghost town. During the summer, peak tourist season, temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, crowds are common, and it can be hard to find accommodations (plus rates are higher).

However, you'll definitely want to visit mid-June if festivals are your thing. Sunday, June 13 is St. Anthony's Day – Lisbon's most beloved holiday and an entire night filled with parades, dancing, and plenty of grilled sardines.

Things to Know

Currency: Euro

($1 USD = .83 EUR; Check the current exchange rate )

Language: Portuguese

I don't speak Portuguese: Nao falo portugues

Where is the…: Onde está

Thank you: Obrigada

Learn more Portuguese phrases

Calling Code: +351 21

Outlets: Portugal uses type F and type C plugs. The U.S. uses type A and B. So, pack an adapter or be prepared to buy one at the airport. Since the voltage in Portugal is 230V you may also need to bring a converter if you're using an appliance that isn't compatible with 230V.

How to Get Around

Trains: Lisbon's trains (CP) which connect to major cities and surrounding towns, are frequent, reliable, and affordable. Tickets can be purchased at stations, online, or on the Comboios de Portugal app. The metro (Metro Lisboa) is just as user-friendly. There are four colored lines. The red line goes all the way to the airport, and single rides cost less than €2. Don't forget to validate your tickets before boarding and hold on to them until your ride is over.

Buses: Lisbon's bus system (Carris) runs 24/7 and includes two electric trams (including the historic yellow trolleys) and a funicular. Single rides are €2.

Taxis: Lisbon's taxis are abundant and certainly affordable, unless you use them during rush hour. Fares depend on where you're going, what time of day you're going, and how much luggage you have with you. Coop Taxis tend to be the most trusted. Always have cash available as credit cards aren't always accepted. Rideshare: Uber and Cabify, a Spanish rideshare company often cheaper than Uber, are both available here. Upon arriving at the airport, follow signs for the Uber pickup location.

Best Hotels

The one palácio da anunciada.

Address: Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 112-134, 1150-268 Av. Liberdade / Restauradores Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-041-2300 Book Now

Lisbon's newest five-star property, The One Palácio da Anunciada, is housed in a 16th-century palace located in Lisbon's most exclusive neighborhood. After a soft opening in 2019, it's now up and running with 83 well-appointed rooms surrounded by manicured French gardens housing a spa, an outdoor pool, and even a solarium.

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa

Address: Av. da Liberdade, 185, 1269-050, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-319-8950 Book Now

Highlights at this five-star hotel located on one of the most expensive avenues in the world include an outdoor pool surrounded by a tropical garden and a chic rooftop bar with city views. The property also has an award-winning seafood restaurant and a luxury spa complete with 24-hour fitness center. Deluxe rooms start at $280/night while the Diplomatic Suite, decorated with pieces that once belonged to the late Portuguese actress Beatriz Costa, starts at $1200/night.

Hotel Britania

Address: Rua Rodrigues Sampaio, 17, 1150-278, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-315-5016 Book Now

Billing itself as the only surviving original Art Deco hotel in Lisbon, Hotel Britania is a design-forward boutique property straight out of the 1940s. It's located just off of Avenida Liberdade on a quiet street. There are only 33 rooms but all have private marble bathrooms and powerful AC (a real luxury in Lisbon). Rates start around $100/night.

Tesouro da Baixa by Shiadu

Address: R. Dom Duarte 3, 1100-240, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 91-417-6969 Book Now

An ideal home base for exploring Barrio Alto and Chiado, the tried-and-true Tesouro da Baixa by Shiadu is just a five-minute walk from the main train station, Rossio. Like every Shiadu property in Lisbon (and there are six) accommodations are modern, yet classic, and minimalistic, yet comfortable. Guest reviews are always stellar, if not perfect, and rates start at just $80/night, including breakfast.

Dare Lisbon

Address: R. dos Sapateiros 135, 1100-422, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-346-1407 Book Now

Dare Lisbon specializes in rooms that feel like home, not hotels. This hospitality company prides itself on its 23 mini apartments each outfitted with a well-equipped kitchenette. Think coffee maker, fridge, microwave, electric cooktop, stick blender, and even a dishwasher. Rooms also include AC; rates start at $120/night (long term rates are available).

The Lumiares Hotel & Spa

Address: 142 Rua do Diário de Notícias 1200-146, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-116-0200 Book Now

This high-end hotel and spa with luxury apartment vibes is perched on a hill in Barrio Alto. The rooftop restaurant and bar have sweeping views of the city's skyline and serve seasonal, locally-sourced fare. Rooms have high ceilings and are spacious, by European standards. They include kitchenettes or full kitchens and living areas. Rates start at $195/night.

My Story Hotels

Address: Rua dos Condes de Monsanto, 2, 1100-159, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-886-6182 Book Now

All four My Story Hotels in Lisbon are contemporary, budget-friendly properties housed in recently renovated historic buildings. They're popular with younger crowds who want to be within walking distance of nightlife but not on top of it. Rates start at $80/night, and rooms are mostly singles and doubles.

Best Restaurants

Time out market (upscale food court).

Address: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-395-1274 Website

Time Out Market is Lisbon's answer to New York City's Eataly. Located in a historic market hall just a stone's throw from the waterfront, it features more than two dozen popup versions of the city's best restaurants and bars. It also hosts special events including cooking classes and is home to an exciting fish, meat, and produce market featuring the freshest ingredients around.

Pasteis de Belem (Portuguese)

Address: R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-363-7423 Website

Since 1837 people have been lining up at this beloved Lisbon institution selling baked goods faster than they can bake them. Legend has it the secret recipe for Pasteis de Belem's best-selling sweet custard tarts came from within the Jerónimos Monastery. There's usually a massive line, and sometimes it can take a while to get a table inside. But it's always worth the wait.

Tapa Bucho (Portuguese)

Address: Rua Diário de Noticias n 122 1200-281 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 91-456-6392 Website

It's hard not to go to town at this tapas bar where there are at least four kinds of croquettes centered around proteins like oxtail and alheira (all served with amazing aolis) and pisco sours so good they deserve a cult following. Reservations are highly recommended because the terrace is small and tables go fast. Portions are quite generous, for the low prices, so keep that in mind as you order.

Barrio Do Avillez (Portuguese, Pizza)

Address: R. Nova da Trindade 18, 1200-303 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-583-0290 Website

The brainchild of Chef José Avillez, Barrio Do Avillez is a great way to experience food created by the first chef to bring two Michelin stars to a restaurant in Portugal. This culinary complex includes: Taberna, which serves elevated traditional Portuguese fare and the perfect lunch spot; Páteo which specializes in specialty fish and seafood; and Mini Bar, a gourmet gastro bar with bold flavors in small bites. Finally, there's Pizzaria Lisboa, which offers a family-friendly atmosphere and pizzas prepared with 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella Fior di Latte.

Augusto Lisboa (Breakfast and Brunch)

Address: Rua Santa Marinha, 26 1100491 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-887-2746 Website

With its bubblegum pink façade and the line out the door on the weekends, it's hard to miss Augusto Lisboa. This dreamy, details-forward restaurant may only serve breakfast and brunch but it's ranked #2 out of more than 5,000 Lisbon restaurants on TripAdvisor. The complete opposite of a greasy spoon, it serves the freshest ingredients and specializes in an avocado toast you've probably already drooled over on Instagram.

Restaurante Feitoria (International)

Address: Doca do Bom Sucesso 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-040-0208 Website

Restaurante Feitoria, Chef João Rodrigues's ode to Portugal, is located in the Altis Belem Hotel & Spa. Just one look at its inventive "material-themed" menu and it's easy to see why this Michelin-star restaurant is so renowned in the industry. Courses are small (but there are at least eight), and don't expect to walk out without spending at least $150 per person, especially if you partake in the extensive wine list. Reservations are required.

Things to Do

Address: R. do Diário de Notícias 39, 1200-141 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 96-133-9696 Website

Portugal's signature style of music, fado, is where country meets the blues before colliding with opera. Songs are tragic and haunting, but they're not just played, they're performed. Since its birth in the 1830s, watching fado – which takes place in traditional bars and restaurants like Tasca Do Chico – has become the quintessential Portuguese pastime.

Try ginjinha

Address: Largo de Sao Domingos 8 Rossio, Lisbon 1150-320 Portugal Phone: (351) 21-814-5374 Website

Ginjinha is a sweet cherry liquor invented in Lisbon where today it's practically a staple, like sardines. The most popular place to get a shot is A Ginjinha bar , a walk-up hole-in-the-wall bar next to the bustling Rossio train station. There are no seats, just a small crowd of locals getting their daily dose mingling with curious tourists ready for their first taste.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-362-0034 Website

Recognized by UNESCO, this World Heritage site is as magnificent as monasteries come. It's hard to picture monks taking a vow of poverty in this palatial complex dating back to the 16th century. With its delicate ornate stonework, it's even harder to imagine it surviving the 1755 earthquake, but it did. Several tombs of Portugal's historical elite – from poets to explorers – are found here.

Oceanário de Lisboa

Address: Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisbna, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-891-7000 Website

Although it's not within walking distance of downtown, Lisbon's award-winning aquarium is a must for families and anyone with a remote interest in marine biology. More than 8,000 animals live in its 7 million-liter saltwater tank. Temporary exhibits, including submerged forests by Takashi Amano (the foremost "aquascaper" in the world) are just as memorable.

Best Shopping

Address: Praça do Príncipe Real, 26, 1250-184 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 96-530-9154 Website

A former 19th-century Arabian palace, EmbaiXada (meaning embassy in Portuguese) is now an elegant mall of sorts committed to selling goods designed by Portuguese artists and artisans. From children's clothing to gourmet gin and organic cosmetics, if it's quality and made with love in Portugal, it can probably be found here.

A Vida Portuguesa

Address: Rua Anchieta 11, 1200-023 Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: 351-21-346-5073 Website

Specializing in products that have "crossed generations and touched hearts" A Vida Portuguesa is where to go for timeless gifts and souvenirs. Shop for stationary, linens, perfumes, and well-curated kits all sourced in Portugal and sold in packaging so pretty it's a shame to toss it.

