Easy to explore in two or three days, Lisbon’s historic centre is compact for a European capital, making the Portuguese capital a perfect place to discover during a long weekend. This is probably one reason why Lisbon has recently become one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
So here is my recommended 72-hour itinerary for you to make the most of your stay in the City of the Seven Hills (A Cidade das Sete Colinas).
Day 1: Visit the picturesque district of Alfama and São Jorge Castle
Alfama is one of Lisbon’s most traditional neighbourhoods, with its narrow, cobbled streets and colourful houses. This district was a humble fishing suburb located at the foot of the Sao Jorge Castle.
Start your day by heading to Lisbon Cathedral, better known as Sé de Lisboa, the oldest and most important church in the city. The Cathedral’s construction dates from the twelfth century and is predominantly Romanesque in style. Its official name is Santa Maria Maior. Throughout the centuries, the Cathedral has been renovated and rebuilt on various occasions.
Here you can also visit the cloister and the treasury, which is located on the second floor of the Cathedral and displays suits, jewels and relics from various periods. Entrance to the cathedral is free. However, entrance to the cloister and treasury costs €2.50.
The Tram 28
From the cathedral, you can either walk up Rua Augusto Rosa or take the vintage Tram 28, to Largo Portas Do Sol. The Tram 28 is a symbol of Lisbon. It takes you through the narrow streets at the heart of the city, passing by some of its most emblematic monuments and districts, like Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. Careful though, it’s a pickpockets playground.
The panoramic terrace at Largo Portas Do Sol offers impressive views of the Alfama neighbourood and over the Tagus river. From there follow the signs up to São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge), one of Lisbon’s most emblematic landmarks.
São Jorge Castle
Due to its exceptional location, the castle stands out among Lisbon’s viewpoints for its unique and majestic sights. Built in the mid-11thcentury by the Moors, this fortification is situated on the most inaccessible area at the top of the hill. The purpose of the castle was to house military troops and in the case of siege, the elite who lived in the citadel. Unlike most European castles it was not intended to be used as a residence.
Miradouro Santa Luzia
On your way down, don’t miss the Miradouro Santa Luzia. This is my favourite spot for views over the city and that’s because the place is adorned with blue azulejos and magnificent flowers. Moreover, this is the perfect place for sunset lovers!
Alfama is also a great place for dinner. There are plenty of restaurants and most of them offer Fado shows. That’s because Alfama is the area where Fado originated in the 1820s. Fado is a very melancholic traditional Portuguese type of music and it’s a must-see when visiting the capital city.
Clube de Fado (Rua S. João Praça, 86 – 94) is a good option. It opens at 8 PM every day and you can either have dinner there or just enjoy a drink and a few ‘petiscos’ (Portuguese tapas) while enjoying the show.
Booking.comDay 2: Explore Lisbon beautiful City Centre
Start your day with a delicious pastel de nata at La Manteigaria in Largo de Camões. Read my article Where To Eat The Best Pastéis De Nata In Lisbon for more information about these Portuguese delights and where to find them.
Praça Luís de Camões marks the border between Chiado and Bairro Alto. These two districts are the most bohemian and alternative districts in town. Some even describe Chiado as Lisbon’s Montmartre. It is an elegant neighbourhood which houses the ruins of Convento Do Carmo and the famous Rua Garrett. There you can find the popular café A Brasileira, where a bronze statue of the Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa sits.
Convento do Carmo
Follow the narrow streets up to the ruins of Convento do Carmo, which house the Carmo Archeological Museum. The old church of Santa Maria do Carmo was founded in 1389 by D. Nuno Alvares Pereira. This church was known as the largest and one of the most beautiful Gothic temples in Lisbon until the earthquake of 1755 which caused serious damage to the building and destroyed almost all its religious-artistic contents.
Its re-construction began in 1756 and stopped in 1834, when the religious orders were abolished in Portugal, leaving the naves and transept uncovered. Moreover, the archaeological museum houses an eclectic collection of tombs, statuary, ceramics, and mosaics. The entrance fee is €4 and also includes entry to the museum.
