Lisbon, or Lisboa, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and steeped in history, coastal beauty, delicious cuisine and a mild climate, which makes it the perfect place to explore in Europe. Plus, compared to other major European capitals, Lisbon offers exceptional value for accommodation, food, and attractions and the relaxed, laid-back Portuguese lifestyle and hospitality give the city an appealing bohemian atmosphere.
There is so much more to do in Lisbon that 2 days is not quite enough time, but if that is all you have, there are several main attractions you should not miss!
Getting Around Lisbon
Lisbon is known as the city of 7 hills and as soon as you start walking, you will understand why it is called that. Steep hills often have stairs for pedestrians to climb as short cuts but there are also a few funiculars such as the elevator da Bica that will take you from Cais de Sodre neighbourhood to Bairro Alto.
Lisbon has a good public transportation system that can get you from one neighbourhood to another, but it will take awhile. Google maps can give you step by step instructions on which buses/trams/trains to take. There are also taxis, Bolt and Uber. We tend to use Bolt if we are not using the public system because they are cheaper than taxis and your rate is set before you leave. We purchase a metro card which we can use on buses and trams to get around the city. If we have to get to somewhere quicker, we Bolt.
Day 1 Lisbon Itinerary: Explore the Neighbourhoods
Alfama District
We would start our first day in the Alfama district (our favorite), Lisbon’s oldest and most iconic district with winding medieval alleys, historic buildings, and great views from miradouros (viewpoints) like Miradouro de Santa Luzia. We love to wander through the narrow streets, where you can see an impromptu Fado performance by a local artist. Like Fado music, Alfama is a place you feel the past come to life. Make sure you taste the Ginjinha sold by the locals and don’t miss the São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge), offering panoramic views of the city’s red-tiled rooftops and the Tagus River.
But what makes Alfama incredibly cool are the maze-like side streets that take you to places you would never think to look for. There is a Roman ruin of a theatre being excavated in the middle of Alfama close to the Cathedral. You can walk up one of the side streets closer to the centre of Alfama and see where the women used to wash their clothes. There is also a great street market, the Feira da Ladra that is open every Tuesday and Saturday where you can find some great bargains and unusual souvenirs.
The famous Tram 28 goes through Alfama as well as Graca, Baixa and Esrela. You can feel the rhythmic clatter of the tram tracks on cobblestone streets beneath you as you witness Lisbon’s diverse neighborhoods. However, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings. Pick pockets often ride this tram because it is full of tourists.
Chiado Baixa District
After Alfama, take Tram 28 over to Chiado and Baixa District to do some shopping. The Chiado district offers some great stores for shopping and cafes to people watch. Check out the Livraria Bertrand, the oldest bookstore in Europe! The Santa Justa lift is also located in this neighborhood and is great for panoramic views stretching from the historic districts to the Tagus River. Sometimes though, there are long lines to ride and if you don’t mind climbing a few stairs, you can go up the back way located on Rua do Carmo.
You can follow Rua do Carmo down the hill to Rossio Square in the heart of Lisbon to people watch and find an afternoon snack. Check out the fountains and stonework that have been there since the earthquake of 1755 destroyed the original square. The square really captures the Lisbon vibe with street performers, outdoor cafes with people watching, and its zestful wave pattern mosaic stone pavement. It’s a great place to soak in the atmosphere.
From Rossio, you have several great options on where to go next and there is a metro station there. You can head up the Avenida da Liberdade to the Restauradores and further up to the more expensive and exclusive shops such as Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier, or we recommend you head south to the Cais do Sodre to explore Pink Street, the Mercado da Ribeira, and a little further south to Praça do Comércio to the the famous Rua Augusta Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta) and the statue of José I. It is a perfect spot to have a drink and catch the sunset over the Tagus River.
Bairro Alto
If you are a night owl or love the night life (and to boogie) visit the Bairro Alto district. As the sun sets, Bairro Alto comes alive with an electrifying nightlife. Join the locals in lively Fado bars, sip on ginjinha (cherry liqueur), and feel the pulse of Lisbon’s nocturnal spirit. Navigate through the vibrant streets filled with laughter, music, and the promise of memorable evenings. Lisbon is one of the safest cities in the world so walking at night is perfectly fine. Just remember, pick pockets are always out and about.