Livraria Bertrand

Address: R. Garrett 73 75, 1200-203 Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-347-6122 Website

When it opened in 1732, Libraria Bertrand was just another bookstore. Today, it's the world's oldest operating bookstore according to the Guinness World Records. While there are several Bertrand branches in Lisbon, the original is open seven days a week. It's the perfect place to seek refuge from a rainstorm or to find a large selection of books in English.

Address: Rua Rodrigues Faria, 103, 1300 – 501, Lisbon, Portugal Phone: (351) 21-314-3399 Website

LX Factory is Lisbon's answer to DUMBO. Once an industrial site in the shadow of Lisbon's iconic suspension bridge, it's now a hip district home to eclectic stores, galleries, and restaurants. Think food trucks, street art, and cool concept shops selling everything from chocolate salami to funky reversible lamp shades.

Neighborhoods to Know

Alfama : Boasting some of the best views of the Tagus River, this medieval village (it survived the 1755 earthquake) is perched on Lisbon's highest hill. It's home to Saint George's castle, and is arguably one of the city's most photogenic neighborhoods. Streets are narrow, but not too narrow for the historic 28 Tram which ferries tourists who don't want to deal with cobblestones or stairs.

Bairro Alto : Dating back to the 15th century when artists and authors flocked here in high numbers, this bohemian borough is now a happening scene. But for the most part, the magic only takes place at night. Come during the day to see the Insta-worthy street art. Return after dark for the city's best nightlife, bar-hopping, and dancing.

Chiado : It's hard not to compare this sophisticated neighborhood in the center of Lisbon with one you'd find in Paris or on the Upper East Side. It's far more contemporary than its surrounding districts and home to luxury retailers, elegant theaters, and the city's finest reservation-only restaurants. It also boasts Livraria Bertrand, founded in 1732 and thought to be the oldest operating bookstore in the world.

Belem : Lisbon's most impressive buildings and stateliest parks aren't downtown; they're in Belem. This historic waterfront with an extensive riverside trail was where 15th-century explorers, including Ferdinand Magellan, departed Lisbon to discover the world. The city's most photographed structure, the Tower of Belem, rises out of the river and is only accessible by pedestrian bridge. The neighborhood is also home to beautifully landscaped green spaces, the ornate Jerónimos Monastery and several museums.

Lisbon has four seasons and with the exception of summer, a pretty mild climate. It can be compared to central California's. Temperatures rarely dip below 45°F and typically only climb up to the mid-90s°F in July or August. These months are also the driest. With an average of 13 days of precipitation, November is usually the wettest month. And don't count on seeing snow. It's not uncommon for Lisbon to go half a century or longer without receiving any.

Apps to Download

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The perfect 2 days in lisbon itinerary for the responsible traveler.

If you’re considering spending a weekend in Lisbon, it can be a daunting task to plan the trip to include all the main sites in only 2 days.

There are so many incredible attractions in this 2700-year-old city where you’ll find yourself wandering enchanting old streets, enjoying breathtaking views, and getting amazed by the beautiful tiled houses where soaring fado music spills out from open windows in the late evenings.

When spending 2 days in Lisbon, you want to make sure you get to get the most out of the city. That said, you’ll surely want to come back for more no matter how long you spend in this city.

I’ve spent a lot of time in this vibrant city over the years and fall in love with it a little bit more each time I go, so now it’s time to share the best of the city so you can enjoy a splendid 2 days in Lisbon itinerary.

TThere are so many reasons to visit Lisbon , so this itinerary only covers the actual city and not the surrounding areas like Cascais and Sintra as I think Lisbon deserves a full two days. Extend your stay to explore the surroundings if you can. There are a great number of phenomenal day trips from Lisbon worth doing!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon is well commuted through Lisbon International Airport with other major airports in Europe and beyond. From the airport, the most economical and sustainable ways to get to the city center are by metro or bus.

For both of these options, you’ll need to get a Viva Viagem or 7 Colinas card and load it with the amount you need.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi. If your 2 days Lisbon visit is part of a Portugal road trip, you might as well get your rental car straight away . It takes between 20 minutes and an hour to drive to Lisbon from the airport, depending on the traffic.

Note that if you drive, you should also consider getting a hotel outside the historic center and preferably outside the city center that includes free parking.

There’s no free parking in the city center – at least not that I’ve found – it’s rather expensive. So it’s worth getting public transport into the center for these two days to avoid high parking fees.

Lisbon is well-connected by bus too and the city’s main bus station is Sete Rios. This is where intercity buses stop. For international coach arrivals, Gare do Oriente is a popular bus station. From here, you can transfer to the metro if you need to get to a different place in the city.

Also, Cais do Sodré is a major hub for buses and other modes of transport like metro, train, and ferry.

Search bus to Lisbon here.

Traveling by train might just be the most sustainable way to travel to Lisbon. The main railway station is Rossio Railway Station (Estação de Caminhos de Ferro do Rossio.)

However, if you travel long-distance, you’ll most likely arrive at Santa Apolónia Railway Station right outside the Alfama district.

From Porto, it takes about 2.5-3 hours by train and from Faro in the Algarve, it takes around 3 hours.

Search train to Lisbon here.

Reaching Lisbon by car is easy from all over the country as well as from neighboring Spain. It takes about 2.5-3 hours from Faro in the Algarve and 3 hours from Porto .

As mentioned above, there’s no parking in Lisbon center that’s either easy to find or affordable. A lot of street parking only lets you pay for 4 hours at a time, which means you’ll have to go back and forth to the car to top up with coins (and yes, you need coins, many of the machines don’t take a card.)

Check availability and prices for rental cars here.

Make sure you don’t forget any of these road trip essentials !

When is the best time to go to Lisbon

Lisbon is one of those places that are wonderful to travel to all year round which makes it an ideal destination for any Europe itinerary . However, there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing when to go.

In the summer months, you can expect daytime temperatures up to 30 degrees celsius which means it can get pretty hot walking around. However, if your trip to the city is part of a larger Portugal itinerary where you plan to get serious beach time, it’s absolutely worth it.

To avoid the biggest crowds in Portugal in general, you can opt for the shoulder seasons with a little milder temperatures, but still perfect for beach dwellers. This is a great time to use the city as a base for day trips from Lisbon to the surrounding towns and beaches.

Lisbon in winter is mild with daytime temperatures around 15 degrees celsius in the daytime dropping to around 8-9 degrees at night. This is the perfect time for sightseeing and having lunch outside. If you’re planning on a Lisbon weekend break winter is a good time to go.

Where to stay in Lisbon

There are plenty of great places to stay in Lisbon , especially in Alfama, Baixa, and Bairro Alto where you are within walking distance from top attractions and in the heart of Lisbon’s old town.

⭐TOP PICKS – WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON⭐ LUXURY – Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument – stay in an opulent 19th-century palace with inside and outside swimming pools, a wellness center, and a garden. MID-RANGE – Lisboa Pessoa Hotel – a fantastic hotel with a spa and wellness center including an indoor pool. There is also a nice rooftop restaurant with sweeping views of the city. BUDGET – My Story Hotel Rossio – a beautifully decorated budget option with a restaurant and bar. Rooms are bright and stylish.

Pensao Residencial Flor dos Cavaleiros

There aren’t many budget options in Lisbon, but this is a simple hotel that allows pets where you can stay within walking distance of all the top attractions you want to explore during 48 hours in Lisbon.

There’s no free parking around the hotel, but you find public transport just a few meters from the front door.

See availability here.

How to get around in Lisbon

Lisbon is a perfectly walkable city, yet full of steep hills, so you’ll get a proper workout walking around. If you get tired from walking the cobbled streets, there are the famous trams and buses to get around the city.

There’s also a stunning, old lift in Lisbon that takes you up from the Baixa neighborhood to the Barrio Alto. This is a tourist attraction in itself and is well worth it!

Generally, I don’t recommend driving around in Lisbon, simply because it’s hard to find parking and the spots you find are super expensive.

If you drive, see if you can find a place outside the city center to park for free and take public transport to your hotel unless you’re planning on driving while you’re there.

2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Now that we’ve looked at all the practical details, let’s get to the fun stuff. Lisbon is such an amazing city and while you’ll get a great outline for spending 2 days in Lisbon in the following itinerary, make sure you leave some time to get lost in the streets and be flexible if a fun opportunity should come up.

In my opinion, no matter the itinerary, Lisbon will leave you speechless and you’ll want to come back for more.

Day 1 – Lisbon itinerary

St. george’s castle.

Start the first day of your Lisbon 2 day itinerary with a visit to St. George’s Castle. Sitting on a hilltop overlooking the city, it impresses not only with the well-preserved castle walls but also with breathtaking views.

This hill housed a fortified castle long before the Romans, Visigoths, and Moorish built there. However, the 1755 earthquake destroyed most of it and today’s structure is a restructured version of what the Moors once built.

The castle opens at 9:00 in the morning so you can get an early start to your day.

To get a short introduction from a local guide about the castle’s history and save time, you can book your skip-the-line tickets in advance here .

Lisbon Sé Cathedral

Only a ten-minute walk from St.George’s Castle through the Alfama district you’ll reach Lisbon’s Sé Cathedral . The 800-year-old church is the oldest in Lisbon and a must-visit on any Lisbon itinerary.

Admire the astounding interior, where you can find a reliquary coffer with São Vicente, Lisbon’s patron saint’s relics.

Don’t miss out on the sweeping views from the cathedral’s balcony. The treasury museum is also worth a visit.

Check out the viewpoints and have lunch

There are a few great lunch spots hidden throughout the Alfama district and while you’re there, you might as well check one of them out. There are also a whole lot of fantastic vegan restaurants in Lisbon you should check out.

Walking down from the Se Cathedral, you’ll also pass some of the best viewpoints in the city. Whether you want to grab a coffee to go and enjoy the view from viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Luzia or sit down at any of the bars with a view, you’ve got epic options.