Baixa
Once you exit the convent, head to Baixa, the most central and renowned neighbourhood in Lisbon. It was completely rebuilt by the Marquis of Pombal after the 1755 earthquake destroyed most of it. The district has large classical avenues flanked by houses covered in tiles, in typical Lisbon style. There are plenty of stores and restaurants and is always busy during the day.
Start your visit at Praça do Comércio, the city’s most important square. Praça do Comércio was built on the site where the old Royal Palace used to exist before it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. This square was considered the “door” to Lisbon. The southern end of the square is open and looks out onto the Tagus River. The other three sides are surrounded by beautiful arched buildings. The bronze equestrian statue of Joseph I of Portugal, King of Portugal during the Great Earthquake, was erected in the middle of the square and designed by Machado de Castro in 1775.
Rua Augusta Arch
Located on the north side of Commerce Square is the Rua Augusta Arch that gives way to the boulevard Rua Augusta, the most elegant boulevard in Baixa. This stone triumphal arch was designed by the Portuguese architect Santos de Carvalhoto to celebrate the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. Its top is adorned with numerous statues that represent important Portuguese figures like Vasco da Gama and the Marquis of Pombal.
You can take the lift up to the terrace for amazing views over the city. The entry fee is €4 euros.
Elevador de Santa Justa.
Walk along the elegant pedestrian street Rua Augusta towards Rossio Square and you will pass by the beautiful Elevador de Santa Justa. If you have the patience to queue for it, you will enjoy amazing views over Lisbon’s famous sights.
Rossio Square
Just a couple of minutes away on foot is another popular square in Lisbon, Rossio Square, which is now called Praça de D. Pedro IV. This lively square houses the National Theatre Maria II and the column of Pedro IV, known as “the Soldier King”. On the left-hand side of the National Theatre is the Rossio Railway Station, built in 1887. Its façade is striking with an unusual entrance. Trains to Sintra depart from this train station.
Not far from Rossio Square, you will also find Restauradores Square. Praça dos Restauradores is surrounded by buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. The Eden Theatre is the most interesting building, featuring a mid-level garden and a beautiful art deco façade. From there, head to Figueira Square, with its sloping-roofed picturesque houses. From here you’ll get a beautiful view of São Jorge Castle on the summit of São Jorge Hill, the city’s tallest ridge.
On your way there, you must stop at A Ginjinha, also known as Ginjinha Espinheira bar. Ginjinha is a popular Portuguese liquor. A shot of the sweet drink costs €1.20, and it is a great way to start an evening in Lisbon.
São Pedro de Alcântara Miradouro
Not far away from Rossio Square is one of the best miradouros (viewpoints) in Lisbon. Double-tiered with a landscape garden beneath the upper balcony, the São Pedro de Alcântara Miradouro is bustling with local buskers and artists. It’s a heaven for sundowners wishing to sip a drink while enjoining the beautiful views over Alfama and the river Tagus.
Cais do Sodré
For a great night, head to Cais do Sodré, the coolest and trendiest district in Lisbon. The once-neglected area has now become fashionable, and lots of new shops, cafes and bars have opened here. Here you can find the Time Out Food Market, which is a great touristy place for a quick snack, and the popular Pink Street, which is lined up with bars and clubs. This area is perfect for a bar crawling experience.
You can then get back to Barrio Alto by taking the popular funicular, the ascensor da Bica. The nineteenth century funicular ascends one of Lisbon’s steepest hills and is considered Lisbon’s most picturesque funicular. The funicular entrance is tucked into an arch of a building on Rua de São Paulo, 234. Look for the sign over the arch.
At the top, just three minutes away via Rua do Loreto, don’t miss the stunning views offered by the Miradouro de Santa Catarina.
Useful tip: take the set of stairs to the left of the entrance of the Ascensor da Bica. The trip is expensive (€3.70 round trip) and the carriage leaves every 15 minutes. And if you ascend the street on foot, you can take great pics of the carriage. However, access is free if you buy a Lisboa Card.
For more info, check ‘How to get around’ at the bottom of this article.
Day 3: Eat pastéis in Belém and Visit Sintra
Some of Lisbon’s most important monuments can be found in Belém. Belém is a district located in the South-West of Lisbon, at the mouth of the River Tagus. Portugal’s various explorers set sail from this part of town to discover new worlds. It is quite far from the city centre, but easily accessible. Get tram number 15 from Praca do Comercio or Cais de Sodré station. Be careful when on the tram, as this is another very touristy route and pickpocketers operate on number 15 as well as on number 28.
