5 days in Lisbon

Day by day

1. Day 1: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower

   Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and MAAT and the Tejo Power Station, then Fado evening in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Jerónimos Monastery

      The church itself can be visited free through a separate entrance; save the paid cloister for early morning before tour groups arrive. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Belém Tower

      The exterior and setting are the highlight; walk the riverside path from the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and decide on the interior when you see the queue. (45 minutes–1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Custard tart

      Pastéis de Belém next to the Jerónimos Monastery, and specialist nata bakeries in Chiado and the Baixa that bake throughout the day.

   4. Afternoon

      MAAT and the Tejo Power Station

      Walk over the roof at sunset even if you skip the exhibitions, then continue along the river to Belém. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Fado evening

      Smaller tascas with fado vadio (amateur fado) are cheaper and more intimate than dinner shows; stay quiet during performances.

2. Day 2: São Jorge Castle and Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia

   São Jorge Castle, Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia and Tram 28, then Bairro Alto in the evening.

   1. Morning

      São Jorge Castle

      Go late afternoon for the light on the city, and take bus 737 or a taxi up if the climb through Alfama is too steep. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia

      Start at Portas do Sol early in the morning and get deliberately lost on the way down; most lanes eventually lead to the river. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bacalhau à Brás

      Traditional tascas and restaurants across the Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama.

   4. Afternoon

      Tram 28

      Board at the Martim Moniz or Campo de Ourique terminus early in the morning for a seat, and keep valuables zipped away: the route is notorious for pickpockets. (40–50 minutes end to end, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Bairro Alto

      Dozens of small bars with cheap drinks, where most people stand in the streets; busiest from about 11pm.

3. Day 3: Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch and Santa Justa Lift

   Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch, Santa Justa Lift and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, then Cais do Sodré in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch

      Sit on the Cais das Colunas steps at sunset, then walk west along the Ribeira das Naus riverfront to Cais do Sodré. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Santa Justa Lift

      If the queue is long, walk up to Largo do Carmo through Chiado and reach the top-level walkway from there. (30 minutes plus queue, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled sardines

      Street grills in Alfama and Graça during the June Santo António festivals, and tascas with outdoor grills through the summer.

   4. Afternoon

      Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

      Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the low wall. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Cais do Sodré

      The pink-painted Rua Nova do Carvalho and surrounding streets have late bars and music venues near the river.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Sintra

   About 40 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Suburban train from Rossio station to Sintra.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Sintra

      About 40 minutes by train (Suburban train from Rossio station to Sintra); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Sintra

      Sintra's wooded hills hide the brightly painted Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, the mystical gardens and initiation well of Quinta da Regaleira and the Monserrate palace. Best for first-timers, couples, families and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Lisbon

      Dinner: try Bifana.

5. Day 5: Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and Lisbon Oceanarium

   Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon Oceanarium and National Tile Museum, then Príncipe Real in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

      Bring a picnic for the garden, one of the calmest spaces in Lisbon, which is free to enter. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Lisbon Oceanarium

      Book online for a timed slot and combine it with the riverside cable car and the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre nearby. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bifana

      Snack bars and tascas throughout the city; look for counters where workers stand and eat at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      National Tile Museum

      It is east of the centre and away from the metro; take a bus or taxi and stay for lunch in the museum café's tiled courtyard. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Príncipe Real

      Cocktail bars and the centre of Lisbon's LGBTQ+ nightlife.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Jerónimos Monastery, Fado evening and Lisbon Oceanarium before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Baixa and Chiado keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Alfama ($$$) suits couples, culture and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–25 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Lisbon
• 2 days in Lisbon
• 3 days in Lisbon
• 4 days in Lisbon
• 7 days in Lisbon

Questions travellers ask