Lisbon’s sights are grouped by neighbourhood, and its hills make it smart to plan days around one area at a time. This itinerary uses 2026 prices and keeps time for long lunches and sunsets on the viewpoints.
Lisbon itinerary at a glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baixa, Praça do Comércio, Santa Justa Lift | Alfama, Sé, São Jorge Castle | Fado dinner in Alfama |
| 2 | Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower | Pastéis de Belém, MAAT, LX Factory | Time Out Market |
| 3 | Tram 28 (early), Graça viewpoint | Chiado, Príncipe Real | Bairro Alto, sunset at a miradouro |
| 4 | Sintra: Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira | ||
Day 1: Baixa and Alfama
Start at Praça do Comércio and walk through the Rua Augusta Arch into Baixa. Ride the Santa Justa Lift or walk up to the Carmo ruins. After lunch, climb into Alfama: the Sé, the Santa Luzia viewpoint and São Jorge Castle. Stay for a fado dinner in one of Alfama’s small fado houses.
Day 2: Belém
Take tram 15 or the train from Cais do Sodré to Belém. Visit Jerónimos Monastery at 9:30 (€18 cloister; closed Mondays), then Belém Tower (timed entry) and the Monument to the Discoveries. Queue for warm pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém. On the way back, stop at MAAT and LX Factory, and end with dinner at Time Out Market.
Day 3: Tram 28, Chiado and Bairro Alto
Catch Tram 28 early from Martim Moniz (€1.90 with a Navegante card) and hop off at Graça for the Senhora do Monte viewpoint — see our Tram 28 guide. Continue to Chiado for coffee at A Brasileira, then walk to Príncipe Real‘s gardens and shops. Watch the sunset at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara before dinner and drinks in Bairro Alto.
Day 4: Sintra
Take the train from Rossio (40 minutes, €2.05) and bus 434 to Pena Palace (€20, book the 9:30 slot), the Moorish Castle (€12) and Quinta da Regaleira (€20). Full details: Sintra day trip from Lisbon.
If you have 2 days
- Day 1: Baixa, Alfama and the castle; Tram 28 and a sunset viewpoint.
- Day 2: Belém or Sintra; Chiado and Bairro Alto in the evening.
If you have 5 or more days
- Cascais and Cabo da Roca — beaches and the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
- Óbidos and Nazaré — a walled medieval town and giant-wave surf beach.
- Porto — about 3 hours by train for a second Portuguese city.
Compare day trips from Lisbon.
Where to stay for this itinerary
Baixa or Chiado is ideal: central, close to the metro, trams and trains to Belém and Sintra. See where to stay in Lisbon or compare hotels in Lisbon.
Budget for 4 days (per person, excluding hotel)
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Jerónimos Monastery | €18 |
| Sintra: Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Regaleira | €52 |
| Sintra train + bus 434 | About €17.60 |
| Transport in Lisbon (3 × 24-hour pass) | €21.75 |
| Metro to/from the airport | About €4.30 (incl. card) |
| Tourist tax (4 nights) | €16 |
Tips
- Avoid Mondays for Belém — the monastery is closed.
- Book Pena Palace in advance.
- Ride Tram 28 before 9:00.
- Check the best time to visit Lisbon.
- Arriving by plane? See Lisbon airport to city centre.
More Lisbon guides
- Best things to do in Lisbon
- Where to stay in Lisbon
- Sintra day trip from Lisbon
- Tram 28 guide
- Lisbon airport to city centre
- Best time to visit Lisbon
- Lisbon tourist tax
- Lisbon travel guide
FAQ: Lisbon itinerary
Is 3 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes for Lisbon itself; add a fourth day for Sintra.
Can you see Lisbon in 2 days?
Yes, if you focus on Alfama, Baixa, Tram 28 and either Belém or Sintra.
Is Sintra worth a day trip?
Yes, it’s the best day trip from Lisbon.
Should I visit Porto too?
If you have 5+ days: Porto is about 3 hours away by train.
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