Day 2 in Lisbon: Belém
Start your second day by having breakfast at the famous Pastéis de Belém where you can sample the amazing and most delicious Pastel de Nata. The origins of the recipe date back to the 18th century monasteries in Lisbon where monks used egg whites for starching clothes and had to use up the leftover yolks. You will never have one of these better than the ones in Lisbon.
A short walk around the corner from there (you can’t miss it) is the Jerónimos Monastery. This gothic architectural marvel is an incredible tribute to the age of discovery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enter the church for free but you must buy a ticket to enter the cloister. They are closed on Mondays–we found this out the hard way.
Attached to the Monastery is the Maritime Museum. We happened upon it when we wanted to visit the monastery but it was closed. It is an amazing homage to Portugal’s seafaring legacy. This museum showcases navigational instruments, model ships, and artifacts that chronicle Portugal’s maritime prowess. It is truly captivating but incredibly big. Be prepared to spend a couple hours in there.
Across the way over on the water is the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built primarily for defensive purposes as part of a system of fortifications to protect the city and its important harbor on the Tagus River estuary. However, it now is a symbol of the role of Portugal in the Age of Discovery. You can climb up in the tower but note it will be crowded during peak season and you need to buy a ticket. It is also closed on Mondays.
Just across the marina and a short walk on the river takes you to another national monument dedicated to the Age of Discovery, the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos). The monument is 52 meters tall and depicts most of the key Portuguese figures that contributed to exploration and expansion overseas. You can take the elevator up to the terrace for some the best views of the Tagus and Lisbon.
Also in the Belém district are several museums in case you are interested. The Museum of Contemportary Art is across the street from the Jerónimos Monastery and the Museum of Coaches is right across from the Belém train station.
Best Views of the City
Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara offers views of Avenida da Liberdade, Baixa, and the Castelo de São Jorge. There is a lovely park with a fountain, a garden, and you can enjoy a drink at the kiosk.
Santa Luzia in Alfama has a lovely view of the red rooftops and Tagus River. You can sit out at the restaurant and take in the view. In the winter, there is a small Christmas market set up here.
Portas do Sol is a great place to check out the sunset in Lisbon. It is quite a hike up the hill so we always take a TukTuk or Bolt to the top. It gives a view of the Alfama neighbourhood and you can see the Monastery of São Vicente to the left.
Other Places in Lisbon you may want to consider
The National Tile Museum
Everywhere you go in Portugal, you will see the beautiful azulejos or ceramic tiles hung all over the city. The National Tile Museum or the Museum Nacional do Azulejo, has an incredible display of these tiles dating all the way back to the 15th century. There are individual tiles, murals, and the most incredible map of Lisbon that depicts the neighbourhoods before the earthquake in 1755. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
LX Factory
LX Factory, a creative hub in an industrial setting, it breathes life into Lisbon’s art scene. Explore galleries, boutiques, and cafes housed in former factory buildings. Immerse yourself in the local artistry and relish the dynamic atmosphere that makes LX Factory a hidden gem in Lisbon. It too is somewhat out of the way of the other main tourist attractions but is worth a visit if you have time.
Day Trips from Lisbon
If you are going to be in Lisbon for more than a day, you might want to consider taking a few days trips to Sintra, Cascais or Evora.
Cascais has local beaches and there is everything from water sports to tranquility. You can rent a cabana for the day and enjoy the sunshine and clear water.
Sintra’s Pena Palace and Quinta do Regaleira are just a short train journey from Lisbon and offer enchanting landscapes and beautiful beaches.
Évora is also a beautiful medieval city a few hours outside of Lisbon and has the amazing Church of Bones and Roman Ruins.
For more info on day trips, check out our blog post 12 Incredible Day trips from Lisbon.
Private Tours and Tour guides.
We have found that if you are in a hurry and don’t have a great amount of time to wander around, the best way to see Lisboa is on a private tour. We have done two –one in a TukTuk and one in an antique car. Both tour guides were amazing but the antique car was much more comfortable to ride in. If you would like a list of tour guides that will take you around Lisbon and the area, check out the blog post on Private Tours and Tour guides or download the tour guide sheet sheet here.
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Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.