Lisbon in 3 Days: Unforgettable Adventures in Portugal's Enchanting Capital

Lisbon, Portugal is an amazing European city to visit and is much more affordable compared to some other popular destinations. The city is rich in history and is full of beautiful architecture. It also has a vibrant and diverse culture, and an delicious food scene. You could spend a week or more in Lisbon, but 3-4 days allow you to cover the most popular sites and still be able to explore at your leisure.

3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary (4 Nights)

Day 1 - Explore the Historic Center
- Head to Sao Jorge Castle
- Explore the Alfama District
- Visit Praca de Comercio and Arco de Triumfo
- Tour Chiado and Barrio Alto Neighborhoods
Day 2 - Sintra Day Trip
- Pena Palace
- Climb the ruins at Castle of the Moors
- Quinta de Regaleria
Day 3 - Explore Lisbon
- Enjoy breakfast pastries at Pastéis de Belém
- Walk along the waterfront visiting Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos
- Visit Jerónimos Monastery
- Lunch at Time Out Market
- Take a ride on Tram 28
- Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa

Portugal is an absolutely beautiful country, and depending on the type of experience you are looking for you can do alternative 7 Day Portugal Itineraries to just focus on the cities and history or do beach and wine vacation. If you have even more time, I recommend doing a 10 Day Portugal Itinerary or 14 Day Portugal Itinerary to visit Porto and the Alentejo coast.

This Lisbon 3 Day Itinerary is my suggested route based on the location of the sites and the amount of time you will spend at each stop.

Day 1 - Explore Historic Center

The historic center of Lisbon spans multiple neighborhoods; Alfama, Chiado, Baxia, Barrio Alto, and Cais do Sodre. To start your visit in Lisbon, spend the day exploring the neighborhoods and top sites.

Head to São Jorge Castle

Start your first day in Lisbon making your way up hill to Sao Jorge Castle. The castle sits atop a hill overlooking the city and the Tagus River. It offers stunning panoramic views of Lisbon and the surrounding area.

The castle dates back to the 11th century when it was built by the Moors as a defensive fortification. It was later expanded and renovated by the Portuguese during the Middle Ages, and served as a royal residence until the 16th century. The castle is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and architecture. you explore the castle walls, towers, and ramparts, and walk through the castle's courtyards and gardens.

One of the highlights of the castle is the terrace, which offers stunning views of the city, the river, and the surrounding hills. If you can time your arrival to the terrace at sunset, the views are spectacular..

Time to Visit: 1.5 to 3 hours
Cost: €20

Explore the Alfama District

Wander around the Alfama District and explore the neighborhood and shops. Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon, and its history can be traced back to the time when Lisbon was still known as Olisipo and was ruled by the Moors. Make sure to wear good walking shoes as the Alfama district in particular has steep hills, but the views make the climb well worth it.

In 1755, Alfama was severely affected by the earthquake that devastated Lisbon. Many of its buildings were destroyed or damaged, and the population suffered greatly. However, Alfama was one of the few areas of Lisbon that managed to preserve its medieval character, and today it is a charming and picturesque district that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Either join a walking tour or explore at your leisure. Depending on the time you spend wandering the winding streets, stop for lunch in the district. Lisbon has some amazing restaurants. Here is my list of the Best Restaurants in Lisbon, which includes a great lunch spot at the edge of the district.

The top sites to stop at while exploring Alfama are:

Miradouro de Santa Luzia: The best viewpoint in Alfama and a stop you should not miss as you explore the neighborhood. You can enjoy beautiful views of rooftops of the Alfama district, water, bridges.

This viewpoint is a busy picturesque area filled with cafés where you can enjoy a snack and watch the colorful city trams go by. Next to Santa Luzia there is a another viewpoint, Miradouro das Portas do Sol. The view is very similar but worth checking out as it is right next door.

Time to Visit: Less than an hour
Cost: Free

Lisbon Cathedral: Also known as Sé de Lisboa, this Romanesque cathedral dates back to the 12th century and features beautiful stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and a treasury of sacred art. The ticket includes a tour of the church, a visit to the Museum of Treasure of the Cathedral, and access to the Coro Alto, a balcony between the bell towers.

Time to Visit: Less than an hour
Cost: €5

Visit Praca de Comercio and Arco do Triunfo

Head to the Praca do Comercio, also known as the Commerce Square. It is a large and historic square, one of the largest in Europe, originally built in the 18th century to serve as the main entrance to the city. The square is surrounded by grand buildings, including the Ribeira Palace, which was destroyed in the 18th century by an earthquake, and the Triumphal Arch, which was built to commemorate the rebuilding of the city after the earthquake.