Get lost in the cobbled streets

The rest of the day you can spend getting lost in the streets of the Alfama district and even venture through the Barrio Alto and Baixa district if you want.

This is where you’ll find the enchanting narrow cobbled streets lined with cute houses, tiny restaurants, and bars that make Lisbon so special and it’s well worth spending a few hours there with your camera.

Have dinner with Fado

Any itinerary for Lisbon should include a Fado experience. In the Alfama district, there are numerous restaurants offering live Fado music and with only 2 days in Lisbon, this is your best bet to get an introduction to this soaring traditional music form.

If you want to continue out for a drink after dinner, head to one of the epic rooftop bars of Lisbon for sunset or enter one of the cute bars with live music to round off the evening.

Day 2 – Lisbon itinerary

National pantheon church of santa engrácia.

Start the second day of your 2 days in Lisbon itinerary with a visit to the beautiful National Pantheon Church of Santa Engrácia. The church was made National Pantheon in 1916 and only 50 years later, the dome was finished.

With the building of the church starting in 1682, there’s no other monument in Portugal that has taken this long to be built. Today, there’s even a saying when something takes forever, they say: “a job like Santa Engrácia.”

The Pantheon lacks the gold and tiles of the typical Portuguese baroque style but is still considered the first example of a baroque monument in Portugal. The inside is beautifully decorated with colorful marble inspired by the St. Peter’s basilica in Rome.

Visit a museum

Not far from the National Pantheon you’ll find a few important museums worth visiting on a Lisbon city break.

Museu Militar de Lisboa – The most underrated museum in Lisbon is also the city’s oldest, dating back to 1876. You can see one of the largest artillery collections in the world.

National Fado museum – The most culturally important museum devoted to the local music form, fado, and the guitar. Besides the permanent exhibition, there are always temporary expositions, and the best of it all is the audio guide that lets you listen to music while you learn about the history.

National Tile Museum – One of the most important national museums devoted to Portugal’s history of azulejos from the 15th century until today. The museum offers a unique collection of tile art worth exploring.

Lunch in the Baixa District

The Baixa district has a whole heap of amazing restaurants promising a tasty lunch even for vegetarians and vegans. If you didn’t walk around there on the first day of your 2-day Lisbon itinerary, make sure you at least walk past Commerce square to take a picture.

The square is facing the harbor and used to be the loading place for commercial ships, thus the name. For the same reason, it was also known as the “door to Lisbon.”

Belem tower

One of the top attractions to see on any Lisbon weekend itinerary is the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belem Tower. You can reach it by tram E15 from the Baixa district.

The 16th-century fortification was used to protect Lisbon from raids from the Tagus River but was also a symbol for sailors heading out to sea.

It’s well worth climbing the three levels of the tower to get an idea of what it would have been like when it was used as a protective fort, but also to maze at the sweeping views of the Tagus River and the city from the top.

If you want to upgrade your experience with a guided tour of the Belem Tower and district plus a river cruise, I highly recommend this tour .

Jerónimos Monastery

While in the Belem district, you don’t want to miss out on the Jerónimos Monastery. In 1983, the monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monastery is set in the same place as the chapel Ermida do Restelo where sailors, including Vasco da Gama, prayed before sailing to India.

The tomb of Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese poet and writer, Luís de Camões, is found in the church of Santa Maria that’s inside the complex.

You should definitely not miss out on this significant attraction when considering what to see in Lisbon in 2 days.

Book your tickets in advance:

Monument of the Discoveries

Close to the Jerónimos Monastery, you’ll see one of the most important monuments in Lisbon, the Monument of the Discoveries. It was erected to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death. He was the discoverer of islands like Madeira, Azores, and Cape Verde.

The 52-meter-tall statue is a wonderful reminder of the age of discoveries in Portugal. In front of the monument, lays a mosaic compass rose, meeting a whole of 50 meters in diameter, that was gifted from South Africa. In the middle, you can see a world map.

Take the elevator to the top of the monument for panoramic views of the Tagus River, the Belem district, and the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril bridge.

How to be a responsible traveler with two days in Lisbon

There are a couple of specific things to consider as a responsible traveler when going to Lisbon. Besides, remember to leave no trace, try to learn a few basic words in Portuguese, show respect to the locals and other travelers, and all in all, be a good human being.

Avoid the 28 tram

Why? You might ask. Riding the no. 28 tram in Lisbon is usually listed as one of the top things to do in Lisbon in 2 days. However, what people tend to forget is that the tram is not primarily running as a tourist attraction.

The no. 28 tram in Lisbon is one of the main transportation for locals to get to and from work, to reach their homes, to get to the shop, and so on.

When overtourism takes over the tram, locals experience that they can’t find space in the tram when they need to get to work or to get back home. Because the tram is full of tourists snapping pictures of the scenic route.

If you want to take the tram in Lisbon, which I absolutely suggest you do, take any other tram and use it as a mode of transport instead of just checking off a bucket list.

Don’t visit Lisbon Zoo

Lisbon zoo is another popular tourist attraction in the city. As always, I don’t recommend visiting any place that uses animals for tourism purposes or for profit reasons.

As a responsible traveler, you should always consider the consequences of your actions, and visiting zoos results in more and more animals suffering as they breed and take in more animals in a space where their well-being is prioritized behind the tourists’ interest.

Lisbon is also home to one of Europe’s largest aquariums which I for the same reasons would avoid.

You can read more about ethical animal tourism and why you should avoid zoos altogether in my dedicated post here .

Leave no trace

This might seem like common sense. But there are more things you can do than not throwing rubbish. Bring your own eco water bottle to avoid creating more plastic waste during your stay in Lisbon. You can also bring your own reusable coffee cup and ask for a refill when you grab a coffee to go.

You can also choose eco-conscious restaurants and cafes for your meals. A great place to get pastel de nata is Vegan Nata . They even serve their hot chocolate in edible cups!

Reflections on a weekend in Lisbon

As mentioned in the beginning, if you want to press in Sintra and Cascais in your Lisbon itinerary, 2 days might not be enough if you at the same time want to get a good feel of the city itself.

However, you can easily, compress this itinerary and travel faster if that’s your style, or cut down on certain attractions and take half a day to see the Pena Castle or walk around Cascais.

That said, I highly recommend at least 2 days in Sintra and the same in Cascais, but nothing less than a day in each place as there’s so much to see and do.

For a 2 day itinerary, Lisbon makes the perfect city break in my opinion. But be warned, you’ll want to come back for more!

Happy travels!

4 Days in Lisbon, an Itinerary for First Time Visitors

This post is also available in: French

Settled on the banks at the mouth of the wide Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal blends a rich maritime heritage with traditional culture and a modern vibrancy.

Lisbon is home to impressive architectural gems like the Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem, industrial complexes turned gastronomic hotspots, and narrow city streets packed with history.

My 4-day Lisbon itinerary ensures you’ll see all the highlights while in this exciting European capital, introduces you to some hidden gems, and even gets you out of the city for a day.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe, having been settled in its current strategic location as early as the Neolithic era when Celts and indigenous Iberians would have settled on the hills at the wide mouth of the Tagus River.

During the successive occupations by the Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, and Visigoths, Lisbon grew steadily into a major trading post. It has long enjoyed the ideal position between Europe, Britain, Northern Africa, and the Americas.

Today, cultural influences come from all over, yet there is still a strong Portuguese heritage evident in Lisbon.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. It costs nothing extra to you but helps keep my site running. Thank you for supporting me in this way.

Table of Contents

How to spend 4 days in Lisbon, things to do and see

How to Get to and from the Airport

Lisbon’s international airport, Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), is just 7 kilometers from the city center. It’s easy to get from the airport into the city by both metro and bus. Buses will take around 30 minutes to reach the city center , while the Aeroporto Metro takes about 20 minutes. A taxi from the airport into the city is the fastest option, but the most expensive.

I used Welcome Pickups , which hires trusted drivers for airport pick-ups . From the moment you book a driver, you will feel like a friend is picking you up at the airport. In addition to booking a driver, you can purchase extra products, like sim cards or wifi hotspots. Welcome Pickups also sells tickets to major attractions, perfect when you need to add things to your Lisbon itinerary.

Unlike a traditional taxi, all Welcome Pickups are a flat fee, meaning no hidden charges like tolls or parking. Every driver speaks English, and there’s 24/7 support and free cancellation. They’ll even monitor your flight for any delays and adjust pickup accordingly.

Click here for more information and to book your transfer.

Tip: A great way to save money and time is a 24, 48, or 72-Hour  Lisbon Card that includes free admission to more than 23 attractions, many discounts and free and unlimited access to the public transportation system. 

4 Days in Lisbon: Day One – An Introduction to Lisbon

Lisbon’s Baixa district is the heart of the city, designed and built following the devastating 1755 earthquake. Officially known as Baixa Pombaline, and named for its benefactor, the Baixa district is also earthquake resistant, with a number of preventative measures like high inter-terrace walls to inhibit the spread of fires and wood latticework “cages” meant to distribute earthquake forces. On your first of 4 days in Lisbon, spend time exploring this grid-like, elegant neighborhood .

Praça do Comércio

The Praça do Comércio is a large square situated on the banks of the Tagus River, in the heart of Baixa. It is still commonly known as the Terreiro do Paço, or Palace Yard because it was the site of the Royal Palace until the 1755 earthquake.

During the reconstruction, the plan called for a large square surrounded by symmetrical buildings housing governmental agencies and customs offices, all of which highlighted the economy of Lisbon – hence the new name, the Square of Commerce.

Lisboa Story Centre

The Lisboa Story Centre, located within the Praça do Comércio, is an interactive museum that allows visitors to experience Lisbon’s major events through audiovisual means. The museum introduces Lisbon’s founding through to the modern-day in a compact, 60-minute technological exhibit.

Free entry with a Lisbon Card.

Arco da Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta, one of Lisbon’s main shopping streets, ends in the Praça do Comércio. At the edge of the square is the Arco da Rua Augusta, a triumphal arch-like building towering several stories over the square below.

