3 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect Itinerary

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, even older than Paris and Rome. In 1755, a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the city’s historical legacy and left it in ruins.

Over the years, Lisbon reinvented itself, created more spaces, rebuilt parts of its heritage, and crafted a new cultural and historical fabric, worthy of any European city.

Lisbon has so much to see, but if you want to visit the essentials in the Portuguese capital and don’t have much time, we’ll recommend what to visit in Lisbon in 3 days.

Lisbon in 3 Days: Day 1

There’s no better way to start your trip to Lisbon than in Baixa, the city’s historic and commercial center. Get lost in its streets lined with luxury stores, large squares, and impressive buildings.

Where to start? Don’t waste time and discover the essentials by joining the Free Lisbon Tour: History and Fun Facts, which also includes a free sample of a pastel de nata.

Praça do Comércio, a Must-Visit Place in Lisbon

 

A 10-minute walk from Livraria Bertrand, you’ll find Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), the city’s most important plaza. It’s surrounded by impressive buildings and a majestic triumphal arch — the Arco da Rua Augusta — which welcomes those arriving in the city by boat.

Originally, a royal palace stood here, but it was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Today, most of the surrounding buildings have been transformed into bars and restaurants. After your visit, continue your stroll along the waterfront at the Ribeira das Naus Pier.

Santa Justa Elevator

You can continue by ascending the Santa Justa Elevator, an architectural masterpiece originally built in 1902. Two wood-paneled elevators take you from Baixa to a beautiful viewpoint from which you can see the entire neighborhood, Commerce Square, and St. George’s Castle.

 

 

Views from the top of the Santa Justa Elevator

 

Nearby, take some time to view the Carmo Convent, which was the most important Gothic temple in Lisbon, now home to the Carmo Archaeological Museum.

Chiado Neighborhood

Between Baixa and Bairro Alto is Lisbon’s most bohemian neighborhood, Chiado. Here you can visit Livraria Bertrand; opened in 1732, it’s recognized as the world’s oldest bookstore! More than just a bookstore, literature lovers have consecrated it as a privileged place for gatherings, where Lisbon’s elite would discuss society, politics, and books.

 

Café A Brasileira and the statue of Fernando Pessoa in Chiado

 

500 meters from Commerce Square, don’t miss visiting one of Lisbon’s oldest and most famous cafés: Café A Brasileira, or “A Brasileira do Chiado.” A historic point in Lisbon, it was a favorite haunt of famous artists.

One of them was the writer Fernando Pessoa, who was seen so often sitting in its chairs that a bronze statue of him was installed on the café’s terrace.

Wondering where to spend your first evening in Lisbon? Of course, at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Enjoy postcard-worthy panoramas from one of the best places to visit in Lisbon; stroll through its beautiful garden at sunset and admire the tiled panel that depicts iconic sights visible from this vantage point.

You can discover the city’s charm at dusk by joining the Free Night Tour of Lisbon, which covers many of its most emblematic monuments, giving you a fun and entertaining take on its history.

Bairro Alto, Perfect to End Day 1 in Lisbon

 

We recommend ending your day in Bairro Alto, a lively neighborhood that’s among the top places to visit in Lisbon.

As the evening progresses, Bairro Alto’s streets fill with locals and tourists who, after dinner, seek out small bars to have a drink or take one with them as they walk. This is a fantastic spot for meeting people in the city.

Places to See in Lisbon - Day 2

Among the most important places to see in Lisbon, the Belém district is a must-visit. The best way to start exploring it taking a Free Walking Tour of Belém, where you will learn about the most relevant aspects of this area of Lisbon.

Monuments to Visit in Belém

Monasterio de los Jerónimos

 

Belém is filled with must-see sites like the Jerónimos Monastery, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. This majestic building, in the Manueline style (a Portuguese variation of Gothic), was constructed to celebrate the return of the navigator Vasco da Gama from India—an explorer who discovered and charted a trade route between Europe and Asia.

Here, the remains of Vasco da Gama, the poet Luís de Camões, Fernando Pessoa, and other notable Portuguese figures are laid to rest.

After visiting the Jerónimos Monastery, the next most important tourist attraction in Lisbon is the Belém Tower. Both of these historic monuments were built during the early days of Portuguese exploration of the world.

La Torre de Belém

 

The Manueline structure of the Belém Tower served as both a fortress and a port and appears to rise from the water in the estuary of the Tagus River. Today, it is one of the main symbols of the tourism industry. You can enter and climb to appreciate its beautiful architecture and stand at one of the most significant points in Portugal’s history.

Near these two historic structures lies the Monument to the Discoveries, which commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, a pioneer of early maritime expeditions. 

The Famous “Pastéis de Belém”

 

You cannot leave Lisbon without tasting its famous “pastéis de Belém.” First made in 1837, these traditional sweets, also known as “pastéis de nata,” are baked at the renowned Pastéis de Belém, which has been using the same recipe for almost 200 years. You can visit this bakery on your next trip to Lisbon.

Want to enjoy the best of Belém and Lisbon from the Tagus River? This “hop on - hop off” cruise allows you to have a different experience while getting on and off as many times as you like for 24 hours.

Alfama: Things to Do in Lisbon

Sunset from São Jorge Castle

 

End your second day in Lisbon in the charming Alfama neighborhood, surrounded by its bohemian atmosphere and fado clubs. One of the most traditional ways to reach this neighborhood is by taking Tram 28, one of the city’s symbols and a must-do activity on any Lisbon itinerary.

Consider taking a stroll around São Jorge Castle; it is a national monument and offers one of the most stunning views of the city. To enjoy the sunset, you can go to the heights of this Lisbon neighborhood: the viewpoints of Portas do Sol, Santa Lucia, and Senhora do Monte are among the most beautiful.

Have dinner with the nostalgic notes of fado at one of the many offerings in Alfama. You might also consider taking a comprehensive Lisbon tour with an English-speaking guide so you don’t miss any historical details about the neighborhood.

What to See in Lisbon and Surroundings - Day 3

After the itinerary we’ve presented with everything to see in Lisbon in three days, how about checking out some of the best day trips from Lisbon?

Sintra

Not too far from Lisbon, there are many destinations worth visiting on any route through Portugal. One of the most popular in the country is also one of the closest: Sintra.

 

Aerial View of Sintra

 

This mountainous town, with its stunning views and castles, is a testament to Portugal’s wealth, featuring a majestic collection of buildings that belonged to the royal family and the nobility of Lisbon. If you want to discover its history, join a comprehensive 2.5-hour free tour of Sintra in English that will give you a broad overview of this interesting place.

Among the top things to do in Sintra is the Palace of Pena, located on one of the highest mountains in Sintra, which is considered one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal and one of the main examples of Romantic architecture in Europe.

You can enjoy a visit to the palace and many other special places on this full day tour of Sintra from Lisbon.

You can also discover the underground passages of Quinta da Regaleira and the fascinating walls of Castelo dos Mouros. Don’t miss the splendor of the National Palace of Sintra, with its two enormous white chimneys, which served as the summer residence for the kings.

If you love natural landscapes, you’ll find beautiful cliffs at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe.

 

Cabo da Roca

 

In addition to Sintra, there are numerous places you can explore near Lisbon. We offer two day excursions that depart from the city: one to the Setúbal region, where you can stroll through Sesimbra, Arrábida, and Azeitão, including a wine tasting.

You can experience the best of the surroundings of Lisbon in one day by visiting the walled town of Óbidos, as well as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe, the Sanctuary of Fatima.

Book a self guided half day trip to Óbidos or a half day Fatima tour from Lisbon and you will have seen the best places near Lisbon worth checking out.