Welcome to Lisbon - this is a special one for us because we live here! Lisbon is an incredible city with so much personality and history. The best way to experience Lisbon is to simply walk around—enjoy the cobblestone streets, pastel buildings, hilltop viewpoints (“miradouros”), and 300+ days of sunshine. Just don’t forget to pack some comfy sneakers and take it slow—the hills provide quite a workout! (Pro tip: if it rains at all, do NOT attempt to walk on the white tiles, they can be quite slippery.)
Top 3 Must-Do’s for a Lisbon Itinerary
Take in the views at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Sit in Praça das Flores with a glass of wine or coffee
Get lost in the streets of Alfama
Duration: 4 nights
Typical Daily Cost for two people: $363 (excludes any required airfare to/from Lisbon)
Best Time to Go: April–November
Note: June is the annual Sardine Festival in Lisbon. We personally love it because the city really comes alive - every square has live music and dancing and the smell of grilled sardines fills the city (trust me, it’s not disgusting). However, this also means Airbnb/hotel prices will be much more expensive and the Alfama neighborhood will be flooded with people.
Check out our other itineraries in Portugal to combine with Lisbon and create the ultimate Portugal vacation:
Table of Contents
Lisbon Itinerary at a Glance
Day | Activities |
Day 1 | Arrive in Lisbon in the morning. Lunch in Praça das Flores. Afternoon walk to our favorite viewpoint overlooking the city. Dinner in Príncipe Real. |
Day 2 | Morning walk to Estrela Garden then pick up Tram 28 outside the Estrela Basilica. Afternoon getting lost in the streets of Alfama. Fado dinner. |
Day 3 | Sintra castle hopping, followed by tasting menu dinner at Âmago. |
Day 4 | Open day to pick your own adventure:
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Day 5 | Off to your next adventure! If you want to extend your trip or combine it with another area of Portugal, check out our itineraries to The Algarve, Alentejo, and Porto. |
Just the Facts
Stay
Opt for an Airbnb with a balcony in the Príncipe Real neighborhood. The key to having a memorable time in Lisbon is staying in the right neighborhood and we think Príncipe Real is it! It’s slightly away from the main touristy areas (but still super well located) and really gives you an authentic experience. Príncipe Real is filled with cute neighborhood bars, cafes, and restaurants. At the center of it all is Praça das Flores, which is the exact place that made us fall in love with Lisbon and decide to make it our home.
**Do not stay in Bairro Alto!! Bairro Alto is known as the party neighborhood and as you can imagine, it never sleeps, meaning you won’t either.
Eat
Below are a few of our restaurants picks for first-timers in Lisbon. If you'd like to see an even bigger list, check out the complete list of our favorite restaurants in Lisbon.
Mercearia do Século (Príncipe Real): Portuguese spot. This restaurant is super tiny, so get a reservation (you can just email them). It feels like you’re eating in someone’s house - the food is amazing.
Senhor Uva (Estrela): Vegetarian small plates & natural wine. Amazing flavors. We’re not vegetarian and we still think it’s great. Super popular (and small), so book in advance.
Discreto (Alfama): New spot that opened in Alfama. I’d call it trendy Portuguese food. It’s a bit off the main tourist roads too so prices and quality are very good!
A Taberna do Mar (Graca): If you love seafood, this place is a must (if you don’t like seafood, 100% skip it b/c the whole menu is seafood). This might be the best deal in all of Lisbon - 30 euros for a 10 course tasting menu. It’s a tiny restaurant so make sure to book in advance (seatings at 7pm and 9:30pm). Also they only accept cash or Portuguese cards.
Âmago (Praca da Alegria): Fancy tasting menu, but not as expensive as the Michelin star places. It’s run by a young Portuguese couple and it’s literally just them running the show. They prep everything right in front of you and everyone sits around one table (max 10 people in the restaurant with you). Book a few weeks ahead.
Drink
Here are a few of our favorite bars around the city. If you'd like to see an even bigger list, check out the complete list of our favorite bars in Lisbon.
Blacksheep (Príncipe Real): Our favorite natural wine bar, it’s tiny, but the owners (Bruna and Lucas) are so fun. If it’s full on the tiny side, they also just took over the larger space next door so you can either sit there or just hang outside or in Praça das Flores across the street.