It is adorned with statues of Portuguese historical figures atop the columns and an allegorical group on the very top, showing Glory rewarding Valor, and Genius. Originally designed as a bell tower and built to commemorate the 1755 earthquake, the structure was transformed into an arch in the 19th century.

Santa Justa Lift

The Santa Justa Lift connects the lower Baixa district with the upper Largo do Carmo. Built in the early 20th century along with several other contraptions designed to facilitate movement between the two neighborhoods, it is the only remaining vertical, conventional elevator.

Rossio Square

Rossio Square, also known as Pedro IV Square, has been one of the central squares in Lisbon since the Middle Ages. Located within the Pombaline-designed downtown, Rossio Square is a popular meeting point for locals. It is surrounded by shops and cafes, as well as a prominent train station and theatre.

During the 19th century, the square was popular with the upper class, who came for the theatre and the nearby public gardens; prior to that, it was the site of many a public execution. Today, it is often the site of protests or celebrations.

Praça Dos Restauradores

Praça Dos Restauradores is Lisbon’s most unique and varied square, as its home to an odd array of Neoclassical buildings alongside newer Art Deco structures like the Eden Theatre (now a luxury hotel). The quaint Elevador da Gloria is nearby, one of two trams that carry passengers into the Bairro Alto.

Other important features of the square are the Restauradores obelisk, which commemorates the independence of Portugal from Spain in 1640, and the Palacio Foz, which now houses government and tourist offices.

This afternoon, continue explorations of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods . Both Chiado and Bairro Alto are jam-packed with boutique shops, cafes, tourist attractions, and bars. They are located a short distance from Baixa, making them the perfect afternoon complement to a morning in Baixa.

The ruins of the Igreja do Carmo

Igreja do Carmo, or Carmo Church was devastated during the 1755 earthquake and never restored to its former glory. Today, the ruins house a small archaeology museum set within the crypts. This charming stone church, though, stands as a reminder of the earthquake even 250 years later.

Praça da Alegria viewpoint

The Praça da Alegria viewpoint is west of the historic center , north of the Bairro Alto, and has panoramic views of Baixa. It is just off the Avenida da Liberdade and often has markets or street vendors, as well as shaded seating.

Igreja de Sao Roque

The Igreja de Sao Roque is the first Jesuit church in Portugal and one of the most important in the Jesuit community. Its gilded interior is absolutely stunning; it is one of the most decorated and elaborate church interiors in Lisbon, through its whitewashed facade does not give this away. It is located on the main street in Bairro Alto, steps from the Rossio train station and Gloria elevator.

Elevador of Gloria and Bica

The elevador of Gloria and Bica are two of the funiculars that ferry people from the lower streets of Lisbon to the Bairro Alto district. Both opened in the late 19th century and are popular with locals and tourists.

Spend a night in the Bairro Alto, one of Lisbon’s hottest nighttime neighborhoods . Enjoy a fado performance, traditional Portuguese music, and song, in one of the local bars. While there are many large and touristic fado bars scattered across the Bairro Alto and nearby Alfama, seeking out a small neighborhood bar will provide you with an unforgettable memory of your four days in Lisbon.

4 days in Lisbon: Day Two – Explore Alfama and Portugal’s Cultural History

Alfama is one of Lisbon’s oldest and most traditional neighborhoods . The narrow, winding streets rise from the banks of the Tagus through crumbling houses along with brick lain paths. In the evenings, fado music drifts from tiny bars. It is a wonderful place to explore and a must-see addition to any four-day Lisbon itinerary.

The Castelo de Sao Jorge

The Castelo de Sao Jorge is a Moorish castle that towers over Lisbon from the top of the Alfama district. Built in the 12th century and expanded in the 13th and 14th, much of the modern-day castle was restored in the 1920s after being destroyed by the 1755 earthquake.

Sé de Lisboa

The Sé de Lisboa, usually the Sé, is the Cathedral of Lisbon. Dating from the 12th century and predominantly Romanesque, the cathedral remarkably withstood the 1755 earthquake that damaged most of the city.

Igreja de Santo António

Igreja de Santo António is a charming little Baroque church in Alfama, on the path of the 28 tram. It is named for the patron saint of Portugal, St Anthony, and is considered to be on the site of his birthplace. Fun fact: St Anthony is also the patron saint of lovers, and consequently this is also one of the most romantic places in Lisbon.

The Portas do Sol viewpoint

Perfectly located along the road between the cathedral and the castle, the Portas do Sol viewpoint is one of the best in Lisbon. It is also one of the most popular, with views of the Tagus estuary and red-tiled roofs.

Ride the quaint number 28 tram

The number 28 tram is not only one of the oldest in Lisbon, it is also one of the most popular and most scenic routes. Winding its way through the Alfama, Baixa, Graca, and Estrela districts, the tram’s tiny body allows it to follow the narrow, steep streets. While it provides an exceptional overview of the city and makes for a perfect tour, beware of pickpockets.

Wander in the Alleyways

To get a real taste of Lisbon life, explore the alleys off the main streets. Here, you’ll find local shops, private homes, and incredible street art that the average tourist won’t see.

Miradouro da Graça viewpoint

The Miradouro da Graça viewpoint is a popular viewpoint as it has beautiful views of the castle. It is located at the edge of a shaded park, near the number 28 tram line. The surrounding local neighborhood is a great place to stop for local pastries or coffee.

Or Miradouro da Santa Luzia viewpoint

The Miradouro da Santa Luzia viewpoint is tucked away behind a tiny white church in a shady garden lined with blue and white tiles and a number of leafy trees. It offers the same views as the Graça viewpoint but is significantly less crowded with tourists.

Fado Museum

The Museu do Fado is a museum dedicated to the traditional music of Portugal. Through audiovisual and interactive means, the museum explores the evolution and passion of fado.

-20% with Lisbon Card

National Pantheon

Built in the 17th century as the Church of Santa Engraçia, the building was converted into the National Pantheon in the 20th century. Here is where many important Portuguese people are buried.

Time Out Market

The Time Out Market is a massive food hall located within the Mercado da Ribeira. Housing some of Lisbon’s best chefs, restaurants, cultural events, and even cooking workshops, the market spans over ten thousand square feet of food stalls. It is definitely worth a visit while in Lisbon!

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is the national art museum in Portugal. Housed within the Palacio de Alvor-Pombal, its collection is one of the most extensive and important collections of Portuguese Middle Ages works of art.

4 days in Portugal: Day Three – Portuguese Art Through the Ages

Portugal’s art scene ranges from traditional tile making (some more traditional than others) to vibrant street art, impressive architecture, and a style all its own. Spend today exploring the art scene through the ages.

Museo de Azulejos

The Museo de Azulejos showcases the famous art of Portuguese tile making. With a collection spanning centuries, housed in a 500-year-old former convent, the museum is well worth a visit. In addition to the ubiquitous tile, a true Portuguese icon, the museum has sculptures, paintings, documents, and more.

Upon leaving the Museo de Azulejos, head for Belem. Located below the Ponte 25 de Abril, Belem is home to some of Lisbon’s most impressive buildings, such as the Jeronimos Monastery and the Torre de Belem. You can get there by bus from the city center; it is about 6km away.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

The Jeronimos Monastery is one the best examples of Late Gothic Manueline architecture, which is an elaborately decorated style featuring maritime elements – a nod to Portugal’s strong naval heritage. The complex spans a large city block, and among the most visited buildings are the cloisters and the Church of Santa Maria.

National Archaeology Museum

The National Archaeology Museum is located adjacent to the Jeronimos Monastery and is the most important archaeological museum in Portugal. Home to artifacts from the Paleolithic era through to the Middle Ages, the museum’s collections include Egyptian mummies, Roman bronzes, Roman mosaics (some of the most important pieces of art in Portuguese history), and Classical Greek sculptures.

Much of the collection was private before being gifted to the museum. The main benefactor, Jose L eite de Vasconcelos, was a prominent Portuguese archaeologist whose dream was to showcase the history of Portugal and the Portuguese man in a museum.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument across from the Jeronimos Monastery, along the river where ships left for China and India. It celebrates the Age of Discovery and the many Portuguese navigators who explored in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The sides of the monument are lined with statues of over 30 people including Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan.

– 20% with Lisbon Card

Torre de Belem

Along with the nearby monastery, the Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 16th century on a small island near the shore and acted as part of the defense system of the city. Much of the tower is in the Manueline style, though it incorporates other architectural influences, namely Moorish styles.

Pastéis de Belem

Pastéis de Belem is home to the original Pastel de Nata, an egg custard tart dusted with cinnamon. Made originally by the monks, the shop opened in the mid-19th century by the owners of a sugar cane refinery who bought the recipe from the monks. The shop is still owned by this family and is one of the best places to try these delectable treats.

Ajuda National Palace

The Ajuda National Palace is one of the Royal Family palaces in the area between Belem and the city center . It was built following the 1755 earthquake but took years to finish (the Royal Family fled to Brazil before it was done). No one lived in it until the late 19th century. Today, it is a museum.

In the afternoon head for the LX Factory to see some of Lisbon’s trendiest companies, from boutiques to bars.

LX Factory is a former industrial complex in Alcantara that now features some of Lisbon’s hottest restaurants, bars, boutiques, and street art. Alcantara, once a sleepy neighborhood under the Ponte 25 de Abril (April 25th Bridge), is now a buzzing hub of creativity, where design and production companies, fashion and art shows, music events, and more share space with hip restaurants, bars, and shops. The complex is also where you’ll find some of Lisbon’s hottest nightlife.

Be sure to spend time here, where modern trendsetters tread the same paths as the navigators of times past. Belem is a thriving neighborhood and very much at the beating heart of Lisbon’s heritage.

4 days in Lisbon: Day Four Sintra

Lisbon has many delightful neighboring towns, but one of the most popular is Sintra. Known for its many palaces, Sintra is just 30 minutes (25km) from Lisbon, and with its picturesque, colorful palaces and stunning scenery is well worth a day trip.

