If you are planning your first trip to Lisbon, this is the perfect itinerary to get to know the city and explore like a local! Discover the best parts of Lisbon, enjoy delicious Portuguese food, and learn about the best day trips and tours from Lisbon!
PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE
Language
Portuguese is the main language, however, most locals speak very good English! Also, many people understand Spanish.
Currency
The currency in Portugal is Euro €. Just a side note, avoid using Euronet ATMs as they can charge a very high-interest rate! Also, I advise having some cash before your arrival or using Revolut for your daily transactions.
Transport
Although I strongly believe it is best to discover a city on foot, especially Lisbon since it has so many beautiful hidden streets, I understand public transport can sometimes be a better alternative for some. First, I will mention that getting from the airport to any central hotel will cost you around €35 by taxi. However, getting back from the city to the airport is usually a lot less. Meanwhile, getting around the capital is relatively easy and cheap! Lisbon has a modern metro system, operating between 6.30 am to 1 am every day. For buses, most major lines run from 5 am to 11 pm. Make sure to buy a Viva Viagem card for public transport, you can purchase these at any metro station! Note, the Viva Viagem card does not cover hop-on hop-off buses!
Budget
On average, the daily expense can add up to around €100 per day, more or less. This includes food, transport, and activities. Accommodation is around €70 – €80 additional, per night on average. Of course, these can depend on your preference and spending. Meanwhile, an average meal price is about €10 – €13 for a mid-range restaurant.
How Long To Spend In Lisbon
3-4 days is the ideal length of time to explore all the main tourist attractions in Lisbon. You will have enough time to learn more about the capital’s history, sample some delicious Portuguese food and enjoy the local nightlife. There are also many great day trips from Lisbon if you want to make the most out of your short stay in Portugal.
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ABOUT LISBON
This charming capital spread across 7 hills, will keep you on your feet all day! You will discover many picture-perfect spots, beautiful hidden alleyways, inviting corner cafes, and many, many hills… As you explore Lisbon, you will notice the eye-catching azulejos (colorful ceramic tiles) everywhere, which were long brought by the Arabs. To this day, these unique tiles are part of Portugals’ culture and architectural signature. Lisbon is also known to be the oldest city in western Europe, and is believed to be four centuries older than Rome!
[ watch ‘Explore Lisbon With Me’ video ]
Beneath the surface of the capital, hides the centuries-old recipe for the famous pastel de nata (egg custard tarts)! This is an extremely well-known and popular dessert in Portugal, originating in Lisbon back in the 13th century. Although you can find these delicious tarts globally, rumor has it there are only 3 bakers who know the original recipe that has never been written down! I highly recommend trying these desserts while in Lisbon, it is a must for your Lisbon checklist! If you want to know more about Portuguese food and where to find the best places to eat in Lisbon, make sure to read Where To Eat In Lisbon & Popular Portuguese Food Guide.
The following 3-day itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors in Lisbon. This itinerary will allow you to discover the most popular sights in Lisbon and even explore outside the city. As usual, I understand everyone explores at their own pace and might enjoy some sights more than others. You can always adjust the pace to your own preference and replace some of the activities with something else! You can follow this perfect itinerary step by step or take some insight and inspiration!
DAY 1
You will begin your first day by exploring two of the main districts in Lisbon, Baixa, and Alfama districts. It is possible to cover both of these districts in one day, however, be prepared to get your steps in. But don’t worry, you will soon get lost in the charming streets of Lisbon and lose count of your steps! If you prefer to use public transport, then feel free to hop on the tram or use the hop-on-hop-off bus service. However, I must mention most of the following sights are pedestrianized central areas and are not accessible by transport, therefore I suggest sticking with walking for now.
THE BAIXA DISTRICT
This is Lisbon’s downtown and the heart of the city, here you will find the bustling shopping streets of Lisbon, beautiful grand plazas, and an endless choice of cafes and restaurants.