Royal Vessel Bar (Príncipe Real): Old school prohibition style cocktail bar. It’s a place you want to stay for hours. Very good classic cocktails.
Copa (Santos): Rum/cachaca cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. It’s Kyle’s favorite place in Lisbon :) We’ve tried every cocktail on the menu (our top 3 drinks are: Strawberry Letter, Banana Old Fashioned, Pineapple Expresso). They also have really good small plates. Only downside is they close at 11pm.
Foxtrot (Príncipe Real): Speakeasy vibes, nice cocktails. There’s a pool table in the back and a hidden patio.
Quattro Teste (Alfama): Really well balanced and creative cocktails. Speakeasy vibes inside. The bar is in a cool neighborhood with lots of other casual bars/restaurants nearby.
Onda Cocktail Room (Graça): Another cool place with creative cocktails. The bar is very small, so make sure to make a reservation.
Our Favorite Airbnb Experiences
Lisbon has so many epic experiences offered through Airbnb and we’ve found it’s a great way to see the city through the eyes of a local. Some of our favorite memories were made through these Airbnb experiences. Pick one, or pick them all!
Fado, Food, & Wine: If you’re lucky enough to be in Lisbon on the first Tuesday of each month, you MUST come to this event hosted by Andre & Diogo. They’ve converted a historic apartment into the most beautiful event space. It’s very intimate, the food is incredible, the wine is unlimited, and the fado singers perform right in the living room. I personally don’t love Fado, but I love this event!
E-biking through Sintra & Cascais: This is an amazing way to get a different perspective on some areas that most visitors never get to see. Yes, Sintra and Cascais are touristy, but Rodrigo takes you to some incredible spots away from the crowds. You’ll also have a chance to see some of the amazing coastline and cliffs!
Discover Arrabida: Arrábida - it’s such a beautiful place, and what better way to experience it than with someone who grew up in the area. Miguel was the most perfect host and he took us to some seriously beautiful secret spots along the coast. And just to make it even better, you get to visit a winery too!
Map
Detailed Lisbon Itinerary
Day 1 - Príncipe Real & Chiado Neighborhoods
We recommend taking it easy on your first day in Lisbon. If you’re arriving from the US, you’ll likely land very early in the morning after an overnight flight - depending on when you land, you may want to consider booking your Airbnb for the night before so you can check-in immediately. Once you’ve settled into your apartment in Príncipe Real, we recommend napping for maximum 4 hours (no later than 1 pm) to get yourself through the day and adjust your body to the timezone.
So, your first day in Lisbon starts with lunch! Head over to Praça das Flores (our favorite place in all of Lisbon) and grab a table outside at Pao de Canela. Order the daily lunch menu - you’ll get a soup, main course, dessert, drink, and coffee for a whopping 12 euros!
After lunch, it’s time to see a bit of Lisbon. Walk up to the Príncipe Real Garden, turn right and stroll along Rua Dom Pedro V, and then head over to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara to take in the panoramic view over Lisbon. You’ll be able to see the São Jorge Castle, all of the Baixa neighborhood below, and the Tejo River. Continue walking about 10 minutes to the Carmo Convent and grab a coffee or a drink at Quiosque do Carmo.
Pro tip: Kiosk (“quiosque” in Portuguese) culture is a huge part of Lisbon! You’ll find kiosks at nearly every park or square across the city. These are great places to stop for a quick break to have a coffee, glass of wine/beer, and a small snack.
Next, walk down the alley to the right of the Carmo Convent. It will take you out to a viewpoint at the top of the Santa Justa Elevator. This one always makes us laugh because tourists spend hours waiting in line to take the Santa Justa Elevator - you can just walk out to the top of it for free!
Before heading back, stop at Manteigaria for a pastel de nata - we’ve tried hundreds of natas, and these are our favorites! Don’t forget to shake some cinnamon on top.
Dinner tonight is back in Príncipe Real. Before dinner, we recommend stopping by Black Sheep in Praça das Flores for a glass of wine. If the weather’s nice, you can bring your glass into Praça das Flores and sit on one of the benches to “people watch”. For dinner, we recommend Mercearia do Seculo or Senhor Uva.