At the center of the square is a statue of King José I on horseback, which was erected in the 19th century. Visitors can walk around the square and enjoy the grandeur of the architecture and the lively atmosphere of the area, which is filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Explore the square at leisure and if you are a wine lover, be sure to stop into the Wines of Portugal Tasting Room, it is located in the square and has a great selection of wines on tap at various price points for visitors to try. They also have both indoor and outdoor seating so if the weather allows you can enjoy the view.

Time to Visit: 1 hour (more if you really enjoy the wine!)
Cost: Free expect for restaurants or wine tasting

Tour the Chiado and Barrio Alto Neighborhoods

Head over to the Chiado district. You can wander at your leisure or use the route below is my recommended walking tour.

Start at Camões Square, a lively square that marks the transition between Chiado and the Bairro Alto district, named after the famous Portuguese poet, Luís de Camões.

Next head to to Rua Garrett for a leisurely stroll. For those that enjoy shopping this is one of the most well known shopping areas in the city. It is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes.

Stop into Bertrand Bookstore, the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation, dating back to 1732. Although this chain has 30-40 stores, the original is located in Chiado.

The last stop is the Carmo Convent, a ruined church that was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and preserved as a monument. There is also a small museum you can visit.

Whatever you don’t have time to see on Day 1 you can add to your final day in Lisbon or save for another trip!

Walk the Waterfront and Have Dinner at a Great Lisbon Restaurant

When I stay in Lisbon, I prefer to stay in the Cais do Sodré, Alfama or Barrio Alto neighborhoods as they are close to almost everything and make it very easy to use public transportation to get around. If you are staying in those neighborhoods, I recommend walking along the water front and stopping for a drink (I don’t recommend the food) to enjoy the sunset at Quiosque Ribeira das Naus, a fun waterfront café with lounge seating and a beautiful view.

For dinner try out a restaurant owned José Avillez, a renowned Portuguese chef. My favorite was Cantinho do Avillez, which is centrally located and offers some amazing dishes. If you are looking for a cheaper option and want to try out multiple Portuguese dishes, I recommend Bairrices, this is a great small restaurant that offers a fixed price bite size tasting menu (was €20 when I visited in 2022) that includes 20 dishes and 6 desserts. You can also add a drink package for an additional €6, making this a great place to start your trip in Portugal.

Check out my recommendations for the Best Restaurants in Lisbon.

Day 2 - Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon

Sintra is a town located about 16 miles (25 km) outside of Lisbon. The town is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, historic architecture, and cultural heritage. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must see while in Lisbon. Sintra is home to numerous palaces, castles, and other historic buildings, including the colorful Pena Palace, the romantic Quinta da Regaleira, and the Gothic-style National Palace of Sintra. These landmarks are surrounded by lush gardens and forests, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Unfortunately with only a day you won’t have enough time to visit everything. To really enjoy the sites and have time to explore, realistically you will only have time to go to two to three stops. The full list of sites to visit in Sintra is here, but if it is your first time my top picks are Pena Palace, Quinta de Regaleria and Castelo dos Mouros.

Sintra is easily accessible from Lisbon by train or bus, making it a popular day trip or weekend getaway for visitors to the Portuguese capital. There are also multiple tour options that include hotel pickup and drop off if you are looking for a more guided option. This Full Day Sintra Tour includes both Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle, which are my top two sites to visit.

If traveling to Sintra on your own and staying in the city center, you will grab the train from Rossio Station. Trains usually leave every half hour and the trip takes about 40 minutes. Crowds build throughout the day in Sintra, and I recommend getting there when the sites first open and starting with Pena Palace, as it gets the most crowded and the line to get in can be long.

Pena Park opens at 9am but the palace opens at 9:30. You should plan to leave Lisbon around 7:50. As train times are subject to change, check the current train schedule when you plan your trip. I recommend taking either a cab or rickshaw to the Palace. There is a bus that takes you around Sintra, but the first bus does not leave in time and we were late to the Palace and almost lost our time slot.

Pena Palace

The Pena Palace is the must-visit attraction in Sintra for a reason. The palace is a stunning example of Romanticist architecture, with its bright colors, turrets, and domes. It is a unique blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance styles that create a fairy-tale-like appearance.

The palace was built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. It was also used as a refuge for the royal family during World War II. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens that cover over 400 acres. The gardens feature a variety of plant species from all over the world and offer stunning views of the surrounding area.

