Lisbon: What to see in 3 days

How much it costs (on average)

• Travel: 2×24 h + a couple of one-offs - ~15-18 €.
• Entrances: Geronimusz 18 €; Belen Tower temporarily without visiting inside; the rest optional.
• Food: 25-45 € per day.
• Total: ≈120-220 € for 3 days not including hotel.

Day 1 in Lisbon: Baixa, Alfama, cathedral, castle and viewpoints

The first day in Lisbon follows the classic pattern: morning in the center, afternoon in the old quarters and the castle, and evening at the observation decks and a fado restaurant. This route allows you to feel the rhythm of the city and see Lisbon from different heights - from the waterfront to the panoramic terraces.

Lifehacks of the day

• Shoes - as comfortable as possible: cobblestones + ascents.
• Santa Jushta elevator and streetcar #28 - better in the morning or evening.
• Take water for the lock and lookouts: hot in summer, windy in spring/fall.
• Keep money and documents with you: there are pickpockets in tourist places.

Morning: from the waterfront to Rossio Square

Start your exploration of Lisbon at the Praça do Comércio. It's not crowded in the morning and offers a quiet view of the Tagus River. Sit on the terrace of one of the cafes, order a coffee and feel the atmosphere of the city. Be sure to climb up to the observation deck of the Arch of Rua Augusta - just a few euros and you will get a panoramic view of the square and the Rua Augusta going deep into the city.

Next, the walk takes you along Rua Augusta itself. This is a pedestrian avenue with musicians, street artists and souvenir shops. At the end of the route you'll be greeted by Rossio Square, lined with the famous "wave" of black and white tiles. From here it's a short walk to the metal tower, the Santa Jushta elevator, designed by a student of Eiffel. Climb to the top: the view of Baixa, the ruins of the Carmelite Monastery and the rooftops of Lisbon are perfect for your first shots. The main thing is to get there early, before there are long queues.

Day: Cathedral, Alfama and Castle

After a stroll through the center, head to the Sé de Lisboa, a 12th-century cathedral. Its powerful Romanesque walls are more reminiscent of a fortress. Entrance to the main hall is free, while the cloister with archaeological excavations can be visited for a nominal fee.

From the cathedral begins the most colorful quarter of the city - Alfama. Here it is important to forget about the map and allow yourself to get a little lost. Narrow streets, laundry overhead, pottery shops and miniature bars create the atmosphere of the real old Lisbon. Walk out to the Santa Luzia observation deck, decorated with white colonnades and purple bougainvilleas, and then to the neighboring Portas do Sol balcony . These points give the best views of the domes and rooftops sloping down to the river.

Closer to noon, climb higher - to the Castle of St. George. This is the main fortress of the city, where the walls and towers have been preserved, where you can walk around and peacocks walk freely in the gardens. The fortress platforms offer panoramas covering almost all of Lisbon. It's worth setting aside an hour and a half to take your time and enjoy the atmosphere.

Evening: viewpoints and fado

As the sun slips towards dusk, head just above the castle. First up is the Miradouro da Graça. This is a spacious terrace with a bar where locals like to spend the evening with a glass of wine. The view from here is soft and tranquil, perfect for relaxing after a busy day.

The next point is the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. This is the highest vantage point in the city center, and it's a bit more difficult to get here, but the reward is impressive: a panorama of Lisbon with the 25 April Bridge, the river and the fortress illuminated by the sunset light.

Finish the day in Alfama by choosing a small restaurant with a live fado performance. These establishments serve traditional dishes such as bacalhau, sardines and green caldo verde soup. The atmosphere is special: dim light, guitar and sad voices of singers. If you want something more modern and light, go to Time Out Market, a food hall by the waterfront where you can try several dishes from famous chefs at once.

Day 2. Belém - "the age of great geographical discoveries"

Briefly: the second day is about the age of navigators and modern art. In the morning Geronimos Monastery and the famous Pastéis de Belém, in the afternoon a walk along the river, the Monument to the Discoverers and a photo at the Belém Tower (now closed for restoration). In the evening, the LX-Factory art quarter with graffiti, bars and dinner.

Lifehacks

• It's better to buy tickets to Geronimouche online - the queue is huge.
• Pastéis de Belém is more convenient to order "takeaway" - it's faster.
• The Belém Tower can only be photographed from the outside, but the views are still great.
• The LX-Factory is particularly atmospheric in the evening, and the Ler Devagar bookstore is worth going up to the second floor for a photo.

Morning: monastery and sweets

The second day is better to start with a trip to the Belém neighborhood. You can get here by streetcar 15 from Caix do Sodré or by bus - the trip will take about half an hour. The first stop is the majestic Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). This manuelino masterpiece is on the UNESCO list and its cloister is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. To avoid long lines, arrive at the opening time or book tickets online in advance. The tour will take about an hour and a half, after which you can take a free peek into the church at the monastery.

Across the street, you'll find the Pastéis de Belém, where the famous cream tartlets have been baked according to a secret recipe since the 19th century. Even if the queue stretches out into the street, don't be frightened: it moves quickly, and the dessert is worth it.

Day: monuments and modern art

After a quick bite to eat, head to the waterfront. Here stands the Monument to the Discoverers (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a grandiose sculpture honoring the explorers who discovered new lands. Climbing up to the observation deck, you'll see the Tagus River, the 25 April Bridge and the entire Belém coastline.

