lisbon travel guide pdf 2022

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Lisbon travel guide for food lovers

Introduction.

In this Lisbon travel guide for food lovers , you’ll find firsthand tips on what to do, how to get around, and most importantly, some incredibly delicious food you don’t want to miss in Lisbon.

From traditional Portuguese food to amazingly fresh seafood, Lisbon is a city that will reward any food lover.

Let’s get started with this Lisbon food and travel guide!

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Arriving and Leaving Lisbon

If you fly into Lisbon, you’ll likely land at the main international airport, which is officially known as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport or also known as Lisbon Portela Airport (named from the neighborhood that it’s located in).

My wife and I flew from Barcelona to Lisbon on TAP Portugal, and arrived to the airport which was relatively small and calm. The Lisbon airport is located about 9 kilometers from the center of the city.

Getting From the Airport to the City Center

Again, just like I mention in all my travel guides , it all depends on what location you’re staying in and how much baggage you have which should determine how you get from the airport to your destination. Here are your main options:

• Bus – Taking a bus is a great and budget option for getting to various locations around Lisbon. Since my wife and I landed in Lisbon in the middle of the morning, we decided to take the bus to see some of Lisbon on the ride. The Aero Bus stand is located outside the arrivals terminal, and there’s a stand where you can buy your tickets and wait for the bus to arrive. The routes are very clear and organized, all the information is on the Aero Bus website , and a ride costs 3.15 EUR per person.
• Lisbon Metro – Another public transportation option is taking the Lisbon Metro . The Metro is also a hassle free way to get to and from the airport and is quite affordable. When returning to the Lisbon Airport my wife and I took the Metro from Avenida station to the airport and it took about 35 minutes and cost
• Private Taxi – Taxis are always an option as well, though they are the most expensive (but sometimes) the most convenient option. You’ll find a queue for official taxis outside the arrivals hall, and a taxi from the airport to the center of Lisbon, depending on traffic, will cost you 10 – 20 EUR. But a travel tip from this post on Tripadvisor , says you might be able to get a taxi from the departures floor for cheaper and possibly less of a queue (I can’t personally confirm).

Portugal Visa

Portugal is part of the  Schengen Agreement , so depending on where you’re from, if you need a European Schengen visa, you’ll need to apply for it to enter Portugal before you arrive.

I carry a US passport and US citizens don’t need a visa to enter Portugal for up to 90 days. For my wife, who is a Thai citizen, she applied for her Schengen visa back in Bangkok prior to our arrival in Lisbon.

Make sure you do some of you own research depending on your nationality and the requirement you need to get a Portugal visa.

Places To Stay In Lisbon

Lisbon is a popular European tourist destination and there’s a full range of accommodation you can choose – all the way from budget hostels and apartment rentals to five star heritage hotels.

In this section of this Lisbon travel guide, I’ve arranged it by popular areas of town (because location is one of the most important factors in choosing a place to stay). And in each area I’ve shared a few hotels and places to consider.

1. Baixa-Chiado

This is the heart, the center of Lisbon located near the Praça do Comércio, and surrounded by attractions, cafes and restaurants, public squares, and plenty of transportation options. One of the benefits of staying at a hotel in Baixa-Chiado is that you can walk to many places and you’ll be right in the center of Lisbon action. There’s a good selection of guest houses and hostels throughout Baixa-Chiado including Yes Lisbon Hostel and  Lisbon Old Town Hostel , both of which offer affordable accommodation is great locations.

2. Santo Antonio

Located just a short distance north of the hustle and bustle of Baixa-Chiado is an area of Lisbon called Santo Antonio. The area of town opens up more with more space and it’s home to Avenida da Liberdade which is a huge tree lined boulevard known for shopping and designer brands. In this area of town you’ll find plenty of luxury and designer hotels like Fontecruz Lisboa , which is the hotel my wife and I stayed at during our trip to Lisbon, and the classic  Heritage Avenida Liberdade .

3. Barrio Alto

Barrio Alto is a beautiful hilly district of Lisbon where you’ll find narrow lanes and plenty of local culture. There are many restaurants, cafes, and bars, tucked within Barrio Alto, and it’s also known for being one of the centers of Lisbon nightlife. Barrio Alto makes a great place to stay if you’re looking to be close to the center of town, but have a bit more of a neighborhood feel to it. Small boutique apartments like Alma Apartments are common throughout Barrio Alto.

Being the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, Alfama has a beautiful charm to it and is home to a few of Lisbon’s most famed attractions like the Lisbon Cathedral. When it comes to places to stay, Alfama is a great area to search for apartment accommodation like Pátio Alfama and small hotels like  Hostel Petit Lusa .

What hotel did I stay at in Lisbon? 

On this trip, my wife were on a sponsored stay at Fontecruz Lisboa (Marriott Hotel). I especially loved the location of the hotel, along the tree lined Avenida da Liberdade where it was quiet and peaceful, yet just a 10 minute walk from the action of central Lisbon. As for the hotel itself, I didn’t like the black color theme, but the room was comfortable and service was good.

Travel Packing List

Here are a few of the things I brought with me on my trip to Lisbon, Portugal:

You can also check out all my camera gear here , and my complete travel packing checklist that includes everything I brought.

Portuguese Food

When you think about Portugal, the “ Age of Exploration ” is something that might come to mind – it does for me. What I think really shapes Portuguese cuisine, as well as restaurants you’ll find in Lisbon, is the influence of trade and exploration, combined with the local geography of ingredients available in Portugal.

• Location and Geography – With a long coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is known for being one of the best countries in the world for fresh local seafood. So it’s pretty self explanatory that seafood, ranging from fish to shellfish and crustaceans, plays a major part in Portuguese cuisine. In addition to seafood, Portugal has a Mediterranean climate , with an abundant access to fresh vegetables and Mediterranean climate fruit, and excellent olives and wine.
• Exploration, Trade, and Foreign Influence – One of the most interesting points of Portuguese cuisine is the fact that salted preserved cod-fish (bacalhau), which is caught in the North Atlantic near Norway, is the national food of Portugal. There are said to be over 365 recipes to make bacalhau and this just goes to show the importance of trade and foreign influence in Portuguese cuisine. Additionally, you’ll find spices and ingredients from around the world, particularly from former Portuguese colonies used in Portuguese food. I especially enjoyed the international restaurants in Lisbon, particular Mozambican food.

One more thing I’d like to mention when it comes to Portugal and food…

I for one, have a major debt of gratitude to Portugal and their spread of certain ingredients, namely the chili pepper, which Portuguese delivered from South America to Asia. I’m hugely thankful for chilies in Asian cuisine – what would Thai food be without chilies!

And are you a  Japanese tempura lover? We all have the Portuguese to thank for introducing tempura to Japan.

In this Lisbon travel guide I’ve just included a very brief introduction to Portuguese cuisine, but you’ll find a selection of restaurants below.

Restaurants in Lisbon

Lisbon has a great variety of food options that include everything from local Portuguese family run restaurants, to giant seafood restaurants, to many ethnic restaurants that serve food from Portuguese colonies.

In this Lisbon travel guide I haven’t included an exhaustive list of restaurants in Lisbon, but I just included a few of the best restaurants I personally tried during my visit. If you have any other recommendations, I’d love for you to share it in the comments section below.

Cervejaria Ramiro – This is probably one of the most famous restaurants in all of Lisbon for seafood, and they have gained a reputation because they live up to their standard for serving outstanding seafood and reasonable prices. When I ate at Cervejaria Ramiro, there was a mixture of both locals and tourists, but everyone had a desire to devour some incredibly delicious seafood. The seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro won’t disappoint you. They have a wide selection of mostly shellfish and crustaceans, including the most humongous tiger prawns and most juicy velvet prawns I’ve ever had in my life. Don’t forget to finish your meal at Cervejaria Ramiro with a prego (steak sandwich).  Address : Avenida Almirante Reis, 1H, Mouraria, Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 1 am from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday).

Frangasqueira Nacional – One of the most well known of all Portuguese foods is piri piri chicken. Frangasqueira Nacional is a tiny hole in the wall restaurant that is making a name for themselves for serving some of the best piri piri chicken in Lisbon. The chicken was absolutely wonderful, grilled so it was juicy and slightly charred, and then it was drenched in an oily slightly spicy piri piri sauce. You’ll want to lick your fingers as you polish off your piri piri chicken. By the way, if you’re interested in making piri piri chicken, here’s an awesome looking recipe .  Address : R. da Imprensa Nacional 117, 1200-214 Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 3 pm and 6:30 pm – 10 pm on Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday).

Restaurante Bonjardim – Located in the touristy walking streets behind Restauradores Square, Restaurante Bonjardim is a general Portuguese food restaurant and the place where my wife and I had our first meal in Lisbon. The food was overall alright, probably not the best, but I thought it was a nice place to sit and enjoy the ambiance while eating pretty good Portuguese roast chicken. If you like liver, don’t miss the Arroz Brasileiro, which was a bowl of rice fried with liver. Address : Travessa do Santo Antão, 12, Rossio, Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 11:30 pm daily.

Taberna da Rua das Flores – When I was researching for the best restaurants in Lisbon, I came across Taberna da Rua das Flores. What I didn’t know is that for lunch they serve traditional Portuguese food, but for dinner they serve a seasonal menu of Portuguese ingredients but fusion style dishes. We went for dinner one evening in Lisbon and although I was hoping for traditional Portuguese food, the fusion menu was incredibly good. It’s a trendy restaurant, but you’ll find some delicious food at Taberna da Rua das Flores, and a staff that you can feel is passionate about food.  Address : Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 11:30 pm on Monday to Friday, 6 pm – 11:30 pm on Saturday (closed on Sunday).

Pastéis de Belém – From Macau to Brasil, and available at bakeries across the world, and even at KFC in Thailand, Portuguese egg tarts are a favorite Portuguese pastry. Originally discovered by Portuguese nuns at Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, the sweet treats soon became popular and spread across the world. Pastéis de Belém is the original place that started selling Portuguese egg tarts, dating back to 1837. What I loved about the egg tarts at Pastéis de Belém is that the crust was layered and extremely crispy and flaky, while the egg tart in the middle was creamy and rich.  Address : Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92, 1300 – 085 Lisboa; Open hours : 8 am – 11 pm daily.

Time Out Market Lisboa – Once a historic market in Lisbon (and it’s still partly a fresh wet market), the Time Out Market Lisboa is a modern market concept that includes restaurants, food stalls, and bars with communal tables all under one rood. It’s like a cross between a food court and market food center, yet with a selection of both Portuguese and international food. Many of the stall are on the gourmet and trendy side, but it’s a great place to sample a variety of food in Lisbon in a social atmosphere.  Address : Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-109 Lisboa; Open hours : 10 am – 12 am on Monday to Friday and 10 am to 2 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Restaurante A Merendinha do Arco – Located just a stones throw from Rossio Square in downtown Lisbon, Restaurante A Merendinha do Arco is a traditional Portuguese restaurant. Ying and I ordered bacalhau com grão, one of the classic Portuguese foods of salted cod and garbanzo beans, and carne de porco à alentejana, pork with clams. The food is hearty and filling and classic Portuguese.  Address : R. dos Sapateiros 230, 1100-581, Lisboa; Open hours : 8 am – 8 pm on Monday to Friday, 1o am – 3 pm on Saturday, closed on Sunday.

Chinês Clandestino Restaurant – When my wife and I were in Lisbon, I found that many local Portuguese restaurants are closed on Sundays, and so after checking the opening times of a bunch of restaurants I wanted to try, all of which were closed, we decided to eat Chinese food. Chinês Clandestino Restaurant is a slightly secretive restaurant located on the second floor of a building in a neighborhood and there’s no sign for the restaurant. The food was overall good, and by far the best dish was a bowl of beef with cabbage in a Sichuan style chili oil with Sichuan pepper. Along with the food, the secretive nature of the restaurant is what makes it fun to visit.  Address : Rua da Guia, 9, 2 Dto, Mouraria, Lisboa; Open hours : 11:30 am – 3:30 pm daily.

Restaurante Cantinho do Aziz – One of the reasons I loved Lisbon so much was because of the international influence especially from former Portuguese colonies like Brasil, Angola, and Mozambique. Restaurante Cantinho do Aziz is a Mozambican food restaurant in Lisbon that I was thoroughly looking forward to trying. I started with a plate of samosas that, when paired with the chili sauce provided, were some of the best I’ve had in a long time. Next I had the lamb ribs curry which was outstanding. This is one of my favorite restaurants featured in this Lisbon food guide.  Address : R. de São Lourenço 5, 1100-530 Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 11 pm daily (but I think they sometimes might closed in the afternoon for a while between 3 – 7 pm or so).

Solar dos Presuntos – If you’re ready for a fine dining Portuguese seafood meal, Solar dos Puntos is the place to go in Lisbon. It’s not a cheap restaurant by any means, but the food and wine they serve are of highest quality. Even though most of the menu is seafood based, one of the other things Solar dos Puntos specializes in is Jamón ibérico, and as you sit down at a table there will be a plate of jamon waiting for you.  Address : R. Portas de Santo Antão 150, 1150-269 Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 3:30 pm and 7 pm – 11 pm on Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday).

Cafe Martinho Da Arcada – As I sat drinking my coffee at Cafe Martinho Da Arcada, I just couldn’t stop thinking that I was having a coffee at a cafe that opened in 1782! Although some say it’s become too touristy and expensive, I had a couple cups of coffee and some pastéis de bacalhau (codfish fritters), both of which were delicious.  Address : Praça do Comércio 3, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 7 am – 11 pm on Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday).

Café A Brasileira – This legendary coffee shop in Lisbon has a lengthy history and in its existence has been a favorite cafe for a variety of Portuguese poets and authors. As for the coffee, I’m happy to report it is fantastic – so good that I had to have two cups back to back, and if it wasn’t so late in the afternoon when I went to Café A Brasileira, I probably would have had a couple more.  Address : R. Garrett 120, 1200 Lisboa; Open hours : Open 24 hours.

A Ginjinha – Just a tiny hole-in-the-wall bar off Rossio Square in Lisbon, A Ginjinha serves ginjinha, which is a Portuguese liquer made from sour cherries. You’ll notice everyone who steps into A Ginjinha comes out with a little white plastic cup. Ginjinha was pretty sweet for my taste, but it was a great experience of ordering from the legendary bar and hanging out in the square with my white plastic cup.  Address : Largo São Domingos 8, 1100-201 Lisboa; Open hours : 9 am – 10 pm daily.

Restaurante Zé da Mouraria (I think it is typically closed for the month of August for holidays, which is the month I happen to be in Lisbon) – This is a Portuguese restaurant that I had at the top of my list to try in Lisbon. To my disappointment, they were closed the entire time I was in Lisbon, so I didn’t have a chance to eat here. So let me know if you go!  Address : Rua João do Outeiro, 24/26, Mouraria, Lisboa; Open hours : 12 noon – 4 pm on Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday).

Things To Do In Lisbon

Along with eating, Lisbon is also a fantastic city to walk around and do some sightseeing.

From ancient churches to the castle that sits on the top of the hill overlooking the city, Lisbon has plenty of attractions that are well worth visiting in addition to all the delicious food.

In this Lisbon travel guide blog, I’ve listed a few of the main attractions I visited during my trip.

Castelo de São Jorge – One of the top things to do in Lisbon is explore Castelo de São Jorge. Originally built by the Moors in the 11th century as a citadel on the top one of Lisbon’s hills, the castle has had a long and eventful history. When I visited the castle, it was quite busy, but I still enjoyed wandering around the castle, and the highlight for me was walking along the top walls of the castle while enjoying beautiful views of Lisbon.  Address : R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 9 am – 6 pm daily; Price : 8.50 EUR per person.

Elevador de Santa Justa – Along with various funiculars, the Santa Justa Lift is a fully functioning elevator in downtown Lisbon that dates back to 1902 and was designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel. The elevator was a symbol of class and advancement in Portugal, and now it’s a popular tourist attraction. You can either pay a fee and take the elevator up and down, or you can access it from the back-side cafe to avoid the fee and just go up to the top for a lesser fee to get a great view of Lisbon. Address : R. do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 7 am – 11 am daily; Price : 5 EUR per person for roundtrip ticket.

Ascensor da Glória – Since Lisbon is a very old and hilly city, one of the uniquenesses about Lisbon is that there are still many historical funiculars that transport people from the bottom to the top of hills. Ascensor da Glória is one of the main funiculars, and once you’re at the top you can visit Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for an excellent view over Lisbon.  Address : Calçada da Glória 6, 1250-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 7 am – 11:45 pm on Monday – Friday, 8:45 am – 12 am on Saturday, and 9:15 am – 11:45 pm on Sunday; Price : 3.60 EUR per person roundtrip.

Igreja de São Roque – With a history dating back hundreds of years, Igreja de São Roque is the oldest and most important Jesuit church in Lisbon. Although it appears to be relatively plain and un-flashy from the outside, the church within is loaded with riches. The Capela de São João Baptista, a chapel within the church is loaded with marble, amethyst, alabaster, and lapis lazuli and is considered to be one of the world’s richest chapels. There’s also a museum that connects to Igreja de São Roque where you can see a collection of religious art and relics. Address : Largo Trindade Coelho, 1200-470 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 2 – 7 pm on Monday, 10 am – 7 pm on Tuesday to Wednesday and and Friday to Sunday, and 10 am – 8pm on Thursday; Price – church is free, but museum is 2.50 EUR.

Lisbon Cathedral – Built in 1150 and officially known as the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major, this Roman catholic cathedral is the oldest building in Lisbon and a spectacular sight to see, both the inside and out. What I really liked is that you’re walking along in Lisbon through the narrow lanes of the city and all of a sudden you come to an opening within the streets and the magnificence of the symmetrical cathedral seems to come out of nowhere. Address : Largo da Sé, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 9 am – 7 pm daily; Prices : free entrance but there’s a small fee to enter the cloisters.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian – The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is an art museum in Lisbon that houses a collection of sculpture, jewelry, and many painting exhibitions. The highlight for me was seeing some original paintings by Rembrandt. I wouldn’t really recommend it as one of the top things to do in Lisbon if you don’t love art, but if you do, it’s well worth a visit.  Address : Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 10 am – 6 pm from Wednesday to Monday (closed on Tuesday). Entrance price : 10 EUR per person, but if you go on Sunday it’s free entrance.

Oceanário de Lisboa – Especially a great thing to do with kids in Lisbon, but also fun for any animal lover, the Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The main section is a giant center aquarium surrounded by smaller aquariums and displays are marine creatures from around the world.  Address : Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 10 am – 8 pm daily. Entrance price : 17 EUR per person.

Belém Tower – Some of the most famous attractions in Lisbon are located in Belém, an area of Lisbon located on the mouth of the Tagus River about 6 km from the center of the city. One of the iconic attractions and landmarks is the Belém Tower, a defense tower that was built in the 15th century. Once you pay your entrance fee, you can throughout the tower. Definitely the highlight for me was climbing the tight circular staircase to the top for the view overlooking the Tagus River. Address : Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 10 am – 5:30 pm (but last entrance at 5 pm) from October to May, and 10 am – 6:30 pm from May to September. Entrance price : 6 EUR per person.

Jerónimos Monastery – Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a spectacular monastery in Lisbon. There are two main sections that you can visit at Jerónimos Monastery, the cloisters (where you have to pay an entrance fee) which reminded me of the Taj Mahal. The other part of visiting Jerónimos Monastery is the main cathedral, which is built in Late Gothic Manueline style and is one of the most impressive things to see in Lisbon. My wife and I visited Jerónimos Monastery on a Sunday, and the line to get into the cloister took about an hour, so it was a little long, but the cloister was incredible.  Address : Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal; Open hours : 10 am – 5:30 pm (but last entrance at 5 pm) from October to May, and 10 am – 6:30 pm from May to September. Entrance price : free to enter church, 10 EUR per person to enter cloister.

How To Get Around (Transportation)

Getting around Lisbon by public transportation is overall pretty convenient, though it can get pretty crowded at times (as I found out when waiting for the buses a couple times). If you love to walk, and if you’re ready for some exercise (Lisbon is a hilly city) you can get many places within central Lisbon by foot.

Viva Viagem Card – If you’re planning to take public transportation around Lisbon, it’s very convenient to stop by at any of the Metro station and buy a Viva Viagem card which costs .50 EUR and then you can add money onto it and use it for many types of Lisbon public transportation including metro, bus, and trams.