1.) Praça Dom Pedro IV / Rossio Square
Stop by the Rossio square and admire the wave-patterned tiles. See King Pedro IV’s monument at the center of a large fountain. In the background, you can observe the impressive National Theater Dona Maria II, which is one of the most prestigious Portuguese venues. If you are interested in visiting this venue, you can book a guided tour here!
2.) Praca dos Restauradores
This is another beautiful plaza only around the corner from Rossio square! Here you can admire the 17th-century architecture and take a quick photo! Also, if you plan to take any day trips from Lisbon, you can find most of the tour buses here. Further down the Av da. Liberdade road, you can find many high-end retailers such as Gucci and Prada.
3.) Rua Augusta pedestrian street
Next, make your way to Rua Augusta street. This is a lively and busy pedestrian street filled with endless outdoor cafes and restaurants, international shops, and fun street performers and artists. Here you can enjoy a cup of coffee while observing the busy capital. Rua Augusta is the main pedestrian street in Lisbon!
4.) Santa Justa Elevator
As you walk along the Rua Augusta pedestrian street, you can find the Santa Justa Elevator. This is an impressive century-old observation tower with a walkway above downtown Lisbon, leading to the Chiado district up the hill. From here you can get some of the best views of the capital, especially of the Castelo de S. Jorge (Saint Georges castle)! It costs € 5.15 (US$ 5.60) return, if you want to go to the viewpoint, it costs an additional €1.50. You can purchase your ticket at the elevator.
NOTE
The best advice I can give, a well-planned itinerary, plenty of notes, and good organizing will always make you feel more reassured and at ease, for things to go smoothly.
5.) Arco da Rua Augusta
At the end of the Rua Augusta pedestrian street, you will see a stunning historical arch leading to Praca do Comercio square. This stone arch, no doubt is one of the most popular photo spots in Lisbon! It was built after the earthquake in 1775 to commemorate the city’s reconstruction.
6.) Praca do Comercio
As you walk through the Arco da Rua Augusta, you will enter one of the most impressive plazas in Lisbon! This huge square facing the harbor is one of the largest squares in Portugal! In the center of the square, you can view the large statue of Joseph I and take in the beautiful Arco da Rua Augusta from a distance! If you are feeling hungry, you can find many restaurants surrounding the square here.
THE ALFAMA DISTRICT
This is one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods. Here you will find many charming streets, historic sites, traditional crafts, local cafes, and some great viewing points of the city!
7.) Comur – R. Prata/ Conserveira de Lisboa
After your lunch, you can resume exploring by making your way to the Alfama district. Leaving the Praca do Comercio square, you can make your first stop at one of the famous canned sardine shops above. Canned sardines are very famous in Portugal and are one of the Portuguese staple dishes. However, if you are not a fan of seafood, you can make a quick stop to appreciate the colorful and quirky artwork of the cans displayed in the shops, which makes them unique to Portugal!
8.) Lisbon Casthedral (Church of Santa Maria Maior)
Stop to admire the iconic Lisbon cathedral! Although this structure dating back to 1150 was destroyed during the earthquake, it has since been carefully restored to its original Roman structure. This is the oldest church in Lisbon and one of the most significant historic sites.
Right in front of the cathedral, you can also find St Anthony’s Church, yet another popular and significant historic site.
9.) Miradouro de Santa Luzia (viewpoint)
5 minute walk from the Lisbon cathedral, you can visit this stunning viewpoint of Lisbon! This is the perfect spot to admire the views of the capital.
10.) Miradouro das Portas do Sol (viewpoint)
If you want to enjoy more views of the city, head of to this other popular viewpoint only around the corner of Miradouro de Santa Luzia!
You have now discovered many of Lisbon’s popular sights, you can relax for the rest of the evening and get ready for more discoveries in the morning!
DAY 2
On your second day in Lisbon, discover the historic Belem and Almada districts.
Belem is located further away from the heart of Lisbon, but still very easily accessed by public transport! You can get the E15 tram departing from Praca da Figueira, which takes about 15 minutes to Belem district!
ALMADA DISTRICT
Almada is a separate town and municipality from Lisbon, holding one of the most visited attractions – the Sanctuary of Christ the King.
