Sunny Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, offering a city full of charming contrasts. Rich in historic neighborhoods, vibrant culture, and landscapes that are just breathtakingly beautiful, Lisbon is one of those cities that grabs your heart from its very first impressions. Below is this full, 5-day Lisbon itinerary that takes you through iconic Lisbon landmarks, hidden gems, and food highlights to ensure every minute spent in Lisbon was worth your while.
Lisbon Itinerary
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Day 1: Heart of Lisbon
Morning: Baixa and Rossio Square
Begin the tour of Lisbon through the Baixa Downtown District. OffIcially named Praça Dom Pedro IV, but commonly called the Rossio Square, it is a dynamic plaza that has been the center of town since medieval times. Take a moment to appreciate the nicely laid wave-pattern cobblestones and the Dom Pedro IV Statue here before you work your way toward Praça do Comércio, the grand waterfront square of Lisbon. This historic square lined with colorfully painted yellow buildings and the Arco da Rua Augusta presents a superb overview of the Tagus River.
Afternoon: Alfama and São Jorge Castle
From there, head back into your Alfama exploration through the narrow, winding streets lined with traditional ‘azulejos’ to hidden squares, local shops, and the sound of Fado wafting out of the cafes. Not to be missed is a visit to the Sé Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon.
From here, move upwards to the São Jorge Castle. This Moorish castle looks out over Lisbon and the Tagus River with stunning views. Take some time to be able to walk around on the ramparts, gardens, and the small archaeological museum that is on view to show relics of Lisbon’s history.
Dinner in the Alfama – Evening
In the evening, enjoy typical Portuguese dinner in an Alfama area: Alfama is known as an area filled with Fado houses, so it is compulsory to hear live Fado music there and to taste some typical dishes like Bacalhau à Brás (salt cod with eggs and potatoes) and Caldo Verde-a kale soup. That will be a perfect way to get into the rich cultural heritage of Lisbon.
Day 2: Belem – A Trip to the Discovery of Portugal
Morning: Jerónimos Monastery, Belem Tower
Dedicate your second day to the neighborhood of Belem, one of the most meaningful centers during the Age of Discovery of Portugal. In the morning, admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery, representative of Manueline architecture. Its intricate carvings, wide cloisters, and even the tomb of Vasco da Gama make it one of the major sights of Lisbon.
From here, a brief stroll will take you to the Belem Tower or Torre de Belém. This unmistakable fortress once watched over the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor and another UNESCO World Heritage site. Rise upwards to the top for sensational views of the Tagus River and the city.
Afternoon: Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Cultural Center
Afternoon: Make a stop at the Monument to the Discoveries. This proud monument takes the form of a prow – for the commemo-ration of Portugal’s great explorers, including Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan. Take the elevator to the top for yet another panoramic view of Belem.
Next, it’s a visit to Belem Cultural Center, which arranges art exhibitions, concerts, and performances. Most importantly, there is the Berardo Collection Museum, which has works by Picasso, Warhol, and Dalí, to name a few.
Evening: Pastéis de Belém and Sunset by the River
No visit to Belém is complete without a sample of the famous Pastéis de Belém. Made according to a secret recipe, these delicious custard tarts are one of the delicacies of Lisbon. Sample one with coffee at the historic Pastéis de Belém bakery-which has been serving them since 1837.
Enjoy an easy stroll along the Tagus River promenade at sunset. Certain views of this time of day, but especially those of the 25th of April Bridge and Christ the King Statue across the river, are particularly striking.
Day 3: Viewing Modern and Cultural Lisbon
Morning: Parque das Nações and the Oceanarium
On the third day, explore the modern part of the city: the Parque das Nações, created for the purpose of housing the 1998 World Expo. In the morning, visit one of Europe’s largest aquariums: the Lisbon Oceanarium. Following species are resident at the Oceanarium: sharks, rays and multicolored tropical fish in the great central tank which reproduces various ecosystems from different oceans of the world.
Take an afternoon waterfront promenade along the Tagus River and find the place laced with contemporary architecture, public art installations, and the Vasco da Gama Bridge-the largest bridge in Europe.