Here are the main modes of transportation to use around Lisbon:

• Lisbon Metro : The Metro in Lisbon functions pretty well (though sometimes it’s a little infrequent and congested), but you can get many places around the city using the Metro and a little walking. Single ticket rides cost 1.40 EUR or 1.25 EUR per ride if you have a Viva Viagem card. Depending on your schedule, you can also consider a 1 day pass for 6 EUR.
• Bus  (Carris): If you have access to the internet, you can use Google maps to find bus routes where you’re going. Ying and I took a bus from Praça da Figueira to Castelo de São Jorge. I just used my Viva card to swipe and pay, but I think the ride was 1.25 EUR. But on board bus tickets cost 1.80 EUR.
• Tram (Carris): In addition to vintage trams and funiculars, Lisbon also has modern trams. My wife and I took the tram from Cais do Sodré station all the way to Belém which was about a 20 minute ride. Again, you can use your Viva Viagem card to pay for tram fare. Otherwise on board tickets cost 2.85 EUR.
• Private taxi : Finally, there’s always an option for taking a private taxi in Lisbon. Rates begin at around 3.50 EUR and go up by distance and time. Here’s a good pricing estimate tool .

Prices and Expenses

When it comes to prices and expenses in this Lisbon travel guide, it’s not nearly as expensive as most of Western Europe, but it’s still quite a bit more expensive than Eastern Europe. I would say you could get by on a similar budget in Lisbon as Istanbul , maybe a bit more expensive.

Transportation and accommodation can be affordable, and for food it all depends on what you eat – food ranges from 5 EUR a meal to 50 EUR per meal (or more). One thing I’d like to say is that eating fresh seafood in Lisbon provides outstanding value for money.

Accommodation:

• Budget: $30 – $80 USD per night (dorm bed can cost $15 – $25)
• Mid-range hotel: $80 – $150 USD per night
• High end: Anything over $150 USD per night

Transportation:

• Lisbon metro: 1.50 EUR per ride
• Bus ride: 1.25 EUR – 1.80 EUR
• Taxi: 5 – 10 EUR for a short ride, 10 – 20 EUR for a longer ride
• Cup of coffee: 1 – 2 EUR per cup
• Cherry ginjinha: 1.40 EUR per cup
• Bottle of water: 0.63 EUR
• Cheaper take-out restaurant: 5 – 8 EUR per person
• Mid-range restaurant: 8 – 15 EUR per person
• Higher end restaurant: 15 – 65+ EUR per person

Overall budget:

• Budget: $30 – $60 USD per person per day
• Mid-range: $60 – $120 USD per person per day
• High end: $120 – $150 USD (or more) per person per day

The prices in this Lisbon travel guide that are listed above are all from my experience, and things I paid for during my visit to Lisbon.

Just like any destination there are many ways you can save money and get by on much less if you would like and if you travel strategically to do so.

Again, Lisbon is overall pretty affordable compared to most of Western Europe, and especially for the food, the value you get from the amount you pay is well worth it.

One Portuguese man sitting at a table next to me while eating a seafood feast at Cervejaria Ramiro said to me:

“Anywhere else in Europe you’d pay three times the amount.”

Lisbon Travel Videos

During my trip to Lisbon, Portugal, I filmed a daily food and travel vlog that includes all the restaurants and attractions listed in this Lisbon travel guide. You can watch all the videos in order below.

(Or you can watch the Lisbon video series on YouTube here ).

Map of Lisbon

On this map you’ll find all the restaurants and attractions listed in this Lisbon travel guide for food lovers.

Sipping a cup of coffee at a cafe that was opened in 1782, I just couldn’t stop thinking to myself what an awesome city Lisbon is. Everything from the historical attractions to the laid back lifestyle and delicious food is what makes it such a fantastic place.

For food lovers, you’ll have no shortage of delicious food to eat in Lisbon. From classic Portuguese food to seafood that will blow your mind, and a host of restaurants that serve ethnic cuisine from former Portuguese colonies, the food scene is Lisbon is exciting.

I hope this Lisbon travel guide for food lovers will give you some great tips for your visit to Lisbon, Portugal!

Download as a PDF eBook

You can download this Lisbon Travel Guide for Food Lovers as an eBook in PDF format.

It’s free to download , but if this information has been helpful to you and you would like to “add in your own price,” I would be very grateful for your support.

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Lisbon Travel Guide 2024 (+ Free Download)

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Lisbon is a city that will steal your heart from the moment you arrive. Between the pristine views, colorfully tiled buildings, and buzzing art and fashion scene, Portugal’s capital is a captivating destination for all types of travelers.

No matter what you’re here to see and do, one thing’s for sure – you won’t get bored exploring this beautiful city. Our Lisbon Travel Guide will have you planning your dream vacation to Lisbon in no time.

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1 day in lisbon itinerary.

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Facts: Lisbon Travel Guide

• Lisbon is the westernmost capital in Europe!
• It’s nicknamed the City of Seven Hills after the seven hills that surround the main part of the city center.
• If the 25 de Abril Bridge looks familiar, it’s because it has the same design as San Francisco’s Bay Bridge (both were built by the same construction company) and is painted a similar color to the Golden Gate Bridge! 
• After Athens, Lisbon is the second oldest city in Europe, with a history dating back to 1200 BC.
• The yellow trams you see in Lisbon were once called Americanos, as they were modeled after the horse-drawn carriages in New York and New Orleans.
• In 1755, a disastrous earthquake destroyed more than 85% of the buildings in Lisbon and killed one-third of Lisbon’s population.

Lisbon Geography

Portugal’s capital city is located on the banks of the Tagus River between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve. Besides having a beautiful waterfront area, Lisbon is also built on top of a series of hills, great for panoramic views but not so great for easy walking. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes!

Lisbon is roughly 39 square miles, but most of the main sights are in the historic center. It’s in this area where you’ll find the picturesque neighborhoods of Baixa, Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Chiado (we’ll share more about these places a bit later). 

Lisbon Travel Guide Fast FAQs:

What’s the currency.

The Euro! As with many countries in the European Union, Lisbon, as well as the rest of Portugal, uses the Euro.

Do I need cash in Lisbon?

Lisbon is a big, international city, and credit cards are widely accepted by most businesses. However, it’s always a good idea to carry a little bit of cash on you, as some smaller shops may require a minimum spend for card payments. And if you’re taking public transportation and don’t buy a ticket at the machine ahead of time, you’ll also need cash to pay the driver.

Can I use my electronics in Lisbon?

Yes, you can use your electronics in Lisbon, but you will need an adapter if you’re coming from the US. The outlets in Portugal are either type C or type F, which is different from the outlets you use at home. 

Another thing to consider is the voltage. US electronics run on 110-120 volts, while Portugal (and the rest of Europe) uses 220-240 volts. Small electronics, like cell phones, tablets, and laptop chargers, can be used without the need for a converter. 

Larger items, like hair styling tools, probably won’t work. And there’s a chance they could break or blow out the converter, so it’s best to leave those types of electronics at home.

Is a visa needed to visit Lisbon?

If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Lisbon. You will be able to enter Portugal and other countries in the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days.

However, there will be some slight changes to this process when the EU rolls out the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) program in 2025. This will require citizens from visa-exempt countries (like the US) to apply for pre-authorization before being allowed to enter the Schengen Area. 

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Lisbon?

Lisbon offers a wide range of attractions with a Mediterranean climate, making it an excellent year-round destination. However, we prefer to travel during the shoulder seasons, March and September to October, as they tend to be cheaper and less busy (although Lisbon is generally pretty crowded throughout the year).

Summers are sunny and dry, but they can be quite warm into the mid-80s (Fahrenheit). As it’s peak summer vacation season, things are likely to be very busy, which drives up the cost of flights and hotels. Winters in Lisbon are mild and rarely dip below 50 degrees, so it’s still possible to spend some time outside. But we prefer it when things are a little warmer and sunnier so we can make the most of all the activities the city has to offer.

Spring is a good time to go because it’s warm (anywhere from the mid-60s to mid-70s) yet before the busy summer season.

Fall is also a quieter time, and days can be in the mid to upper 70s. However, this is also the rainy season for Lisbon, with November being the wettest month of the year. 

How Many Days Should You Spend in Lisbon?

Ideally, you should plan to stay at least 4 days in Lisbon. This will give you time to hit the major sites and get a good feel of the different areas and neighborhoods in the city. 

But if you have the time, we recommend staying for a full week. This will allow you to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace and give you time to go on a day trip to either Sintra or Cascais. 

Is Lisbon Expensive to Visit?

Compared to many big cities in the US and Western Europe, Lisbon is relatively affordable. However, things are slowly changing as more and more tourists come to visit. While prices are more expensive than they were several years ago, we still wouldn’t consider Lisbon an expensive destination.

Getting to Lisbon

If you’re flying into Lisbon, you’ll likely arrive at the Lisbon International Airport (LIS), formally known as the Humberto Delgado Airport, which is located just 4 miles north of the city center. From there, you’ll have several different options to get into the city.

Metro from the Airport to Lisbon

The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center is by metro. While there is a direct train into Lisbon, you’ll likely need to transfer if your hotel is in one of the touristy areas like Alfama, Baixo, or Chiado. 

From the airport, you’ll take the red line and transfer to the green line at the Almeda station or the blue line at São Sebastião. The metro is quite easy to navigate as everything is clearly labeled! 

A ticket costs 1,80€ for unlimited rides on the metro for 60 minutes. You can use your contactless card, purchase a day pass, or buy a Navagante card (a top-up card for occasional use), which reduces the fair price to 1,61€.

Taxi from the Airport to Lisbon

Taxis can be quite expensive in Lisbon, with a trip from the airport costing anywhere from 15€ to 25€ (rides are metered). However, it is very fast and efficient, usually taking 20 to 30 minutes. A taxi is also a good option if you’re staying in an area that isn’t easily served by the metro.

Ride Share from the Airport to Lisbon

Apps like Uber and Bolt are readily available in Lisbon and are generally cheaper than taxis. And because you get the price upfront, you won’t have to worry about getting ripped off. 

Getting Around Lisbon

Despite all the cobblestone alleys and steep hills (it’s called the city of Seven Hills for a reason!), Lisbon is relatively easy to get around. There’s an underground metro, a network of buses, funiculars, and, of course, the iconic yellow trams!

Here are some helpful tips for getting around Lisbon:

• Download the CityMapper app : This is a fantastic app that shows you all the different transportation options for your journey, along with real-time arrival info.
• Opt for a day pass: For just 6,80€, you can ride the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars as much as you want for 24 hours. You can also purchase a Navagante card (0,50€ upfront), which is a top-up card that you can preload money onto. It’s a better option if you are using public transportation occasionally for multiple days.
• The metro takes contactless payment: Bank cards are accepted for the metro, but all other forms of transportation require cash or the Navagante card.
• Take a ride on Tram 28E: The route winds through the historic center and takes you past numerous sights, making it an affordable and fun way to see the city. If you do not have a Navagante card, you will need to pay 3€ cash to the driver when you board.
• Bring a comfy pair of shoes if walking: The hills can be steep, but exploring the different areas and neighborhoods on foot is the best way to get a feel for the city!
• Cross the Tagus by boat: If you want to go on the other side of the river, you can take the 10-minute Transtejo ferry from Cais do Sodré to Montijo, Seixal, and Cacilhas.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

There are lots of unique Bairros (neighborhoods) in the city, but we recommend staying in central Lisbon, close to the main tourist sights. Here are some good neighborhoods to choose from in the city center, as well as a few more for off-the-beaten-track options.

Considered to be the historic heart and commercial center of the city, Baixa is arguably the most crowded part of Lisbon. Although it can be touristy, the streets are wide, flat, and lined with gorgeous buildings, and there’s always something happening on every block. And with Alfama to the east and Bairro Alto to the west, it’s centrally located next to many of Lisbon’s main sights and attractions.

Here are some popular things to do in Baixa:

• Enjoy the views from atop the Arco da Rua Augusta or grab a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants on Praça do Comércio.
• Take the St Justa Lift to the observation deck on top.
• Go shopping and see street performers on Rue Augusta. 

Alfama is the oldest and arguably most picturesque neighborhood in Lisbon. It’s located at the foot of St Geroge Castle and is famous for its winding alleys, small squares, and charming architecture. There’s a certain old-world charm about Alfama, although it has now become quite the fashionable and artistic area. 

While you’re here, you can:

• Visit the ancient St George Castle
• Listen to traditional Fado music at one of the many bars or restaurants (Fado originated right here in Alfama).
• See the Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the entire city.

Bairro Alto

If you’re looking for the best nightlife in Lisbon, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for in Bairro Alto. It is located on the hill to the west of Baixa and is primarily a residential neighborhood. And while there’s not much going on here during the day, it can be quite loud and rambunctious at night. Fado bars, sports pubs, nightclubs, cocktail lounges – you name it, Bairro Alto has it. 

Besides enjoying the nightlife, there are a few other attractions worth visiting, like:

• The São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint for stunning city views.
• The Santa Catarina viewpoint for sunset (it has a terrace facing the port)
• The Bica Funicular, which takes you from Bairro Alto to Cais do Sodré

Although it’s technically part of Baixa, Chiada is the more cosmopolitan part of the neighborhood. Here, you’ll find historic and modern commercial establishments with lots of bookstores, retail shops, museums, cafes, and Michelin-star restaurants. While there are loads of tourists here, it’s also popular with locals as its the primary shopping area in Lisbon (especially along Rue Garrett).

Some of the best activities in Chiado include:

• Shopping, of course! Check out the Armazens do Chiado mall, Café A Brasileira, and Bertrand Bookstore (the oldest bookstore in the world)
• Visit the Carmo Convent to see the ruins of a Gothic church that collapsed during the 1755 earthquake.
• Head to the Chiado Museum to enjoy Portuguese romantic, naturalist, modern, and contemporary art.

Cais do Sodré

Despite its rough and seedy history, Cais do Sodré is now one of the more bustling neighborhoods of Lisbon (mainly due to all the lively bars and nightclubs). But if you’re here during the day, the best thing to do is head to the waterfront or to one of the little parks. There aren’t too many big tourist attractions here, but it’s still worth visiting for the markets, water views, and trendy nightlife scene.

Don’t miss:

• Grabbing a late lunch or early dinner at the Time Out Market (although it can be expensive and touristy). You can also stroll through the Mercado da Ribeira to get a taste of daily Portuguese life
• Bar hopping on Pink Street
• Strolling through Jardim Dom Luis, our favorite park in the entire city.

Principe Real

This is one of the more upscale neighborhoods in the city. Located on the west side of the historic center north of Chaido and Bairro Alto, Principe Real is lined with 19th-century mansions, picturesque gardens, and designer boutiques. Very few tourists make it up here, which is a shame because it’s a really beautiful area! But on the plus side, it’s a great place to see local life and get out of the main bustle of Lisbon.

Some of the best things to do in Principe Real include:

• Wandering through the Jardim Botanico de Lisboa, a huge botanical garden with ponds, walking trails, playgrounds, and kiosks.
• Seeing the massive banyan trees in the Principe Real Garden.
• Taking the number 24 tram (it’s a classic remodelado tram) from Chaido up to Principe Real.

Avenue of Liberty

To the north of Bairro Alto sits the Avenue of Liberty, a ritzy, tree-lined avenue modeled after the Champs Elysees. This is a very high-end neighborhood with lots of boutique hotels, designer shops, and world-class museums. It’s also the embassy area, which adds a cosmopolitan flair to the area. It’s also a good place for an afternoon stroll, although we recommend taking the metro up here so you don’t wear yourself out before.

Along the Avenue of Liberty, there are some activities you won’t want to miss, including:

• Visiting Edward the VII Park, the largest park in central Lisbon.
• Seeing the Praça dos Restauradores square and taking a ride on the Gloria Funicular nearby.
• Exploring one of the many museums, including the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes (art museum), Medeiros and Almeida Museum (antique museum), or the Cinemateca Portuguesa Cinema Museum (cinema museum)

To the left of the historic city center, you’ll find the quaint residential neighborhood of Estrela. It has a very peaceful atmosphere that attracts families and visitors looking to explore the quieter side of Lisbon. And because it runs up the river, you can enjoy beautiful water views from the many different terraces and viewpoints. 

The best activities in Estrela include:

• Going into the Basilica of Estrela to see the 500-figure nativity scene made out of cork and terra cotta.
• Strolling through Jardim da Estrela, an English-style garden with duck ponds and cute cafes.
• Grabbing lunch at Mercado de Campo de Ourique.

Although it’s a bit further outside of the main part of Lisbon (it’s a 20-minute drive, although you can also take the tram, train, or bus), Belem is a neighborhood that should be on your itinerary. It was here that Vasco da Gama set sail for India in 1497, so there was a strong sense of pride amongst the locals.

You could easily spend the whole day wandering through the tree-lined plazas, walking along the river, or visiting one of the many different museums in town.

Some of our favorite things to do in Belem include:

• Visiting the Jeronimo Monastery to see Vasco da Gama’s tomb
• Walking to the water to see the 16th-century Belém Tower
• Take a sunset sailing cruise

Things to Do in Lisbon: Classic Experiences

Lisbon has no shortage of fun things to do, but there are a few experiences you have to put on your itinerary. A Lisbon Travel Guide would not be complete without sharing some of our favorite things to do in Lisbon.

Lisbon Travel Guide Video: Skip the Lines!

We don’t like waiting in lines, especially in the Lisbon heat. Watch our video for tips on skipping the lines in Lisbon at the most popular attractions. These tricks, techniques, and entrance times worked for us!

Ride the Tram

As we mentioned earlier, the 28E tram is a popular tourist route that takes you past some important landmarks in the city. Not only does it head into the heart of the historic district, but it also takes you past the Lisbon Cathedral, the Time Out Market, and the St George Castle.

As the most popular sightseeing tram for tourists, it can get very busy. We recommend hopping on at one of the departure stations (Martim Moniz or Campo Orique) if you want to guarantee a seat. 

Ride the Santa Justa Elevator

The 19th-century Santa Justa Elevator is one of the best places for sweeping city views. While it was originally built as a form of public transportation to take people up the steep hill, it’s now a popular tourist attraction thanks to the beautiful architecture and panoramic observation deck. A ticket to ride the elevator costs 5,30€, although you can always walk up the hill and walk along the viewing platform for free.

Explore St George Castle

As one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks, St George Castle sits atop the highest hill in the city. The castle was originally constructed by the Moors in the 11th century and was later used as a royal residence for Portuguese Kings and Queens. The views from here are breathtaking, but inside the fortress walls, you’ll find centuries’ worth of artifacts as well as a flock of feathered peacocks!

Take a Walking Tour

Explore Lisbon like a true local by booking a walking tour during you visit. This is a great way to learn more about the history and culture of the city and to see some unique places that you might have otherwise missed.

Best of all, there are lots of companies that offer free or pay-as-you-wish walking tours. Two of the most well-known ones are Discover Lisbon and Guru Walk .

Take a Tagus Boat Tour 

On a nice day, there’s nothing more relaxing than cruising down the Tagus River. While there are ferries that take you back and forth between Lisbon and Almada, the ride is short and doesn’t give you a chance to appreciate the scenery. Instead, we recommend booking a boat tour. We took one from Belem, but there are lots of other options departing from the center of town near Praça do Comércio.

Go on a Tuk Tuk Tour

If you’re looking for a fun and unique activity, this is it! Tuk tuks are really popular in Lisbon as they can zip down the narrow streets and up the hills with ease. And since you’ll be going with a guide, you’ll get loads of insightful facts and tidbits about different sights in the city. You can book a 1- or 2-hour tour, but they are so fun we recommend going for the half-day option!

Visit Jeronimo Monastery

Belem is a picturesque district roughly 5 miles to the west of downtown Lisbon. It’s worth coming here for a few hours, especially to see the Jeronimo Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the resting place of Vasco da Gama, the first explorer to sail from Europe to Africa. But besides the tomb, the monastery is an impressive structure known for its Manueline (Gothic Portuguese) architecture.

Take a Day Trip to Sintra

Sintra is easily the most popular day trip for those visiting Lisbon. Nestled on the hills of the Sierra de Sintra, this UNESCO-designated town boasts a handful of royal palaces, villas, and castles. The three main sights include the medieval Castle of the Moors, the romanticist Pena National Palace, and the Manueline Quinta de Regaleira. From Rossio Station, it’s just a direct 40-minute train ride away, so it’s possible to go and be back in time for dinner.

Grab a Drink from a Quiosque and Sit in the Park

This is one of our favorite local experiences in Lisbon. While you’re here, you’ll likely see these little stand-alone gazebos dotted through the city’s parks and squares. These are kiosks (or, as the Portuguese say, quiosque). They serve coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails, while some of them offer snacks or light meals as well. 

Where to Eat in Lisbon

Portuguese food may not be as well known as other destinations in Europe, which is surprising because we had some excellent meals here! But as an international city, you’ll find lots of different food options here, ranging from cheap (and delicious) to upscale.