How to Get yo Sintra

The best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon is by train. Trains run from Rossio station every 30 minutes into the Sintra station, which is 1.5km from the historic center . Simply follow the signs for “centro” to get to the historic center of Sintra.

Free transportation with the Lisbon Card.

Palacio da Pena

The Palacio da Pena is likely the most famous of Sintra palaces. With its brightly coloured towers and mountaintop location, it is a stark contrast to the dark forest around it. Towering above the town, it is one of the most popular destinations and will be very crowded, no matter what time of year or day you visit.

-10% with Lisbon Card

Palacio Nacional de Sintra

The Palacio Nacional de Sintra, or the National Palace of Sintra, is located in the historic center of town. Its white gothic exterior is distinctly different from the colorful facades of the Pena Palace but the interiors are no less elaborate, although they are different. It is also the most used of the royal palaces, as it was a favorite of the Royal Family from the 15th through the 19th centuries.

Castelo de los Mouros

The Castelo de los Mouros is the name for the Moorish castle ruins that are along the same mountaintop ridge as the Pena Palace. Left to ruin in the 12th century, the ruins were restored rather romantically in the 19th century and are intertwined with the surrounding forest. The views from the top are spectacular, and the castle grounds are far less crowded than the Pena Palace.

-15% with Lisbon Card

Alternatively, you can book a small group full day tour from Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais.

Lisbon is a charming European city. Its history and culture rival that of Madrid or Paris while its vibrant nightlife and shopping are on par with Barcelona or Milan. Four days in Lisbon is a great introduction to this exciting city and its neighboring towns. I enjoyed my entire trip to Lisbon and hope that, with the help of my Lisbon itinerary, you will too!

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Lisbon Tourism Guide

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K nown for being one of Europe’s most laid-back and sunniest capitals , Lisbon has become a trendy city break destination . Built on seven hills, it’s an incredibly scenic and romantic city, and has an unrivalled position by the sea , with several sandy beaches just minutes from downtown. Offering historical sights and fun in the sun (still at reasonable prices ), it’s a European capital like no other, and one that you’ll want to return to time and again.

Lisbon Travel Planner

Helpful insider tips to plan the perfect days in the city:.

50 Best Things to Do Where to go and what to see

The Best Neighborhoods Know where to stay

Transportation Guide How to get around Lisbon

30 Best Viewpoints The Best Views of Lisbon

10 Best Beaches The Beautiful Lisbon Coast

10 Best Day Trips Where to Go Around Lisbon

How many days in lisbon.

You should spend at least three days in Lisbon, but the city is also a great destination for an extended summer holiday. The “Age of Discovery” attractions of Belém take an entire day to explore, while another day could be split between Alfama and the Parque das Nações district, and a third should be set aside for a day trip to Sintra . A fourth or more days would allow you to head to the beach or enjoy a walk by the sea in Cascais , and explore alternative corners of the capital and museums of interest. Lisbon is also a good base to discover other highlights of Portugal, such as Évora , Óbidos , or the fishing-villages-turned-surfing-meccas Ericeira and Nazaré .

When to Visit Lisbon?

Lisbon is a year-round destination, with warm summers and mild winters. Hot summer temperatures are cooled off by the Atlantic breeze, while in winter they never reach the freezing point. Although it’s known as a sunny city and for being the European capital with the mildest winters, it can also rain for days between November and April. Weather at that time of the year is quite unpredictable, but in the spring there may be downpours for one hour followed by clear skies and sun. Because many of Lisbon’s top attractions are outdoors (the viewpoints, beaches, and even the palace-hopping in Sintra), visiting in the wettest months may not be a good idea. The high tourist season is between June and early September, so the prices of accommodation go up at that time. Late May and mid-September may be the best times to visit, as temperatures are mild, it’s good enough for days at the beach, and the crowds are fewer. If you must visit in the summer, make sure you book accommodation well in advance.

10 Things You Should Know Before You Visit Lisbon

1 . Lisbon is very hilly , but walks are rewarded with magnificent views at the top, from various “miradouros” ( viewpoints ). Each offers a different perspective, and miradouro -hopping is one of the city’s most memorable (and Instagram-worthy) experiences.

2 . The coast around Lisbon has a variety of beautiful beaches . Some have the perfect waves for surfing , others have no waves at all, but they’re all clean and sandy. Some are crowded, others are wild and nearly deserted. If you’ll be in the city in the spring and summer months, try to prolong your stay for one or more days at the beach.

3 . Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities (it’s the second-oldest capital after Athens), but most of the center dates from the late 1700s. That’s because one of the worst recorded earthquakes destroyed most of it in 1755, and it had to be completely rebuilt. Only four central neighborhoods predate the disaster — the ancient Alfama and Mouraria below the castle, Madragoa close to the riverfront, and Bairro Alto , laid out in the early 1500s up on a hill. Wandering around these “bairros históricos” (historic neighborhoods or old quarters) is one of the city’s most rewarding experiences, especially if you love to photograph.

4 . Lisbon started as a Phoenician trading port called Alis Ubbo (“Delightful Shore”), then became part of the Roman empire, before being taken over by the Visigoths and the Moors. When the new nation of Portugal was founded in 1139 in northern Iberia, the king decided to expand his territory and conquered the lands to the south, which included Lisbon, in 1147. It became the Portuguese capital in 1385, and ended up ruling a global empire in the “Age of Discovery” (15th and 16th centuries). The city’s most iconic landmarks date from this last period, including the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery , both World Heritage Sites and prime examples of Manueline architecture (a Portuguese late Gothic style).

5 . To reach the top of the tallest hills, nothing can beat the good-old trams and funiculars. Lisbon preserves vintage vehicles with wooden interiors, and they go through some of the city’s most picturesque streets. The only disadvantage is that they’re public transportation, so are always crowded and can be uncomfortable if you don’t get a seat. Fortunately, there are now routes just for tourists, where you can always comfortably enjoy the ride and the views along the way: Lisbon tram tours

6 . One of Lisbon’s most striking features is its use of decorative tiles (“azulejos”) to adorn entire façades . Those may be geometric patterns, solid colors or monumental murals. The tradition started in the 1700s, and is often still applied to modern buildings. Inside churches and palaces you’ll mostly see blue-and-white panels from the Baroque period, creating a distinct architecture that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

7 . Lisbon has become a major center for street art , with two big local names leaving their mark on the city -- Vhils (who sculpts faces on buildings) and Bordalo II (who creates art from trash). You’ll surely find their pieces as you walk around the city, together with works by foreign artists.

8 . Lisbon is one of only a few cities in the world which developed its own musical style . Buenos Aires has its tango, New Orleans has jazz, Rio de Janeiro moves to samba, and Seville dances to flamenco, while Lisbon listens to fado. It’s mostly nostalgic and melancholic poems recited to the sound of guitars, but you don’t need to understand the words to feel the emotion of a performance. You may hear it at “casas de fado” (or “fado houses”), which are restaurants with live performances by professional or amateur singers, mostly in the neighborhoods of Alfama, Mouraria, and Bairro Alto.

9 . A balmy climate invites the people of Lisbon to enjoy their nights on the streets. No weekend in the city is complete without bar-hopping in the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré -- everyone buys a drink inside and stays chatting by the door or on the street, before moving to another bar to repeat the dose.

10 . The younger generation in Lisbon speaks English quite well , so you won’t have a problem communicating. Still, learn a few basic words in Portuguese: “ obrigado ” is “thank you” (never use “gracias” — you’re not in Spain!), “ bom dia ” is “good morning”, “ boa tarde ” is "good afternoon," " boa noite " is “good evening/night,” and “ fala inglês? ” is “do you speak English?”

Official Lisbon Tourism Office

Everything you need to plan your visit to Lisbon is on this website. It provides useful tips and information from locals and travel experts, not associated with or sponsored by any local business, organization or institution -- it’s entirely independent and unbiased. However, if you still have any questions when you’re in the city, pass by the official tourism office, which is located in the main square, Praça do Comércio . Another tourist office is found in Restauradores Square , also offering information about other destinations in Portugal.

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Where to Stay

Hotels in Alfama and the Castle

Hotels on Avenida da Liberdade

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Hotels in Chiado

Hotels in Príncipe Real

Hotels in Avenidas Novas

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Campo de Ourique

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What to See & Do

Top 50 Attractions

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Best Beaches

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Itinerary Advice

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1 Day in Lisbon

Tourist Card

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Jerónimos Monastery

Belém Tower

Castle of St. George

Discoveries Monument

Ajuda Palace

Santa Justa Elevator

Rua Augusta Arch

Lisbon Cathedral

Coaches Museum

Tile Museum

MAC/CCB Museum

Ancient Art Museum

Pena Palace (Sintra)

Most Popular Beaches

Praia da Conceição

Costa da Caparica

Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo

Praia da Ursa

Transportation

Travel Cards

Tram 15 to Belém

Train to Belém

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Glória Funicular

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Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Airport Guide

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Portugal Travel Guides

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Home - Top 10 - Undiscovered Lisbon - Where to stay? - Costs - 24 hours - 3 Days - 1 Week - Day trips - Beaches

1 week in Lisbon; a 7-day itinerary and tour for 2024

Lisbon is a fantastic destination for your 1-week holiday. It is a fascinating and varied city, which combines the best aspects of a city break, beach holiday and cultural trip. By day you could be relaxing on a beach, exploring a historic sight, or partaking in an exciting activity, while at night, there is Lisbon's vibrant nightlife.