Day 2 - Tram 28 & Alfama Old Town
Today is the most “touristy” day of the trip, but we’ve made sure to give you all the tips to make it amazing. Make sure to wear your comfy sneakers and bring some water! Start the day by walking up to Estrela Garden - this garden is beautiful and a great escape from city life. At the other end of the park, across from the Basilica, you’ll find the Tram 28 stop.
This is our first sneaky tip of the day - most people take Tram 28 starting from Martim Moniz - don’t do this! The lines are long and the trams are insanely crowded. By taking it the opposite direction (starting at Estrela Garden), you’ll see all the same things, but without all the people and you may even get lucky enough to get a seat - you’re welcome!
The trams come quite frequently and you can pay for your ticket once on the tram. Tram 28 will take you through all the main sites of Lisbon (try to get a window seat for the best photos), you’ll pass through some super tiny streets in Alfama, make your way through Graça, and end in Martim Moniz (it will take about an hour).
Once off the tram, walk towards the water through Arco da Rua Augusta to Praça do Comércio. Now it’s time to make your way into Alfama - the oldest part of Lisbon. Walk to the Cathedral and then slightly further up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia. At the back of Miradouro de Santa Luzia, there’s some stairs hidden behind the bougainvillea - take those stairs and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful terrace to grab a quick drink and enjoy the view of Alfama.
And now, the fun starts - it’s time to get completely lost in the streets of Alfama. Take the stairs just before Miradouro das Portas do Sol along the Visigothic Wall and start exploring! Grab lunch at any place that looks good to you along the way - we recommend picking one with outdoor seating where you can smell the fish already being grilled (Lisbon Tu e Eu is a good option, but really any will do).
Pro tip: Only order grilled sardines during months that don’t have an “R” - May, June, July, August. Why? Because sardines are only fished during those months, so if you order off-season, your sardines will likely be frozen first.
Spend the rest of the afternoon in Alfama - don’t try to make any sense of the streets. If you get totally lost, just walk downhill until you hit the water. Reward yourself with our pick for best gelato in Lisbon at Gelato Davvero, then head back to your accommodation to relax for a bit before dinner (Bolt or Uber will be your friend after all that walking!).
If you’re lucky enough to be in Lisbon on the first Tuesday of the month, dinner tonight is going to be unforgettable! Book tickets for Fado, Food, & Wine at Andre & Diogo’s apartment. This is seriously amazing - we don’t love Fado, but we love this - bonus is that the food is delicious and the wine is unlimited.
If it happens to be any other day of the month, you’ve got some options:
O Corrido: If you’re dying to see Fado, this is the place to do it in Alfama. Dinner is included in the price of the ticket and you can make reservations directly on their website.
Discreto: Not fado, but this is a very good restaurant in Alfama. I’d call it trendy Portuguese food. It’s a bit off the main tourist roads too so prices and quality are very good!
A Taberna do Mar: If you love seafood, this place is a must (if you don’t like seafood, 100% skip it b/c the whole menu is seafood). This might be the best deal in all of Lisbon - 30 euros for a 10 course tasting menu. It’s a tiny restaurant so make sure to book in advance (seatings at 7pm and 9:30pm). Also they only accept cash or Portuguese cards.
Day 3 - Sintra
It’s time to get out of the city and one of the most popular ways to do that is by taking the train to Sintra to go castle hopping. You'll likely see this recommendation on every single guide book you read, and it's for a good reason! Yes, Sintra is very touristy, but we'll give you a few tips to make it as memorable as possible (without getting stuck in the tourist traps).
Start by taking the train from Rossio Station straight to Sintra and aim to arrive in Sintra around 10am (trains leave every 20 minutes, it's a 45 minute ride, and you can just buy a ticket at the station).
For castles, we recommend you go to Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. If you have extra time, you can also squeeze in Castelo dos Mouros but we’ll be honest, that’s a lot for one day.
Start the day in Sintra at Pena Palace - you can call an Uber or Bolt directly from the Sintra train station to take you up the hill - do not try to walk or take a tuktuk! For Pena Palace, you will need to book a ticket ahead of time here (if you purchase at least 3 days ahead, you'll get a 15% discount). On the website, you will select an entry time and you will need to be in line for the correct time slot. If you arrive at Sintra train station at 10am, we recommend booking the Pena Palace ticket for no earlier than 11am.