Here are some places we particularly enjoyed:

• Bonjardim : Piri Piri Chicken is a very popular dish in Portugal, and Bonjardim is one of the best places to try it! The portions are huge, and the restaurant itself is quite cute and charming.
• O Frade : This small, family-run restaurant in Belem serves traditional Portuguese dishes from the Alentejo region. It’s a bit on the pricier end, but a nice treat for lunch or dinner.
• Time Out Market : Lisbon has some excellent food markets, with Time Out being the most popular. Located right by the waterfront, this market has a huge choice of different food options inside, along with several bars, bakeries, and pastry shops.
• LX Factory : LX Factory is a really cool industrial art center 2.5 miles out of the city center. There are some good restaurants and bars here, but come on Sunday for the LX Farmer’s Market for fresh produce and delicious local goods!

• Cervejaria Ramiro : One of the best places in the city for fresh seafood. Crabs, prawns, lobster, crab, oysters – they have it all! Just make sure to make a reservation because this place can get busy.
• Solar dos Presuntos : This is an excellent restaurant for special occasions. They serve a variety of meat and fish dishes family-style, so it’s perfect for sharing!
• Frade Dos Mares : A great, contemporary restaurant for seafood. Octopus is the main star of the menu, although they also have a wide array of vegetarian and meat options (plus a kids menu!).
• O Trevo : This little snack bar on the corner of the busy Praça Luís de Camões square serves the best pork bifana sandwiches in the city. They’re cheap, filling, and worth the wait (because there is always a line). Cash only.
• Heim Cafe : For breakfast or brunch, grab a table at Heim Cafe. It’s a bit off the main tourist track, but they whip up some of the best waffles and French toast in the city!
• Pasteis De Belem : Pasteis De Belem has been making pastel de nata (Portuguese egg tarts) since 1837. It’s definitely worth the trip over to Belem just for these!

Keep in mind that most restaurants don’t open for dinner until 7 PM, so make sure you have a late lunch if you think you’ll be hungry before then!

Heading Out of Lisbon

If you’re lucky enough to have a few extra days to spend in Portugal, then there are some excellent destinations that are easy to reach from Lisbon.

If you could only take one-day trip from Lisbon, make it to Sintra. With so many fascinating palaces, villas, and castles just a 40-minute train ride away, it’s really worth planning a trip there. While you might not be able to tick everything off in just one day, make sure you at least get to visit the Castle of the Moors, Pena National Palace, and the Quinta de Regaleir.

With sandy beaches, a historic old center, and a plethora of gourmet restaurants, the coastal town of Cascais is a great place to spend the day. It’s a popular resort area for locals, although you don’t have to come in summer to enjoy the different sights and attractions. And it’s just a quick 40-minute train ride away, so it’s a good option for a day trip.

If you want to see another part of Portugal, then the beautiful city of Porto can be reached in three hours by train. Plan on spending the night here, so you have ample time to explore the city and the numerous port houses that are along Duoro River. 

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Section in Lisbon Do & See A true modern metropolis that can compete with any world capital in the number of attractions, Lisbon is a city that is on the up and up. Best known for its colonialist history, rich architectural tradition and Fado music, the city is perfect for long walks — hike up the hills of Alfama or at St George's Castle to get the most spectacular views. Romans, Berber pirates, Moorish builders and brutal Reconquista knights left their mark on the urban fabric of the city. Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife spots are situated along the river. Dive headfirst into the bohemian atmosphere of Lisbon. Read more

São Jorge Castle

Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour

Jerónimos Monastery

National Tile Museum

Parque Das Nações

Church of São Roque

Lisbon Food & Wine Tour

Gulbenkian Foundation

Lisbon Oceanarium

São Pedro de Alcântara Garden & Viewing Platform

Pavilion of Knowledge

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 time 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 detailed guide to spending 3 days in Lisbon, 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 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 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 Time 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 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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• Surfing in Lisbon: Best Surf Spots
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The Ultimate Lisbon City Guide for 2024

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. With its population of over 505 thousand people, it is the 11 th most crowded city amongst European Union cities. Lisbon’s population constitutes over a quarter of the total population in Portugal. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. As a result, Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport welcomes more than 20 million visitors per year.

Historically, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Under the Phoenicians’ reign, Lisbon was used as a trade port with its strategic location during 1200s BC. The city that spent several centuries under Rome’s reign and then several centuries under Muslims’ reign offers many antique beauties to its guests.

Apart from its historical attractions, Lisbon also offers a vibrant, modern city life with attractions for both who seek peace and adventure. The city’s nightlife is among the bests of Europe.

Why Lisbon?

Lisbon is a city that combines its cultural and historical heritage with its modern city life very well. Packed with significant traces of Phoenician, Roman and Moorish influences, the capital has no shortage of historical and cultural context that may lure visitors from everywhere and all ages. Also, Lisbon has a vibrant nightlife which caters to the younger visitors. For people who seek fun and adventure in their journeys, Lisbon has something to offer any moment of the day.   Portuguese cuisine is not one of the most famous cuisines in the world; however, -especially in terms of seafood- Lisbon has many delicacies to offer. The city even has great beaches to spend time under the sun in the beautiful Mediterranean climate.

Thus, Lisbon is a destination where everyone can enjoy their time. Involving cultural, historical, and artistic attractions together with the modern activities and paradisal beaches, the Portuguese capital offers a whole package to its visitors.

Where to Visit in Lisbon?

Lisbon has several districts that are especially popular among tourists. These are the historical and cultural centers of the city. Namely Belem, Bairro Alto, Alfama, Estrela, Chiado, Sao Bento, and Baixa are the places where tourists spend most of their time. City’s important artifacts, buildings, museums, and attractions are mostly concentrated in these neighborhoods.

In Baixa, there is everything including top-quality restaurants, great shops, and clubs. Chiado is the next-door neighbor of Baixa where art galleries and design workshops dot the area. Bairro Alto is the place where the city’s vibrant nightlife is focused. There are also many bars with live music and street art pieces in the district. Alfama is the picture-perfect neighborhood of Lisbon that often shows off in postcards. With its narrow streets, Azulejos buildings, and tram numbered 28; Alfama takes its visitors back in time. Belem is a bit far from the city center but a traveler needs to stop by here. Famous Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, and Padrao Dos Descobrimentos are located here.

When to visit Lisbon?

Lisbon, typically, is under the influence of the Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Lisbon having an ocean coast makes the capital a little milder which results in longer summers. In June, July, August, and September, air temperature is usually around 35 C degrees. During summers, Lisbon is full of robust festivals, activities, and concerts. To experience the city’s essence fully, summer would be the best time to visit Lisbon. April and May are also good times to visit since there are festivities during these months, too. Also, the weather is quite nice during spring in Lisbon. However, these attractions cause the city to get crowded with tourists. Visitors from all around the world rush to the beautiful capital. Hence, visiting Lisbon in winter might mean missing the outdoors activities of the summer, but it also means that the city will be much less crowded and open to be explored.

When to go in Lisbon     Winter in Lisbon Rainy Day in Lisbon

How Long to Spend in Lisbon?

Lisbon, as said, offers so much to its visitors that it is hard to put a timeline as to how long would be the ideal trip to this beautiful city. If the aim is to merely see everything in Lisbon, a few days might be enough. Yet, if the visitors want to experience the city to the fullest, every activity needs its own time.

In 24 hours, tourists might arrange a program involving Bairro Alto, Alfama, and the Lisbon Castle with plenty of time to spend in each. If there is an extra day, Baixa and Chiado districts may be added to the program with a small trip to Belem. If the journey is for three days, visitors might enjoy a night out at Bairro Alto and spend some more time in Belem with a few additional visits. One week is probably the ideal period for a fulfilling Lisbon trip. During this period, visitors may feel the atmosphere of Lisbon wholly while being able to spare enough time to each destination in the city.

A Budget-Friendly Guide for Lisbon

Transportation in Lisbon

Lisbon has a good transportation network that connects every part of the city with reasonable fees. A rental car might of course be needed when traveling into regions in-depth with inefficient public transportation, but in general, public transportation of Lisbon should be enough to take tourists everywhere.

Lisbon’s famous yellow streetcars are the most popular transportation option within the city. These vintage cars connect the city’s narrow and acclivitous streets. These cars have been working for the city’s transportation for almost 150 years now. One trip tickets for these cars cost 2.90 euros. So, it would be more logical to buy daily tickets which cost around 6 euros. Lisbon’s subway network is not highly developed, but it is efficient. However, to be able to travel through the city’s unique atmosphere, the subway is not the ideal choice. City’s more developed bus network might be a better idea when it comes to observing the city during trips. One trip tickets for the metro costs 1.40 euros and costs 1.80 euros for the buses.

Lisbon’s Trams           Lisbon Metro Guide

Aerobus in Lisbon             Lisbon Ferry Guide

Beaches of Lisbon

When it comes to capitals, it is often very hard to find clean, untainted, and quiet beaches around. However, Lisbon, with its long coastline, does not lack superb beaches either. Especially on the west coast of the city, there are many beaches. The climate of the city allows the weather to be nice and warm throughout the summer. Therefore, the city’s atmosphere is quite fitting for summer getaways. The city has many beautiful beaches which are easy to be reached from the city center. Most of these beaches do not need more than one hour from anywhere in Lisbon. In these beaches, tourists can have a drink, eat delicious meals, read their books, walk, swim, surf and enjoy the good weather. Some of the most famous beaches of Lisbon are Cascais, Praia do Guincho, Praia do Cresmina, and Costa Caparica.

Lisbon’s Beaches       Beaches in Cascais

Silver Coast Portugal         Surfing in Portugal

What to Eat in Lisbon?

While not a very famous one, Portuguese cuisine is delicious. Neighboring French and Spanish cuisines are far more famous than the Portuguese. However, it does not mean that Portuguese cuisine is not existent. Most of this cuisine consists of rice and potato-based meals. Usually, casseroles, grilled meat, and some fish accompany rice and potatoes. Barbecued sardine and pork stew are some of the essentials of Portuguese cuisine. Bacalhau, Francesinha, Cozido a Portuguesa, Pastel de Nata and Bola de Berlim are some of the most famous dishes of Portuguese cuisine. Portugal also has its coffee named Galao, which must be tried without leaving Lisbon

     Where to Eat         Best Restaurants in Lisbon

Quality of Life

The capital of Portugal is a shining star on the west coast of the Continent. People from all over the world fly to this beautiful city, sometimes as new residents, sometimes as tourists. One thing is certain though, Lisbon never ceases to amaze. Compared to a lot of the other popular capitals of the world, Lisbon’s quality of life is exemplary. The city offers minimal traffic, amazing and efficient transportation options, plenty of beautiful parks and playgrounds for children. For families, Lisbon is a great option to consider both for living and vacation.

How Safe & Sound is Lisbon?

Neighborhoods of Lisbon are planned efficiently also. Each one carries the qualities of a small city. It is very likely to have everything within walking distance. Also, most of the locals speak very good English. So, the language and communication will not be a big problem for visitors. Many other small perks make day to day life much easier. How long it takes to travel to work or school, where to find quality food, where to entertain the kids are all problems that are more than usual in popular capitals. Yet Lisbon outclasses other capitals in each of these characteristics.

Cost of Living in Lisbon

Portugal is a member of the European Union, and is in the Eurozone, which means that the country’s official currency is Euro. This is always a disadvantage for countries that use other currencies. However, Lisbon is one of the most reasonably priced capitals tourists may ever go to, especially in Europe. It is possible in Portugal to drink a cup of coffee for around 1,5 to 3 euros. A meal in a medium quality restaurant would cost around 8 to 15 euros and a beer usually costs around 2 euros. For museum entrances and transportation fees, tourists can obtain a Lisboa Card which has different versions for 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days. These cost differently, but definitely worth the money. Lisboa Card can be obtained at the airport.

Day Trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is surrounded by natural wonders, ancient ruins, historical monuments, and magical castles. Many beauties around the Portuguese capital wait to be explored by the tourists. These destinations are within a very close range of Lisbon by any means of transportation. Some of the city’s best beaches are among these destinations together with charming villages that take visitors back in time. Also, these places usually are stripped from the capital’s crowd. In peace, many spots around Lisbon are day trip options. Some of them are Sintra, Palacio Nacional de Queluz, Cascais, Evora, Batalha, Fatima, Costa de Caparica, Serra de Arrabida, and Sesimbra.

One Day in Lisbon         Two Days in Lisbon

Three Days in Lisbon         1 Week in Lisbon

What to Pack for Lisbon

What to pack for Lisbon, of course, differs according to the season. Considering that the most popular tourism period of the capital is summer, the essentials of the backpack are light items. Several t-shirts, shorts, skirts and swimsuits are musts of the list. Ocean winds of the capital might make the weather cool at nights even in summers. So, it would be a good idea to pack one or two jackets just in case. Considering the amount of sunny days, a hat and a powerful sunscreen are not to be forgotten before the trip. Finally, a smaller pack for daily use would be ideal since traveling around with a huge backpack might take the joy out of the trip.

Enjoying Lisbon

Lisbon is a city that knows how to have fun. Therefore, just getting along would probably result in an awesome vacation. Lisbon has lively activities at night as much as it has in the daylight. Portuguese people –as many people around the Mediterranean- love to eat, drink and have fun. It means that if the tourists can get a glimpse of the colorful population of the locals, they need not bother looking for eccentric activities around.

What to do in Lisbon: 40 Essential Activities

To enjoy Lisbon to the fullest, it is essential to breathe the air of the city which is full of history, art, literature, and music. No Lisbon trip is ever finished without a trip to beaches, to Gulbenkian Museum, to a restaurant with the company of Fado, to a coast diner, and to narrow cobblestone districts of the city with its picturesque yellow streetcars.

Moving to Lisbon

Lisbon is a popular destination for people from all around the world to move to these days.  The relocation reasons may vary from career moves to education or retirement, among many others.  Though, what is stable is the hospitality of the Portuguese people against those who decide to move to Portugal.  There are many ways to arrange for a residence permit in Portugal.  In case you are an EU citizen, you automatically get the right to reside in Portugal.  If not, Portugal’s residence by investment program has been on the rise in recent years; you can read more about the Portugal Golden Visa.  Some other options for non-EU citizens include the D7 Visa or your company or your Portuguese spouse to sponsor you.

Jobs in Portugal for Foreigners         Buying Property in Portugal

Palaces and Castles in Lisbon

Portugal Golden Visa Ending: Not Exactly

Online Shopping in Portugal

Portugal Festivals

Portuguese Culture and Traditions: A Journey Through the Wonders

Hotel Mundial in Lisbon

Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon

Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa

Lisbon Events in 2023

Lisbon Guide For LGBTQ+ People 

Portuguese Food: All You Need To Know

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Most Popular Lisbon Articles

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Northeast of Eduardo VII Park is the Gulbenkian Museum, one of the world’s great museums and one of Europe’s hidden gems. Part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it houses one of the best collections of Ancient & Classical Art in the whole continent. The museum consists of the Founder’s Collection and the Modern housed in […]

Located along the banks of the Tagus River, Belem is one of the popular districts in Lisbon. There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belem as well. These are Jerominos Monastery and the Belem tower Lisbon.  Belem is historically important too because Vasco da Gama set off from Belem to discover new trade routes […]

10 Things to Do in Lisbon with Kids

Finding a nice place for vacation is not a simple endeavor. When there are small children involved, it is extra hard. There are many reasons for this. The places to visit might not be fitting for little children, the activities might not be very safe, and the public spaces might not be very kid-friendly at […]

Lisbon remains Western Europe’s least expensive capital and beyond that, shopping is also a cultural experience here. These are the trendiest places to shop, from chic clothing stores to exhibitions for hipsters. LUVARIA ULISSES Rua do Carmo, 87A (Chiado) Competing for the title of “world’s smallest shop,” this is a tiny glimpse into 1920s glamour. […]

NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade

NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade is a four-star hotel located on Liberdade Avenue. The hotel offers views over the city and the Tagus River. It’s also quite easy to arrive here thanks to the Avenida Metro Station in front of NH Collection Lisbon. It’s only around 12 minute’s walk away from the districts of Bairro Alto […]

El Corte Inglés of Lisbon: Shopping Guide

El Corte Inglés of Lisbon is the only department store in the city and it has everything. As a huge building, El Corte Inglés has everything from clothing to accessories, from decoration to sports, and many others like perfumes, cosmetics, technology, kids’ aisles, food, jewelry, etc. Home to many world-famous brands, El Corte Inglés is […]

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3 days in Lisbon: Ultimate Guide to a Lisbon City Break

After spending 3 days in Lisbon last month, I fell madly in with this cultural city. I’ve pulled together a guide to a Lisbon city break and I’ve done all the research for you including where to stay, where to eat, what to do and how to get there. 

Lisbon is amazing city, and one of my favourites in the world. You can also grab yourself a famous pasteis de Nata, visit the imposing São Jorge Castle, take in all the views from the famous Alfama district, walk around Barrio Alto and take photos against the city’s pastel-colored buildings, and there is even enough time to see the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Three days is the perfect length of time to fully discover Lisbon so keeping reading for all my tips and tricks on how to plan your Lisbon city break. 

This huge blog post will provide you with a suggested three day itinerary of Lisbon, which could be used for a short city break or as part of an extended tour of Portugal. And if you’ve got longer than three days in Lisbon, outside the city there you can also visit beach towns such as Cascais to Estoril. Check out my guide to days trips from Lisbon too.

Note: This guide only focuses on the city of Lisbon and not the surrounding region. There are lots of days trips from Lisbon which you can take and I have another blog post on these, so you can extend your stay as part of a bigger trip around Portugal.

So what are you waiting for? Book your flights, already!

Top 21 Things to do in Lisbon

• Praça do Comércio
• Tower of Belém
• Jerónimos Monastery
• Alfama district
• Bairro Alto
• Santa Justa Lift
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos
• Oceanário de Lisboa
• Eduardo VII Park
• National Sanctuary of Christ the King
• Lisbon Cathedral
• Ponte 25 de Abril
• Avenida da Liberdade
• National Pantheon
• Miradouro Portas do Sol
• São Jorge Castelo
• Praça Dom Pedro IV
• Santa Justa Miradouro
• Carmo Convent
• Igreja de São Roque

READ MORE: How to spend 3 Days in Porto

Overview: 3 days in Lisbon Itinerary

The following is an overview for our suggested 3 day in Lisbon:

• Morning – Arrive on a plane and head for lunch at Basilio
• Afternoon –  Head out to explore Chiado and Bairro Alto districts including The Pink Street, Santa Justa Lift, drinks at PARK and then a mid-afternoon snack at Manteigaria
• Evening – Fado music performance and then dinner at SEEN restaurant and Sky Bar
• Additional – Drinks at rooftop bar H10 Duque de Loulé near hotel
• Morning – Take a vintage motor sidecar tour of the city, and then head to Belem district to Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Pastéis de Belém, Jerónimos Monastery
• Afternoon – Have weekend brunch at Four Seasons Lisbon, then head out to Alfama district, take a visit to Castelo de Saint Jorge and watch the sunset at Miradouro das Portas do Sol
• Evening – Dinner at Time Out, and then a big night out in Bairro Alto 
• Morning – Explore the Alfama and Baixa districts, especially the views at Miradouro da Senhora
• Afternoon –  Head for lunch at Nicholau Lisbon and then jump on number 28 tram tour of Lisbon
• Evening – Head home

As mentioned before, 3 days in Lisbon really isn’t long enough, mostly because there’s also a lot to do in the regions outside of the city centre, including a day trip to Sintra. I would suggest spending an extra day in Lisbon if you want to also visit Sintra Lisbon. A car is not required for a trip to Sintra, as you can just jump on a tour, or train to Sintra. Lisbon city has excellent public transport and inexpensive taxis.

READ MORE: The Lisbon rooftop venue SEEN and Sky Bar

LISBON 3-DAY ITINERARY OVERVIEW

The best time to visit lisbon, getting to lisbon and getting around .

Flights to Lisbon were super expensive when we travelled to Lisbon, but we did go in August. I looked for other times of the year and October they were as little as £50 return. So it’s worth visiting this wonderful city in the off-peak season. Lisbon has one airport only, but with two terminals so it isn’t the biggest. 

From the airport, getting to the city centre is pretty easy, and we used Uber which was incredibly cheap and only around 10 euros for two people. Or you can also jump on the Metro – the airport is the final stop of the red line, meaning that, with one change, you can find yourself right in the city centre within roughly 45 minutes. It’s worth buying a Metrocard when visiting, especially if you are spending 3 days in Lisbon. 

ACCOMMODATION IN LISBON

The best place to stay in lisbon.

Located in the heart of Lisbon, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon sets the standard in luxury five-star accommodation in the city and is the best place to stay in Lisbon. The hotel was built in 1959 by the Dictator Salazar, and designed by award-winning architect Pardal Monteiro, to prove that Lisbon could do luxury as well as any other European capital and he certainly proved himself with this stunning building, and its interior.

Locals still call the hotel the Ritz Hotel, but it was taken over by the Four Seasons group and entirely refurbished. It’s also got a great location, with Lisbon’s narrow streets making traffic a problem, the hotel’s location near the main Avenida de Liberdade provides easy access for guests around the capital. 