1.) Sanctuary of Christ the King
Early in the morning, before heading off to Belem, make a stop at the Cais do Sodré ferry terminal and take a short boat ride to Cacilhas. Here you can visit the glorious giant statue of Christ the king, located in the Almada district of Lisbon. This catholic monument was inspired by the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro. You can get some of the best views of the capital and The 25 de Abril Bridge/ Lisbon Golden Gate Bridge from here!
Expect to spend anywhere between 2-3 hours exploring Almada.
TIP
If you are taking the E15 tram from Praca da Figueira, Cais do Sodré ferry terminal is stop number 3. After your trip to Almada, you can get back on the same E15 tram and continue your trip to the Belem district.
Sanctuary of Christ the King is free to enter, however, you can pay €6 to get a lift to the top of the statue, where you can see stunning views of Lisbon!
TIP
The ferry departs every 20 minutes from Cais do Sodre terminal. You can get a return ferry ticket for under €5 at the terminal. Once you get to Cacilhas terminal, look for bus number 3001, which will take you straight to the statue. Important to note, the bus only takes cash or a Viva Viagem card (or similar)! The bus fare is €2.30 per person.
Alternatively, you can enjoy views of this magnificent statue from the popular Tagus river cruise!
[ watch Sanctuary of Christ the King video ]
BELEM DISTRICT
Belem district is famous for its many fascinating museums and notable historic monuments. You can also find many great seafood restaurants and iconic tiled architecture in this district. One of the most popular attraction in Belem is the Pastéis de Belém bakery!
2.) Pastéis de Belém
Before diving into further explorations, stop by the most popular bakery in the city for some lunch! This historic bakery is open since 1837, making the best pastel de nata! The bakery uses the original and ancient recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery, with traditional methods! This is a must visit on your trip to Lisbon!
3.) Jerónimos Monastery
Only a 10 minute walk from the Pastéis de Belém, you can find the Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery was built in honor of Vasco da Gama, who was the first European to reach India by the sea! It is a reminder of some of the most important and greatest sea discoveries in Portugal. It is also an exceptional example of Portuguese late Gothic architecture.
Expect to spend anywhere between 1-2 hours here.
TIP
It cost €10 to enter the monastery. However, if you have the Lisboa Card – the entrance is free!
4.) Padrão dos Descobrimentos
After you visit the Jerónimos Monastery, make your way back towards the Tagus river. See another great reminder of Portuguese discoveries. The monuments along the Tagus river represents the victory and achievement of Portuguese sea explorers in the 15th/16th centuries – the age of discoveries.
5.) Belem Tower
Lastly, visit the Belem tower. This picturesque tower was built in 1515, making it over 500 years old! It was originally built to act as a tower of protection against any raids on the river Tagus. In 1983, this historic tower was declared to be UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Jerónimos Monastery.
DAY 3
On your last day in Lisbon, venture out of the capital and discover more of Portugal’s gems! Book a day trip to Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Day Trip
NOTE
Make sure to book your day trips in advance as they get booked very fast, especially in the high seasons like summer!
EXPLORE QUINTA DA REGALERIA
In the scenic town of Sintra, you will discover the awing Quinta da Regaleira sight and Sintra National Palace. During your day trip, you will get to explore Quinta da Regaleira with a tour guide. This 16th-century structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Carvalho Monteiro. Surrounding the structures, you will walk through scenic gardens and get to observe the sight from different angles. One of the prominent features of this beautiful site is the Initiation well of Quinta da Regaleira unique staircase!
NOTE
If you book this tour, the entrance fee to Quinta da Regaleria is not included. However, your tour guide will assist you with purchasing the ticket on-site, costing €11 per adult (different age groups, have slightly different prices).
