How Long Should You Spend In Lisbon? A Few Itineraries For Portugal’s Capital
Published November 3, 2022
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most charming and iconic urban destinations. The capital of Portugal offers stunning natural beauty and an incredible cityscape made up of pastel colors, ornate tiles, and striking red clay rooftops as far as the eye can see. Should you visit Lisbon? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. But how long should you spend there? Read on to find out!
Lisbon was actually one of my very first cities I blogged about back in spring of 2018. Caffeinated Excursions has come a long way since then, but if you’d like to see what I thought of Lisbon years ago, be sure to check out that separate blog post!
This post will briefly introduce neighborhoods of Lisbon you can’t miss, then present a few different itineraries for visiting the capital city of Portugal. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link below!
Neighborhoods of Lisbon
Whether you stay in Lisbon for three days or multiple weeks, you’ll almost certainly be visiting the following five neighborhoods. They’re all centrally located except for one (Belém), and it’s easy to walk between them.
1. Baixa de Lisboa
Downtown Lisbon, known as Baixa de Lisboa, is the historic heart of the city. Its two main focal points are the wide and open Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and Rua Augusta, a pedestrian street that connects the waterfront and the rest of the city further inland.
2. Alfama
The neighborhood of Alfama is directly east of Baixa de Lisboa. However, the vibe here is completely different. Unlike the grand avenues and plazas of downtown, Alfama’s streets are steep and narrow. Get lost in a hillside labyrinth of cobblestone alleys that make up the oldest part of the city.
3. Graça
Graça is a quaint area north of Alfama and one of my favorite parts of Lisbon. That’s because it has two panoramic lookout spots that are open to the public! Graça is artsy and trendy, but it feels a little more local than Alfama.
4. Belém
This is the one neighborhood all visitors to Lisbon should check out that isn’t within walking distance to downtown. Take a train or Uber to see the famous Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, both on the waterfront.
5. Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is a densely packed part of town west of Baixa de Lisboa. Prepare to climb quite a few flights of stairs or steep streets to get from downtown to this area known for its nightlife! Of all the popular areas of Lisbon I visited, this is the one that impressed me the least. If you are only staying for three days and don’t have time, I’d say it’s fine to skip Bairro Alto.
Lisbon Food & Drink
One of the main highlights of Lisbon is undoubtedly the food! Portuguese cuisine intrigues me because it is defined by relatively simple recipes that don’t use a ton of spice or garnish, yet still manage to be so tasty and satisfying.
If you’re going to spend more than three or four days in Lisbon, use the extra time to try as many local restaurants and bars as you can! To learn more about Lisbon’s food scene and my favorite restaurants there, check out my Lisbon Food Guide [coming soon].
Three or Four Day Itinerary
In my honest opinion, I recommend that travelers plan four full days in Lisbon, especially for a first visit. The city may look vast on a map, but because it’s so old, it’s very walkable. Attractions further away from the city center can be reached via affordable, generally straightforward public transport. Here are some Lisbon essentials for a three or four day itinerary!
Praça do Comércio & Rua Augusta
Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) is a great place to start any Lisbon itinerary because it’s the geographic center of the city. Located right on the waterfront in Baixa de Lisboa, all major streets radiate out from this point.
Take a good look at the Dom José I Equestrian Statue at the center of the square, which includes a beautiful sculpture of an elephant on its eastern side. Then, check out the regal white Arco da Rua Augusta (Augusta Street Arch) on the north side of the plaza.
After you’re done admiring Praça do Comércio, head north on Rua Augusta. This bustling street only allows pedestrians. However, cars and trams still cross Rua Augusta perpendicularly, so pay attention at the crosswalks that intersect it.
Elevador de Santa Justa
If you happen to walk by this outdoor elevator while exploring Baixa de Lisboa on foot, it’ll almost certainly capture your attention. Its gray iron structure with gothic elements and a top-heavy design is eye-catching, and it stands out amongst the surrounding buildings.
The Elevador de Santa Justa connects Baixa de Lisboa with Bairro Alto directly to the west. Although the two neighborhoods are right next to each other, Bairro Alto sits at a much higher elevation.
In all honesty, I’d recommend visiting the Santa Just Lift but not riding it. That’s because the line for tickets moves slowly, plus the upper platform is accessible as long as you’re willing to walk up a few steep city blocks to get there.
What’s more, you can even enter part of the upper deck and enjoy the panoramic view without buying a ticket and waiting in line. The skyline looking east is especially awesome! Be sure to also face north to spot the amazing black and white tiles on Praça Dom Pedro IV.
Museu Arqueológico do Carmo
Since the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo, or Carmo Convent, is located right next to the Santa Justa Elevator, you can visit both attractions on the same day. Although this cathedral-turned-museum is missing its roof, the arches are still intact. The result is a stunning open-air structure that is absolutely worth seeing.