Book your ticket to Pena Palace in advance as the line to buy tickets is quite long even in the morning. The only negative is that you do need to select a time slot and be there on time. If you want to limit your time in line, I recommend selecting the 9:30am slot. This means you need to be up at the Palace itself by 9:30 not just the entrance to the grounds.

Once you enter the main gates of the grounds, you can either take a free shuttle or walk to the palace (about a 15-20 minute walk). You can walk through the palace at your own pace and the beautiful interior is worth it. Due to the palace’s location, the windows and terraces provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean from the palace.

Time to Visit: 2-3+ hours, depends on how much of the grounds you want to explore
Cost: €20 - book here

Castle of the Moors

The Castle is just down the road from Pena Palace. I recommend walking there (less than a 10 minute walk), when you exit the gates by the ticket office, it is just down the road (Estrada de Pena) to the left. You can also pre-book these tickets, but when we visited, we were able to buy tickets at the entrance easily.

The castle is located on a hilltop, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Sintra Mountains, the Pena Palace, and the Atlantic Ocean. It was built in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors as a defensive fortress. It was an important strategic stronghold during the Reconquista, a period in which the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula reclaimed territories from the Muslim rulers.

The castle's stone walls, towers, and battlements are still standing and underwent extensive renovations in the 19th century, which helped preserve its historical and architectural significance. The best part of the castle is that you can climb the walls all the way to the top of the hill. I recommend either packing a lunch from Lisbon or buying lunch at the entrance and bringing it to the top There is an area to sit and enjoy lunch with an amazing view!

Time to Visit: 2 hours
Cost: €8

Qunita de Regaleria

The Quinta de Regaleria is farther from Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. You can either walk if you are interested in a hike (about 45 minutes) or grab a cab or rickshaw. You may need to head back up to the Palace to grab a ride. Due to the one way roads, the drive is about 25 minutes to Quinta de Regaleria.

Quinta da Regaleira is a historic estate built between 1904 and 1910 by the Brazilian coffee tycoon António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, in collaboration with Italian architect Luigi Manini. The estate is known for its unique blend of architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanticism. Although the exterior of the palace is very intricate, the inside is less so. It is relatively underwhelming after visiting Pena Palace and as you only have access to the first floor, you can save this for the end and spend 10-15 minutes inside.

What you are really here to see are the gardens, which are full of beautiful landscaping, grottoes, and underground tunnels, as well as a number of decorative structures, including a chapel, a palace, and a tower. One of the most iconic features of the estate is the Initiation Well, a spiral staircase that descends over 27 meters (88 feet) underground.

Time to Visit 2-3 hours
Cost: €11 - buy here
Hours: Closes at 6:30pm, last entrance at 5:30

Return to Lisbon and Dinner

Grab a ride back to the train station and head back to Lisbon. Similar to outbound trains, trains to Lisbon run frequently (usually every half hour). When you arrive back in Lisbon spend some time exploring Rossio Square (the station is located on the west side of the square). It is a historic plaza and has been a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike for centuries. It is known for its beautiful fountain, cobblestone paving, and ornate architecture.

After wandering around Rossio Square, head back to your hotel, take a nap if needed and head out for your last dinner in Lisbon.

My recommendation if you are looking for a splurge restaurant is Palácio Chiado, not only is the food great it is an old restored palace built in 1781 that has retained much of its original architecture and design to provide a beautiful dining experience. The food is delicious, and for desert be sure to try their crispy vanilla, which was light and airy and one of the best desserts I have ever had.

Day 3 - Explore Lisbon

With only one full day left in the City, day 3 is about exploring the Belém district and the remaining sites at your leisure.

Stop by Pastéis de Belém for Pastries to Go

Start your day off by heading to the Belem district. This district is father apart from the other popular neighborhoods (Alfma, Cais do Sodré, etc). I found Uber to be the quickest and most economical way to get around the city, but there is also a bus that can take you from the Cais do Sodré district to Belem.

If you decide to take the bus, buy a 24-hour ticket as it will cover all public transit including Tram 28 and Elevador de Santa Justa (both to be visted later in the day), which is under €6. You can buy this pass at any metro station.

When visiting Lisbon, it is hard to miss the pastel de natas. These custard tarts that are a common dessert and available in almost every café, but when visiting the Belém District, grabbing a tart from Pastéis de Belém is a must. They date back to the 1830’s and come warm right out of the oven.

