Lisbon in 3 days: the perfect itinerary for first-timers

E By Emma · Updated 8 August 2026 · 4 min read · City Breaks

Three days is the right length for a first trip to Lisbon. It's enough time to explore the old hilltop neighbourhoods, see the monuments of Belém and take the train to Sintra's palaces, without feeling rushed. Flights from London take about two hours forty minutes. Lisbon Airport is only about 20 minutes from the centre by metro, so you can be eating custard tarts by lunchtime.

Lisbon is very hilly and the pavements are slippery cobbles. Pack shoes with good grip, and expect steep climbs.

Before you go

• Getting in: The red metro line runs from the airport to the city centre. Change at Alameda or São Sebastião. Buy a reusable Viva Viagem card at the station and load it with credit (called "zapping").
• City tax: Lisbon charges €4 per person per night, for up to seven nights. It applies to everyone aged 13 and over and is usually paid at the hotel.
• Lisboa Card: This pass (24, 48 or 72 hours) covers public transport, the Sintra train and entry to several monuments. It's worth it if you plan to see Jerónimos and the Belém Tower and ride a lot of trams. If not, paying as you go is usually cheaper.
• Where to stay: Baixa and Chiado are flatter and central. Alfama is atmospheric but steep. Príncipe Real is quieter and smarter.

Day 1: Baixa, Alfama and the castle

Morning. Start at Praça do Comércio, the huge riverside square rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Walk up Rua Augusta and through the grid of the Baixa. Then climb into Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, all alleys, washing lines and small churches.

Late morning. Visit Castelo de São Jorge for the walls and the views. Tickets cost about €15. Go early, before the tour groups arrive.

Afternoon. Stop at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol viewpoints. Then wander down past the cathedral (Sé). Historic tram 28 rattles through this area. It's fun, but it's crowded and a favourite of pickpockets, so ride it early in the morning or skip it.

Evening. Hear fado, Portugal's traditional music, in Alfama or the Mouraria. Smaller houses with a minimum spend are often better value than the dinner-show venues.

Day 2: Belém and the riverside

Morning. Take tram 15E or a train from Cais do Sodré to Belém, about 20 minutes. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery first, ideally at opening time. Its cloister is one of the finest in Europe. Then queue for pastéis de nata at the famous bakery nearby. The queue moves fast.

Midday. Walk to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) and on to the Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortress on the Tagus. Opening times can change for maintenance, so check before you go.

Afternoon. Follow the riverside path east past the MAAT, the museum of art, architecture and technology, whose curved roof you can walk over for free. Finish at LX Factory, a former industrial site full of cafés, bookshops and street art.

Evening. Watch the sunset from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, then head to Bairro Alto for cheap drinks on the street. Or book a table in Chiado.

Day 3: Sintra day trip

Trains to Sintra leave Rossio station about every 20 to 30 minutes. The trip takes about 40 minutes and costs only a few euros each way.

• Pena Palace: Sintra's famous yellow-and-red palace on a hilltop. Book a timed ticket online, especially from spring to autumn. Local buses and tuk-tuks run up the hill. The steep walk through the forest takes about an hour.
• Moorish Castle: Ruined walls running along a ridge, with sweeping views.
• Quinta da Regaleira: Gardens, grottoes and the famous spiral "initiation well". Get there early or late to avoid queues.

Go back to Lisbon for dinner, or carry on to the coast at Cascais if you have the energy.

Three-day summary

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are the sweet spots: warm, sunny and less crowded than July and August. Winter is mild and quiet, with the cheapest hotel prices, though you'll get some rainy days. If you're after more sun, add a few beach days in the Algarve. Our guide to the best beaches in the Algarve will help you choose a base.

Comparing city breaks? See Barcelona on a budget and Rome in 48 hours, or read our full Portugal guide.

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