A little further on stands the Torre de Belém (Tower of Belém). This is usually a must-see, but the tower is currently closed for restoration. Nevertheless, it's worth the trip: the river side offers great views for photos. Instead, you can spend time at other museums nearby, such as the National Carriage Museum or the MAAT Museum of Contemporary Art . The latter is not only attractive for its exhibitions, but also for its architecture: its undulating roof has become a popular place for walks and photos.

Evening: LX-Factory and live Lisbon

In the evening, head to LX-Factory, a creative cluster in old industrial buildings. It has a very different atmosphere, with graffiti on the walls, quirky stores, vintage stores and the famous Ler Devagar bookstore, where books reach the ceiling. In the evening LX-Factory turns into a trendy meeting place: bars and restaurants come alive, music plays, and it's nice to spend a couple of hours here for dinner or cocktails.

Back in the center, you can end the day with a stroll along the Cais do Sodré promenade, a relaxing and peaceful finale to a busy itinerary.

Day 3A. Ciado → Bairro Alto → Principe Real → Avenida → Parque das Nasoins.

Briefly: the third day can be spent in Lisbon itself if you don't want to waste time traveling. The morning is spent in the Ciado neighborhood with its coffee shops, bookstores and the old café A Brasileira. Next, a stroll through Bairro Alto, which is quiet and cozy during the day. After lunch, Principe Real with its park and designer shops, then down to Avenida da Liberdade. In the evening, the modern neighborhood of Parque das Nasoins: oceanarium, long promenade and cable car overlooking the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Lifehacks

• In Chiada, check out Café A Brasileira in the morning - there are too many tourists later.
• In Bairro Alto it's best to walk around during the day, it turns into a bar district in the evening.
• In Principe Real there is an organic market on Saturdays.
• The oceanarium is less crowded closer to the evening (after 17:00).
• For the Nasoinsh neighborhood, take a pass - it's most convenient to take the metro to Oriente station.

Morning: Chiado and Bairro Alto

Start the day in the Chiadoneighborhood , considered the more "elegant" face of Lisbon. Here it's nice to sit in the quaint coffee shop Café A Brasileira, browse the bookstores or buy souvenir ceramics. Nearby is the São Pedro de Alcântara observation deck , offering views of Baixa and St. George's Castle.

Then head to Bairro Alto. During the day, this quarter is quiet and almost empty, allowing you to enjoy its narrow streets and painted facades without the crowds of tourists.

Day: Principe Real and Avenida da Liberdade

In the afternoon, check out the neighborhood Principe Real. This is a green and cozy neighborhood with gardens, old cedar and designer stores. It's good for a leisurely stroll and a light lunch.

Head downstairs to Avenida da Liberdade, the city's main palm-lined boulevard. It's lined with boutiques and hotels, but even a simple stroll down the shady avenue is a pleasure.

Evening: Parque das Nasoins.

Spend the final part of your itinerary in Parque das Nasoins, a modern neighborhood on the banks of the Tagus. Here you'll find one of Europe's largest oceanariums, a long promenade and the Telecabine cable car with views of the Vasco da Gama Bridge. In the evening, the area is especially beautiful, with lights reflecting in the river and terrace restaurants inviting you to dine overlooking the water.

Day 3B. Sintra or Cascais

Briefly: This option is for those who want to get outside the city. In Sintra, fabulous palaces and parks await: Pena, Quinta da Regaleira, and the National Palace. The walk will take a whole day and immerse you in an atmosphere of romance. Cascais is an alternative for sea lovers: beaches, promenade, the cliffs of Boca do Inferno and the relaxed atmosphere of the resort.

Lifehacks

• Get to Sintra early (train from Rossio at 8:30-9:00), otherwise there are huge lines to Pena Palace later.
• Use buses 434 and 435 to see Sintra, but prepare for crowds - sometimes it's more profitable to take a taxi/uber.
• For the ticket to Pena, take the park combo - the walk through the alleys is just as impressive.
• In Cascais, it's best to spend the first half of the day by the beach and then head to Boca do Inferno in the afternoon.
• Cascais can be windy in the evening, so take a light jacket.

Morning: the road and first encounter

Take the train from early morning: from Rossio station to Sintra and from Caix do Sodré to Cascais. The journey will take about 40 minutes. In Sintra, head straight to Pena Palace, a brightly colored castle on a hill that looks like it has stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale. In Cascais, start the day with a stroll along the promenade and relax by the beach.

Day: palaces and cliffs

In Sintra, after the Pena Palace, visit Quinta da Regaleira with its underground wells, grottos and gardens. It's a place where it's easy to spend a few hours feeling like the hero of an adventure book. In Cascais, be sure to check out the Boca do Inferno (Devil's Lip), where the ocean hits the coastal rocks with force.

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Evening: return to Lisbon

In the afternoon, return to Lisbon by train. In the evening have dinner in the center: Time Out Market or a restaurant in the Chiado district is ideal. A walk along the river will be a great end to the three-day itinerary.

Transportation in one paragraph

You buy a Navegante for 0,50 € at a metro machine and then: either single for 60 min (1,85 €) or 24 h (7,00 €) on Carris/Metro. "Zapping" lowers the one-offs (metro 1,66 €) and the fares on board the streetcar are higher (usually 3,20 €). If you plan 2-3 toll facilities per day and lots of transfers - Lisboa Card (24/48/72 h) is more favorable .