The hype is worth the short wait in my opinion. There are two lines when you arrive, one for the restaurant and one for the to-go pastries. We grabbed a Starbucks coffee from next door and took our pastries to the park across the street (Praça do Império Garden).

Walk Along the Waterfront Exploring the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Belém Tower

Head down to the waterfront to see Torre de Belém (Belém Tower). The historic tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the early 16th century during the Age of Discovery, when Portugal was a major maritime power and explored much of the world's oceans.

It was built as a fortress to defend the entrance to the port of Lisbon and as a symbol of Portugal's power and wealth. Visitors can enjoy a small museum and climb the spiral staircase to the top of the tower, where they can enjoy stunning views of the Tagus River and the surrounding area.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) is a prominent monument located on the bank of the Tagus River nearby. It is designed in the shape of a ship's bow, with 33 statues of famous Portuguese explorers, scientists, and other historical figures standing on its sides. You can climb to the top of the monument for a panoramic view of the city and the Tagus River. There is also a museum inside the monument that features exhibits about the Age of Discovery and the Portuguese explorers.

Time to Visit: 3 hours for both

Cost: €16 for both

Visit Jerónimos Monastery

The Jerónimos Monastery is a magnificent monastery located in the Belém district of Lisbon, Portugal. It was built in the 16th century to commemorate the voyages of discovery undertaken by the Portuguese during the Age of Exploration. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the finest examples of Portuguese late Gothic Manueline architecture.

The monastery is known for its impressive façade, which features intricate stone carvings depicting scenes from the Bible and Portugal's maritime history. The interior of the monastery is equally stunning, with vaulted ceilings, elaborate altarpieces, and ornate cloisters.

Time to Visit: 1-2 hours

Cost: €20

Stop for Lunch at Time Out Market

Head back over to the historic district by either Uber or bus and stop at the Time Out Market. This is a popular food hall located in the Cais do Sodré district of Lisbon, It is housed in a historic market building and features a curated selection of some of the city's best food vendors, restaurants, and bars.

You can choose from a wide variety of cuisines, including traditional Portuguese dishes, sushi, burgers, pizza, and more. The food vendors and restaurants are carefully selected by Time Out magazine, which has been covering the best food and drink in Lisbon for decades. This is a great place to grab a lunch or a drink while taking in the lively atmosphere of the market.

Time to Spend: 1 hour

Cost: Varies depending on what you buy, but wide range of prices for all budgets/tastes

Take a Ride on Tram 28

Tram 28 is a historic streetcar line in Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and is a great way to explore some of Lisbon's historic neighborhoods and landmarks. The tram runs on a circular route through the city, starting and ending at the Martim Moniz Square. It passes through some of Lisbon's most picturesque neighborhoods, including Graça, Alfama, and Baixa, and offers stunning views of the city's hills and coastline.

Tram 28 is known for its vintage yellow trams, which were first introduced in the 1930s and have been in use ever since. The trams are narrow and cramped, and the ride can be bumpy and jostling, but this only adds to the charm of the experience.

While Tram 28 is a popular tourist attraction, it is also used by locals as a mode of transportation. Therefore, it can get very crowded during peak hours, I recommend heading to Martim Moniz Square to get on at the beginning of the route, it is your best best to get on and get a seat.

You can take the tram round trip, or hop off wherever you desire. I recommend getting off near the Rua Conceição stop, which brings you back to the historic district. You can either head back to your accommodations for a break/nap before dinner or head to Elevador de Santa Justa.

Time to Spend: 1 hour

Cost: Included in 24-hour transit pass (€6)

Take a Lift on Elevador de Santa Justa

The Elevador de Santa Justa or Santa Justa Lift, is an iconic landmark in Lisbon, Portugal, and is one of the city's most popular attractions. It is a 45-meter-tall wrought iron elevator tower that connects the lower streets of the Baixa district with the upper streets of the Carmo district.

The elevator was designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel, and was built in 1902. It was originally powered by steam, but was later converted to electricity. The elevator's Gothic Revival design is inspired by the nearby Carmo Convent, and features intricate ironwork and decorative details.

At the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa, visitors can enjoy stunning views of Lisbon, including the Baixa district, the Tagus River, and the hills of the city. There is also a viewing platform and a small cafe where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery.

There can be long line to ride the elevator to the top. If you are comfortable climbing to the top of the hill yourself (stairs and hilling paths), you can still enjoy the beautiful view and then there is usually no wait to take the elevator back down.

Time to Spend: Under an hour