All Articles 3 perfect days in Lisbon

3 perfect days in Lisbon

By Maria Kirsten Adelmann20 June 2023 8 minutes read
Yellow and white tram on road between light-colored stone buildings, with people standing nearby.
Photo: Unsplash/Aayush Gupta

A long weekend in Lisbon is enough time to explore the city’s best neighborhoods, from Alfama’s narrow cobblestone streets and Belem’s late-Gothic wonders to Cais do Sodré’s beach and bars. You’ll even have space for slurping down seafood, marveling at ancient artifacts, and dancing until dawn.

It may sound like a lot for three days, but the below itinerary isn’t all pedal to the metal. We’ve added breaks for refueling while you sightsee (like dinner with a side of famed fado music) and organized days by location, so you’re not zigzagging back and forth across the city. Best of all, we’ve read through tons of Tripadvisor reviews to find out what travelers love most, so you’re sure to hit the highlights.

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Top attractions in Lisbon


DAY ONE

People walking along bridge leading to stone castle.
Castelo de São Jorge/Photo: Tripadvisor

MORNING: A vintage tram and a fortress amble

If we had only an hour in Lisbon and a few euro in our pocket, we’d hop on the iconic yellow Tram 28. This famed funicular takes travelers along the hilly streets above Alfama and to sights beyond. But it isn’t exactly a secret, so hop on early at the first stop, Martim Moniz, to avoid a packed tram—and maybe even snag a wooden seat. Enjoy the narrow, winding streets and the views, but keep an eye out for pickpockets.

Make your exit at Portas do Sol for a legit Lisbon experience: a leg-burning climb to a scenic overlook. At the top of the hill, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic city vistas, plus a Moorish castle from the 11th century. It’s easy to spend an hour or more here, exploring Castelo de São Jorge and its ramparts, soaking in the views, and trying to get the perfect shot of one of the many resident peacocks.

Travelers say: “The #28 is a vintage 1930s remodelado tram that rattles and winds its way through the narrow streets of Lisbon up through the Alfama area. I loved the charm of the original features—wooden floors, wood-paneled interior, and old-style sash windows. It's a hairy ride in parts and there were times when the houses were so close, we literally could’ve leaned out and taken the washing off the balconies.” —@Mairwen1

AFTERNOON: A charming medieval maze

Hungry after your morning cardio? Near the castle entrance you’ll find Miss Can Petiscaria, serving up charming tins of Portuguese fish. Buy a bunch with some crunchy bread for a tapas-style feast, and consider grabbing a few extra tins as souvenirs.

Once you’ve refueled, wander the medieval streets of Alfama south toward the sea (technically, an estuary of the Tagus River). If aimless strolling stresses you out, head toward the Lisbon Cathedral, an imposing 12th-century church on the west edge of the neighborhood.

Tours and experiences in Alfama

EVENING: Dinner and fado

Alfama is renowned for fado, a Portuguese music style that’s part classic guitar, part mournful vocals (and included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list). To hear some for yourself, make a reservation at the family-run Sr. Fado de Alfama, which, like many fado venues, doubles as a dinner spot. The red wine and seafood stew are tasty, but the music is the real star.

DAY TWO

Plaza with people sitting around a large statue of king on a horse, and a stone arch.
Praca do Comercio/Photo: Tripadvisor

MORNING: An arch, an elevator, and an earthquake

Start your morning on Praca do Comercio in Baixa, the center of downtown Lisbon. The plaza’s sheer size is impressive—it’s among the largest public squares in Europe—and it feels like it extends directly into the sea.

Explore the square, then pass through the six-columned, stone Arco do Triunfo and stroll north on Baixa’s main drag: the shop-lined Rua Augusta. Your first pitstop is the neo-Gothic Elevador de Santa Justa, a creative way to get from the lower Baixa neighborhood to the Bairro Alto (Upper City). The elevator is technically public transport, so if you have a 24-hour transit card, it’s free to ride for a nice view. The lines can get long, though, so you might decide to hoof it uphill instead.