The iconic hotel wears the soul of Portugal on it’s sleeve, with art-deco interiors, set against a collection of important contemporary local artwork, and outside from the bedrooms and the rooftop fitness centre you can view the city’s rolling hills, brown roofs and even the sea beyond. A huge marble lobby area, which leads into a formal lounge area, where guests can relax before and after dining in the Varanda Restaurant.

The décor throughout the hotel is grand, there are chandeliers and huge flower displays on gilded furniture, as well as collections of modern Portuguese art, from tapestries to sculptures and paintings. You can also dine on the terrace at the Varanda Bar is you want the alfresco style of dining, or you can head to the luxury spa in the basement, where you will find a 18-metre pool, with spa and sauna rooms. 

READ FULL BLOG POST —-> REVIEW: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Other places to stay in lisbon, portugal.

• Holiday Inn Lisbon
• EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel
• LX Boutique Hotel Rossio
• TURIM Boulevard Hotel
• Find the best price on hotels in Lisbon, Portugal

BOOK FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RITZ LISBON

LISBON ITINERARY: DAY ONE

Now it’s time to start my recommended 3 days in lisbon.

• Additional – Drinks at rooftop bar H10 Duque de Loulé near hotel

Stay at: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Try a pastel de nata .

If you’re staying anywhere near the centre, make sure you head straight for Manteigaria. These amazing custard tarts are the best thing Lisbon has to offer and are fresh from the oven here. These guys are some of the best suppliers in Lisbon, so make sure you stop here for a tart. We stopped here first, to try some of the famous tarts, before heading in to the city to explore. 

HAVE A TYPICAL PORTUGUESE DINNER AT SEEN AND DRINKS AT SKY BAR

On your first day in the city, you must make sure you go for dinner at a restaurant serving traditional Portuguese food. I would recommend SEEN restaurant in Lisbon. Arriving at around 7pm, we took the lift straight to the 9th floor and followed the walkway to arguably one of the best rooftop bars in Lisbon –  Sky Bar Tivoli Lisboa . Descending the stairs to the bar, we were met by stunning views across the colourful streets of Lisbon and out to sea. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect – still basked in warm sun but out of the daytime heat.

Once seated, our lovely server introduced himself and playfully suggested he would select our cocktails – not something we were overly comfortable with initially – but we threw caution to the wind and agreed. The first round of cocktails arrived and we kicked back, enjoying the killer throwback soundtrack served up by the DJ and watching as the bar filled with revellers in search of a tasty tipple with a view.

LISBON ITINERARY: DAY TWO

• Additional –  Visit Lisbon’s famous aquarium!

TAKE A VINTAGE MOTOR SIDECAR EXPERIENCE

The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is the best place stay in Lisbon for a number of reasons, but the element that really made our stay special was the Saturday morning tour of Lisbon in a vintage motorbike with sidecar. All you need is your camera in tow, and your helmet and the professionals will do the rest. The four hour tour of Lisbon is something you’ve never experienced before.

Through a partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, you’ll join a your guide, ours was called Juan, on a tour of Portugal’s capital by vintage motorcycle. They pick you up from the front of the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, and take you on your journey. For four hours you cruise through winding cobblestone streets and around leafy squares to discover the city’s most spectacular spots in Lisbon including: Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge, Bairro Alto and Chiado. At each stop, the guide will offer insights about the city and it’s interesting history!

VISIT BELEM DISTRICT

Only a short bike, taxi or train ride away from Lisbon you will find the beautiful area of Belém, a laid-back area on the Tagus River, known for its seafood restaurants and colorful tiles. Around Belem there are lots of museums, places to sit and have a picnic, historic landmarks and the iconic 16th-century Tower of Belém, as well as the Discoveries Monument. Near the vast Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the popular Pastéis de Belém patisserie is famous for its custard tarts. 

The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) was built in the 16th century as a fort to protect the coast from foreign attacks, and like the Jerónimos Monastery, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an example of Manueline architecture. The Jeronimos Monastery is an ancient architecture was granted UNESCO world heritage status in 1983, commissioned in the late 15th century by King Manuel I, to honour Our Lady and Saint Jerome. 

WEEKEND BRUNCH AT THE FOUR SEASONS

On the Saturday morning of our trip, we headed for weekend brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. A welcome drink awaits guests upon arrival, and adults and children will delight in a sumptuous buffet at Varanda Restaurant, specially prepared by Executive Chef Pascal Meynard and his team. The buffet features breakfast favourites such as scrambled eggs, bacon and the delicious Ritz eggs Benedict at the live eggs cooking station, as well as a variety of crepes and waffles and there is even a live cooking station with a different theme each week and selections such as dim sum, bao bao and gyozas.

There’s even a seafood, ceviche and sushi station at the buffet, as well as a farmer’s market salad station, an assortment of bread, artisanal national and international cheeses, charcuterie and a variety of jams, honey, muesli and homemade yoghurts. And on the terrace, there is a barbecue station and pizza oven. What more could you want?!

VISIT PINK STREET

This street is unique and is completely pink, as the name suggests. In the day the street is full of people having coffee and lunch, whilst they watch people wandering down the pink street. And then after dark, the street comes alive with bars, people and nightlife. We visited here on our second day and weren’t blown away – it was actually quite run down and was barely pink anymore. 

READ MORE: Visit Lisbon: Five Day Trips from Lisbon

LISBON ITINERARY: DAY THREE

Take a stroll around alfama .

The steep streets of Alfama, was one of my favourite areas of Lisbon. Located on a steep hill of Lison, the streets are lined with shops selling traditional crafts and cafes. Here you can join the iconic no. 28 tram, which winds through Alfama on its way up to 11th-century São Jorge Castle.

And there are also some of the best views from Miradouro da Graça terrace stretch over the city to the River Tagus, where we headed one evening to watch sunset, and on a sunny day another view point from Miradouro das Portas do Sol has one of the best views in the city, so make sure to bring your camera!

NICOLAU LISBON

Nicolau Lisboa Café was born in the summer of 2016 in a little corner of Lisbon where the owners realised the dream of offering everyday healthy and really delicious food within a relaxed environment. They love to enjoy breakfast inspired dishes any time of day and at Nicolau the brunch is no longer only on Sundays but it is always available. You can expect amazing smoothies, salads and pancakes. The decor in aqua green and natural wood makes this cafe stand out. It’s one of the few breakfast and brunch restaurants in town, and a lovely spot for a light meal whatever the time of day (meals are often Brazilian-leaning, such as the açaí bowls and tapioca crêpes). 

JUMP ON THE NO. 28 TRAM

An iconic thing to do in Lisbon, is to go on the number 28 Lisbon tram. This tram connects Martim Moniz with Campo Ourique, but also drives through the districts of Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela, so you can also get off and back on again if you want to see something on the route. Tourists love the quaint yellow tram, as it drives through the narrow streets of the city and can be suggested as a tour itself, without the tour guide. It’s a bucket list experience to add to your Lisbon city break. 

Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in the world and I hope this 3-day itinerary helps you make the most of your visit to this amazing city!

BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE BEFORE YOU FLY Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner.  World Nomads  is an affordable option that I personally recommend. BOOK HERE

Other posts that may help you:

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Beginner’s Guide to Europe Interrail Routes

Copenhagen Chic at the Andersen Hotel

Best Vegan Restaurants in Malmo

Ultimate Guide to a Weekend Break in York

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The Best Weekend Trips in the UK

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Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring! 

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Lisbon looks like such a fun city! I have seen lots of people who have been this year and I’ve added it to my list – it is so beautiful and colourful and sounds like there’s heaps to do! xx

Jessie | jessie-ann.co.uk

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Lisbon Travel Blog: Complete City Guide

This Lisbon travel blog and guide has all you need to know to plan your trip to the trendiest hotspot in Europe right now. Budget, tourist traps and places not to miss vs main tourist traps, places to eat and of course insider tips. After all I’ve lived in Lisbon for a decade!

After living in Lisbon for 10 years, I know pretty much every corner and street of Lisbon by now and it’s unlike any other European capital.

Although it’s lively and busy, the rhythm of life is somehow slower. Although it has got a modern vibe, it respects tradition. And although it is visited by an ever-increasing number of tourists, it still boasts tons of character and uniqueness.

Together with this detailed itinerary , this easy-to-digest guide will tell all you need to know before visiting Lisbon .

I’ve made the hard work for you. This is a pre-filtered list of hotels in the best areas to stay in Lisbon.

Lisbon has a LOT of tourists right now, and I’m afraid we have reached the amusement park level and is suffering the consequences of massive tourism and gentrification. For more chances to discover the “local” and “authentic” Lisbon, come outside the summer months (June, July, August) and avoid staying in AirBnB-packed areas like Alfama.

Best time to visit Lisbon

You are absolutely fine to go to Lisbon anywhere between March and October, as the warm weather in Portugal lasts for about half a year.

That said, visiting during the months of July and August the experience can be disappointing. Not only it might be too hot for some people to be walking around – temperatures can easily reach 35 degrees – but also everywhere you go will be busy. Prices of accommodation and goods are higher during summer.

Personally, I think June and September are the best months to be in Lisbon . June is the official month of Lisbon street festivities , so expect parties, open-air concerts, and shows pretty much every day.

September is just right in terms of weather – perfect for a beach day in one of Lisbon’s gorgeous golden sand strips – and tourist crowds.

What to visit in Lisbon

Lisbon attractions map.

The below map contains all the main attractions in Lisbon as well as some of the top restaurants and bars in the city. These are handpicked my me.

You can easily download this map offline and use it to get around when you’re there.

Orange pins: Places not to miss Blue pins: Points of interest Purple pins: Restaurant recommendations Green pins: Bar recommendations Grey pins: Day trips

Lisbon is a playground for adults, with a lot to do and unique things to to experience . Don’t forget all the day trips you can do from Lisbon too!

What is worth to visit

I’ve covered all the worthy attractions in my detailed itinerary of Lisbon in more detail.

I’ll now address about what to expect in each area of Lisbon.

This area used to be the harbour and departure point of all the Portuguese ships in Discoveries Era. You can breathe history here amongst the majestic monuments, spacious gardens and gorgeous river views.

Many things to keep you busy here. The overcrowded Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), the imponent Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the intricate Mosteiro dos Jerónimos are all ode to the glorious Portuguese past as well as beautiful photo opportunities.

Belém is also the museum district of Lisbon, where locals go for their monthly cultural dose. You can find interesting exhibits in Museu Berardo , Museu dos Coches or in the futuristic MAAT – museum for art, technology and architecture.

How to get to Belém

Take the train or the tram E15 in Cais do Sodré . Your destination stop is Belém . You can also take the 27, 28, 29, 43 and 49 buses which follow the same route.

Alfama, Sé, Graça & Castelo

Alfama is in essence a labyrinth of steep cobblestone streets who up until recent years were the most traditional part of the city. These days, every other door is an Airbnb apartment, but somehow the essence still lingers by. Great neighborhood to get beautifully lost and find kids playing soccer, neighbours chit chatting or putting the laundry out to dry.

Many places worth to visit in the surroundings. Sé Catedral and one of the many miradouros (viewpoints). My favorite are Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte and Miradouro Portas do Sol with its absolutely gorgeous panoramic views facing east and southwest of the city, respectively. Both are great places to grab a cup of wine and take it all in.

Despite being increasingly touristy, Lisbon has still some uncovered bits and most of it the hidden beauty lies in these parts. Places like the overlooked Museu do Azulejo (Tile Museum) or the bi-weekly flea market of Feira da Ladra are true hidden gems .

Crowning this maze of authenticity and sitting on the highest hill of Lisbon, the millenium-old Castelo de São Jorge also deserves a visit. For better experience, time your visit for the sunset.

Got a place to stay in Lisbon already? (1/2) ⭐

Baixa & Rossio

Contrasting to the rest of the city, the downtown area of Lisbon – Baixa Pombalina – has ordered streets, majestic buildings and consistent architecture. This is where visitors usually spend more time.

My personal favorite is Praça do Comércio (Comércio Square): the grandest of the squares in Lisbon and one of the largest in Europe. Historically this was the gateway to the city, where goods from the colonies were traded.

Be sure to take a look and go up Rua Augusta Arch , on the northern end of the square and Cais das Colunas , a popular relaxing spot next to the river. Also in Praça do Comercio you can find the iconic café Martinho da Arcada , a favorite from legendary portuguese writers like Eça de Queiroz and Fernando Pessoa.

A bit further up opposite the river, Rossio is the very heart of Lisbon . The beautiful wave-inspired cobblestone pavement – calçada portuguesa – covers the entire square.

💡 TIP: Most restaurants in Baixa are massive tourist traps, offering mediocre food at big prices. Avoid eating in this area.

Chiado & Bica

These are two very different neighborhoods sitting very close to each other.

Chiado is the elegant and artsy district, beloved by many poets and writers. Place of theaters, old bookshops and fancy restaurants, you can find a real-sized statue of Fernando Pessoa in A Brasileira , one of Chiado’s century-old cafés.

Most of this bustling area was destroyed in a massive fire in 1988 but has since been reborn. Together with Avenida da Liberdade , Rua Garrett holds the title for the more expensive real estate of Lisbon .

Despite being a more laid-back and picturesque residential district, Bica is still home to one of the most photographed streets. Bica Funicular , a top tourist attraction, runs through Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo since 1892.

The rest of the neighborhood still remains true to its past though, boasting charm from its extremely steep streets, 17th century buildings and balconies filled with flowers.

Separating both Chiado and Bica , lies Largo de Camões : a popular meeting spot for lisboners. Take the pulse of the city here amongst the trams, the traditional kiosk and the elegant buildings all around. The statue in the center is in honour of Luís de Camões, an iconic portuguese 16th century poet who wrote the Os Lusíadas masterpiece.

Other areas to go in Lisbon

Uphill Chiado and Bairro Alto , Príncipe Real is the hipster-est and trendiest part of Lisbon . This is where you’ll find alternative bars, gay bars, second-hand shops as well as vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/organic/kosher/whatever places to eat. You get the idea. That said, this area has hands down some of the best restaurants in the city.

Sit on the a café in Jardim do Príncipe Real and do some people-watching. Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) is very rough around the edges, but still a pleasant stroll. My favorite place: the leafy Praça das Flores , one of the most chilled spots in the city.

Hop on a ferry at Cais do Sodré and head to Cacilhas , on the other side of the Tejo river. This side is dominated by the Cristo Rei (Christ the Redeemer) statue, a 40-min walk away. A mini version of the one in Rio de Janeiro , but not really worth the walk IMO.

Instead, just walk along the docks in Cacilhas . Apart from a different-yet-still-beautiful perspective of Lisbon , there are 2 great restaurants here: Atira-te Ao Rio and Ponto Final . Both amongst the best choices for a romantic dinner with the river literally at your feet and Lisbon as backdrop.

They’re always packed so come early or make a reservation.

Extra: Day trip to Sintra

Finally I HIGHLY recommend you take a day trip to the fairytale village of Sintra . Here, imposing castles and ancient palaces live in harmony with exotic gardens and greenery. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason.

There are sights in Sintra to keep you busy for a whole day. From the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira to the intricate Palácio de Montserrat or the iconic Castelo dos Mouros .

The main attraction however is Palácio da Pena , a colorful Disney-like palace brimming with over-the-top designs. It is located on the very top of a hill and from up there, you can delight yourself with breathtaking views from all the Sintra , Cascais and Lisbon region. Go early as it gets really crowded after 11am.

How many days to stay in Lisbon?

You might be wondering how many days would you need for all this. My detailed itinerary of Lisbon is based on 3 full days. Any less and you will be missing out one way or another.

Lisbon Detailed Itinerary (3 Days)

Continue reading more about Lisbon with a complete 3-day itinerary packed with tips and advice for the main sights of the city. Read now >>

However I highly recommend you staying longer. Not only you can see the main sights less in a rush, but there’s just so many secret places worth to uncover and great day trips to go in!

The below table contains day plans up until 6 full days in the city.

Lisbon Tourist Traps

After the goodies, I decided to incorporate a section on the experiences you want to AVOID in Lisboa.

It’s a bit depressing to think 5 or 10 years ago this section wouldn’t make sense. Back then pretty much everything in Lisbon was a hidden gem and there were definitely no tourist traps. Heck, there were hardly tourists!

Anyway, here are the main time and money wasters of Lisboa .

Torre de Belém

Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) is a iconic symbol of the Portuguese Era of Discoveries and a stunning sight on the outside. A true architectural statement sitting right next to the river. For some reason I’ve featured it on my Lisbon itinerary .

The tourist trap happens from the moment you buy the ticket and go inside. Firstly, there’s not really much to see , apart from the major staircase and the main terrace.

Then – you guessed it – it’s overrun with tourists. Prepare to dry out in the sun while you wait in the queue as well as major human traffic congestions of people going up and down the narrow staircases inside.

Basically see it from the outside, avoid going in.

Pastéis de Belém

Apparently the original recipe of custard tarts is held by Pastéis de Belém , a pastry shop that opened in 1837. Today, is recommended by travel guides who have no idea what they’re saying when they say this is the “best pastel de nata” in town.

Every time I go there I feel underwhelmed. The tarts are always cold. There are way too many people inside, to the point where the chit chatter becomes noise . And the service is just what every restaurant/bar/coffee shop doesn’t want to be: blunt and industrial .

Fortunately there are now many good pastry shops in Lisbon with homemade pastéis de nata . One of them is #7 on my list of hidden gems of Lisbon !

Santa Justa Lift

OMG, for some reason people are obsessed with this place. I honestly don’t get why would anyone people place themselves on a huge queue for a absolutely-normal-and-definitely-not-life-changing 20-second lift ride.

You can get a similar experience without wasting an hour of your life. Or even without paying. Just enter through Largo do Carmo for free and make your time count!

The Tram 28

The Tram #28 is perhaps the largest tourist trap in the city. I mean, it’s literally a trap. The tram is known by the high concentration of pickpockets, as the crowded rides are the perfect opportunity for them to act.

Apart from this, prepare to wait (a lot!) to hop on 28. In peak months, the waiting time on the queue can be up to 1h30 as the stops are absolutely packed with tourists.

In fact I truly feel bad for the locals in this area, their daily transportation routine has been completely ruined.

Fado dinner “tours”

Fado is the most unique type of portuguese music and integral part of Lisbon ‘s culture. It’s beautifully melancholic and you’ll most likely feel the song, if you don’t understand a word of they’re singing.

That said, deny any suggestion of guides trying to shove down your throat suggest dinner + Fado shows as one of the most authentic things you can do in Lisbon . Why?

• The price . The dinner + fado combo “packages” cost anywhere between 40-60 euros which is a total rip-off. In some, drinks are not even included.
• The food . One word: mediocre.
• Not a “local” experience . Very rarely locals this. Fado shows are the equivalent of flamenco shows in Spain . They’re made for tourists and only for tourists only which is a huge turn-off if you ask me.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

It really surprises me how this place is featured in some of Lisbon’s top guides. It is in essence a rich man’s personal collection with no particular highlights. And I’m pretty sure personal collections can get more interesting than this.

I can see loads of better things you can do in Lisbon with the 10 EUR entrance fee.

How to get around Lisbon

Best way to get around lisbon.

By far the best way to explore Lisbon is to walk. Despite being hilly, the city is full of hidden gems that will surprise you at every turn. Whether its magnificent views, a little kitsch shop or just amazing street art, you’ll never find it unless you’re walking.

Public transportation in Lisbon

Public transport is good, but not excellent. To ride the metro, trams, buses and trains you’ll need a reusable VivaViagem card. This paper card is reusable and you can then top-up up with individual trips Note however the tickets are NOT the same: the card only holds tickets of one type (bus, metro, train, etc).

For this reason I prefer to top-up VivaViagem with money (Zapping version). This credit is valid in any combination of public transport. There’s also a 24H day multi-transport pass, which pays itself after 3 bus/tram rides.

For more detailed info on public transportation in Lisbon head here .

Other ways of getting around

Strangely, you’ll see many tuk-tuks around. These have been described by locals as a plague and are directed for tourists only. Prices can be expensive.

I’d avoid taxis completely as they’re known for scams when they have tourists as clients. Specially in airport trips. Apps like MyTaxi help you make sure you get a friendly and honest driver. There are cheaper ride-sharing options though: Uber and Cabify are widely available.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Buildings in the old neighbourhoods in Lisbon have been refurbished to serve as accommodation for tourists on Airbnb. As a result, the flat offer locals is now much smaller and the rents are unbearable for Portuguese standards.

Instead of an apartment, if possible book a hotel or guesthouse which does have less of an impact on the local housing market.

Best areas to stay in Lisbon

Alfama and Castelo are entirely packed with tourists. Intendente , Anjos are cheaper may have some (rare) safety issues and are not the prettiest areas to live for a few days.