Many tourists make the mistake of not planning enough time to fully discover Lisbon. Instead they simply rush through, missing much of what this captivating region can offer. This guide will provide a suggested 1-week itinerary and help you get the most from your 1-week holiday to Lisbon. Related articles: Introduction to Lisbon – Lisbon day trips

One week in Lisbon; an overview

It takes three days to fully discover Lisbon, and the further four days are filled with day trips to the fascinating towns of the surrounding region. Between May and September, you may instead wish to spend a day visiting one of the beautiful beaches in the area ( Lisbon beach guide )

Below is a recommended 1-week itinerary for your holiday to Lisbon: • Day 1 – Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto districts • Day 2 – Belem, Alcântara and Estrela districts • Day 3 – Parque das Nações, Avenida da Liberdade and Príncipe Real • Day 4 – Day trip to Sintra • Day 5 – Day trip to Cascais • Day 6 – Day trip to Obidos • Day 6 alternative – Beach trip to the Praia de Carcavelos • Day 7 – Day trip to Setubal or Sesimbra • Friday or Saturday – a big night out in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre districts

Note: Lisbon has excellent public transport, and all of the day trip destinations can be easily reached without the need for a car. The interactive map below shows the 1-week tour ( Note: zoom in and out to see all of the points)

Sights of the tour - Day One; 1) Alfama 2) Baixa 3) Bairro Alto Day Two; 4) Belem 5) Alcântara Day three; 6) Parque das Nações 7) Avenida da Liberdade 8) Príncipe Real Day four) 9) Sintra 10) Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) 11) Quinta da Regaleira Day five; 12) Cascais 13) Cabo da Roca Day six; 14) Obidos 15) Praia de Carcavelos beach Day seven; 16) Setubal 17) Sesimbra 18) Cabo Espichel

For a detailed guide to your first three days in Lisbon, please read this guide – Lisbon three days

Advice: On Day 6, it is recommended for you to join an organised tour and discover the region north of Lisbon. These tours take in many of the fascinating towns of the region, such as the pretty walled town of Obidos, the charming beach resort of Nazare, the stunning monastery at Batalha and the important pilgrimage destination of Fatima . We have worked with GetYourGuide for the last six years, and some of their best tours include:

The following section details the sights and activities for your one-week holiday to Lisbon.

Day 1 - Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto

The first day is spent within the historic centre of Lisbon and visits three very different districts; Alfama, Baixa, and Bairro Alto. This area contains many of Lisbon's famous tourist attractions and provides a perfect introduction to the city.

The Baixa district comprises of magnificent plazas and grand avenues, and was completely rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Within Baixa you will find the impressive Praça do Comércio, Rossio plaza and the bustling shopping street of Rua Augusta.

Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon and is a maze of narrow streets that meander up a steep hill to the castle. Many of Lisbon's oldest buildings can be found in Alfama, including the Se Cathedral and the Castelo de Sao Jorge.

The Bairro Alto is the nightlife centre of Lisbon. The district comes alive as the sunsets, and is packed with a variety of small bars, family-run restaurants and intimate live music venues. Related articles: Alfama guide – Baixa guide

The number 28 tram passing in front of the Se cathedral in the Alfama district

Rossio plaza, with its distinctive tiled pavements

Day 2 – Belem and Alcântara districts

Belem is one of the best tourist areas of Lisbon, and the majority of your day will be spent here.

Belem lies to the west of the city and was historically the location of Lisbon's shipyards. It was from here that 16th-century Portuguese explorers set sail to discover the sea routes to Brazil and India.

The Belem district is a delightful mix of parks and historic buildings that celebrate this seafaring history. There is the wonderous Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the charming Torre de Belem and the magnificent Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument.

Belem also has a selection of fascinating museum including the Museu Nacional dos Coches, Museu de Marinha and the Coleção Berardo art gallery. Along with the historical sights, there are scenic riverside walks along the Tejo Estuary. Insight: The E15 tram connects central Lisbon to Belem.

For the latter part of the day, you could visit the Alcântara area of Lisbon, which is home to the Lx Factory. This is the artisan centre of Lisbon, where an abandoned factory has been transformed to create a trendy complex packed with unique stalls, restaurants and contemporary art exhibits.

An alternative to Alcântara could be a visit the Estrela district, with its magnificent Basílica da Estrela and peaceful Jardim da Estrela. Estrela is also at the start of the number 28 tram route, which offers a scenic journey through the historic areas of Lisbon. Related articles: A guide to Belem

The delightful Torre de Belem

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument celebrates Portugal’s seafaring history

The 28 tram in front of the Basílica da Estrela

Have you booked your hotel yet?

During the peak season, demand for hotels and accommodation in Lisbon is very high. It is recommended that you book your accommodation as early as possible to secure the best prices.

The map below shows the location of hotels and rental rooms in Lisbon. By altering the date to suit your trip, the map will display current availability and prices:

Day 3 - Parque das Nações, Príncipe Real and Avenida da Liberdade

The third day is divided between two very different areas of Lisbon; the Parque das Nações and the Avenida da Liberdade (and Príncipe Real district).

The Parque das Nações is the striking modern side to historic Lisbon. It was originally constructed for the world trade fair "Expo'98" and is filled with ultra-modern buildings, bold architecture and water-themed gardens. Sights of Parque das Nações include the Oceanário de Lisboa (a sea themed aquarium) the Casino Lisboa, a cable car and the Torre Vasco da Gama - Lisbon’s tallest building.

The second part of the day, visits the affluent neighbourhoods of Avenida da Liberdade and Príncipe Real. The Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon's most exclusive shopping street; along the avenue are designer stores, upmarket hotels, and pretty formal gardens.

Príncipe Real is an affluent neighbourhood, with a distinctly Portuguese atmosphere. At its centre is the Jardim do Príncipe Real, and the surrounding streets are lined with grand 20th-century buildings. Related articles: The Parque das Nações - Guide to Príncipe Real

Parque das Nações is the modern side of Lisbon

The Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII viewpoint looking down to the Avenida da Liberdade

Day 4 – Day trip to Sintra

Sintra is the best day trip from Lisbon. Nestled within the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra, the town is home to extravagant palaces, magnificent mansions and the ruins of an ancient castle. In addition to the historical sights there are challenging hiking trails, stunning scenery and some of the best rock climbing Portugal has to offer.

The standout monument of Sintra is the Palácio Nacional da Pena, a whimsical palace with a beautifully restored interior. Perched upon a rocky outcrop above Sintra are the ruins of a 9th-century Moorish castle, while in the centre of the town is the Quinta da Regaleira and its mystical gardens.

Visitors often spend just a single day in Sintra, but there are enough sights to fill two days of sightseeing: First day in Sintra • Exploring the historic centre • The ruins of the Castelo dos Mouros • The Palácio Nacional da Pena (highlight of the day) • The Parque e Palácio da Pena

Second day in Sintra • Quinta da Regaleira and gardens (highlight) • The Palácio Nacional de Sintra • Palácio de Seteais • Palácio de Monserrate • Vila Sassetti and the hill hiking paths Travel: There is a direct train between Lisbon to Sintra, and the number 434 bus connects Sintra train station to the main tourist sights. Related articles: Guide to Sintra – Lisbon to Sintra

The Palácio Nacional da Pena

The Castelo dos Mouros

Day 5 - Day trip to Cascais

Cascais is the premier resort town of the Lisbon region. The town lies on a beautiful coastline of small sandy beaches and was historically the summer retreat of the Portuguese nobility.

Today Cascais is a delightful mix of grand 19th-century architecture and its traditional fishing heritage. Found within the town is the decorative Condes de Castro Guimarães museum, the Casa de Santa Maria and the heavily fortified Cidadela de Cascais.

Cascais’ beaches are sandy and sheltered, making them popular with families, and include the Praia da Rainha, the Praia da Conceição and the Praia da Duquesa. To the north of Cascais, the coastline faces the might of the Atlantic Ocean, and found here is the wonderful surfing beach of Praia do Guincho.

If you have a car, you could visit the Cabo da Roca headland, the most westerly point of mainland Europe. Travel: There is a direct train from Lisbon to Cascais. Related articles: Cascais guide - Lisbon to Cascais

Cascais is a delightful mix of beautiful beaches and historic buildings

The Cabo da Roca headland

Day 6 – Obidos or a day on the beach

Obidos is the classic Portuguese walled town and is one of the most picturesque towns of the Lisbon region. This small town was historically owned by the Queen of Portugal and is a delightful mix of cobbled streets and traditional houses that are encircled by the town walls. Obidos overlooks the tranquil Lagoa de Óbidos lagoon, and further along the coastline is the fishing port of Peniche.

Travel: There is a bus service from Lisbon to Obidos.

During the hot summer months, you may prefer to visit one of Lisbon's beautiful beaches. Lisbon boasts two very different coastlines, with beaches that range from calm and picturesque to wild, windswept surfing beaches.

To the west of Lisbon are the popular beaches of the Oeiras-Estoril-Cascais coastline, a series of sandy beaches that are suitable for families and popular with the residents of Lisbon. To the south of Lisbon are the pristine beaches of the Costa da Caparica coastline, a sandy coastline that extends for over 25km along the western side of the Setubal Peninsula. These beaches face a westerly direction and have waves that are suitable for surfing.

Note: The weather is suitable for spending time on the beach from May until the end of September. Insight: The best beach close to Lisbon is the Praia de Carcavelos. This is a vast sandy beach, with clean sea waters and excellent tourist facilities, and is only a short train ride from central Lisbon. Related articles: Obidos guide - Lisbon beach guide - Carcavelos beach

Obidos is the classic Portuguese walled town

The Praia de Carcavelos beach on a busy summer’s day

Day 7 – Day trip to Setubal or Sesimbra

For your final day, it is suggested to visit either Setubal or Sesimbra.

Setubal is a characterful and historic port city, with an impressive fort, Portugal's largest covered market and a pretty waterfront.

Sesimbra is a traditional beach resort that is popular with Portuguese tourists. The town extends around a beautiful sandy bay and is famed for its seafood restaurants.

Sesimbra and Setubal are very different destinations, but they both have an authentic Portuguese atmosphere and are significantly less touristy than all of the previous day trips.

Situated between Setubal and Sesimbra are the hills of the Serra da Arrabida and the beautiful beaches of the Portinho da Arrábida coastline.

Travel: Setubal is connected to Lisbon by train, and there are regular buses between Lisbon and Sesimbra. Related articles: Setubal guide - Sesimbra guide

The beautiful beach of Sesimbra

The waterfront of Setubal

Friday or Saturday Night

There are two main nightlife areas to enjoy in Lisbon: Bairro Alto and Pink Street (in Cais do Sodre).