On the far end of the church is a section that still has its roof. Inside this portion of the museum, you’ll find ornately carved tombs, azulejos (Portuguese tiles), and other artifacts.
Rossio
If you walk north on Rua Augusta, you’ll eventually find yourself at Rossio. This part of Baixa de Lisboa is home to two beautiful public squares: Praça da Figueira (Fig Tree Plaza, although it currently houses no fig tree) and Praça Dom Pedro IV. Both are pretty, but I really love the fountain and the calçada portuguesa (Portuguese black-and-white pavement) in the latter.
Castelo de São Jorge
I can’t believe I missed this attraction on my first visit to Lisbon! This stone castle overlooks the entire city from the highest point in Alfama. In addition to offering amazing views of the city, the São Jorge Castle is an architectural marvel in and of itself. Dating back to the 11th century, the Moorish design is incredible to see in person.
I actually visited Castelo de São Jorge twice during this trip and never experienced an unreasonably long wait time to get in. However, I found that the physical barriers on the castle walls were pretty low – they only came up to knee-level in many places. Needless to say, exercise caution!
Miradouros of Graça
“Miradouro” is the Portuguese word for “panoramic lookout,” and the neighborhood of Graça has two of the best in the city. The first is the Miradouro da Graça, and the second is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
Miradouro da Graça
This panoramic balcony looks to the west and offers views of Lisbon’s rooftops and the bay. Miradouro da Graça is located next to a church (Igreja Paroquial da Graça), which is worth visiting if it happens to be open while you’re there.
Be sure to also check out graffiti in the Caracol da Graça, a zigzag outdoor staircase and alleyway that connects Miradouro da Graça with Rua dos Lagares below. There is also a cozy plaza nearby the lookout called Jardim da Graça.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Since Lisbon is incredibly hilly, there are dozens of amazing places to see the cityscape. Fortunately, almost none of them involve a touristy observation deck. However, I think Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is my favorite. Even though it’s only a short walk uphill from Miradouro da Graça, this open-air lookout point offers a much wider field of vision, including unobstructed views looking north. The Senhora do Monte lookout is also larger and feels less crowded.
The neighborhood of Graça has much more to offer than these two miradouros, such as street art and a cool bar scene. However, if you are pressed for time, the viewpoints should not be missed. I found myself coming back to them day after day just to enjoy the amazing views!
Alfama: Alleys and Miradouro de Santa Luzia
The oldest part of Lisbon might very well be the area with the most character. Alfama’s steep streets and narrow alleyways set it apart from other neighborhoods. Explore Alfama in depth, then try a restaurant or bar here. In all honesty, it seems like dining options here offer a cozier experience than the crowded avenues and noisy patios of Baixa de Lisboa.
In addition, Alfama’s Miradouro de Santa Luzia offers a unique view of the Tagus River. That’s because it faces east, unlike the miradouros in Graça that look west. From Santa Luzia Lookout, you’ll be able to see any cruise ships that are docked in Lisbon during your visit.
Belém
To get to the neighborhood of Belém, you’ll have to take a train or an Uber, but it is worth the short journey out here. That’s because this area is home to two landmarks you won’t want to miss: the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument).
Torre de Belém
This waterfront castle is an iconic symbol of Lisbon. Its unique design consists of a wide lower base and a tall tower, and its rounded domes give it a nautical vibe. Built in the early 1500s, the Torre de Belém functioned as a defensive fort and a place from which Portuguese explorers would set sail.
You can actually visit the interior of the castle, and I highly recommend doing so if it’s open. The rooms inside the main tower have beautiful checkerboard floors and stunning arched ceilings. The view looking out across the river is also pretty incredible.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
This massive monument was built in the 1960s to commemorate Portuguese explorers. A smaller version was originally built in the 1940s as a temporary exhibit. It was destroyed after three years, but rebuilt on a larger scale two decades later.
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos also offers entry to visitors. If you look closely at the top of the monument, you’ll see people walking around. I skipped this one since it’s basically next to the Torre de Belém and would offer a similar view looking out over the river. However, Discoveries Monument is significantly taller than Belém Tower, so you’ll probably be able to see a lot further if you decide to go to the viewing deck here.
Other Attractions in Belém
The one thing I skipped in Belém was the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery). That’s because the line to get in was so long: by far the longest line I saw on this entire trip. Reviews online claimed that it moves quickly, but that just didn’t appear to be the case. The monastery is one of Lisbon’s famous sites, but it didn’t look like it was worth waiting an hour or more in line.
Another famous place to stop by is Pastéis de Belém. Founded in 1837, this bakery is known for its Portuguese egg tarts. This is another place where you’re likely to encounter a line out the door, but it does move quickly since the pastries are cooked in huge batches and are easy to serve.