I’d also avoid staying in the up-and-coming hipster areas of Bairro Alto (it can get very noisy at night) and in Martim Moniz .

Aim for any area in the “central axis” of Lisbon – São Sebastião , Marquês , Avenida , Restauradores and Baixa and Príncipe Real . They’re all a great choice in terms of shops, restaurants, and transportation.

Below are my top 2 recommendations.

Value-for-money places to stay in Lisbon

We Love F Tourists

Located in busy Rossio – the heart of Lisbon – it’s just one of those amazing value places that will make you feel at home. Perfect to make friends. Book now

Or… find your own!

Use this list of quality hotels and guesthouses I’ve put together to get you started. ALL of these are located in the best central areas of Lisbon , with WiFi and with a rating of 8 or higher. Just pick your favourite!

Lisbon Beaches

One of the major selling points of Lisbon is its proximity to wide Atlantic beaches, perfect for surfing, swimming or just procrastinating while getting tanned. There are many beach possibilities around – specially if you get a car to get around – but I’ll just drop here my top 5.

Make sure to check my Lisbon beach guide , with complete reviews, a map and tips as to where to go and where NOT to go.

Top 5 beaches near Lisbon

With no particular order:

• Portinho da Arrábida . Located in a bay enclosed by the a natural park it boasts incredible crystal clear waters. 1 hour from Lisbon and sadly a nightmare to park.
• Praia da Adraga . A rugged coast with huge cliffs make this beach one of the most dramatic ones in Portugal . The landscape is gorgeous and a bit more safeguarded from the crowds in Praia das Maçãs .
• Praia da Mata . This beach is actually just one of a total of 15km of Atlantic golden sand beaches of Costa da Caparica . Get there by bus or car. When there’s no traffic, it should be only a 25-min journey.
• Praia do Meco . Wild and remote, but with great facilities. The main bar/restaurant is very popular hotspot for watching the sunset with a caipirinha in one hand. 1h from Lisbon by car.
• Praia da Comporta . I just love the beach near this little town surrounded by rice fields and the bliss of Alentejo landscape. 1h30 to get there from Lisbon , so worth to consider staying there for the night.

To make it clear: these are my favorite beaches. You can still find some lower quality but more accessible beaches near Estoril and Cascais . They’re a 30/40 min train ride from the Cais do Sodré station.

What and where to eat in Lisbon

There’s hardly a better destination for foodies. Lisbon is packed with great food at delicious prices!

Make sure you try the most popular local specialties:

What to eat in Lisbon

• Sardinhas grelhadas : grilled sardines are one of Portugal’s most beloved dishes. They’re the symbol of Festas de Lisboa month-long party in June.
• Bacalhau : they say Portuguese have 365 ways of cooking bacalhau (cod) – we are really world experts. Bacalhau com natas (with cream), Bacalhau à Brás (with fries and scrambled egg) are the most popular choices, but you’re on to a memorable meal with anything on the menu.
• Caldo Verde : kale soup with slices of chorizo. Sounds boring but it’s actually authentic, delicious and healthy.
• Pastel de nata : the iconic egg custard tarts. They’re easily available in all pastry shops and accompanied by a bica (café).

The restaurant scene is more alive than never. There’s a place for every budget nd type of food.

Yet I still think for anyone visiting the goal is to go local and seek authenticity on a plate. There are a few places where you can have delicious traditional food in Lisbon :

🍴 Toma Lá Dá Cá (Travessa do Sequeiro, 38)

Very typical and unpretentious place. Don’t expect creative or imaginative dishes, just authentic food as it’s served in any Portuguese home. I find it a particularly amazing choice for meat lovers, but grilled fish is great too. You won’t be disappointed.

🍴 A Gina (Parque Mayer)

Great honest food from the North of Portugal, respecting traditional ingredients and ways of cooking. You can eat a LOT for 20EUR/person, but I’m particularly fan of their meat.

🍴 Carvoaria Jacto (Rua Maria Andrade, 6A)

A steakhouse, done the portuguese way. Choose your meat (lamb, beef or pork), the cut and size and they’ll cook it for you. Salad is complimentary. Everything is great quality, but the Posta À Mirandesa will rock your world.

💡 TIP: the side items that magically appear on your table before the meal are NOT free. I’m talking about bread, olives, cheese, etc. If you don’t want them, flag immediately to the waiter so that they don’t charge you in the end.

Seeking a place to stay in Lisbon? Search no more! (2/2) ⭐

Lisbon nightlife

One thing I love about Lisbon is how down-to-earth it can be. “Going out” in the city can be as simple as grabbing a drink from a bar and drinking on a street in Bairro Alto . And it’s damn fun.

There are fancier cocktail bars and clubs, but for this you can go everywhere else in the world, right?

Cais do Sodré

This part of Lisbon is mostly known for its nightlife with loads of unique bars and nightclubs around. People gather around Rua Nova do Carvalho , also known as Rua Cor-de-Rosa (Pink Street).

Have a drink at Pensão Amor , which used to be a cheap pension with rooms rented by the hour to prostitutes and their clients. The 18th-century building has a total of 5 floors and amongst its burlesque decoration, you can find old posters from peep shows, poles and other suggestive items.

Bairro Alto

During the day is one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods in Lisbon. At night, specially during weekends, this maze of cobblestone streets gains a new life and turns into the city’s major nightlife hotspot.

Tips for Lisbon nightlife

• Timings are everything. Locals usually have dinner between 20:00 and 21:30 and don’t go clubbing before 1 or 2 in the morning.
• Most people will grab a drink in Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodré . If you’re looking for a more chilled location, try Bica and the street along the funicular line (Elevador da Bica).
• The most famous – and allegedly best? – nightclub in Lisbon is Lux (Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém A, Santa Apolónia). This converted warehouse is known for its ecletic electronic music.

I’ve made the hard work for you. This is a pre-filtered list of hotels in the safest areas of Lisbon.

How to get to Lisbon

Lisbon is not in a central location in Europe, so the best way of getting there is by plane.

Companies like TAP Portugal assure daily connections from the United States, South America and Africa. If you’re based in the US, also have a look at travel package deals combining flight + hotel + transfers. Some of them might be a good deal – the best one for this is Azores Getaways .

If you’re coming from inside Europe, your choices are dramatically larger. Several low-costs fly to terminal 2 of Lisbon airport, including Ryanair, Easyjet and Norwegian. To find which one has the best prices on the dates you’re interested, check Skyscanner or my new favorite app TravelPerk .

Regardless of where you’re flying from, when arriving Lisbon , make sure you don’t scammed by the taxi drivers. There are far better options to go to Lisbon city center .

Cost of things in Lisbon

To give you a good idea of the budget you can expect, I’ll give you some examples of what things usually cost me in Lisbon. The prices have been updated in August 2019.

Lisbon budget and daily costs

• Transportation : The VivaViagem card costs 0,50 EUR. An individual metro ticket is 1,5 EUR, but the Zapping option (topping up money is more convenient). For buses, onboard ticket are even more expensive so it’s better to buy your ticket in advance.
• Food : a typical lunch menu will cost anywhere between 8 and 15 euros (includes main dish + drink + dessert). For dinner, prices start at 30/35EUR for a full dinner for two, including wine.
• Water : going up and down those hills will make you thirsty. A big water bottle (1,5L) costs from 0,35EUR in local supermarkets.
• Accommodation : Prices of accommodation have risen significantly in recent years. Realistically, private rooms start at 40 euros per night. But there’s a room for all budgets – see here my list of hotel suggestions .
• Entrance fees : the main sights in Lisbon range from the 3 EUR for Arco da Rua Augusta up until the 12 EUR of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

Overall and comparing to other european capitals, Lisbon is very cheap. You’ll see the city offers loads for your money, particularly in the food department.

If you’re traveling with more people and dividing costs, it is perfectly possible to get around with less than 60-70 euros per day, accommodation included.

Insider tips for Lisbon

• Avoid taking taxis, specially if you’ve just arrived to Lisbon . There are far more reliable scam-free options to get to the city center .
• “Drug” dealers in Baixa are completely harmless. In fact most of them don’t even sell real drugs. Say no and go on with your life.
• Start off your days portuguese style with a café (coffee) and a pastel de nata (custard tart) in any coffee or pastry shop. Repeat after lunch and dinner, if desired.
• Whenever you see a sign saying miradouro , follow it. You’ll be rewarded with great views.
• Couvert items in restaurants – olives, cheese, bread, etc – do not come for free. In fact they can be overpriced. If you don’t want them, just say no as soon as the waiter comes.
• Do NOT eat in any restaurant with hawkers inviting you in. While in some the food is actually not that bad, others can be a tourist trap. This is specially true in Rua das Portas de Santo Antão .
• Tipping is completely optional. You do it only if you think your service was far more than expected.

Lisbon Review

It’s kind of awkward to review the city where I’ve lived for almost 10 years. It’s like you’re reviewing your family: you acknowledge all the flaws, but you still love them anyway.

There’s no doubt recent years have completely transformed Lisbon. Some say it’s for worse – and for sure the “Venice effect” is there. More visitors, tuk-tuks, souvenir shops, and hotels opening in historical buildings are now opening to cater this invasion.

On the other hand, it also means less decrepit buildings, increased safety, more food choices. There’s a positive energy and vibe in the air. There might be many underlying problems going on, but my beloved Lisbon is alive and charming as always.

Lisbon Travel Guide – Other Useful Links

• The Best Day Trips from Lisbon
• Visit Portugal : Portuguese official tourism board
• Weather in Lisbon : detailed data about weather in Lisbon

Have you used this Lisbon travel guide? Which other tips for Lisbon would you add? Feel free to share below your experience, I want to continuously improve this article!

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Lisbon is a great destination for a long weekend escape; it’s a multicultural, passionate, multifaceted city, and it will conquer you with its mix of modern and old-fashioned architecture. Often underrated, Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in Europe together with London, and I hope you’ll like it as much as I do. If it’s your first time visiting Lisbon and you’re wondering what to see in Lisbon with so many choices, I recommend you to start out with a very popular, essential tour of Lisbon that will show you’re spending at least a week in Lisbon to get it all done! Before visit to Portugal apply for a Portugal Visa UK so that you can easily travel to Portugal.

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Lisbon again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 and 2022 with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

– Cirkeline // RejsRejsRejs

If you want even more tips for your trip to Lisbon, you’re welcome to read (link removed)

Yes, Lisboa has changed and tourists are in abundance. The baixa and alfama are full of “souvenir” shops that invade the sidewalks with postcards and magnets. Medíocre restaurantes aggressively vie for tourists. There are still neighborhoods where life is peaceful but I wont say where!

Wow!! Great blog post on Lisbon. I love that the fact that you reviewed the place you lived for 10 years. It just be both sweet and awkward at the same time. Lisbon is definitely one of my places to visit in 2020 so thank you very much for this amazing guide. Great job!!

Please update your public transport entry. The VivaCard has been used in all transports for quite a while – all it takes is to use the Zapping option and you put money in it and it can be used in all transports, including the boats and the trams and buses in Almada.

Wow! Thanks for such an amazing, well put together article We’re headed to Lisbon soon and are stoked to check out some of your recommendations. Thanks so much.

You welcome Dariece, hope you enjoy your trip!

Hi I’m staying in Lisbon tomorrow until Sunday at the fenicius charme hotel which states it’s the Alfama area but I’m unsure. Looking for a fado restaurant near by is it worth it?

Hello! Thank you for your very thorough blog, I really loved it. I will definitely be using it when I’m going to visit Lisbon in February.

I do have 2 questions for you: 1. We’ll be staying on Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, is this a central location? 2. And knowing were our hotel is located, we’ll be definitely needing the Viva viagem card right? Or is it a good idea to buy the Lisboa card?

Ohh Lisbon, I loved you but not anymore. What a stressful city these days. Cars, planes, people, chaotic city that gives you headaches.

Sad to hear your experience has changed Som. Could it be that you changed and are less tolerant of these things or started appreciating other things such as silence and nature?

This is a very helpful unique information.Keep it up. Thank you so much.

Thank you for passing by Martina!

Thank you for sharing this. Is the 3 day itinery available for printing?

At the moment, no it’s not.

This is really informative and valuable post. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.

A lot of hype over Lisbon lately and if you make a fair assessment you realise it is still a rather polluted, noisy and messy city. Now it is also overcrowded with tourists that can barely move, let alone fit in the sidewalks of Baixa and Chiado. Hope this crazy hype ends soon as residents increasingly feel like strangers in their own city. Portugal has a lot more to visit.

Thank you for sharing your input.

Hi, thank you very much for such a lovely information on Lisbon. Having read your article I traveled to that beautiful country recently and prepared some tips on Youtube named “Tips on Lisbon” and “Lisbon – what you need to know”. The tips are very valuable without much empty talking. Hope you and everyone can see them at (link removed) Your article and advice was really valuable and I somehow managed to include many things you advised in that video.

Links are not allowed in comments.

Lissabon is a beautifull city, very kind people and a hotspot. Today we were bestolen probably by a pickpocket-gang. You could say , so what ..this happens every day in European city’s .We lost money, and a identity-card . We went to the police who was very kind and helpfull, and were not alone . Every day tens of tourists make a theft report.The problem is that the Portugese law is practically impunity for steal on the streats. So Lissabon became a target for crime-gangs to operate and probably the hughest threat for tourism ,an important motor of Portugese economy !!! Our holiday is over, we don’t mind of the money but we loose holiday-time to search for papers , going to embassy … our holiday is finished .We are so disappointed. Go to the Portugese islands , go to the country.. but stay away from Lissabon-centre!!!! Just stay away ,it is not safe anymore.We are so ashamed,sorry.

I’m truly sorry for your experience. Still, just because it happened to you, doesn’t mean is an unsafe place and that people should “stay away” from. If that was the case, no city in the world was safe.

Hi thank you for your tips! I have been in Lisbon with my girlfriends 2 year ago and it was amazing! Unfortunately we spent only one night there before we had to go back to Porto which also truly amazed us. We did a wine tour there with great guide and very funny group. Love Porto wine! Check them we were really satisfied (link removed). Hope it’ll be helpful. Enjoy your trips guys and don’t forget to eat a lot of pastell de natas! 🙂

Thank you Jane, come back one day!

Lisbon just won the award for the worst airport in the world in 2019. Check bloomberg article. Enjoy your flight! 🙂

Ok, not very relevant for this article but thanks for the info.

Great post, I’ll be sure to use your tips on our upcoming trip to Lisbon. Thanks so much!

You welcome, in fact thank you for passing by!

Be aware of scams in Lisbon. The latest one is a bunch of kids dressed up as if they were part of a NGO asking tourists for donations to assist poor people. It’s all fake and it’s a big scam. Also be aware of pickpockets. Hate to say this but unfortunately my city is no longer the nicest place to visit.

Thanks Maria. Even despite these unfortunate situations I can confirm, it’s far from being an unsafe place.

Hi, I loved this. You write about Lisbon the way I write about San Francisco. I have a small tour company where I give private tours in a convertible MINI Cooper. I go all over San Francisco and surrounding areas. I love how you love the city in spite of the changes. These insights are great. I can’t wait to visit Lisbon and see for myself. Best, Reed

Thank you Reed, let’s hope both cities can grow in a sustainable way.

Golden visas will eventually end. Just check today’s report from the European Parliament that presses EU governments to stop this program.

Portugal has so much to see and Lisbon is too touristy these days. I recommend trips to Braga/Porto/Coimbra/Aveiro, Sesimbra/Comporta, Óbidos/Nazaré (world’s biggest waves), Algarve/Costa Vicentina. If you decide to go to Lisbon (I suggest 2 days to visit Baixa/Chiado, Castle/Alfama, Belem) you should rent a car or take train to visit Sintra, Guincho, Cascais/Estoril, Évora. Tips from a local 🙂

Great tips Pedro!

The reasons why people keep visiting stressful and chaotic cities is something that I really don’t get. The problem is that nowadays with social media you create hypes over certain places and when that happens the places immediately lose their magic. Overtourism has killed cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice and now Lisbon. Advice from someone who travels a lot: avoid big touristy cities and visit smaller cities and you will save money and have a more pleasant time.

I have to completely agree with you Ralf, my best travel experiences lately have been in smaller cities as well.

My wife and I moved from California to Lisbon 2 years ago with our then 3-year-old son. When our son got sick we had no idea on where to find a pediatrician other than the emergency room. Not speaking the language as well was really scary for us. We later discovered an App called Kovered that helped us with finding most health & well-being.

I hope this helps any travelers.

Thanks for sharing this tip!

My trip to Portugal. (+) Great weather and good food (except in Lisbon where it is overpriced and not authentic), (-) Lisbon is overcrowded, noisy and stressful especially in Baixa and Chiado. I also made day trips to Sintra/Guincho, to Alcochete/Costa da Caparica/Sesimbra and to Comporta and loved every bit of it. Also went a bit north to Nazare where you can see the biggest waves in the world. Quite a moment that one should experience. Honestly, I’d spend as little time as possible in Lisbon. Just rent a car and go around Lisbon if you want to feel the authenthic portuguese culture and gastronomy. Also heard nice things about the north of PT (Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Braga). It’s on my list.

Thanks for sharing Laura, it’s great that you find the local Portugal outside of Lisbon!

How dangerous is Martim Moniz? I note you’ve said in your article to avoid it. We have an air bnb apartment booked, closer to Rossio but just wondering whether I should cancel? Thanks.

Martim Moniz can be dangerous at night but it really depends on the street. If you are closer to Praca do Comercio then it should be fine.

There are some specific streets which can be dodgy at night, but if you’re closer to Rossio you should be fine.

Lisbon is quite nice, but I have to agree that it became too popular and it lost some of its magic. Maybe Porto is a more decent choice these days.

Unfortunately Porto is on the same mass tourism route, just on a smaller scale.

Just came back from Lisbon and honestly I think it is overated and too touristy. I loved Guincho and Sintra though.

Thanks for sharing your experience Sam and it’s a shame it didn’t leave to your expectations.

Lisbon is packed with turists these days so expect long queues for anything that is slightly popular, overcrowded streets that cause you stress and artificial souvenir shops everywhere. Also, Lisbon became very expensive over the past years featuring currently in the 100th most expensive cities in the world ( http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/lisbon-in-top-100-most-expensive-cities-in-the-world/46025 ). If you want to have an authentic cheaper experience you should go somewhere else in Portugal (e.g. Aveiro, Coimbra, Guimaraes, Nazare, Obidos, Evora, Tavira, Lagos, Vilamoura).

I found your site doing some research about visiting Lisbon again when my team moves there later this year. It’s been four years since I was last in Lissabon but I remember loving it. Surely I’ll be following a few of your tips! Thanks for your tips.

Thank you for passing by!

Great travel guide. I appreciate you’ve share your ideas on this. Thanks!

I appreciated what we did here. I enjoyed every little bit some of it. I am always trying to find informative information this way. Thanks for sharing around.

You welcome 😉

Thank you for a fantastic tutorial. This has helped me tremendously. I have a question please – when I insert a picture into a post the image can be seen but when I add a featured image only the name of the image appears. When I save the changes made and look at the preview of the post there are no images and both the post image and the feature image show up as the image name only. What am I doing wrong or why is this happening? Thanks for your help

One of the best travel guides I’ve seen. Going to Lisbon this weekend and taking into account everything you’ve said. Thank you for putting the time and effort into this 🙂

Belém is wonderful place with his history!

It sure is!

Dear Mr Bruno, Please be 100% sure that everything you wrote above helps people and they benefit and gladly refer to your valuable tips. Many people wish to visit Lisbon and they save their time greatly after having read your personal observations! Thanks a lot from Kazakhstan, Astana

Thank you, I truly hope I can help people plan and travel smartly!

100% agree with everything except the “pasteis de Belem”. They really are the best… the trick is to not seat inside and order at the bar instead. 90% of the time they are warm. Just pick a box up and eat them outside.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Even though sounds like a good alternative, I would still have to disagree they’re the best – the taste in other places in Lisboa is very superior. But hey, each to its own!

Plenty of useful info. Thank you. Planning to visit Lisbon soon.

Have a great time in Lisboa! 🙂

Wow, this is such a fantastic quide! This will be my starting point when planning my itinerary when I go there in 2 months. As a solo female traveler, are there specific areas I should avoid in Lisbon, in terms of safety? Should I completely rule out walking around at night at all? Thank you!

You’re perfectly fine to walk around in the center at night. I’d avoid areas like Intendente and Martim Moniz though.

Kaip idomu! Nuostabus straipsnis, aciu kad rasote!

Pritariu! 🙂

Had to use Google Translate for this one. You welcome!

Hello Greetings ! I love the way you’ve explained everything in Details. Amazing article. Easy guide and lovely tips! I literally took screenshots.

Best wishes , L from India

Great to know. Enjoy your trip!