Afternoon: Cable Car Ride and Vasco da Gama Shopping Center
Afternoon Take a Cable Car ride over the Parque das Nações in the afternoon. Amazing views unfold over the area and the river, with the tour going from Oceanarium via the Torre Vasco da Gama-a futuristic-looking tower which today serves as a hotel with luxurious guest rooms.
Let’s ride in a cable car, followed by shopping at the Vasco da Gama Shopping Center. This modern mall features the best international and Portuguese brands, well complemented with several dinner options.
Evening: Have dinner in Bairro Alto.
Evenings: Night Tour through the Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s Vibrant Nightlife. Most of the narrow streets in this area turn into bars and restaurants filled with live music once the sun goes down. For dinner, go to a classic tasca, perhaps traditional Portuguese dishes, or modern Portuguese at one of the hot restaurants here.
Day 4: Day Trip to Sintra – A Fairytale Getaway
Morning: Pena Palace and its Gardens
Day four: Take a trip to Sintra. It is a stunning town that is only 30 minutes away from Lisbon. One of your stops in this city should be the Pena Palace. An easy-to-spot, multi-coloured Romanticist palace sitting on top of the hill, it provides great views of the landscape. Inside, you can enter the palace for spectacular interior views that include the Arab Room and Queen’s Terrace, and then take a leisurely walk in the beautiful gardens dotted with tropical plants, fountains, and statues.
Afternoon: Quinta da Regaleira and Historic Center
This afternoon, you will be able to visit the enigmatic estate that is the Quinta da Regaleira, fully impregnated with symbolic mysticism, with a projected garden of unparalleled luxury. You will be able to make your way along winding pathways, come across the grottoes that are hidden, and go down into the Initiation Well-the spiral staircase that plunges deep into the earth.
From the afternoon visit to the Quinta da Regaleira, take your time to wander the historic center of Sintra: narrow, curving streets lined with quaint shops, coffee houses, and housing colored in pastel hues. And no visit to Sintra is complete without visiting the famous Piriquita pastry shop for the tasting of Travesseiros de Sintra-small, sweet pastries with an almond cream filling.
Evening: Return to Lisbon and rest.
In the evening, after having spent all day long wandering around Sintra, return to Lisbon. After such a long day outdoors, a quiet dinner in Chiado would be great; this refined neighborhood is famous for its theaters, cafés, and literary lore.
Day 5: Lisbon’s Neighborhoods in a Nutshell – From Mouraria to Cais do Sodré
Morning: Mouraria and Graça
Dedicate your last morning in Lisbon to getting to know Mouraria, one of Lisbon’s most multicultural neighborhoods and considered the birthplace of Fado. Get lost in narrow street-art-dressed streets, visit the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, and learn about the history of Fado at the Museu do Fado.
Then, head to Graça, home to several of Lisbon’s most stunning viewpoints: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro da Graça have a complete, panoramic view of the city: São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River.
Afternoon: LX Factory and Cais do Sodré
LX Factory: This hip cultural complex sits atop a former industrial site. In addition to all of the art galleries, design shops, cafes, and restaurants, the LX Factory is really the perfect place in which to spend an afternoon.
From there, make your way across to the Cais do Sodré-one of Lisbon’s coolest neighborhoods, now transformed from its seedy red-light district reputation. If you’re looking for a sample of a different kind of food in the gastronomic court, check out the Time Out Market or take in one of the many rooftop bars for a cocktail across the water.
Evening: Miradouro de Santa Catarina to see the sunset and Farewell Dinner
Finish off your day with your final view of a sunset over Lisbon at the relatively popular Miradouro de Santa Catarina, both for locals and visitors, relaxed with live music. Then have your last dinner in one of Lisbon’s many restaurants with Michelin-star decoration or taste just that once again-traditional Portuguese cuisine in many cozy neighborhood eateries.
Final Thoughts on Your Trip to Lisbon
From its rich history and cultural heritage to modern sights and buzzing neighborhoods, Lisbon is surely one of those cities that have little something for everyone. This 5-day itinerary for Lisbon is therefore put together in a manner that gives one well-rounded experience of the city-ensure you leave with indelible memories. From wandering around in old castles, tasting the local delicacies to simply breathing in the atmosphere around the iconic streets of the city-Lisbon will capture a part of your heart for sure.