I visited Pastéis de Belém on my previous trip to Lisbon four years ago, and I had already had my fill of egg tarts by the time I made it over to Belém, so I skipped it this trip.
Go on a Day Trip
The main difference between a three-day and four-day trip to Lisbon would be leaving the city on one of the four days. There are many day trip options from Lisbon, and the most common one by far is Sintra. This village to the west of Lisbon is easy to get to by train, and it’s home to Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena), a gorgeous red, yellow, and purple castle built in the Romantic style.
I visited Sintra on my last trip to Lisbon in 2018, but didn’t return on this trip in part because the weather wasn’t amazing. Sintra offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the Atlantic Ocean. These are most impressive on a clear, sunny day.
I also remember that I didn’t have to wait very long to get into Palácio da Pena, but things may have changed since then. To read more specific and recent tips on visiting Sintra, check out one of the following blog posts:
- A Sintra town guide by Linda and David at RetiredAndTravelling
- Avoiding the crowds during a day trip to Sintra by Maggie from Pink Caddy Travelogue
- Tips for visiting Pena Palace by Linda and David at RetiredAndTravelling
Five or Six Day Itinerary
Although I think four days is ideal for a visit to Lisbon, the main benefit to staying longer is additional time to explore the city’s food scene. However, the following three attractions can be included on a five or six day trip to the city.
Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)
Head to Alfama if you’d like to visit Lisbon’s oldest church with twin bell towers. Entrance tickets will allow you to see the sanctuary, the loft, and some additional rooms on the upper floors that house relics and artifacts.
Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon)
The National Pantheon was originally built as a church, but now functions as a mausoleum for famous Portuguese explorers and other influential historical figures. Both the interior and exterior of this building are incredible, and the Panteão’s dome stands out among the red clay rooftops that most buildings in Lisbon have.
A visit to the Panteão Nacional will allow you to explore the various levels of the building, including the roof. I wouldn’t say the Pantheon is a must-see in Lisbon, but it is a good option if you find yourself with an extra hour or two and happen to be near the eastern end of Alfama.
Bairro Alto - Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I don’t find Bairro Alto as charming as the other centrally-located neighborhoods of Lisbon. However, if you’re going to be spending more than three or four days in the city, you might as well go check it out, at least for a little while. There are restaurants and bars here, but nothing stood out to me as I was walking along the main roads here.
One interesting thing to check out in Bairro Alto if you do head over this way is the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara. This lookout is a little different from the ones mentioned earlier because it faces east (the ones in Alfama and Graça face west).
Longer than Five or Six Days
I personally don’t recommend staying longer than six days in Lisbon. If you’re spending more than one week in Portugal, you should definitely split your time between Lisbon and another part of the country. With that said, the main thing to do on an extended stay in the capital would be exploring some of the city’s museums. Below are two options to consider.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
This museum explains the historical significance of azulejos, or Portuguese tiles. These glazed ceramic tiles are typically (but not always) white and blue and are extremely prevalent throughout Lisbon. The museum is very impressive, especially its cathedral (it’s housed in a converted convent). The one thing I didn’t love about the museum is that it’s not very close to anything else featured on this post, and it’s not that easy to get to on foot.
MAAT
The acronym MAAT stands for “Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia,” which happens to also match the English translation (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology). Located in Belém, the MAAT is housed in a stunning white structure that resembles a wave about to crash into Tagus River. Small panels form a sort of hexagonal pattern on the building’s exterior that compliments the calçada portuguesa (tile pavement) on the adjacent sidewalk.
The roof of the MAAT is also a balcony that is open to the public. It offers a nice view of the Ponte 25 de Abril (April 25th Bridge), which resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Inside the museum are modern exhibits that I think most people will find thought-provoking and engaging. The MAAT is not a huge museum, so it won’t take hours and hours to explore.
Additional Day Trips
The last thing I’d recommend for a long visit to Lisbon is going on additional day trips. There are many great options beyond Sintra, including the seaside town of Cascais, which can be reached by train via Cais do Sodré Train Station. Another town to consider is Évora, inland from Lisbon about halfway between the coast and the border with Spain.
In Conclusion
Having been to Lisbon twice and having spent a week there this second time, I can say with confidence that I’ve seen more of the city than the average tourist. I think four days is perfect for most visitors. That can be extended to five or possibly six days for travelers who love food, museums, or simply want to take things a little slower.
Would I visit Lisbon a third time? Maybe in a decade or so. But after two visits, I would much rather check out another part of the country, such as Porto in the north, Albufeira in the south, or the Açores off the coast. In fact, I probably want to prioritize a trip to Spain before returning to Portugal for a third time, seeing as I’ve still never been!
Have you spent time in Lisbon before? Are you headed there soon? Leave a comment and let me know! I hope this guide was helpful if you’re planning a trip, and thanks for reading!
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This post was published on Nov 3, 2022
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