Bairro Alto is a warren of narrow streets and the home to a variety of Fado music restaurants and a wide variety of bars. On weekends, the socialising spills out onto the streets, with the whole district becoming one giant party.

The bars in Bairro Alto close around 2am, but the fun continues downhill in the Cais do Sodre district. Cais do Sodre was originally a red-light district, but today is the late-night heart of Lisbon, with many of the clubs situated along Pink Street.

Pink Street

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A complete list of all of our Lisbon articles

Getting started

• Lisbon introduction
• How long in Lisbon?
• Lisbon for seniors
• Where to stay in Lisbon?
• Cost to visit Lisbon
• Lisbon's best museums
• Lisbon for a rainy day
• Lisbon at Christmas
• Is Lisbon walkable
• Lisbon's sunsets
• Is Lisbon safe?
• Lisbon on a budget
• Portuguese National Anthem

Lisbon's districts

• Parque Nações
• Cais do Sodre
• Príncipe Real

Sightseeing

• Shopping in Lisbon
• Lisbon's best markets
• Lisbon Parks
• Castelo de São Jorge
• Elevador de Santa Justa
• Torre de Belem
• Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos
• Largo do Carmo
• Ponte 25 de Abril
• Senhora do Monte
• São Pedro de Alcântara
• Miradouro da Graça
• Jardim do Príncipe Real
• Elevador da Bica
• Elevador da Glória
• Elevador do Lavra

Transport guides

Lisbon airport Airport to city centre Terminal 2 Metro guide Cruise ship guide Ferry guide To Christo Rei Statue Lisbon to Porto

Itineraries

24 hours in Lisbon 48 hours in Lisbon Lisbon in 3 days 1 week in Lisbon A weekend city break 5 days in Lisbon Lisbon to Porto Tour

• Lisbon beach guide
• The Lisbon coastline
• Praia Carcavelos

Lisbon Trams

• Tram No. 15

Lisbon's stations

• Orient train station
• Apolonia train station
• Cais do Sodré station
• Sete Rios bus station
• Rossio train station
• Lisbon or Barcelona
• Paphos in September

The Lisbon region

Day trips from Lisbon

• Sintra introduction
• Sights of Sintra
• Day trip to Sintra
• Lisbon to Sintra
• Sintra beaches
• Sintra tourist bus 434
• Palacio da Pena
• Palácio de Monserrate
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Parque da Pena
• Castelo dos Mouros
• Cascais introduction
• Day trip to Cascais
• Cascais beach guide
• Cascais sights
• Cabo da Roca
• Lisbon to Cascais
• Evora guide
• Evora sights
• Evora day trip
• Bone Chapel
• Lisbon to Evora
• The Alentejo region
• Sesimbra intorduction
• Sesimbra sightseeing
• Sesimbra beaches
• Lisbon to Sesimbra
• Cabo Espichel
• Obidos Introduction
• Things to see in Obidos
• Obidos day trip
• Ericeira introduction
• Lisbon to Ericeira
• Ericeira beaches
• Setubal introduction
• Serra da Arrabida
• Peninsula de Troia

Central Portugal

• Berlengas Islands

Portugal Guides

• Where to go in Portugal?
• 1 week in Portugal
• Portugal airports
• Portugal weather
• Best beaches
• Top 10 Algarve
• Portugal in June
• Portugal in September
• Portugal in November
• Where to Live in Portugal

North Portugal

• Douro Valley
• Serra da Estrela
• Viana do Castelo
• Porto where to stay
• How Long in Porto
• Porto sightseeing
• Porto beaches
• Porto in 1 Day
• Porto in 3 Days
• Porto 1 Week
• Foz do Douro
• Linha do Douro
• Port Cellars
• Airport to City
• Porto Trams

South Portugal

• Algarve introduction
• Albufeira guide
• Albufeira activities
• Albufeira beaches
• Day trip to Albufeira
• Albufeira boat trips
• Carvoeiro beaches
• Percurso dos Sete Vales hike
• Sights and activities
• Faro beaches
• Funchal introduction
• Lagos guide
• Lagos beaches
• Praia da Marinha
• Praia da Rocha
• Praia da Rocha beaches
• Tavira guide
• Tavira sights
• Tavira Beaches
• Vilamoura beaches
• Vila Nova de Milfontes

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Plan your trip to lisbon.

Before traveling to Lisbon, it's normal to have questions about the necessary documentation, the official currency, opening hours, and more. Here we'll try to answer some of the most common questions  you may have when planning your trip to Lisbon.

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Lisbon is the capital and the most influential city in Portugal. It lies on the Atlantic Ocean and River Tagus. Its privileged location made it an important city, controlling as it does a great part of the Atlantic.

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"Best Surfing Spots and Schools for Beginners in Lisbon and - Portugal Forum

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"Best Surfing Spots and Schools for Beginners in Lisbon and

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They have classes all the time and it's a short train ride from Lisbon.

https://www.carcavelossurfschool.com/en/surf-lessons-aulas-surf

The other is at Guincho beach which is more difficult to get to.

https://moanasurfschool.com/courses-prices/

Not aware of surf schools near faro.

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7 things I learned using ChatGPT to plan my vacation

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Once seen as futuristic pipedreams, ChatGPT and other AI programs are swiftly becoming integral to our lives. But do these tools really work, and can we trust them with something as intricate as a travel itinerary?

To put this to the test, I recently challenged ChatGPT to plan my entire city break to Lisbon. You can read about the trip here , but needless to say, the results of the AI-powered adventure were a mixed bag. 

ChatGPT easily grasped some aspects of trip planning but fell flat in many other areas. This ultimately made the trip way more stressful than I’d anticipated.

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably considering using ChatGPT to plot your own vacation. Here are some things I learned, so you won’t make the mistakes I made.

Remember, this is still new technology

Despite the hype, ChatGPT is not an all-knowing cyber lifeform. Sure, its responses can seem eerily humanlike, but the tool is in its infancy. Like any infant, it is still learning about the world and how to interact.

Broadly speaking, ChatGPT answers our questions by drawing upon available information (Google reviews, certain third-party website data and more). It then uses a form of language processing to predict how its answers should be framed based on its previous experience with similar prompts. 

This poses a few problems when using ChatGPT to plan your travel. It just doesn’t know enough about the world yet. If its source material is scarce or prior “life” experience is menial, any recommendations it gives will fundamentally reflect that — and they do. 

ChatGPT isn’t a travel super guru, even if it sometimes sounds like one. Think of ChatGPT as a rough travel guide, but don’t expect it to know everything.

The bot is desperate to please and will lie

ChatGPT wants to keep you happy. This meant that when I asked for things to do in Lisbon, it would always give me an answer, even if it didn’t have one.

For example, I’m a huge magic fan, and when I visit a new place, I often try to catch a show by a local performer. As such, I asked ChatGPT for its best recommendations to see magic in Lisbon.

“In Lisbon, one of the best places to witness magic performances is at the Magic Palace. The Magic Palace, also known as Palácio do Mago, is a renowned venue for magic shows and illusions,” the bot enthused. “Located in the heart of Lisbon, this intimate theater offers a captivating and immersive experience where talented magicians showcase their skills and leave the audience in awe.”

This ticked all my boxes. However, when I pushed for more information, ChatGPT said: “The information I provided about the Magic Palace was purely fictional and not based on any real place or event.”

At other points, it sent me to food markets that didn’t seem to exist because it knew I wanted specific street food recommendations.

ChatGPT will tell you exactly what it thinks you want to hear rather than say it doesn’t know something.

Double-check everything

Since ChatGPT can bend the truth, it goes without saying that you should exert caution if it’s planning your vacation. It’s not just outright fabrications that could derail your trip; there are also minor (but crucial) inaccuracies.

ChatGPT recommended a genuine restaurant that was apparently famous for a specific local dish. When I arrived, the place didn’t serve the dish and never had. While small, these errors stack up and could be extremely problematic in other scenarios — like if I’d asked for a kid- or vegan-friendly restaurant. 

The later versions of ChatGPT can access the internet for information; this causes more room for potential error, given that the internet is notoriously rife with misinformation. 

Think of ChatGPT as you would any other search engine and keep your wits about you. If something on your itinerary seems fishy, it’s probably because it is.

It will send you to busy tourist spots

When ChatGPT recommended real places to visit, it didn’t fare too badly. However, these places were often the most popular tourist spots.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If a place is busy, it’s usually because it’s good. However, it meant that I spent a lot of time waiting in line. I’m not against waiting for a great experience, but it gets annoying if you have to do it at every stop. 

The issue is that ChatGPT seems to draw heavily on third-party listicles and Google reviews.  I realized afterward that many of ChatGPT’s recommendations appeared in the top articles on Google after searching “best things to do in Lisbon.”  These are the same recommendations most other people are also finding, so expect high footfall. 

I don’t blame the bot for sending me to popular places, but it’d be nice if it diverted more from the well-worn track.

If you’re happy only visiting touristy spots throughout your vacation, this won’t be a problem. Some of the tourist sights are very good. If you’re looking for more authentic hidden gems away from the crowds, ChatGPT isn’t the guide for you.

Your itinerary could become an expedition

ChatGPT does not understand the human concept of a relaxing travel experience — soaking up the surroundings of a new place, immersing yourself in its culture and enjoying yourself. Often it struggled to put together a list of activities close enough to avoid incredibly long walks or Uber rides to the far sides of town between activities. The order of its itinerary was illogical. It would suggest visiting a historical attraction, then eating lunch somewhere that was a 20- to 30-minute cab ride away. Then, it would send me back in the other direction via another marathon Uber journey. 

It doesn’t appreciate that you might want to enjoy each destination before darting to the next.

You might be fine with this, but I found it frustrating. It meant I was more focused on rushing from point A to point B than enjoying the city I was in. 

Don’t forget to interact with real people

Don’t overlook real human conversations if you use ChatGPT as your tour guide. When conversing with a chatty AI, it’s easy to get swept up and do only that — especially when traveling solo.

