3-day Lisbon itinerary at a glance
| Day | Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baixa and Alfama | Praça do Comércio, Tram 28, the cathedral, São Jorge Castle and fado at night |
| 2 | Belém | Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, pastéis de Belém and LX Factory |
| 3 | Chiado and Bairro Alto | Carmo Convent, Santa Justa Lift, São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint and Bairro Alto nights |
Each day stays in one part of town. Lisbon is compact but very hilly, so group your sights by neighborhood and use trams, the metro and ride-hailing apps for the steep climbs.
Day 1: Baixa and Alfama
Morning: Baixa. Start at Praça do Comércio, the grand riverside square, and walk under the Rua Augusta Arch into the Baixa grid.
Late morning: Tram 28 and the cathedral. Ride the famous yellow Tram 28 up toward Alfama. It gets packed, so board early near the start of the line. Stop at the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé), the city's oldest church.
Afternoon: viewpoints and the castle. Take in the views from Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, then climb to São Jorge Castle for the best panorama over the river and the red rooftops.
Evening: fado in Alfama. Have dinner at a traditional fado house in Alfama, where Portugal's melancholic music was born. Book ahead.
Day 2: Belém
Morning: Jerónimos Monastery. Take the tram or a ride to Belém and start at the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. Book tickets online; it is closed on Mondays.
Late morning: pastéis de Belém. Try the original custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém, the bakery that has been making them since 1837. The line moves fast.
Afternoon: Belém Tower and the riverfront. Walk along the Tagus to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower. If you like contemporary architecture, visit the MAAT museum on the way back.
Evening: LX Factory. Spend the evening at LX Factory, a former industrial complex turned into shops, bookstores and restaurants under the 25 de Abril Bridge.
Day 3: Chiado and Bairro Alto
Morning: Chiado. Explore the elegant Chiado district, have coffee at a historic café and visit the roofless Carmo Convent, left in ruins by the 1755 earthquake.
Midday: Santa Justa Lift. Ride or walk past the neo-Gothic Santa Justa Lift, which connects the Baixa to Chiado.
Afternoon: a market lunch. Head to the Time Out Market at Mercado da Ribeira for a lunch of Portuguese dishes from many local chefs.
Sunset and night: Bairro Alto. Watch the sunset from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, then join the crowds in the lively bars and narrow streets of Bairro Alto.
Is 4 days enough in Lisbon?
Four days is perfect: use the extra day for Sintra, about 40 minutes by train from Rossio station. Its fairy-tale palaces, like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, fill a whole day, so buy timed tickets in advance and start early.
- 5 days: add Cascais, a seaside town reachable by train along the coast, for a beach day.
- 2 days: combine days 1 and 3, and visit Belém only if you have a spare afternoon.
Heading to Brazil too? See our Rio de Janeiro itinerary for 5 days.
Tips: where to stay, getting around and what to pack
- Where to stay: Baixa and Chiado are central and flat enough for walking; Alfama is charming but hilly; Príncipe Real is quieter and upscale.
- Getting around: a rechargeable Viva Viagem card works on the metro, trams, buses and trains. The Lisboa Card adds free or discounted entry to many sights.
- Comfortable shoes: Lisbon's hills and slippery stone sidewalks are no joke.
- When to go: spring and fall have the best weather and fewer crowds than summer.
- Budget: Lisbon charges a small tourist tax per night, and tickets to monuments add up. Plan your budget before you go.
- Watch for pickpockets on Tram 28 and in crowded viewpoints.