Bruno … hello .. excellent info. thank you.

Question … I will be coming to Lisbon in October to look into it as a possible retirement place. Probably 10-14 days. Which area of the city would be best located for us to use as a base for exploration?

Although we will be doing some sightseeing, the primary intent is to explore neighborhoods, look at apartments, get familiar with public transport options, check out grocery shopping, make some contacts, etc.

thanks for any help!

I’d stay as central as possible. Somewhere near Marquês or Avenida will allow you to do all that!

thank you … are you referring to the Marques de Pombal and Avenida metro stops ?

Great post with nice tips. We are in Lisbon now but the weather is not that great here now. But we will try your tips out anyway. I think we are going to try out the free walking tour too.

Sorry to hear about the weather, but the good thing is that the sun doesn’t wait long to show up 😉

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

Thank you for passing by, hope you had a great time!

Good article! one of my friends visited Lisbon a few months ago and now I’m planning to go there. Your article is going to help me in many regards.

Great to hear. Thank you for passing by!

Nice guide! Great photos too. I just spent a week driving up the West Coast in a van and Lisbon was the the ideal spot to round off an amazing adventure. I think I fell in love with every charm-filled corner. Wish I’d found this guide first… never mind, next time!

Lisbon has definitely an unique charm I haven’t seen anywhere else 🙂

Great article! I travel a lot and use people like you at koocam.com to learn about the places I visit. I highly recommend you check it out and maybe make a few more bucks 🙂

Thanks for the suggestion.

very useful,brilliant !Thank you very much.

Any recommendations for a driver to take us from Porto to the Algarve mid September?

No sorry, I only do independent travels!

Wow! Great guide. So full of great info. My brother, his wife, and I plan to visit Lisbon march or april 2018. This guide is so relevant to what we do when visiting europe. We love to walk around eat local food visit local areas and be as non touristy as possible ( though we still visit some tourist traps ). Thank you for the time and effort you put into this guide. For sure bookmarked in my phone so i can read over and over again. Cant wait to visit Lisbon from Vancouver Canada.

You welcome! Still a long time to go, but that gives you lots of time to great planning! 🙂

This is a fantastic guide. I wanted to chime in with a perspective from a non-Portuguese who’s newer to the city but has been here long enough to see everything on this guide:

– Being in Lisbon in June and experiencing the Festas de Lisboa was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. I highly recommend going around in the week around the eve of Santo Antonio’s Day, June 12. The festival might make for a good future guide post 🙂

– I haven’t gone up the Torre de Belem, but everyone I’ve talked to who’s gone up there says its underwhelming as well. A tip from my friend was that you can get a better view with less crowds at the top of Padrão dos Descobrimentos.

– Maybe my palate is a bit different, but so far Pasteis de Belem has been the best pastel de nata I’ve tried. It has really good flaky crust and is not too sweet. It’s been hot out of the oven when I’ve had it though. I’ve tried them at Manteigaria, Aloma and some of the local places. It’s all subjective though, and Manteigaria is 95% as good to me with a fraction of the work to get it.

– The Gulbenkian was actually a nice surprise to me, since I wasn’t expecting much from one guy’s collection. It is well curated. That being said, I wouldn’t replace anything in your 6 day list with it. If you’re going to go to one off the beaten path museum, the Tile Museum is a much better option!

Also, forgot one thing. It’s touristy, but I feel like the Time Out Market is a must for anyone visiting Lisbon. It has stalls from many of the best Lisbon chefs and restaurants under one roof and allows people to try many things quickly (including pastel de nata from Manteigaria!). It works well with to pair a lunch at Time Out Market with a trip to Belem since you can catch the train from Cais do Sodre.

Thanks very much for sharing your feedback. It’s always interesting to see how an expat looks into a place you know very well!

The Time Out Market is a great tip. To be honest, I liked it a lot more when it was still not discovered by locals and tourists, but is still a place with a very unique energy.

Thanks again, really enjoyed reading your perspective!

Thanks! Yeah, I hear ya on the Time Out Market. It can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends, but despite that, our friends who have visited have all mentioned it as one of their favorite things in Lisbon.

Your posts on Lisbon and Portugal are my favorites (and I’ve read a lot of them)!

Destinations🌎

©Pere Rubi/Shutterstock

Seven cinematic hillsides overlooking the Rio Tejo cradle Lisbon's postcard-perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals, a captivating scene crafted over centuries.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Belém’s undisputed heart-stealer is this Unesco-listed monastery. The mosteiro is the stuff of pure fantasy: a fusion of Diogo de Boitaca’s creative…

Castelo de São Jorge

Alfama, Castelo & Graça

Towering dramatically above Lisbon, these mid-11th-century hilltop fortifications sneak into almost every snapshot. Roam its snaking ramparts and pine…

Wander downhill (to save your legs) through Alfama's steep, narrow, cobblestoned streets and catch a glimpse of the more traditional side of Lisbon before…

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Set in a lemon-fronted, 17th-century palace, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is Lapa’s biggest draw. It presents a star-studded collection of European…

Don't leave the city without riding popular tram 28E from Largo Martim Moniz. This rickety, screechy, gloriously old-fashioned ride from Praça Martim…

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

Hitch a ride on vintage Ascensor da Glória from Praça dos Restauradores, or huff your way up steep Calçada da Glória to this terrific hilltop viewpoint…

Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira

This 17th-century former hunting pavilion is in the Benfica neighbourhood. Italian Renaissance influences are blended with Portuguese-inspired blue-and…

Basílica da Estrela

Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

The curvaceous, sugar-white dome and twin belfries of Basílica da Estrela are visible from afar. The echoing interior is awash with pink-and-black marble,…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

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Whether you want to dance and drink into the wee hours or see major sights and relax on the beach, Lisbon has a perfect neighborhood just for you.

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Navigating hilly Lisbon is easy with this guide to the local transportation network.

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Lisbon and beyond.

3 days in Lisbon, a complete itinerary (2024 guide)

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: May 31, 2024

Are you looking for a 3-day itinerary for Lisbon? You came to the right place.

Lisbon is the ideal starting point for a road trip through Portugal but also lends itself perfectly for a city or weekend trip. 

You can combine your visit to the capital with a side trip to the fashionable Cascais or the fairytale palace in Sintra. 

Even the iconic wild and rocky coastline of the Algarve is only a 2-hour drive away.

But let’s not get too carried away by everything outside Lisbon as the capital itself is already so beautiful that you may not ever want to leave anymore once you’ve tasted it.

In this Lisbon travel blog pos we list what you could do when you have 3 days in Lisbon.

We start with the highlights, so when you only have 2 days in Lisbon you could cover the highlights with this Lisbon itinerary.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Lisbon tips

• We recommend checking  Momondo to find cheap flights to Lisbon .  Here’s an  overview of other flight comparison sites .  Make sure to check the website of  TAP  to see their latest promotions, they offer direct flights to Lisbon from many countries.
• Lisbon has countless impressive monuments and palaces.  The  Lisboa Card , the official tourist pass of Lisbon, offers free access to dozens of these sites and allows you to ride free on Lisbon’s public transport.
• Buy your  skip-the-line tickets for Lisbon’s 2 most popular attractions  online in advance. With these skip-the-line tickets, you can bypass the waiting lines at the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.
• If you are looking for more travel tips for Lisbon, click here.

Our Lisbon 3 days itinerary

Lisbon has something for everyone. There is no shortage of museums and historic buildings and we also found Lisbon a very pleasant city to stroll around, enjoy a drink, and take in the atmosphere of the city.

It’s an ideal city that offers something for everyone.

2 days in Lisbon

Below we first list the most important sights in Lisbon that you should definitely visit when you only have 2 days in Lisbon.

We start with all the museums and historic buildings followed by other things to do in Lisbon.

You can mix-match them as you please. 

If you have 3 days in Lisbon, a day trip to Sintra or Cascais should not be missed.

If you have only one day in Lisbon,  you can find an itinerary here.

Day 1 in Lisbon

We start by exploring the historic city center, the most traditional part of the city.  We start our exploration in the Baixa district and make our way up to the other absolute highlight of Lisbon, the Alfama district.

We start at the wide-open square near the river shore, the Praça do Comércio.

Stroll over the Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço)

Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço) is one of the most famous squares in Lisbon, near the Tagus. It is an impressive big square.

The name Terreiro do Paço dates from the time that the Ribeira Palace stood here but it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.

The entrance to the Praça do Comércio is formed by the Arco da Rua Augusta. This triumphal arch was built to commemorate the earthquake of 1755, which destroyed a large part of Lisbon and in particular the Baixa district, the historic city center. The triumphal arch symbolizes the resurrection of the city after this devastating disaster. They have worked on this arch for 120 years.

When you walk under the arch you come in one of the nicest and most popular walking and shopping streets of Lisbon, Rua Augusta. Since 2013 the arch can be visited. At the top, you have a beautiful view of Baixa, the cathedral and the underlying square flanked by the Tagus.

Since 2013 the arch can be visited. At the top, you have a beautiful view of Baixa, the cathedral, and the underlying square flanked by the Tagus.

Next, we walk underneath the majestic triumphal arch that divides the square from Lisbon’s primary shopping district.  As we continue our way along the busy and touristy shopping street of Rua Augusta we may pass some street performers.  

The facades of the houses in this street are still authentic, but the shops are now largely occupied by international brands.

The best things to do in the Azores.

We continue our way until we see the Santa Justa elevator on our left.  Instead of going to the Santa Justa elevator we turn to our right and follow Rua de Santa Justa until we arrive at Rua dos Fanqueiros.

A short right and left leads us to the  Escadinhas de São Cristóvão , in the second section of the stairs (after you’ve crossed the Rua Da Madalena) you will pass some beautiful  Fado-inspired street art .

As you’ve probably noticed we have started making our way up to the castle of São Jorge. 

At the top of the stairs, we make a right and continue our way up along Largo São Cristóvão en Calçada do Marquês de Tancos until we can make a left that leads us to the castle entrance at the Largo do Chão da Feira.

The castle of São Jorge

The Castle of São Jorge  is the most famous castle in Lisbon and one of the best  photo stops in Lisbon . The castle sits on a 110-meter-high hill, the highest in the city, and towers high above the city.

If you want to visit the castle, it is best to plan 2 to 3 hours for this.

The castle started as a small fort in the 5th century but over the years one has often built and the castle now has 11 towers.

The tour also includes a visit to the permanent exhibition with archaeological finds.

The view of the city from the castle walls is majestic and it is a very pleasant place to enjoy the sunset. After sunset, the castle is also nicely lit.

Here we share the best places to watch the sunset in Lisbon. 

There are two entrances to the castle, a first entrance at the Largo do Chão da Feira and a second one at the Largo do Menino de Deus.

If you do not want to hike all the way up, you can use the free lifts at Rua dos Fanqueiros and Largo Chão do Loureiro.

Are you traveling on a budget? Check out this list of the best free things to do in Lisbon. 

After your visit to the castle, you can continue exploring the Alfama neighborhood to discover its other gems.

Explore the Alfama neighborhood

This is a neighborhood that you absolutely must visit during your city trip to Lisbon.

It is the oldest district in Lisbon and you will still find many authentic houses that survived the earthquake of 1755.

The Azores, a complete guide.

Here you can wander through the many small and picturesque streets.

Sometimes you suddenly come across a narrow alley with surprising street art and behind the next corner, you see beautifully decorated houses full of Azulejos.

There are also many cozy small restaurants in this district.

Be sure to take your time to explore Alfama. Nowadays you can also take a ride with a tuk-tuk, but it is still more fun to stroll around quietly and keep your eyes peeled.

Alfama is a great neighborhood to just wander around and explore at your own pace.  Things worth passing by are:

• Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen: this is the official name but most people refer to this viewpoint as Miradouro da Graça.  The official name honors the poet who came here to get inspiration for her poems.  We can indeed agree that it is a nice place to relax and enjoy the view. (Calçada da Graça, 1100-265 Lisboa, Portugal.)
• Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte: the highest miradouro in Lisbon and probably the most romantic, at least by the count of the many lovelocks that decorate this viewpoint. (Largo Monte, 1170-107 Lisboa, Portugal.)
• Campo De Santa Clara 124: This house has a magnificent blue yellow facade made with Azulejos. (Campo de Santa Clara 124, 1100-473 Lisboa, Portugal.)
• The National Pantheon , Panteão Nacional (see below)
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol: a cozy place from where you have a beautiful view over the orange roofs of Alfama. (Largo Portas do Sol, 1100-411 Lisboa, Portugal.)
• Miradouro de Santa Luzia: nearby the Miradoura das Portas do Sol this viewpoint also offers beautiful views on the orange roofs of Alfama with the Tagus river in the background.  The benches and walls of this viewpoint are beautifully tiled with Azuleos which (Largo de Santa Luzia, 1100-487 Lisboa, Portugal.)
• Lisbon’s Cathedral, Sé de Lisboa: This cathedral is an impressive building that could almost be confused with a fort. During a visit, you can see the inside of the cathedral as well as the adjacent disused cloister and parts of the excavated ruins of the mosque that was used as a foundation for the cathedral.

It may be fun to ride on tram 28 in Alfama although the trams are often jam-packed throughout the day. You risk encountering long queues at the 2 terminal stops and oftentimes the trams are so full that you don’t get to board at the stops along the way.

You can try your luck at the cathedral or you may opt to visit these spots in reverse order and descend the stairs at Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen.  Once at the bottom of the stairs make a left, take the first right and follow Rua Cavaleiros which will lead you to Martim Moniz, the terminal stop of tram 28.

Wander through the Pantheon Nacional

The Panteão Nacional  is located on the upper edge of the old historical district of Alfama. It is an immensely large building in Portuguese Baroque style where you can feel free to wander around.

The construction of the Igreja de Santa Engrácia started in 1683 and it took almost 300 years before the church was finished. The ground plan is based on that of St. Peter’s Church in Rome. Since the church opened in 1966, it is in use as the National Pantheon.

A nice extra is that this beautiful building is not currently overwhelmed by tourists so you can still enjoy it.

Be sure to walk up the 181 steps for a nice view from the roof terrace.

With the  ‘Lisboa Card’  access is free.

If you are interested in visiting a flea market, we advise you to visit the Pantheon on Saturday or Tuesday morning so that you can combine your visit with a visit to the nearby Feira da Ladra market.

After our exploration of the Alfama district, we head to Rossio in the heart of Lisbon to stroll along the Avenida da Liberdade before we end the day with a beautiful sunset from the Parque Eduardo VII.

Shop till you drop op de Avenida da Liberdade

Or maybe shop until your wallet is empty is a better statement… Along this shopping street, you will find shops of expensive designer brands alternated with some exclusive restaurants and trendy bars.

The avenue is 1.1 km long and runs from the square at the Rossio train/metro station to the beautiful Eduardo VII city park. It is a shopping paradise if you have a well-stocked wallet.

The brands that have a store here include Prada, Gucci, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Louis Vuitton.

If you do not plan to (window) shop then it is still fun to stroll along this avenue. In the middle is a pedestrian promenade with beautiful inlaid stones.

You can also find the Hard Rock café here.

You get here with the Linha Azul (blue metro line). You can choose between the Marqués de Pombal, Avenida, or Rossio stop.

Unwind in the Parque Eduardo VII

Do you need some rest after all that shopping? Then you should definitely walk into the Eduardo VII Park.

Parque Eduardo VII is the largest park in the center of Lisbon. It is wonderfully quiet and a nice place to relax. In the park, you will also find 2 greenhouses with exotic plants and a theater.

If you have  a Lisboa card,  you can visit the greenhouses for free.

The park extends on a slope in line with the Avenida de Liberdade. At the highest point of the park, you will find the Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII. You can not miss it because it is well marked by the flagpole that proudly displays the largest Portuguese flag of the country.

This viewpoint offers a beautiful view of the underlying city with the Tagus in the background.

Day 2 in Lisbon

We start our second day in the district of Belém with a visit to the Tower of Belém. 

The quickest way to reach the tower is with tram 15. Exit the tram at the stop Largo Da Princesa and make a left toward the river. 

You can make use of the pedestrian bridge to cross the busy Avenida India.

Enjoy the beautiful view from the Belém tower

This tower was built in the 16th century as a tribute to Vasco da Gama. Originally, the tower was on an island in the Tagus, but due to an earthquake the course of the Tagus changed and the tower now borders the quay. Over the course of the years, this tower has proven to be really multi-functional.

He served simultaneously as a defense tower and as a ceremonial gateway. You can clearly see the latter because it is just as lavishly decorated as the Jeronimos monastery that we will visit later on.

In the following years, the tower also served as a prison and customs office, but now it is primarily a tourist attraction. During a visit to the tower, you can still see traces of how the tower once served as a fort and later as a palace.

The tour of the tower takes you all the way to the top of the balcony from where you have a view over the river, the red ‘Ponte de 25 Abril’ and the Padrão Dos Descobrimentos monument that we will visit next.

In general, however, I would dare to say that the outside view of the tower is more beautiful than the inside.

You may encounter long queues to go inside. The good news is that the tickets that you can buy online allow you to skip the line and come at the same price. 

Buy  your skip-the-line ticket online here.    Usually, the lines are still relatively small early in the morning but as long as the skip-the-line tickets come at the same price it doesn’t hurt to book in advance.

The   Lisboa card   grants you free access to the tower but you still have to stand in line as long as you don’t have the actual ticket.  One way to avoid the line is to collect your ticket in advance at the archaeological museum next to the Jeronimos monastery.

The museum has a ticket office where you can buy regular tickets for the tower and you can also collect your tickets with your Lisboa card.  As soon as you have tickets you can skip the queue and walk directly inside.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This memorial was erected as a tribute to the sailors, explorers, and people who contributed to the development of Portuguese voyages of discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries.

On the square in front of it is a large wind rose with the discovery routes on it from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Travel is the only thing that makes you richer

We admired the monument only from the outside but if you want you can also visit it.

Every day at 3:30 pm there is a film shown about the construction of the monument.  You can also take the elevator to the roof of the 52-meter high monument.

From the terrace, you have a wide view of the harbor and the Torre de Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, the red ‘Ponte de 25 Abril’, and the Tagus.

We continue our way toward the Jeronimos Monastery.  To get there you cross the busy Av. Brasilia with the underground passage and then you just head straight through the gardens.  You can see the monastery from afar.

Discover the Jeronimos Monastery

Even if you are not a big fan of museums and historic buildings,  the Jeronimos Monastery,   is one of the highlights of a city trip to Lisbon and it would be a shame to skip this.

The Portuguese king has built this monumental and richly decorated building to show its wealth to the world. After all, the money flowed smoothly after Vasco da Gama set foot in the Dutch East Indies.

The associated church, which you can visit free of charge, is also dedicated to Vasco da Gama and is decorated as lavishly as the Monastery. Vasco da Gama was also buried in this church. 

During your visit to both the church and the monastery, pay attention to the details which many refer to as shipping.

The monastery attracts a lot of visitors. If you want to avoid the queues, come early or buy  “skip the line” tickets  here and then walk straight in without having to sit down.

If you want to learn more about this period of wealth from which both the Jeronimos Monastery and the Torre de Belém have arisen, you can also take  a guided tour of these 2 monuments.

What we wrote about the Lisboa card in regards to the tower applies as well for the monastery. You get free access with the card but you have to stand in line to get the actual ticket.

Sometimes these lines can be long.  Don’t worry, you can make use of the same trick that works for the Belém Tower. 

To avoid the queue you can collect your ticket at the archaeological museum right next door.  As we wrote, the museum also sells regular tickets for both monuments.  Once you have the ticket you can skip the queue and walk directly inside.

After your visit to the monastery, you can taste some of the best pastries that Lisbon has to offer, the famous Pasteis de Nata.   

The  Confeitaria de Belém  may well be Lisbon’s most touristy pastry shop.  It is only a 5-minute walk from the monastery. 

All you have to do is follow the main road that runs in front of the monastery in the direction of Lisbon.

Taste the famous Pasteis De Nata

The Pastéis de Belém or Pastéis de Nata are small stuffed pies with pudding. It is one of the most famous  Portuguese desserts.

Traditionally you also drink a coffee with it.

You can find them in many cafés and confectioneries in Portugal, but the most famous and also most touristy can be found in the Belém district.

When you visit Belém your visit is not complete before you have eaten the famous Pastéis de Belém.

The royal family must have thought that you can never have too much of a good thing when they built this palace.

The facade of the palace is already quite impressive, but the lavishly decorated rooms inside are even more impressive.

According to the original plans, this palace was even going to be bigger, but construction was brutally interrupted when Napoleon’s army invaded the country. The construction was resumed at several intervals but until today the building is still incomplete.

The palace is still used today for ceremonial occasions.

Moreover, it has not yet been discovered by mass tourism.