The best parts of my trip were when I chatted with locals or other tourists and followed their recommendations instead of the bot’s. Humans understand other humans way better than ChatGPT can. In my experience, real human advice is always more enjoyable. 

It sounds cheesy but talk to people. You never know who you’ll meet and what adventures they may set you on.

Ways ChatGPT could help you plan a vacation

Reading all this might sound like enlisting ChatGPT as a travel planner is a wasted endeavor, but it can still be useful.

The trick is to only use it as a broad guide that gives you the margins of a plan and allows you to complete the rest. If you have no idea what the main sights are at your destination or where the best bars are, ask ChatGPT. It’ll quickly provide you with a shortlist of potential options. Then all you need to do is check them online to see if they fit your brief.

Likewise, if you’re unsure about the budget , I found ChatGPT fairly accurate in giving a ballpark figure of expected daily costs. It was also helpful in choosing the destination based on the period I wanted to travel; it also successfully created a checklist of what to pack and the most efficient ways to get from point A to point B. The key is to use it in moderation when you hit a block, need some inspiration for your trip or want help with logistics.

Bottom line

If you use ChatGPT to plan your vacation, be specific about your location. Cities are big places, and the bot doesn’t understand convenience or distance. 

Ask for a broad travel guide rather than a set plan. ChatGPT can provide many helpful suggestions, but don’t let it make the final decision for you. If it sounds fun, do it. If it sounds boring or inconvenient, don’t.

Double-check any itinerary items it suggests. ChatGPT will get things wrong — a lot. Your due diligence will save you a lot of time once you’re on the ground.

If you’re in doubt, ask a local or a fellow traveler for their recommendations. 

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What is Labour’s plan for rail travel and will it make tickets cheaper?

Party wants to fully nationalise train network within five years of coming to power, in ‘biggest rail reform for a generation’

Labour has made one of its most radical proposals yet in the run-up to an election campaign: to fully nationalise the train network within five years of coming to power.

The party has pledged to guarantee the cheapest fares as part of “the biggest reform of our railways for a generation”, bringing all passenger rail into national ownership under the Great British Railways (GBR) body.

So, how difficult would the plan be to enact and what does it mean for passengers?

How would Labour’s plan for Great British Railways change the way the trains are run?

The headline change is nationalisation: the ambition that all passenger train operations, at least, should return to public ownership. But the wider aim is that control of trains and tracks – “wheels and steel”, as some put it – is brought back under one unified structure, at arm’s length from the government.

The actual railway infrastructure is already managed by the state-owned Network Rail, since the disastrous tenure of Railtrack in the early days of privatisation, and train operations in Scotland, Wales and a large chunk of England are in public ownership. So a fully renationalised railway (bar the rolling stock and freight) is not as big a step as it may once have sounded – and arguably the pragmatic extension of the plans drawn up by the Conservatives in 2021, to end the fragmentation and waste in the system.

How long will the changes take?

Labour said it would get the ball rolling on day one. Given the years it has taken for the Conservatives’ GBR plans to crystallise into a draft bill that has scant chance of passing before an election, supporters of the changes would be forgiven for not holding their breath for legislation. But some of the spadework has been done by the GBR transition team, and Labour will be hoping for a more stable tenancy in Downing Street to see the policy through. It is, it stresses, a long-term plan.

As far as nationalisation of the train operators goes, most of the contracts of remaining operators will expire naturally within the next term, while the government can exercise break clauses in others, such as Avanti West Coast and Cross Country.

What would the trains look like?

Eventually, they would all be GBR-branded trains rather than the individual liveries and logos of different operators. Labour hopes that this will make things simpler for passengers, avoiding confusion over ticketing, as well as cutting costs.

Would it make train travel cheaper?

Possibly, but not for a while yet. Labour says it wants to make the railway more affordable but has definitively avoided any pledges to cut or even freeze the overall level of fares.

However, it believes that its plans will eventually save £2.2bn a year by avoiding the duplication and bureaucracy brought on by the current system, where the Department for Transport tightly controls and specifies contracts for the private firms, and reams of staff are employed in back-end roles. That could give ministers some scope to use more of the billions in annual taxpayer subsidy to bring fares down long-term.

What about this best-price guarantee?

Make that an “ambition”, according to the policy document . It’s testament to the complexity, or occasional absurdity, of UK rail fares that even after years of industry focus on improving the system, renationalising looks an easier promise than telling a passenger they’ve paid the right amount.

Things can be improved, Labour says, as contactless tap-in and tap-out payments extend through more and more of the country, opening up the possibility of a Transport for London-style system, where fares are streamlined and automatically capped or refunded.

The shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, pointedly chose the headquarters of Trainline in central London to launch her plans on Thursday, paying tribute to the travel app firm’s “relentless focus on passengers [and] improving their experience”. Trainline shares fell 10%, even though Labour says it has no plans to replace the private firm with a single state retailer.

But given that the app’s business depends on people paying extra to cut through the railway’s confusing fares, fragmentation and lack of a decent central ticketing site, Trainline shareholder nerves might be taken as a vote of confidence that GBR will improve the industry’s own offering.

How else might passengers benefit?

Labour says it would leave the running of the railway to the experts – but the transport secretary would set strategy and take on the role of passenger-in-chief, and the industry would not be “marking its own homework”.

The plan aims to strengthen the voice of passengers by rolling together the various bodies currently meant to be standing up for them – the watchdog Transport Focus and the little-known Rail Ombudsman, as well as a few divisions of the Office of Rail and Road.

What will happen to the private operators?

Their representatives at Rail Partners warn that it will be “messy” and the railway will lose their expertise. But the people actually running train operators, right up to the managing directors, have typically stayed in post with a different coloured badge when the owning groups moved on, and passengers at say, Southeastern or LNER may not feel life is very different. Firms once regarded as pillars of privatised rail such as Stagecoach, National Express (now Mobico) and Virgin have long exited UK rail already, pursuing business elsewhere.

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Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?

Take an epic rail adventure into the Copper Canyon for river kayaking, zip-lining and opportunities to learn from remote Indigenous Rarámuri communities.

Travelling 220 miles through northwestern Mexico from the coastal city of Los Mochis in Sinaloa to the mountain town of Creel in Chihuahua, the Chepe Express is one of Mexico’s few long-distance passenger trains –– and an epic one at that. The train travels through ravines, deserts, gorges and rivers, via 37 bridges and 86 tunnels, to reach the Copper Canyon, a chain of six UNESCO-protected rocky canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Often referred to as the Sierra Tarahumara because of the Indigenous communities that live here, combined they form a gorge that’s four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the US.

The Chepe Express has six modern passenger cars divided into three classes: First Class has panoramic windows, reclining seats and one on-board meal included in the train’s Urike restaurant, which serves traditional dishes from the states of Chihuahua and Sinaloa; Executive Class has spacious seating and access to its own bar; and Tourist Class includes basic, but comfortable upright seating and an on-board snack service.

The journey, which takes nine hours to complete, can be done in a day. However, a hop-on, hop-off ticket allows passengers to explore the Copper Canyon’s towns and sights at a slower pace, staying in hotels or Airbnbs along the route. Highlights include visiting vineyards and waterfalls around the 17 th -century Jesuit town of Cerocahui, located on the edge of the Copper Canyon’s deepest gorge, Barranca de Urique; riding the world’s second-longest zip-line at the Copper Canyon Adventure Park near Divisadero train station, where the mighty Urique and Tararecua rivers converge; and kayaking along the forested Fuerte River.

But perhaps the most singular experience in the Copper Canyon is spending time with the Rarámuri, an Indigenous group that’s lived in the state of Chihuahua for nearly 2,000 years. The arrival of the Spanish in the 16 th century pushed the Rarámuri –– also known as Tarahumara, the name given to them by the Spanish 400 years ago –– into the most remote parts of the Copper Canyon.

Today, the Rarámuri, which loosely translates to ‘runners on foot’ in the Rarámuri language, are best known for their ultra-running abilities, demonstrated in international races and local games like palillo , which involves carrying and throwing a ball over the Copper Canyon’s deep gorges and ravines for several days –– and several hundred miles –– on foot. But running isn’t the Rarámuri’s only skill: cooking with healthy ingredients like blue corn and weaving baskets from natural fibres are just some of the things you can learn while exploring this remote part of northwestern Mexico with them.

Three must-do Rarámuri experiences in the Copper Canyon  

1.   Huetosachi cooking & weaving class

In the small Rarámuri village of Huetosachi, 60 miles north of Divisadero station (the penultimate stop on the Chepe Express), the women offer traditional cooking and weaving classes in their homes. First, you’ll learn how to make pinole   –– an ancient drink made with ground corn that Rarámuri runners use to fuel their ultra-marathons –– and tortillas made with blue corn, also favoured by Rarámuri runners for the bread’s high-protein content and anti-inflammatory properties. Then comes the delicate art of basket weaving using the leaves of the yucca plant, which grows wild across the Americas, or sotol, a plant native to the Chihuahuan desert.

2.   The Giants Trail

The Copper Canyon’s rocky cliffs and deep ravines mean that, even today, numerous parts of it can only be accessed on foot. Generations of Rarámuri runners have carved hundreds of trails into the canyon, many of which carry their own legends. Take a guided hike of the three-hour Giants Trail, led by Rarámuri runners from the Bacajipare community, to learn about Los Ganoko –– mischievous giants that are said to roam the canyon near the Urique River. Additional one-hour hikes to nearby rock paintings and Rarámuri cave tombs can also be organised in Bacajipare.

3.   Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular  

Located in Creel’s old train station, the Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular traces the history and culture of the Rarámuri people from the beginning of Rarámuri life in Chihuahua 2,000 years ago through to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century and up to the present day. The permanent exhibition includes displays of Rarámuri art and textiles, cultural celebrations and religious ceremonies, as well as a collection of 62 photos by French photographer Gérard Tournebize, who lived with and documented the lives of Rarámuri people in the Copper Canyon from 1989 to 1991. Attached to the museum is Casa de las Artesanías, a shop selling traditional Rarámuri arts and crafts.

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