I originally fell in love with Portugal when I visited Lagos in the Algarve a few years ago. To this day, it’s one of my favourite trips and I recommend it to people as a holiday destination often. That love only multiplied when I visited Lisbon, which quickly became my favourite city in Europe. This 2 day Lisbon itinerary packs a punch, allowing you to experience the very best of the city in a short space of time.
Of course, if you have longer to explore, I’d recommend it! There’s a lot to do in this city, as it’s surprisingly sprawling in nature. To fully explore each district and let your feet wander around the various cobbled streets, 5 days would probably be optimal. At the end of this post, I’ve provided recommendations for how you might like to extend the trip. But 2 days is certainly better than nothing, so let’s find out how you can make the most of your trip!
2 Day Lisbon Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Discover the city centre of Lisbon and check out the most popular districts, including the best view in the city!
Day 2: Explore Belém and see the main historical sights, including a stop at the most famous Pasteis de Nata shop in Portugal.
2 Day Lisbon Itinerary Map
Libson Itinerary Essential: The Lisbon Card
My number one tip for visiting Lisbon is to purchase a Lisbon card. I didn’t know this existed when we visited and am kicking myself because we could have saved a lot of money.
The Lisbon card gives you unlimited travel on city transport, as well as free admission into 39 museums and attractions. These include places I’ve recommended on this list, such as Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, as well as other popular locations, such as the National Tile Museum and the Santa Justa Lift.
Admission to attractions can add up quickly, as can using the public transport system, so purchasing a Lisbon Card is highly recommended.
You can buy one for 24 hours (around £19), 48 hours (around £32), or 72 hours (around £40). You can purchase a Lisbon Card online in advance here. It will only start once you activate it and can be purchased up to a year in advance.
Where is Lisbon?
Lisbon is on the west side of Portugal (in fact, it’s mainland Europe’s most western city!). You can find it just over halfway down the length of the country.
Portugal is long and thin, making it a dream for travelling as you can easily travel either up or down it. Other spots I’d recommend seeing in Portugal include Lagos (and the Algarve), Porto, and Sintra.
How to Get to Lisbon
There are a number of international flights to Lisbon or, if you’re already in Portugal/Europe, you may be able to get a train to the city centre.
Once you’ve arrived at Lisbon’s Humbarto Delgado airport, there are a number of options for getting to Lisbon city centre:
Metro: there is a direct line from the airport to Baixa de Lisboa (the red line). This costs €1.35 and takes around 55 minutes. These trains run between 6:30am and 1:00am. Tickets can be purchased at the vending machines or you can purchase a Lisbon Card online in advance. This allows unlimited travel using the city’s public transport system, including the Metro and trams.
Aerobus: this leaves every 20 minutes between 7:30am and 11pm. It goes directly from the airport to the city centre and can be booked online in advance. If your flight doesn’t arrive within these hours, I’d recommend getting the Metro instead
Taxi or Uber: the taxi rank at the airport operates 24 hours a day. You can also get Ubers in Lisbon. You can get both of these outside of terminal 1. This option will likely cost you closer to €20 each way.
Getting Around Lisbon
I’ll say it now – Lisbon is hilly. Think the San Francisco of Europe. So, make sure to bring shoes that feel comfortable all day long! You will likely be doing a lot of walking.
There are certain areas of Lisbon (that are mentioned in this itinerary) that will take a long time to get to by foot. Where this is the case, I’ve recommended transport options.
As I’ve already mentioned, purchasing a Lisbon Card will get you unlimited access to public transport, as well as free admission to major attractions. I’d highly recommend you purchase one of these in advance here.
If you’ve seen any pictures of this city, you’ve probably already clocked the iconic yellow trams. The Lisbon trams are a fantastic way to get around (and avoid the big hills). The metro is also very useful and, as there are only 4 lines, so you shouldn’t get too confused. If you’ve tackled the London tube, this will be a breeze!
How Long to Stay in Lisbon
Any time spent in Lisbon is better than no time, so if you can only squeeze in 2 days, go for it!
That being said, this city really does have a lot to offer. To truly enjoy the culture, restaurants, areas, day trips, and beaches, I’d recommend spending 5 days in Lisbon. This would really allow you get as much as possible out of the city.
This 2 day Lisbon itinerary is perfect for those on a weekend city break but I’ve also added options to extend to the itinerary, if you’re staying for longer!
2 Day Lisbon Itinerary: Day 1
Overview:
- Tram 28
- Praça do Comércio
- Time Out Market
- Alfama District
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Tram 28
If you’re looking to experience one of Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams, head to Tram 28. This tram line heads through Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods and is a great way to see the city.
This tram runs between 6:00am and 10:30pm on weekends or 11:00pm on weekdays, and is busiest in the middle of the day. To avoid crowds, aim to catch an early or late tram. They arrived every 10 minutes or so.
The whole trip lasts just under an hour.
