Portugal Circuits · Guides

Lisbon in 3 days: the perfect itinerary

Three days are the right amount of time for Lisbon: two days in the city, from the castle and the Alfama to Belém, and one day out to the palaces of Sintra and the coast. You do not need a car: everything here is reachable on foot, by tram or by train.

Want to change this route? Open it in the trip planner to drop stops, add days or swap the order. Customise this itinerary →
DAY 1

Alfama, the castle and the Baixa

Start early at São Jorge Castle for the view over the city, then walk down through the lanes of Alfama and the Santa Luzia viewpoint. Ride Tram 28 for a stretch, cross the Baixa to the Praça do Comércio and end the day in Chiado and Bairro Alto.

São Jorge Castle → Santa Luzia viewpoint and Alfama → Tram 28 → Baixa and Praça do Comércio → Chiado and Bairro Alto

Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon

DAY 2

Belém and Alcântara

Take the tram or a train along the river to Belém. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, try a pastel de nata nearby, and see the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. In the late afternoon go to LX Factory, in an old industrial complex, for shops, bars and dinner.

Jerónimos Monastery → Belém Tower → Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) → LX Factory

Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon

DAY 3

Day trip to Sintra and the coast

Take an early train from Rossio to Sintra. Visit Pena Palace (book a timed ticket) and Quinta da Regaleira, then have lunch in the old town. In the afternoon go to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and return to Lisbon by train from Cascais.

Pena Palace → Quinta da Regaleira → Sintra centre → Cabo da Roca → Cascais

Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon

Mobile data Coming from outside the EU? An eSIM gives you mobile data for maps from the moment you land, without roaming charges.
Portugal eSIMSee plans →

Practical tips

  • Lisbon is built on seven hills. Wear comfortable shoes and use the trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa lift.
  • A rechargeable Viva Viagem card works on the metro, trams, buses and the trains to Sintra and Cascais.
  • Tram 28 gets very busy. Ride it early in the morning or start from the end of the line.
  • Book Pena Palace and the Jerónimos Monastery online to skip the ticket queues.

Want to go deeper?

This route is also a full circuit with more stops, a map and hotel suggestions.

The colourful Pena Palace on its hilltop in Sintra
4 daysLisbon

Lisbon, Sintra and Arrábida

Lisbon's hills and trams, fairy-tale Sintra and the turquoise coves of Arrábida.

Culture · Food & wine · Quiet