Time to head back to Lisbon.  The quickest way is to go back to the monastery from where you take tram 15E towards Lisbon.  We don’t go all the way until the city center just yet but we stop at Cais do Sodré where we will visit the Mercado da Ribeira and Pink street.

It may be too early for dinner yet but be sure to peep inside the Mercado de Ribeira.

Have dinner in the Mercado da Ribeira

Mercado de Ribeira  is since 1892 the most important food market in Lisbon. This covered market is located south of the lower city, on the river Tagus. Here everything is about food and drinks.

The market was thoroughly renovated during 2013 and 2014.  The renovation made room for a few shops and a trendy food court beside the traditional market that is still located in this building.  The food court attracts many Lisboans that come to enjoy the good life.

All world kitchens are present and this place is a delight for the gourmets. You can try food from many different local restaurants and even some famous chefs are present to prepare your food on the spot.

This food court is an ideal place to discover different Portuguese flavors.

From the food court, it is just a short 2-minute walk to Rua Nova do Carvalho.

Pink street – Rua Nova do Carvalho

Rua Nova do Carvalho became “ Rua Cor-de-Rosa” (“Pink Street”) in 2011 as part of a rehabilitation project to turn the former red-light district of Lisbon into a trendy place for nightlife. The ‘fille de Joie’ have disappeared and together with them also the dark and decayed nightlife. The street is now lined with new hip bars and restaurants and even a few nightclubs.

The upgrading project was certainly a success. The bars and restaurants have retained various elements of the rich history of this street and that gives it a very particular appearance.

This is a nice street to stop and enjoy a snack or a drink and if you want to get a taste of the real Portuguese nightlife you should not look any further.  Music Box,  one of the more popular clubs in Lisbon, can be found under the bridge with the street art.

The closest metro stop is Cais do Sodré, the final stop of the Verde / green line.

You can, of course, go on to discover everything yourself, but perhaps it is more fun to do a guided street art tour.

Here you find more information about this guided street art tour: Street art tour

If you have some time left you can explore the Bairro Alto district of Lisbon.  The district counts 2 nice miradouros, some colorful street art, and a nice example of a house decorated with Azulejos.  The Ascensor De Bica starts in the Rua de Sao Paulo runs parallel with pink street and goes all the way up to the Largo Calhariz in the heart of this district.

Discover the Bairro Alto district

These are the highlights of the Bairro Alto district:

• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara: A nice wide open viewpoint that oversees the city.  To get here leaving the ascensor you head right and follow this street until you arrive at Rua do Alecrim.  Here you make a left, the viewpoint is on your right just after the Ascensor Da Glória.  Which is our second point of interest.
• The Urban Art Gallery in the Calçada da Glória, the first official location for street art in Lisbon and the street were the Ascensor da Glória runs.  We write in more detail about the Urban Art Gallery further below.
• If you’re interested in street art you can head to these 3 streets next:  Rua Vinha ,  Rua São Boaventura,   Travessa dos Fiéis de Deus
• Miradouro de Santa Catarina: The viewpoint itself is not as nice as the first one in this list but the view itself is certainly not inferior.  This is a good place to stop if you want to head back to the Mercado Da Ribeiro.
• Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas: A house decorated with Azulejos.  The house is close to the Santa Justa Elevator, the quickest way to get to Baixa.

The district’s nightlife is well-known to attract many locals so you may just as well stick around and socialize with the locals in the pubs afterward.  The most lively nights are Fridays and Saturdays.

Ride the Santa Justa Elevator

The Santa Justa lift is a classic lift, but nonetheless an impressive steel construction of 45 meters high. The elevator connects the center with the 30 meters higher Carmo square.

No visit to Lisbon is complete without having done a ride with this elevator.

Unfortunately, there is often a long queue to go up but luckily the queue to go down tends to be shorter.

There is a viewpoint at the top of the elevator. Don’t skip the viewpoint, visit this one first before you take the elevator.

T he viewpoint at the top of the lift has room for up to 29 visitors. As a result, there can also be a queue at busy times. You reach it via the Largo da Carmo. A visit to the viewpoint offers a phenomenal view of Baixa. From here you can also see the ruins of the Carmo church and monastery.

Here is some inspiration for your third day of this 3-day Lisbon itinerary.

We covered the highlights of Lisbon in the first 2 days and you can fill in the third day to your own preference. 

We list some extra sights worth checking out in Lisbon. Or you could do a day trip to Sintra or Cascais.

Visit one of the most beautiful aquariums in the world

The Lisbon Aquarium, called Oceanarium, is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. It is a legacy of the expo of 1998 that at the time was dedicated to oceans to celebrate the 500-year jubilee of the discovery of the sea route to India. The aquarium was expanded in 2011 and now houses more than 15,000 different animals.

The highlight is the gigantic central tank where 4 ecosystems are mimicked: the three oceans and the Southern Polar Sea.

A visit to this oceanarium is a great fun thing to do during your city trip in Lisbon.  It will also showcase a completely different side of Lisbon.  The Parque das Nações, where the aquarium is located, is a modern and even slightly futuristic district, quite a contrast with the traditional districts of Lisbon where you spent the first two days.

You can  buy your tickets in advance online .

Take a ride with an eléctrico, an authentic tram

With the exception of tram 15, the iconic yellow old ‘Remodelado’ trams still run on all other lines in Lisbon.

Some of these trams date back to 1930 but they continue to serve valiant and will probably have to keep doing this in the coming years.

The narrow streets and the many sharp bends ensure that the modern long trams are no alternative.

Because the trams are not yet ready for retirement, they are also very well maintained. The charming aspect of the trams keep retained (think of the authentic wooden benches) but the technology has received a solid service in recent years. From there comes the name ‘Remodelado’ which means as much as ‘remodeled’.

The most popular route for tourists is tram 28, followed by tram 12.

Tram 28 takes you in about 50 minutes to all famous sights in Lisbon. He starts in Martim Moniz and drives to Campo Ourique, on the way he drives through the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto, Alfama, Graça and Estrela. It stops at the Basilica da Estrela, the Assembleia da República, Praça Luís de Camões (the main square of Bairro Alto), the Se Cathedral and Portas do Sol in Alfama.

If you want to do a ride with this tram, it’s often better to get up on it on one of the end stops because it is sometimes impossible to get on it when it is on route because it’s a lot of times full.

If you just want to drive a Remodelado tram and the route is less important for you, you can, of course, choose to take a ride with one of the other tram lines. Tram 12 runs in a loop through Alfama and Martim Moniz. It is a short route of only about 20 minutes and part of the route follows the same tracks as tram 28.

Another option is to take Tram 24. This tram connects Praça Luís de Camões with Campolide. It is a relatively new route. The route does not really take you to tourist sites and is therefore mainly used by Lisboners.

If you want to sit on the tram then you have the most chance on this route.

Trams 12 and 28  are mainly used by tourists. With  the Lisboa card , you can ride for free with all trams in Lisbon.

Below you will find the timetable of the trams:

• Tram 28 direction  Campo Ourique
• Tram 28 direction Martim Moniz
• Tram 24 direction Campolide
• Tram 24 direction Praça Luís de Camões

Admire the street art

We already covered some street art spots in our 2-day itinerary but it doesn’t stop there.  Fans of  street art  will certainly have a good time in Lisbon. Many beautiful places are scattered in and around the city center.

Below we list those we could find although there certainly could be more:

• Escadinhas de São Cristóvão:  Fado-inspired drawings in a nice alley with steps.
• During a walk through  Bairro Alto , a popular neighborhood with many bars and small restaurants, you will pass by some murals. Here are some streets in this district:  Rua Vinha ,  Rua São Boaventura,   Travessa dos Fiéis de Deus
• The Crono project, 3 buildings near  Rua Andrada Corvo  (see below)
• The Galeria De Arte Urbana (see below)
• Parque Mayer (see below)
• Amoreiras wall on  Avenida Conselheiro Fernando de Sousa
• The Apolonia wall (see below)
• The big raccoon is a work of art in relief near  Praça do Império

The Crono Project

In 2010, the Crono project was started. For this, the city invited a number of international names who worked together with local Portuguese street artists. The aim was to convert old dilapidated buildings in the financial district into a gigantic outdoor art project.

These works are pretty striking and hard to miss when you ride the bus from the airport to the city center.

The 3 best-known buildings are located on the Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo.  The nearest metro station  is Picoas on the Amarela / yellow line. From the Parque station on the Azul / blue line, it is about a 5 minutes walk.

The Crono Project counts more artworks than these 3 buildings. Here you will find  the full overview.

Gau / Urban Art Gallery

Street art is so important for Lisbon that they have established  GAU – Galeria de Arte Urbana  or the Urban Art Gallery under the wings of the city’s culture and heritage as a place for street artists. Every artist can submit a proposal and when they are accepted, they can refresh the streets of Lisbon with their works of art.

On the GAU website, you will find artworks spread over the entire city on a handy map. Handy if you want to plan a walk.

The place where this initiative started was  the Calçada da Glória,  a steeply rising street in the center of Lisbon.

To get here, take  the metro to Restauradores (Linha Azul / blue line) . From here it is a short walk to the foot of the street. The artworks are mainly at the top of the street. You can, of course, walk up on foot but you can also choose to take the Ascensor da Glória and come back on foot.

When you have a Lisboa pass or a public transport pass, the cable car ride is free.

If you come from  Bairro Alto  you have to walk to the Rua São Pedro de Alcântara, it comes out at the top of the Calçada da Glória

In  the Largo da Oliveirinha a  side street about halfway the Calçada da Glória you will find more works.

Parque Mayer/Maria Vitoria theater

Parque Mayer is a street that forms a loop. Previously, several theaters were located along this street, but this old theater district still has only one functioning theater today. The street has now been transformed into a large public parking lot. Street artists eagerly use the many open spaces to exhibit their works of art.

The Parque Mayer is located near the Avenida da Liberdade.

The closest metro stop  is Avenida on the Azul / blue line. From the exit of the metro, you can follow the signposts to the Teatro Maria Vitoria.

The Santa Apolónia coastline 

The Crono project is not the only project that has brightened up Lisbon. In 2010 there was also  the Pampero Public Art Project.  With this project, some abandoned depots have been given a new look. These are life-sized and very colorful works by José Carvalho, Smile, Vanessa Teodoro (Supervan), and Tamara Alves. There are also some works by Vhils-Pixelpancho, a well-known local artist, who works with an enormous eye for detail.

These warehouses are located along the Avenida Infante Dom Henrique.

They are the easiest to reach  by bus.  Take bus 728, 735, 759 or 794 and stop at the Casa Conto bus stop.

Attend a fado performance

When you are in Lisbon, it is an excellent opportunity to attend a Fado performance.  The Fado music  is so interwoven with Portuguese culture that it is often regarded as national music.

Fado is a highly prized singing art in Portugal that used to be sung exclusively in shabby pubs. It is usually sung by a single person, called a fadista, who is accompanied by a classical guitar and a Portuguese guitar.

Fado occupies a special place in the lives of many Portuguese people.

She gives voice to the minds of life, sadness, melancholy, and joy, most of the time the inevitable fate takes a central place. The name Fado comes from the Latin word for destiny.

During a summer evening walk in the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto, Alfama and Mouraria you will be able to enjoy the fado sounds that come out of the restaurants but if you want to attend a fado performance you can book this in advance. The best addresses are usually fully booked in advance.

Below we list a number of possibilities  where you can enjoy a fado performance.

Stroll along the Cemitério dos Prazeres

This gigantic cemetery (the official name is Cemitério do Alto de São João) covers an area of 20 ha.

The district used to be a rich part of the city, which is still visible in a large number of works of art,  sculptures,  architecture, and the quality of the used materials. The construction of the cemetery took place in 1833 when elsewhere in the city there was no longer enough space for the many cholera victims.

Many well-known Portuguese actors, singers, and writers are buried here and it seems like every family with money and respect has a family tomb here. Some are the size of a small home.

You get here by taking tram 25 or 28 to the final stop, Campo de Orique (Prazeres).

If you’re interested in a romantic ghostly walk along the cemeteries of Lisbon then this is for you: Cemetery Tour

Go Azulejos spotting

Our 2-day Lisbon itinerary takes you along 2 houses that are richly decorated with Azulejos but those are not the only places where you can find these tiles.

In  Largo Intendente  you will find the beautiful blue-white façade of tile fabrication Fabrica Viüa Lamego. South you will find  the house Campo de Santa Clara 124  which also has a beautiful blue-yellow facade.

In  the Chiado   district,  you will find the beautiful decorated  Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas  at Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.

In  the metro stations , you also often find large panels of azulejos. The classic blue tiles can be found in the Campo Grande station. In many other stations such as Picoas, Parque, and Campo Pequeno you will find more modern works made with the same technique.

But even if you just wander through Lisbon, you will every once in a while almost accidentally bump into some beautiful.

If you aren’t bored with all those azulejos afterward, be sure to pay a visit to  the Azulejos museum.

With  the Lisboa card,  the entrance is free. Otherwise, you pay € 5.

Day 3 in Lisbon

Make a day trip to sintra.

Sintra, one of  the most beautiful small towns in Portugal  is located 25 kilometers from Lisbon. It’s a fairytale town that is perfect to discover during a day trip. In Sintra, you will find 2 palaces and a castle. As a culture lover, you can really enjoy yourself here.

For us, the highlight of our visit to Sintra was the fairytale palace of Pena.

The easiest way to reach Sintra is  by public transport.  You can take a train from the Rossio station or the Oriente station to Sintra. A train departs every 15 minutes. A bit more than half an hour later you are in Sintra.

The train ride to Sintra is free with  the Lisboa card.

Spend a wonderful day at the beach in Cascaïs

Do you fancy a day at the beach?  Cascaïs is the ideal place to do so. This somewhat mundane resort is located 30 kilometers from Lisbon.

You can easily reach Cascaïs by train from the Cais do Sodré train station.

With  the Lisboa Card,  the trip by train to Cascaïs is free.

Here is an overview of more interesting day trips from Lisbon.

If you prefer to visit Sintra and Cascaïs with an organized guided tour, then this excursion might be something for you: Guided Tour

The best place to stay in Lisbon

Below we have a number of nice hotels in the center of Lisbon.

Luxury hotel

Hotel avenida palace .

Do you want to spoil yourself during your city trip to Lisbon, then  the Hotel Avenida Palace  is a good choice. This belle epoque hotel is located in the historical part of Lisbon within walking distance of a number of attractions and the metro. Tastefully decorated rooms and a fantastic breakfast will make your stay unforgettable.

Click here to see the latest prices on Booking.com: Booking.com

Premium comfortable hotel

Nh collection lisboa liberdade.

The NH Collection Lisboa hotel  is located on Avenida da Liberdade, surrounded by luxury shops and boutiques. The hotel is close to the metro and is a great starting point to discover Lisbon. You sleep in a beautiful room with a spacious walk-in shower. Extensive and luxurious breakfast. From the roof terrace, you have a magnificent view of Lisbon.

Weather permitting you can relax in the pool after a busy day.

Comfortable hotel

My story hotel rossio.

The My Story Hotel Rossio is a great hotel in the center of Lisbon. From your room, you have a beautiful view of one of the liveliest squares in Central Lisbon. The metro, bus and tram stations are nearby. Ideal for a city trip.

The airport Aerobus stops almost in front of the hotel.

If you aren’t convinced of these hotels, you will find a lot of other hotels in Busan on Booking.com: Booking.com

Lisbon travel tips

Cheap flights to lisbon.

If you want to score cheap flights to Lisbon we advise you to have a look at Momondo and Skyscanner.  Both are flight aggregators that compare several hundreds of booking sites and give you an overview of the best flights and the cheapest sites to book them. 

Momondo and Skyscanner are both very good at finding good deals, of the two, Momondo is probably the one with the most intuitive user interface.

Read  our full review about 10 booking sites here.

Those who are always on the lookout for the best deals should join the Dollar Flight Club. Joining is free and once you’ve joined you will get alerts in your mailbox whenever cheap flights out of your home airport have been found. 

I recently joined the club and already saw some incredible deals.  Joining is free and it can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Travel insurance for Lisbon

Make sure you have some sort of travel insurance before you leave for Lisbon.  We never had anything serious happen on any of our journeys around the world but you know what they say, better safe than sorry…

Public transport in Lisbon

You should definitely ride the iconic yellow trams of Lisbon during your 3 days in Lisbon. Public transport in Lisbon is well-organized and relatively easy to use.

The metro is the cheapest way to get from the airport to the center.  If you’re looking for an easier and more comfortable way you can opt for the  Aerobus,  a  private  or a  shared taxi.  Check our  guide about public transport in Lisbon  for more details about the taxi rates.

Once you are in the center of Lisbon you can discover the city on foot. You should also of course at least once ride the famous yellow iconic trams.

If you want to discover the city without worrying about getting lost you can take  the hop-on-hop-off bus  or opt for a  tuk-tuk ride, a great option for a private city tour. 

The public ferry is ideal if you want to see Lisbon from the water. Romantics can even opt for an exclusive sailing trip.

Here’s  an overview of available sailing trips and more information about Lisbon’s ferry system .

Lastly, the train is a cheap and fast solution for making day trips from Lisbon to popular destinations such as Sintra and Cascais. 

For more information on Lisbon’s public transport, including  the best discount passes for your Lisbon visit , have a look at our complete guide about  public transport in Lisbon. 

You don’t need a car in Lisbon, but if you plan on traveling around Portugal, check out this post in which we share everything you need to know about renting a car in Portugal.

Lisbon money-saving travel tips

Below we share some tips that will help you to save money during your Lisbon trip.

The Lisboa card

If you are planning to visit many museums and historic buildings during your three days in Lisbon, it might be interesting to purchase the Lisboa Card.

After all, this card gives you free use of public transport for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours in addition to free entrance and discounts on museums and other attractions.

This card is only interesting if you are planning to visit many museums. If you are only going to use public transport, you are better off with a Viva Viagem card.

We have listed all the benefits of the Lisboa Card below:

• Free transport: unlimited travel by bus, metro, tram, funicular (cable car) and the city lift.
• Free access to more than 20 museums and historic buildings.
• Avoid the queue: This card gives you priority at many places of interest. Because it is often very busy and there are often long queues for sights, you save a lot of time.
• Free city guide: free city guide with useful information and tips.
• Discounts: the Lisboa card also gives a discount of 10-30% on many museums and attractions.
• Day trips to Sintra and Cascais: If you plan to visit Sintra and Cascais during your stay in Lisbon, you will also receive free admission or a nice discount.

Click here for a complete overview of all the benefits of the Lisboa card or buy your card here: Lisboa card

Free museum access

Is there a certain museum on your wish list? Chances are you can visit it for free, or at a considerable discount, on Sundays.

Some museums open their doors every Sunday for free, other museums do so on the first Sunday of every month.

Some offer only free access for children and 65+ and a discount for all others. 

Some popular museums restrict free admission to residents of Lisbon or Portugal.

74 interesting facts about Portugal.

The rules differ from museum to museum and can be found on the website of the museum.

If you do not know the website, you can start your search from  the website of the tourist office of Lisbon  that has an overview of all museums in and around Lisbon.

While you wait for your food, you will often be served some appetizers. These are usually not free, so don’t touch them if you do not want to pay.

Wear comfortable shoes

This is not a money-saving tip but it is important to know.

You will probably walk a lot during your city trip to Lisbon.

Because Lisbon is built on 8 hills, it can at times even look a bit like a steep mountain hike.

Comfortable footwear is therefore recommended when you want to discover this city.

Lisbon is a super fun city to spend a weekend or even a longer city trip. You can visit the many historic buildings or just get a feel of the city by wandering through the cobblestone streets.  You can relax, enjoy the views and do some people watching at one of the many miradouros. 

Bring some pasteis de nata when you’re going to admire the sunset at one of these viewpoints, they’re finger-licking good!

After sunset, you can socialize with the Lisboans in the bars or attend a fado performance. Lisbon has something to do for everyone.

If you have been to Lisbon and have some extra tips do not hesitate to share them in the comments.

If you have more time to spend in Portugal, check out these  beautiful places in Portugal. 

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• Things to do
• Tours and Actitivies
• Lisboa Card
• Accommodation

Places of interest detailed in our guide

Maps and guides about lisbon.

If you are planning your trip to Lisbon, in the interactive map on this page you can find all the places of interest that we recommend you visit and other useful points for your trip, such as the airport . Simply click on the placeholders in the map, or in the list just below, to go to the in-depth tabs on the individual point of interest.

Buy travel guides on Amazon

However, if you are used to organising your itineraries with a traditional paper guide, buy one of the following.

Tourist maps of Lisbon to download

The Lisbon Tourist Board has produced maps of the city’s most touristy districts with the main points of interest and transport . Click on the previews below to enlarge them, download them and, if you wish, print them out.

Indispensable for every tourist, the map of Lisbon city centre is very useful for planning your itinerary to discover the most beautiful attractions.