You should finish at Pena Palace right around lunch time - call an Uber down to the historic center of Sintra and wander around for a bit. It will likely be very crowded, but it is a super charming town so grab a few photos and explore the streets before going to lunch at Tascantiga. Now, to be honest, we don't love any of the restaurants in Sintra, but this is the best one we've found so far so keep your expectations low!
After you've wrapped up lunch, walk over to Quinta da Regaleira (only about 5 minutes). No need to purchase tickets ahead of time for this one, just head up to the ticket counter when you arrive. Quinta da Regaleira is our favorite castle in Sintra - it gives "secret garden vibes" and there's so many areas to explore on the grounds (it's also much less crowded than the other castles). You'll probably need at least 2 hours here - when you've finished, walk back to the train station and take the train back to Rossio Station.
For dinner tonight, we highly recommend you splurge a bit and go to Âmago - it’s a fancy tasting menu restaurant with only one table of 10 seats, and one seating per night at 8pm (yes, this means you'll be sharing the table with the other guests which is part of the fun). It's run by a Portuguese couple who prepare everything right in front of you. It’s Michelin quality without the hefty price tag! Book a few weeks ahead.
Day 4 - Day Trips from Lisbon
Plenty of options today, so pick your own adventure based on your interests.
Option 1: E-bike tour through Sintra and Cascais: This is one of our favorite day trips that gives you the opportunity to see areas that most tourists never make it to. Sure, you already went to Sintra yesterday, but don't let that deter you from doing this tour. Rodrigo takes you to some incredible off-the-beaten path spots, riding through forests, beaches, and along the beautiful Atlantic coast.
The tour ends in Cascais which is a perfect place to take a quick walk along the beach boardwalk before grabbing the train back to Lisbon. (Pro tip: If you’re staying in Príncipe Real, get off at the Santos train stop, not Cais do Sodre).
Option 2: Day trip to Arrabida: We loved this day trip! Arrábida is such a beautiful place, and what better way to experience it than with someone who grew up in the area. Miguel was the most perfect host and he took us to some seriously beautiful secret spots along the coast. And just to make it even better, you get to visit a winery too!
Option 3: Lunch in Almada & Sailing in Belem: If you want to stay close to Lisbon, we recommend this combo. Almada is just across the Tejo River from Lisbon - head to the Cais do Sodre train station and take the ferry to Almada for lunch (the ferry terminal is behind the train station). The ferries leave every 30 mins and take about 10 mins. You can also just take an Uber, but the ferry is more fun!
Once you get off the ferry, take an immediate right and walk along the water for about 10 minutes until you hit 2 restaurants. Both have great fresh seafood and vibes make you feel like you’re on a Greek Island:
Ponte Final: This is super well known, and you can tell by the long lines. You can try to make a reservation a few days ahead
Atira-te: Right next to Ponte Final and less well known so it’s much easier to get a table here. The food is just as good!
After lunch, either take the ferry back to Cais do Sodre then jump on the Cascais train to Alcantara, or just call an Uber/Bolt over to Alcantara to go on a 2-hour sailing trip. We recommend this sailing trip, but there’s plenty of options available and they all seem to be pretty much the same in terms of quality. The trip will take you along the Tejo river up to Belem and then back down towards downtown Lisbon. It’s super relaxing and a great way to see some sites from a different angle.
Regardless of what option you choose to do during the day, we recommend checking out our full list of favorite restaurants in Lisbon to take your pick for your final dinner in Lisbon.
Day 5
That’s all for Lisbon! If you want to extend your trip or combine it with another area of Portugal, check out our itineraries to The Algarve, Alentejo, and Porto.
Cost Breakdown (2 people for 4 nights)
Note: Flights to/from Lisbon are not included in this cost breakdown.
Uber to and from airport | $20 |
Airbnb | $500 |
Breakfast | $20 |
Lunch | $120 |
Dinner (2 entrees, 1 app, bottle of wine) | $180 |
Tasting Menu Dinner at Amago | $220 |
Cocktails (1 cocktail per person per day) | $80 |
Sintra Castle Tickets, Train, & Ubers | $100 |
E-Bike Day Trip | $210 |
Total | $1,450 |
Daily Cost for 2 people | $363 |
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