DISCOVER SINTRA TOWN
After you have spent a couple of hours discovering Quinta da Regaleria, you will have some time to walk around the charming Sintra town and grab some lunch. For lunch I highly recommend Hamburgueria Real, they do the most delicious burgers and fries! I truly believe, that was the best burger and fries I ever head…
After you finish your lunch, walk through the picturesque town streets to Sintra National Palace. Here you can observe the impressive palace up close and take some stunning pictures. This palace is over 1000 years old, being one of the oldest in Portugal. However, just note that this particular tour does not cover enough time to enter the palace! 😀
HEAD OFF TO PENA PALACE
Discover this 19th-century Romanticist castle on top of the hill overlooking Sintra town. The castle first appeared in the middle ages, in dedication to Our Lady of Pena. Back in the 18th century, what started as a small and quiet sanctuary, was hit by lightning and the Great Lisbon Earthquake, destroying most of the structure. After the tragedy, the ruins remained on top of the hill for years untouched until 1842. After King Ferdinand has discovered the remains, he decided to rebuild the palace to a much different structure that we know today as the Pena Palace. The reconstruction of Pena Palace took place between 1842 – 1854. This palace is truly bucket list worthy!
SPEND THE EVENING IN CASCAIS
Cascais is a well-known destination by many luxury travelers, found just 32km outside of the capital. This premier coastal town offers a great balance between lively nightlife, scenic surfing beaches, and local craftmanship. Although Cascais is an established chic resort town, you can still enjoy its charming historic characteristics and visit the famous Santa Marta Lighthouse!
There are many different day trips from Lisbon you can take, I found this one to be perfect as I was excited to visit Quinta da Ragaleira! When choosing your day trip, make sure to read what sights include entry! I found many tours didn’t include entry to Quinta da Ragaleira and instead visits Cabo da Roca (cliff site). Cabo da Roca is a beautiful natural landscape, choose the day trip that interests you most!
DAY 4/ ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS
If you are staying in Lisbon for more than 3 days, some of the other popular attractions you can explore is the impressive Castelo de S. Jorge located on the highest hill in Lisbon! The entrance fee is €10 for adults.
Discover the LX Factory, a creative 19th-century industrial complex, where you can shop in some of the coolest retailers in Lisbon, and find plenty of amazing food! There are many quirky picture-perfect spots around this huge complex! It is open all days of the week from 9.00 am to 10.30 pm.
TIP
On Sundays, there is a great open market! However, weekends can get exceptionally busy.
Carmo Convent is another popular attraction in Lisbon. This gothic-style church was built between 1389 – 1423. You can reach this beautiful convent by taking the Santa Justa Elevator!
If you want to see more of modern Lisbon, stop by MAAT, The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. For fun family activities, I recommend visting Oceanário de Lisboa!
Check out these tours: Lisbon Street Art Tour, Day Trip to Wine Cellar and Vineyard, Lisbon 3-in-1 Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus and Tram Tours, Tagus River Sunset Cruise with Welcome Drinks.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 1
THE BAIXA DISTRICT
1.) Praça Dom Pedro IV / Rossio Square
2.) Praca dos Restauradores
3.) Rua Augusta pedestrian street
4.) Santa Justa Elevator
5.) Arco da Rua Augusta
6.) Praca do Comercio
THE ALFAMA DISTRICT
7.) Comur – R. Prata/ Conserveira de Lisboa
8.) Lisbon Casthedral (Church of Santa Maria Maior)
9.) Miradouro de Santa Luzia (viewpoint)
10.) Miradouro das Portas do Sol (viewpoint)
DAY2
ALMADA DISTRICT
1.) Sanctuary of Christ the King
BELEM DISTRICT
2.) Pastéis de Belém
3.) Jerónimos Monastery
4.) Padrão dos Descobrimentos
5.) Belem Tower
I hope you took some great inspiration from this Lisbon itinerary I have put together! If you find this itinerary too intense, you can skip some of the suggested attractions or swap them around to suit your pace and preference! Hope you enjoy Lisbon and eat plenty of pastel de nata as possible! 😀
If you are looking for accommodation in Lisbon, I highly recommend checking out HOTEL REVIEW: CZAR LISBON HOTEL, LISBON. We found this hotel to be perfect for our trip to Lisbon, located just a 20-minute walk from the city center!