Map of Lisbon city center

Map of belem district, map of the park of nations, map of the lisbon metro.

If instead you are looking for the Lisbon metro map, with all the lines and stops, you can download and print it for free by clicking on the button below.

Where Lisbon is located

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with a population of about 547,000. It is located on the river Tajo, about 12 km from its mouth. Lisbon is an important tourist and cultural centre and the seat of numerous European and international institutions. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and is known for its mild climate, beaches, monuments and cultural heritage.

How to save on transport and entrance fees

City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.

Home > Transportation > Metro

Lisbon Metro

Travelers' guide.

T he four clean, safe, and artful lines of the Lisbon metro (shown on the map above, present at any station) connect downtown's waterfront to the northern districts and the suburbs of Amadora and Odivelas. The first lines opened in 1959 and are still expanding. They do not, however, reach the Belém district or the neighborhoods on the tallest hill around the castle ( Graça and the highest part of Alfama ). Still, the metro is the most efficient way to get to many of the city's attractions and hotels between the hours of 6:30am and 1am .

Campo Grande station, with a decoration imitating baroque tile panels.

Artistic projects decorate most of the stations, including themed tiled walls by contemporary artists. The red line is the most impressive, but other stations of this underground gallery feature works by prominent Portuguese artists: Vieira da Silva in Rato and Cidade Universitária, Júlio Pomar in Alto dos Moinhos, and Maria Keil in most of the stations of the green and yellow lines.

Inside a Lisbon Metro train

The blue line is the one most used by tourists, as it goes down Avenida da Liberdade to Baixa and the train station of Santa Apolónia . The green line is also popular, especially its stops in Rossio Square and Cais do Sodré station . The red line connects the Parque das Nações district and the airport to the other lines. The yellow line is mostly used by locals, as it heads north, away from the main tourist areas.

Saldanha station of the Metro, which connects the yellow and red lines.

The frequency of the trains depends on the time of day and day of the week. They run every 5 to 7 minutes during rush hours , and as much as 10 to 12 minutes at night .

Lisbon Metro ticket machines

Metro Tickets and Fares

Rides are FREE with the Lisboa Card , otherwise you'll need to use a contactless card or mobile device to pay when you access the platforms (touch in and touch out on the card readers), or buy your ticket (a magnetic card) from the machines found at every station (they have instructions in English, French, and Spanish, in addition to Portuguese). Be sure to keep your ticket handy because you'll need to scan it again to exit. There are two fare zones, but all of the tourist areas and the airport are within zone 1 (zone 2 covers the suburbs). A single ride is €1.65 , but there’s a 24-hour ticket for unlimited travel for €6.60 . That 24-ticket includes the city’s buses and trams .

Using a contactless card or mobile phone is the easiest way to pay for a Lisbon Metro ride

"Viva Viagem" Card

If you don't pay with your contactless card or phone, the first time you ride the metro, you need to purchase the magnetic “Viva Viagem” card. It costs €0.50 and can be used to recharge future trips or the 24-hour ticket mentioned above. A Viva Viagem can only be used by one person, so if you’re traveling as a family, every member should get their own. This card is valid for 12 months, and can be used in all of Lisbon’s urban and suburban transportation. Inconveniently, this card only accepts one type of fare at a time, meaning if you charge metro tickets, you can’t then add train tickets. The only way around this is to charge the card with a ticket called “Zapping,” which is a credit with amounts ranging from €3 to €40 (it can be charged at any metro ticket machine). It can then be used to pay all public transportation, deducting €1.47 for every metro, bus or tram ride, and €1.90 for every train journey. With the 24-hour ticket and the free Lisboa Card access, this Zapping may not be very useful for tourists.

Exit of Campo Grande station to the bus terminal

Major Stations

Baixa-chiado.

It’s on the green and blue lines, and one of the busiest stations. One exit leads to the flat streets of Baixa , while another is reached through a steep series of escalators which lead to the Chiado district on the hilltop. The Baixa exit is a short walk from Rua Augusta and the bottom of the Santa Justa Elevator , while the Chiado exit is close to the top of the Santa Justa Elevator, Carmo Convent , and the neighborhood of Bairro Alto .

Marquês de Pombal

It connects the blue and yellow lines, so it’s just as busy as Baixa-Chiado. From this station, you may walk down Avenida da Liberdade , walk up to Edward VII Park , or visit the Medeiros e Almeida Museum .

Cais do Sodré

The last station on the green line links to the trains to Cascais ’ beaches and to the ferries to Cacilhas (where many tourists hop on a bus to the Cristo Rei monument or the beaches of Costa da Caparica ). It’s very busy with commuters during the day, and with the local youth at night, for the bars nearby.

Campo Grande

Connects the green and yellow lines, and to a bus terminal with buses to different destinations in the Lisbon region, like Óbidos and Ericeira . Across the road from one of the two exits is also Pimenta Palace, the main branch of the Lisbon Museum .

São Sebastião

It’s on the blue line and also the first station of the red line. One of its exits leads to the El Corte Inglés department store, and it’s just a few feet from the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum .

The busiest station on the red line is the gateway to the Parque das Nações district (with its famous Oceanarium and the popular Vasco da Gama mall). It connects to long-distance trains and buses.

Access to the platforms at São Sebastião station, which connects the red ("vermelha") and the blue ("azul") lines.

Access to the Disabled and Priority Seating in the Lisbon Metro

Only some stations of the Lisbon Metro are accessible to those on wheelchairs or with mobility issues. That means an elevator to the train platforms. All stations on the red line (from/to the airport and Oriente Station) have them, but many of the ones on the yellow, blue, and green lines (including many of the main ones in the city center) do not. Most do have escalators. You can see which stations have wheelchair access on the map at the top of this page.

All trains of the Lisbon Metro have priority seating for pregnant women, elderly passengers, passengers carrying small children, and passengers with disabilities. If you’re one of those people, don’t hesitate to ask for a seat when the train is full, and remember to offer your seat if you see a passenger who has priority.

The white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland in the metro station of Cais do Sodré

Search Lisbon:

Complete Lisbon Guide

Insider's guide with the latest travel tips, information and advice from local experts:

Where to Stay

Hotels in Alfama and the Castle

Hotels on Avenida da Liberdade

Hotels in Bairro Alto

Hotels in Baixa

Hotels in Chiado

Hotels in Príncipe Real

Hotels in Avenidas Novas

Neighborhoods

Avenida da Liberdade

Avenidas Novas

Bairro Alto

Campo de Ourique

Parque das Nações

Príncipe Real

What to See & Do

Top 50 Attractions

Top 30 Museums

Top 30 Viewpoints

Best Beaches

Best Day Trips

Itinerary Advice

Family Attractions

On a Rainy Day

1 Day in Lisbon

Tourist Card

Tourist Map

Most Popular Attractions

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

Bica Funicular

Glória Funicular

Bus 101 to Cristo Rei

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Airport Guide

Airport Transportation

Rossio Station

Santa Apolónia Station

Oriente Station

Cais do Sodré Station

Sete Rios Bus Station

Cacilhas Bus Station

Portugal Travel Guides

for Solo Travel Over 50

Fabulous 4 Days in Lisbon Itinerary (2024)

UPDATED 8/5/24

If you’re planning on spending 4 days in Lisbon (or even just 3 days in Lisbon), use this Lisbon solo travel itinerary to get the best of Lisbon and Lisbon day trips on your first-time Lisbon solo travel.

This Lisbon itinerary is intentionally written for those doing Lisbon solo travel, first time in Lisbon travel, older travel (I am over 50), budget travel and/or eco-friendly travel. Yet, anyone can use this Lisbon itinerary it to plan and book a fulfilling trip to Lisbon.

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This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. For products, the goal is to first provide direct links to eco-friendly, ethical, and sustainable companies, and then to those same type (i.e., Climate Pledge Friendly Certification ), of brands that use Amazon, if possible. Therefore, you may see multiple links for one option. Should you make a purchase through any link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my Disclaimers & Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information.

All You Need for This 4 Day Lisbon Itinerary

The ultimate lisbon travel guide & video, 5 must dos in lisbon portugal video, the lisbon card, day 1 – baixa & barrio alto, day 2 – explore alfama, day 3 – day trip to sintra, day 4 – day trip to cascais, download this lisbon 4 day itinerary in a pdf, download the lisbon 3 day itinerary pdf.

Here are all of the sites you need to successfully book your incredible 4 days in Lisbon, Portugal solo travel.

I even give you my suggested Lisbon hotel as a centrally-located stay in Lisbon ideal for exploring Lisbon on foot for the first time.

I recommend you bookmark and use these sites early to lock in your Lisbon 4 day itinerary and get the best Lisbon travel deals.

Cheap Flights to Lisbon

Trains to Lisbon

Buses to Lisbon

Best Lisbon City Center Hostels

Best Lisbon City Center Hotels

My Lisbon Hotel Pick

Lisbon Card: 24, 48, or 72 Hours

Don’t forget to use the Ultimate Lisbon Solo Travel Guide to plan your 4 days in Lisbon, Portugal. It is the ultimate one-stop-shop guide for all you need to know to plan Lisbon solo travel with:

• Best Time to Visit Lisbon
• Getting to Lisbon
• How to Get Around Lisbon
• Lisbon Solo Travel Safety
• Packing Essentials for Lisbon
• Best Places to Stay in Lisbon Solo
• Best Things to See and Do in Lisbon
• Lisbon Dining, Nightlife and Shopping
• Best Booking Sites for Lisbon Travel
• Top Lisbon Budget and Ecotourism Travel Tips

Want to see the ultimate Lisbon Solo Travel Guide in action instead? Watch the very popular 15 Things to Know Before You Go to Lisbon video.

Discover Lisbon visually while learning the top 15 things to know before you go to Lisbon, from getting there, getting around, where to stay, top things to do in Lisbon, eco travel tips, Lisbon pro travel tips, and more to plan your first time travel to Lisbon.

If you’re a first-time traveler to Portugal, also use my Ultimate Portugal Solo Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more to plan solo travel in Portugal.

More Portugal Travel Guides & Itineraries

• Perfect 3 Days in Porto First Time Itinerary
• The Ultimate Porto Solo Travel Guide
• Coimbra in 1 Day Itinerary and Guide
• 7 Best Europe Beach Destinations for Solo Travelers

Yes, you will get to do all of these must do things in Lisbon in this 4 days in Lisbon itinerary. If you’re not inspired to travel to Lisbon after watching this Lisbon video, then keep reading.

The Lisbon Card is designed to save you money on top Lisbon attractions and provide additional discounts and free access to unlimited Lisbon public transportation for 24, 48, or 72 hour periods. The card can be reserved now while paying later.

It is not required to purchase the Lisbon Card for this Lisbon 4-day itinerary. However, if you wish to add additional Lisbon attractions to this Lisbon itinerary, you may want to consider buying one, especially if your solo trip to Lisbon is in peak season.

The Lisbon Card and More

Best of lisbon in 4 days solo itinerary.

This Lisbon itinerary not only shows things to do alone in Lisbon in 4 days, but it also provides unforgettable day trips from Lisbon.

When you use this 4 day itinerary for solo travel over 50 to enjoy the best of Lisbon and surrounding areas, and you’ll find you can’t wait to go back to Lisbon.

Lisbon Itinerary Travel Tip s

• This itinerary assumes staying centrally in Baixa as my Lisbon Solo Travel Guide suggests.
• This itinerary works best checking into (or checking bags at) your hotel no later than noon.
• Travel in the shoulder season for good weather and daylight hours, less tourists, and lower costs.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and stay hydrated , especially if your solo travel in Lisbon is in peak season.
• Consult my Lisbon Solo Travel Guide and Portugal Travel Guide to plan your Lisbon solo travel.

You’ll find this 4 day Lisbon itinerary (also adjusted for 3 days in Lisbon) is very laid back allowing you to just become familiar with Lisbon by walking around and exploring much of the city from the outdoors. You’ll have opportunities to pop inside to some gorgeous, historic buildings, along the way, but there are no tickets to buy to enter.

If there is a popular attraction nearby that calls for tickets, I’ll note that ‘extra’ attraction should you find it appealing to visit. Otherwise, do not feel you need to see the ‘extras’. These 4 days in Lisbon itinerary is pleasurable as-is.

Arriving Lisbon

Bags securely checked at your Lisbon hotel , you’ll embark on a slow, self-guided walking tour of Baixa and Barrio Alto.

Make your way north to Rossio Square to admire the open space with the Estátua do Rei Dom Pedro IV and north and south side fountains. Cafes also line the west side if you’d like to grab a snack.

Exiting the northern end, stop into Igreja de São Domingos to marvel at its unpolished, pink walls and ceiling. I’ve never seen a church like this. You’ll love it.

Start on the northern end of Baixa by going up to Restauradores Square and take in the scenery. If high-end shopping is your thing, spend some extra time going north up Avenida de Liberdade.

Next, walk 20 minutes to São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint to admire the views of the city and Tagus River. When ready, head south through the Barrio Alto admiring the picturesque neighborhood first making brief stop at Church of São Roque , followed by a stroll down Rua da Misericórdia to Praça Luís de Camões for more lovely outdoor scenery.

Wander the Rua Garrett for window shopping making your way to briefly view the ruins of the Carmo Convent followed by a stop at the Santa Justa Lift for a ride to the top and more city views.

When done, head south to stroll the cobblestone pedestrian Rua Augusta . There is a lot to take in on this walk towards the Tagus River. Take your time until it’s time to pass under the Arco da Rua Augusta and enter Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square).

Walk Commerce Square to take in the views from all sides. See the São Jorge Castle above on the hill. Head down to the water to Cais das Colunas . Walk along Avenida Ribeira das Naus towards the 25 de Abril Bridge if you feel up to it or just stay at the Cais das Colunas. If it’s close to sunset, find a good spot. You’ll enjoy watching the sun go down.

Top Tours in Lisbon

By now you’re probably hungry. You’re in a great location for dining.

Head back to any one of the restaurants near Rua Augusta that caught your eye for dinner and drinks (don’t forget the side streets as well). Stop into any restaurant or cafe you wish with a good menu and outdoor tables. Or, dine at A Tasquinha Canto do Fado or Duque da Rua for dinner with music.

Don’t forget to toast to your first night in Lisbon with a shot of Ginjinha, a sour cherry liquor, after dinner. It’s delicious.

Take your time getting up. If you’re having an amazing European breakfast in your hotel, it more than likely won’t be ready until 8am. Fill up and put your walking shoes on again, because Day 2 in Lisbon is more walking but with hills. In Alfama.

First up, a brief self-guided tour of Igreja de Santo António , followed by the imposing Lisbon Cathedral right behind it.

Make your back to the Rua Augusta area to see or do anything you may have missed the day before.

Next up is your ride on Tram 28 and sparing your feet the hills to come. Catch the tram at the Martim Moniz stop 24-hour tickets can be purchased at metro station in advance or on the tram. Try to get a window seat and keep watch for any pick pockets, especially if the tram is crowded.

You’ll enjoy a slow ride up the hill and come to the Lg. Portas Sol stop. This is a great place to get off and walk, or take a Tuk-Tuk, some more beautiful attractions, like the Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora (or exit the tram at the Voz Operário stop and walk to the Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora).

Whether you decide to visit the Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora or not, make your way back to Lg. Portas Sol.

If you’re feeling lazy (like I was), just find a spot at one of the terraces and patios of the Miradouro das Portas do Sol and drink sangria (or whatever) and just enjoy the view…. for hours.

On beautiful day, you may have to wait to find a seat. Once you find one, you’ll not want to move.

At some point, you’re going to have to move, and move before sunset. Why? From your lovely vista point you’re just a small walk up hill to Castelo de S. Jorge , a must do in Lisbon.

If you thought the views from Miradouro das Portas do Sol were good, then just wait until you get to the castle. I highly suggest getting there at least one hour before sunset so you have time to walk around the castle and enjoy the grounds, the peacocks (yes, peacocks), and all of the view points overlooking Lisbon.

Then, find your favorite spot and watch the sunset.

Stroll the castle grounds a little more after sunset. The castle is lit up and beautiful. Say goodbye to the peacocks (now firmly entrenched above in the trees), and walk downhill through Alfama to dine closer to your hotel, or stay and dine in Alfama . Find a roof top bar to end the night or, of course, there is also plenty of places for Fado music in Alfama .

Top Things to Do in Lisbon

Day 3 in Lisbon and it’s time to get out of Lisbon. You’re probably asking, “Why would I want to leave if I only have 4 days in Lisbon?”.

Trust me. No first-time visit to Lisbon would be complete without a day trip to Sintra . You can easily do this Sintra day trip self-guided by catching the train from the Rossio Train station for a few Euros each way.

Trains take 40 minutes in each direction. At the Sintra station, catch the first available bus 434 (there will be several in front of the Sintra station). Bus tickets can be bought on the bus.

In one day, you can see the following Sintra attractions self-guided, especially if you get your tickets in advance: National Palace of Pena with skip-the-line ticket , the Castle of the Moors with priority entry ticket , and the Quinta da Regaleira , also with a skip-the-line-ticket .

Pick up a bus to the Sintra station, or keep walking, so that you’re on the train back to Lisbon before dinner.

If you don’t want to do self-guided, take a guided Sintra group day trip that I’m sure is worth it.

Back in Lisbon around dinner time, you could go back to ride Tram 28 through Lisbon’s neighborhoods (last stop is Campo de Orique) and stop off dinner and drinks at the location of your choosing.

Top Things to Do in Sintra Portugal

Again, take your time in the morning. This is a lazy 4 days in Lisbon, remember?

Like day 3, you’re going to get out of town again today. This time to Cascais for sun and more relaxation. After breakfast, walk an easy 20 minutes along the river to the Cais do Sodré station. For a couple of Euros, catch the train to Estoril to walk the Alameda Duquesa de Palmela to Cascais enjoying the sea view and multiple beaches leading to Cascais.

Here is your day to do whatever you choose, from lounging on the beach, shopping and dining in the historic center, or taking in historic sites.

If it’s to be lounging on the beach and it’s a hot day or peak season, I suggest trying to catch the train early so you can get a spot on the beach. Remember, I consider Cascais one of the best beach destinations in Europe , so you can count on Cascais beaches (there are several) to be full. You’ll want to rent a beach chair and umbrella early.

Portugal Travel Tips

Make sure you stay hydrated and wear your good marine and reef safe sunscreen all day.

For the best beach experience on your Portugal solo travel over 50, check out the 25 solo travel essentials for going to the beach alone and the top tips on how to do a solo beach trip .

Do what you please. Take breaks to grab food – you’ll find many places to stop for a bite along the beaches.

Cascais is such a quaint town, it’s worth exploring. When you’re done with the beach, stroll through town to the 5th of October Square to Mirador Casa de Santa María for great picture taking.

Again, if you don’t want to do self-guided, there is guided Sintra group day trip with Cascais you could opt for and do something different on your third day in Lisbon.

Dine in Cascais or head to Lisbon for dinner. Trains leave about every 30 minutes so you have flexibility on this last day of your 4 days in Lisbon alone.

Top Day Trips from Lisbon

Now that you know all of the amazing things you can realistically see and do in Lisbon in 4 days, why not have this itinerary at your fingertips on your trip?

An international solo female traveler since 1995, you know this Lisbon Itinerary is from my actual, self-created and traveled Lisbon solo trip, not a crappy, AI-generated itinerary with stock photos and misinformation. I’ve done all of the work for you so you know it’s an itinerary you can trust.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, older traveler, or budget traveler, this Lisbon 4 Day Itinerary PDF is a steal .

So, why spend more time researching and planning? Grab this Lisbon itinerary now and download it in a Lisbon 4 Day Itinerary PDF . Formatted for sleek use on all devices , it not only gives you the 4 day itinerary, it also gives a full Lisbon travel guide. Check out all you get, with clickable links, taking out all of the guesswork so you can go ahead and book your Lisbon trip:

• Arrival transportation methods,
• Lisbon Airport transportation to the city center,
• Local transportation methods, including the Hop On Hop Off bus and tuk tuk, walking, bike/e-bike tours and more,
• Top city center accommodations recommendations (including budget stays),
• What to eat and where to eat dining suggestions,
• Dining apps to use,
• City, historical and food walking tours,
• The Lisbon Card,
• Links to the top Lisbon attractions with clickable walking maps for each day in Lisbon and beyond,
• What to bring to Lisbon travel essentials,
• CORR Travel Portugal and Lisbon Travel resources,
• Lisbon events and holiday schedule, and
• Eco-travel and ecotourism resources.

Planning 3 days in Lisbon instead? Get the same great Lisbon Travel Guide with 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary PDF designed to give you the best of Lisbon, and beyond, in a shorter period of time. Trust me, you’ll love it.

Let Me Hear From You

I would love to hear if this 4 days in Lisbon solo travel itinerary was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!

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