Cover Lisbon from Belém's monuments to Alfama's fado houses. Includes tile-covered neighborhoods, hilltop viewpoints, pastéis de nata spots, a Sintra day trip, and practical tips for getting around this hilly city.
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Belém District
Visit the Belém Tower
A UNESCO World Heritage fortress on the Tagus River built in 1515. The interior is small — expect a 15-20 minute visit once inside. Buy a combined ticket with the Jerónimos Monastery to save money. Arrive before 10 AM or the queue spirals along the waterfront.
Tour the Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture with stone carvings so intricate they look like lacework. The cloisters are the highlight — two floors of carved arches overlooking a peaceful courtyard. Vasco da Gama is entombed at the entrance of the church (free to enter).
Walk the ornate cloisters
Enter the church (free) to see Vasco da Gama's tomb
Eat pastéis de nata at the original bakery in Belém
The famous bakery near the monastery has been making custard tarts with the original 1837 recipe. The line looks long but moves fast — takeaway is quicker than sitting down. Sprinkle cinnamon and powdered sugar on top. One tart costs about 1.30 euros.
See the Monument to the Discoveries
A 52-meter monument shaped like a ship's prow, honoring Portuguese explorers. The rooftop terrace has panoramic river views. The ground in front has a massive mosaic world map showing the routes of Portuguese discoveries.
Historic Neighborhoods
Get lost in Alfama's alleyways
Lisbon's oldest neighborhood survived the 1755 earthquake that destroyed most of the city. Start at the top (Castelo de São Jorge) and wind downward through narrow streets with laundry lines overhead and azulejo-tiled facades. Wednesday and Saturday mornings have a flea market (Feira da Ladra).
Explore Castelo de São Jorge for hilltop views
Browse the Feira da Ladra flea market (Tuesday and Saturday)
Ride Tram 28 through Bairro Alto and Graça
The iconic yellow tram rattles through Lisbon's steepest, narrowest streets. Board at Martim Moniz (the start of the line) to guarantee a seat. Pickpockets target this tram heavily — keep valuables in front pockets. Alternatively, walk the route for the same views without the crowds.
Browse bookshops and cafés in Chiado
Lisbon's cultural and literary quarter. The oldest operating bookshop in the world is here (Livraria Bertrand, since 1732). Rua Garrett is the main stroll with cafés, theaters, and fashion shops. Ride the Santa Justa Elevator for aerial views (or walk up for free from Carmo Convent).
Visit LX Factory
A converted industrial complex with independent shops, restaurants, galleries, and a rooftop bar. The Sunday market has vintage finds and street food. The bookshop in the former printing press building has books stacked floor to ceiling.
Viewpoints (Miradouros)
Watch sunset from Miradouro da Graça
The highest viewpoint in central Lisbon with a panorama from the castle to the river. A small kiosk bar sells drinks and snacks. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to grab a seat on the terrace.
Visit Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Overlooks Alfama's terracotta rooftops, the river, and the dome of the National Pantheon. Less crowded than Graça. The adjacent café terrace is one of the best places to sit with a coffee in the city.
Take the Santa Justa Elevator to the top
A neo-Gothic iron elevator from 1902 connecting the Baixa to Carmo Square. Use your transit card to ride for the regular fare instead of the tourist ticket price. The upper viewing platform costs extra but the real views are free from the walkway at the top.
Food & Music
Eat pastéis de nata at 3 different places and pick a favorite
Every bakery in Lisbon makes them. The Belém original is famous, but local bakeries across the city hold their own. Look for a thin, blistered crust and a creamy custard center. At 1-1.50 euros each, sampling is cheap.
Try bacalhau (salt cod) in at least 2 styles
Portugal claims 365 recipes for salt cod — one for every day of the year. Start with bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with eggs, onions, and crispy potatoes) and pastéis de bacalhau (fried cod cakes). A main dish at a local tasca runs 10-14 euros.
Drink a shot of ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur)
A Lisbon tradition since 1840. Served in a tiny cup from hole-in-the-wall bars near Rossio Square. Ask for 'com ginja' (with a cherry at the bottom) or 'sem ginja' (without). Costs 1.50-2 euros per shot. Sweet, strong, and dangerously easy to drink.
Hear live fado music in Alfama
Portugal's melancholic folk music, UNESCO-recognized since 2011. Fado houses in Alfama and Bairro Alto range from intimate 20-seat rooms to larger tourist-oriented venues. The smaller rooms with a minimum food/drink order (15-25 euros) are more authentic than the prix fixe dinner shows.
Eat seafood at a cervejaria (beer hall)
Portuguese beer halls specialize in shellfish platters, fresh shrimp, and whole grilled fish. Prices are by weight for shellfish — ask before ordering. A shared seafood platter for two runs 40-60 euros at a good cervejaria. Pair with a cold local lager.
Day Trips
Day trip to Sintra
40 minutes by train from Lisbon's Rossio station, departing every 20 minutes. The Pena Palace (a colorful hilltop palace visible from Lisbon) is the star attraction — book tickets online. Combine it with the Moorish Castle ruins next door. Start early; by noon the crowds and heat are intense.
Tour the Pena Palace and its gardens
Walk the walls of the Moorish Castle
Visit Quinta da Regaleira (Gothic mansion with underground tunnels)
Day trip to Cascais beach town
35 minutes by train from Lisbon's Cais do Sodré station. A charming seaside town with a pedestrian center, rocky coastline, and the dramatic Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) sea cave. Good for a half-day beach escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three days covers the Alfama, Belem, and Bairro Alto neighborhoods plus major sites like Jeronimos Monastery and the Castle of Sao Jorge. Four to five days lets you add day trips to Sintra and Cascais. Most visitors find Lisbon's compact center surprisingly walkable despite the hills.
Is Lisbon hilly and hard to walk around?
Lisbon is built on seven hills, and some streets climb at 15-20% gradients. The iconic Tram 28 and three historic funiculars help with the steepest sections and a 24-hour transit pass costs 6.60 EUR. Comfortable shoes with good grip are non-negotiable; sandals on cobblestone streets lead to twisted ankles.
What is the best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon?
Trains depart from Rossio station every 20-30 minutes and reach Sintra in 40 minutes for 2.30 EUR each way with a Viva Viagem card. Arrive before 9:30 to beat tour bus crowds at Pena Palace. Buy palace tickets online in advance since the combo ticket for Pena Palace and Park costs 14 EUR.
How much should I budget per day in Lisbon?
Mid-range visitors spend 80-120 EUR per day covering accommodation, meals, and transit. A pastel de nata costs 1.20 EUR at most bakeries, a restaurant lunch runs 10-15 EUR, and dinner with wine averages 25-35 EUR per person. Lisbon is 30-40% cheaper than Paris or London for comparable experiences.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
May through mid-October brings warm, dry weather with temperatures of 22-30C. June is the festa season with free street parties throughout the city for the Santos Populares festivals. July and August are the hottest months (often 35C+) and the most crowded at Belem attractions.