At the top of the lift, you’ll find Carmo Archaeological Museum, the ruins of a church destroyed in Lisbon’s catastrophic 1755 earthquake. It’s worth the small entry fee and an hour of your time to walk through and learn some of the history.

After, make your way to the lively Rossio Square (a.k.a. King Pedro IV Square), with its column of Pedro IV, two fountains, and trippy cobblestone floor. Right around the corner is A Ginjinha Bar, a classic spot to throw back a shot of ginjinha, the sour cherry liqueur locals love.

AFTERNOON: Art, artifacts, and some serious hedges

Come lunchtime, take the 15-minute metro trip to Maria Peixeira for some local seafood like octopus and bacalhau (cod). Close by is arguably Lisbon’s best museum: Calouste Gulbenkian, an eclectic private collection of ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts, 18th-century French furniture, and 20th-century paintings. (FYI: Unlike most other Lisbon attractions, this one is open on Monday and closed on Tuesday.)

Next, walk through the museum gardens to Parque Eduardo VII, which runs down the hill to Marquis of Pombal Square. Take in the stunning view from the north end, then walk down the zigzag of perfectly manicured hedges. If high-end shopping is on your list of Lisbon must-dos, the tree-lined Avenue da Liberdade south of the park is the place to make it happen.

Historical & heritage tours

Travelers say: “Worth it alone for the Egyptian section at the beginning, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum has a very well curated collection illustrating fine distinction in the collector. There are some very fine old masters and an interesting collection of historic French furniture all expertly displayed.” —@davidpatricia21

EVENING: A night out in Bairro Alto

Hop on public transit and head south to Bairro Alto, a neighborhood known for its rowdy nightlife, boutique shops, and great restaurants. Wander a bit, then head to A Nossa Casa, a small restaurant serving delicious petiscos, the Portuguese version of tapas.

Post dinner, you’re spoiled for choice: cheap bars, live music, jazz clubs. The scene mellows a bit as you head north toward the Principe Real neighborhood. We like Cinco Lounge, which offers creative cocktails and chill vibes.

DAY THREE

Striking stone tower surrounded by water.
Torre de Belém/Photo: Tripadvisor

MORNING: Maritime monuments in Belém

Start your morning at Torre de Belém, a 16th-century tower and monument to Portuguese seafaring that looks like it’s floating on the Tagus River. A textbook example of Portuguese late-Gothic architecture, it’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes a monastery. Though it’s most impressive from the exterior, it’s fun to peek inside if the lines aren’t too long.

Afterward, walk along the water to Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a massive, prow-shaped monument to Prince Henry the Navigator (it’s so tall, there’s a viewing platform on top). You can easily spend an hour here, snapping pics, staring out at the sea, and admiring the monument’s 33 statues of important historical figures. If you chose not to climb the Torre de Belém, know that the view from here is perhaps even better, with shorter lines and a particularly impressive angle of the 25 de Abril suspension bridge.

AFTERNOON: Late-Gothic ode to Vasco de Gama

For lunch, relax with tapas and tacos at seaside food truck Mister Tapas, then walk to the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, built in honor of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama. Visit both the ornate monastery and the adjacent church, where you can check out the tombs of Vasco de Gama and Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes. The church is free, but you need a ticket for the monastery—consider buying one ahead of time, as lines can get long (though less so in the afternoon after the tour groups have cleared).

When you’ve had your fill of late-Gothic splendor, walk around the corner to Pastéis de Belém for another Lisbon must: pastéis de nata (egg custard tarts). The ones on offer here are widely considered to be the best in Lisbon.

Travelers say: “Highly recommended to visit the church first [at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos], as that provides a good context for the monastery itself. Speaking of which: It's glorious. The cloisters are beautiful, with incredible photo opportunities at every corner.” —@ProsperoDGC

Book a tour in Lisbon

EVENING: Night on the town, Lisbon style

Hop on Tram 15 for a 25-minute ride to Cais do Sodré, a party zone with beachy vibes. Enjoy a walk along the water before dinner at Time Out Market Lisboa, a food hall packed with more than two dozen stalls from some of Lisbon’s top restaurants and bars. Can’t choose? You won’t regret the croquettes at Croqueteria.