Make sure to watch out for pickpockets, who target popular tourist locations.
Manteigaria
I sampled many pasteis de nata while in Lisbon and the ones from Manteigaria were definitely my favourite! They have a number of locations across the city, so take a look at Google maps to find your closest one.
With their perfectly smooth custard and flaky, crisp pastry shell, I promise they won’t disappoint!
Praça do Comércio
You’ll find this iconic plaza in the centre of Lisbon. Is there much to do here? No. Is it still worth a visit? I think so! I love the architecture of the beautiful yellow arches here. It’s also just one of those buildings that the city is known for – a bit like the Eiffel Tower or Tower Bridge in London.
Watch out for scammers!!
There is a very popular scam in this area, where people will come up to offer you drugs. Three different people tried this when we visited the plaza. This is definitely something that we were not interested in anyway but after some googling, we learnt that what they’re selling is actually is flour and ground up bay leaves. If someone approaches you, just give them a firm ‘no’ and walk away.
Like any tourist area, make sure to also keep an eye out for pick pockets here!
Time Out Market
Time Out Market is a food market with lots of vendors and restaurants offering up a whole host of different cuisines and foods. I was pleasantly surprised with:
- How tasty the food was
- How much traditional Portuguese food there was
While you can, of course, opt for burgers or sushi, I’d recommend for one of the specialty Portuguese stalls.
We opted for Monte Mar, which served up some incredible seafood dishes.
Address: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa
Lisbon Food Tour
Alternatively, if you’re a foodie looking to try a whole host of different Portuguese delicacies, I’d recommend hopping on a food tour.
This Lisbon food tour includes both the well-known food spots and local gems, so you can get an authentic taste of the city. It’s a really memorable experience and a great way to get extra recommendations from a local guide.
Alfama District
Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon and my personal favourite, thanks to its character-filled streets with meandering cobbles and pretty plazas.
There are lots of cool spots to eat in this neighbourhood, including:
- Audrey’s
- Parreirinha de Alfama
- Prado
You’ll also find the Castel de São Jorge here – one of Lisbon’s best tourist attractions. The Castle and it’s city walls sits atop of a hill, providing a great lookout point over the city. It’s steeped in history, the hill having been occupied as a fortress since at least the 8th century. You can purchase skip the line tickets here.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Once you’ve grabbed dinner and a drink, head to my favourite spot in the city – Miradouro de Santa Luzia. Anytime you see a sign saying ‘miradouro’, you know you’re in for a treat, as this means viewpoint.
This one in Alfama is particularly beautiful with stunning views across terracotta roofed houses and the sea. The lookout point is a gorgeous terrace adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles – a must when visiting Lisbon!
Address: Largo Santa Luzia, 1100-487 Lisboa
2 Day Lisbon Itinerary: Day 2
Overview:
- LX Factory
- Padrão do Descobrimentos
- Pasteis de Belem
- Jeronimos Monastery
- Belem Tower
Shop at LX Factory
LX Factory is a cool converted industrial complex filled with independent shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to buy meaningful souvenirs and support small local businesses. The cool vibe also makes it great for photos – especially the flower cart!
We really loved it here and ended up buying some traditional pottery from a store called Brandz. We also loved the bookstore (Ler Devagar) here with its cool bicycle art installation.
Address: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa
How to get there: Get a train from Cais Do Sodre, a taxi, or the bus.
See Padrão do Descobrimentos
Padrão do Descobrimentos is a famous monument right on the estuary in the area of Belém. It celebrates 15th and 16th century Portuguese explorers with Prince Henry the Navigator at the front and 32 of the most influential Portuguese figures behind him.
The carving of this monument is extremely impressive and definitely worth a visit. Visitors are also able to go up to the observation deck on top of the monument for €5. This has amazing views of the Jeronimos Monastery and Belém Tower.
Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa
Grab a Treat from Pasteis De Belem
One of the things that made me fall in love with Portugal was the food, particularly the Pasteis de Nata. These crispy custard tarts are an absolute dream (we actually had them at our wedding instead of cake!).
The most well-known place to purchase Pasteis de Nata is from Pasteis De Belem. They began making tarts all the way back in 1837! I loved watching the chefs at work in the kitchen, churning out hundreds upon hundreds of Pasteis de Nata.
The tarts were, of course, excellent, though not my favourite in the city! As you’ll know from day one of this two day Lisbon itinerary, that award goes to Manteigaria.
Address: R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa
Jeronimos Monastery
Jeronimos Monastery is a must-visit when in Lisbon. The stunning Portuguese Gothic architecture is completely breathtaking, particularly considering construction was starting 1501 and finished in 1601. The beautiful cloisters and grassy quadrangle are so peaceful and intricately designed – you’ll definitely want to bring your camera with you!
It can get very busy here during peak tourist seasons and you may have to queue to get inside. When we visited in August, the queue was incredibly long. To avoid this, I would recommend purchasing your ticket online in advance!
Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa
Belém Tower
I loved Belém Tower because it’s just such an unusual monument. This squat little tower sits in the water with a wooden bridge running across to a small patch of beach on the mainland. There’s something about it that’s so picturesque and pretty.
It was built in the 16th century and was created to be a fort that protected Lisbon from incoming enemies on the Tagus River.
As we were travelling on a budget, we chose not to go in the tower and admire it from the outside instead. Architecturally, it’s very beautiful, even from a distance. If you want to get the full experience, however, entry is only €6.
We’ve heard it’s only small with very tight staircases, so I’d recommend getting there towards the beginning or end of the day, if visiting in high season, to avoid crowds. You can purchase tickets for Belém Tower online in advance here or get free entry with your Lisbon Card.
Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa
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What To Skip in Your Lisbon Itinerary
Everyone wants something different from a trip, so some of the things I’m about to mention might be right up your alley – you know yourself best!
- Bairro Alto – this is often hailed as a must-visit in Lisbon for the party-scene. I personally think there are a nicer areas to have a drink in the city and found that there was quite a bit of unwanted male attention in this area. However, I’m also a bit of a grandma – so what do I know!
- Pink Street – our airbnb was actually right next to Pink Street, so we saw it every day. If I’m totally honest, it’s a bit of a let-down! The pink is half washed away and the street itself isn’t particularly exciting. In fact, there are much prettier streets all throughout the city with beautiful tiles and independent cafes!
Extended Lisbon Itinerary
There’s so much to do in Lisbon, you could easily add an extra day (or two!) to your stay to see even more of the city. There’s also some lovely areas very close to Lisbon that are well worth a day trip to, if you have the time! At the top of this list are Sintra and Cascais…
Sintra
Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful building upon beautiful building to explore and discover. Most notably, you can take a stroll around Pena Palace. You’ve probably seen this colourful castle all over your social media feeds and I can confirm that it’s just as gorgeous in real life.
There are plenty of other sites too though! We loved the Castelo dos Mouros, which provided picturesque views across Sintra.
Visiting Sintra was one of the best things that we did when visiting Lisbon, so if you are able to extend your stay in Portugal to add a day trip here, I would highly recommend it!
Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is easy. Simply get the train and change at Benfica. You’ll likely see lots of other people doing the same route.
Cascais
We didn’t quite have time to fit in a trip to Cascais but I’m determined to head back! It’s a charming beach town with fantastic restaurants and. It’s beloved by Lisbon locals and is a popular upmarket holiday destination.
There is a direct train from Lisbon to Cascais that takes about 40 minutes in total. This makes it a simple and easy day trip from the city if you’re looking to enjoy a beach day!
More Things to Do in Lisbon: Extended Lisbon Itinerary
Lisbon Itinerary FAQs
The best areas to stay in Lisbon are Baixa, Chiado, or Alfama. Both Baixa and Chiado are very central, while Alfama is a beautiful and romantic historic district. When we visited Lisbon, we stayed in Chiado and thought it was the perfect area to explore from.
As long as you can! You’ll need at least 2 days to see the highlights of Lisbon but there are plenty of fantastic day trips (including the bucket list must-visit Sintra), so if you can stay up to 5 days, that would be recommended!
Getting from Lisbon airport to the city centre is very easy! You can take the metro straight from the airport or get the aerobus. The metro only costs €1.35. Alternatively, you can get a taxi or uber but this will be more expensive (around €20).
Lisbon is incredibly hilly so how walkable it is will depend on your fitness levels. The main city centre has lots to do within walking distance. However, if you want to visit the popular Belém, it’s probably best to use public transport. Lisbon’s transport system is very affordable and easy to use. You can purchase a Lisbon card for unlimited use of the trams and metro.
5 days in Lisbon isn’t too much. In fact, I think 5 days is the perfect amount. This will allow you to experience the different neighbourhoods of the city, including the beaches, as well as take day trips to the amazing Sintra and Cascais.
If you want to avoid the heavy crowds, opt for the shoulder season between March-May and September-October. It should still be warm this time of year but much less busy at the main tourist attractions.
In my experience, Lisbon is a very affordable city, particularly when compared to other Western European capitals. A pint of beer will cost around €5 and an espresso will be about €1.
Yes, Lisbon has a number of beaches nearby. I’d recommend heading to Praia Irmao beach club for a laid back vibe and great drinks.
The rainiest month in Lisbon is November, so if you want some sunshine try heading there in Spring. Due to the bad weather, flight and accommodation prices do tend to be much lower in the Winter though.
Having tried many different pasteis de nata in Lisbon, I can without a doubt say that Manteigaria is the best spot!
More Portugal Content
Planning a trip to Portugal? Check out my other Portugal travel guides to help you have the perfect trip:
20 Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Benagil Cave