Belém houses two incredibly famous landmarks. The first is Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) and the second is the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém). You should also stop at the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries), and the Ponte 25 de Abril.
Pastéis de Belém
But the main reason for visiting Belém is to stop at the patisserie Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua de Belém n84 – 92) to try the original pastéis de Belém, the typical and delicious Portuguese egg tarts pastry invented in this small shop in 1837. This place is often packed, particularly at weekends, but these little delights are totally worth the wait. Check out Where To Eat The Best Pastéis De Nata In Lisbon for more about pastéis de Belém.
Jeronimos Monastery
The Jeronimos Monastery is along with the Tower of Belém, one of the most visited sites in Lisbon. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. The religious building was designed by the Portuguese architect Diogo de Boitaca to commemorate the return of Vasco da Gama from India. The construction began in 1501 and wasn’t completed until the seventeenth century. The building is predominantly Manueline style (Portuguese late Gothic). The Church of Santa Maria houses the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões, a Portuguese poet and writer.
The entrance fee is €10. Entry is free on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you choose to visit on a Sunday morning, make sure to get there early as the queue can be quite long.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
After visiting the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, head to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries). 52 metres tall, this stunning monument was designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal. It was inaugurated in 1960, on the fifth centenary of one of the country’s great discoverers, Prince Henry the Navigator, who discovered the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde.
The Monument to the Discoveries is made up of a group of sculptures that represent the prow of a caravel, a small sailing ship constructed by the Portuguese to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Leading the ship is Prince Henry the Navigator and behind him are many other great Portuguese discoverers. If you have time, you can visit the observation deck on the top of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. An elevator will take you to the top. From there you will get a better view of the marble mosaic at the foot of the Monument which represents a compass with a world map in the centre.
Belém Tower
About 10 minutes’ walking distance, you will find the popular Belém Tower. The tower was built to defend Lisbon between 1514 and 1520. Years later, it was transformed into a lighthouse and later it became a custom house. It was designed by the Portuguese architect and sculptor Francisco de Arruda in Manuelino style. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
If you want, you can also visit the interior. The ground floor of this architectural jewel has 16 windows with cannons. The tower has five floors which lead to a roof terrace. On the western façade of the Tower of Belém, you’ll find a curious gargoyle in the shape of a rhinoceros.
Sintra
After spending the morning in Belém, I recommend heading to the nearby town of Sintra to visit its romantic castle, better known as Palacio da Pena. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. Undoubtedly, the main attraction is Palácio da Pena, a colorful palace brimming with over-the-top designs that seems to come straight out of a fairytale. It is located on top of a hill and from up there, you can enjoy breathtaking views from all the Sintra-Cascais-Lisbon region.
For more information about Sintra and how to get there, read my blog article Live a Fairytale in Sintra
Useful tip: If you are travelling to Sintra from Bélem, take the bus number 729 or number 750 to Benfica train station and take the train to Sintra from there.
Basílica da Estrela
If you have any time left, you should visit the beautiful Basilica de Estrela. Take the tram 28 to the district of Estrela. This neighbourhood is ideal to escape from the crowds of the city centre. The beautiful basilica was built between 1761 and 1790 in rococo style. From the cupola of the church, you can enjoy great 360 degrees views of the Portuguese capital. Cross the street and enjoy a coffee or a drink while sitting outside in the beautiful Estrella Gardens.
Booking.comHow to get around Lisbon
Before heading to any of the city’s attractions, I suggest you buy a one-day travel card. It only cost €6.30 plus the cost of the rechargeable metro card (€0.50), and it’s worth the money.
And if you are planning to visit many attractions and museums, then I recommend buying a Lisboa Card to cover the days of your stay, as that includes free transports and free entry or discounts to many attractions in town and in nearby locations as well.
Useful tip: don’t take the Aerobus. The metro stops at the airport and it takes you to the city centre in 20 minutes. Much quicker and cheaper (€1.45 one way) than the bus (€4 one way).
Check out Where & What To Eat & Drink In Lisbon
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