When you’re ready—don’t rush it, party time is late in Lisbon—settle into a bar on The Pink Street. Our pick is Pensão Amor—formerly a brothel, now decorated in frescos and velvet—where you can sip cocktails, catch a burlesque show, and listen to live music. If you’re still going at 2 a.m., try your luck getting into a club. MusicBox is around the corner, or you could take a cab to Lisbon’s most famous venue, Lux.

Know Before You Go


With balmy weather in the 60s and 70s, spring and fall are the perfect seasons to visit Lisbon. It can get sweltering in the height of summer and, in August, some shops and restaurants are closed. Despite the heat, however, the city is still packed with tourists in the summer months and hotel prices are high—there are beaches, after all, and the lively festival month of June is a big draw.



Many tourist attractions are closed on Mondays.



Lisbon keeps late hours, with restaurants typically open from around noon until 10 or 11 p.m. for dinner. Bars tend to stay open until 2 a.m., at which time you can always hop over to a club and party until 6 a.m.. Shop hours are usually from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.



Alfama (Old Town): Charming, central, and relatively quiet, Lisbon’s cobblestone maze of an old quarter is an experience in its own right. One good option here is Santiago de Alfama, a boutique hotel with velvet upholstery and sea views. Plus, Tram 28 runs right across the street and Castelo de São Jorge is practically in the backyard.

Bairro Alto: Hotels in and around boho Bairro Alto tend to get more expensive as you go east toward the Chiado fashion district, and more affordable as you make your way south to the hostel-heavy nightlife area of Cais do Sodré. Casa das Janelas com Vista, tucked on a quiet side street, is a good in-between option. Rooms are simple and modern, and common areas are so cozy you might feel like you’re staying at a friend’s house—especially over breakfast in a room aptly named “The Kitchen.”

Avenida da Liberdade: Yes, EPIC SANA Marquês offers incredible views from its poolside lounge chairs, but high-end hotels aren’t the only option near this luxury shopping street. The area is a haven for hostels, too, probably because it’s slightly out of the way. Lisboa Central Hostel may not have a rooftop bar, but it’s a beloved budget pick thanks to its cute, curtained bunks and friendly scene. Plus, it’s not that out of the way—trams and buses are nearby, and the metro is a 10-minute walk.



Public transportation: Due to Lisbon’s steep hills, tourists often make use of the city’s well-connected buses, trams, funiculars, and metro. Tickets can be purchased right on board, but it’s often more cost effective to get a 24-hour card for unlimited rides. Watch out for pickpockets, especially on busy lines like Tram 28.

By bike: Biking in hilly Lisbon is not for the faint of heart. If you like cycling but your quads aren’t quite up to the task, try the pleasant (and flat!) bike path that runs along the river or a guided tour by electric bike. Gira is the city’s main bike-share app; prices are affordable and there are both classic and e-bikes available.

By taxi: Taxis in Lisbon are cheaper than in other major European cities—as long as the driver goes the most direct route. Taxis stands can be found on most major squares, but it’s also appropriate to hail a cab. Additionally, ride-share apps like Free Now, Bolt, and Uber may offer cheaper prices and guaranteed rates.

Airport transfers: Lisbon International Airport (LIS), a.k.a. Humberto Delgado Airport, is well-connected to the city center by the Aerobus shuttle, the metro, and public buses, which all leave at regular intervals throughout the day and only cost a few euros. Trips tend to be around 30 minutes, though it depends on where you’re staying. For a taxi, expect to pay at least 20 euro.


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Maria Kirsten Adelmann
Maria Kirsten Adelmann has lived in the US and Europe and once traveled around the world on a ship, visiting ports in Asia, Africa, and beyond. She has written hundreds of reviews of hotels, cruise ships, and travel products.