Visit Lisbon in 3 days

🌅 Visit Baixa in the morning

For your first day in Lisbon, start your journey in the Baixa district, the soul of the city and an ideal starting point thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage. This district is full of restaurants, shops, lively squares, and iconic sites of the Portuguese capital.

Start with Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), the most famous in the city. With its floor decorated with giant diamonds and the equestrian statue of Dom José I in its center, you will recognize it at first glance. In the morning, it will probably still be uncrowded and you can fully enjoy the charm of the place.

To the north of the square, you will find the Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon's Triumphal Arch. Its observation deck (accessible from 10 AM to 7 PM) offers a panoramic view of the Tagus. The arch opens onto Rua Augusta, lined with beautiful yellow and white buildings. At the very end, discover Rossio Square with its wave-shaped black and white calçada floor.

💡 Tip: Take the opportunity to visit the Lisboa Story Centre, the most visited museum in the city, which traces the history of Lisbon. Entry is free with the Lisbon Card.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

🏛️ Santa Justa Lift and Chiado

The nearby Santa Justa Lift will allow you to admire the city from a height of 43 meters, and is open from 7 AM. The Santa Justa Lift connects the Baixa and Chiado districts.

💡 Tip: Avoid going there between 10 AM and 3 PM, a period of high crowds. Aim for early morning to avoid queues.

Take advantage of your ride (the trip is free with your Lisbon Card) to reach Chiado, home to the oldest café in the city: A Brasileira. Take a breakfast break there before continuing your stroll. For art lovers, the National Museum of Contemporary Art is just a short walk away, and entry is free with your Lisbon Card.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

🚃 Ride Tram 28 in the afternoon

After lunch, head to Rua da Conceição to catch the famous Tram 28 🚃 Your ride is free with the Lisbon Card. Enjoy this unique experience aboard this charming yellow tram dating from the 1930s, while admiring the city's iconic streets and buildings.

Get off at the terminus, Martim Moniz, after a journey of about an hour.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

👀 The most beautiful viewpoints (Miradouros)

Before heading to the castle, take the opportunity to discover the miradouros, these magnificent viewpoints that offer exceptional panoramas of Lisbon. Here are the three must-sees:

• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte: the highest of all, with a 360° view of Lisbon and its surroundings.
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol: offers a breathtaking view of the São Vicente de Fora Monastery and the rooftops of Alfama.
• Miradouro da Graça: ideal for admiring St. George's Castle and the sunset.

💡 Tip: These viewpoints are free and perfect for memorable photos!

🏰 Visit St. George's Castle

Once you arrive, you will have two options to reach St. George's Castle, which overlooks the city: you can choose to walk or take the funicular. In both cases, your ride on Tram 12E and entry to the Castelo de São Jorge are included with your Lisbon Card.

💡 Tip: Aim for a visit at the end of the day to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy magnificent light over the city.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

🎸 End the evening with a Fado dinner show

In the late afternoon, head down to the Alfama district. This historic district, located at the foot of St. George's Castle, was once an old fishermen's neighborhood. On the way, you will come across superb viewpoints like the Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol miradouros.

Don't hesitate to get lost in its narrow streets and soak up its romantic evening atmosphere. You will certainly hear tunes of fado echoing in the air. Settle into a small local tavern to savor Lisbon's specialties while attending a Fado concert, the traditional Portuguese music that will immerse you in the heart of Lisbon's culture.

🎵 Recommendation: Book an authentic Fado experience starting from €50 per person for an unforgettable evening.

💡 Alternative: If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, head to Bairro Alto, west of Baixa. This trendy neighborhood is the meeting place for young people and students, with its many bars and nightclubs. Particularly lively on Friday nights!

🥐 Breakfast at Pastéis de Belém

Start your second day with a must-do gourmet stop: the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. Since 1837, this institution has been preparing authentic pastéis de nata according to a secret recipe.

💡 Tip: Arrive at opening time at 8 AM to avoid the long queue that forms quickly. Enjoy your pastéis warm, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar!

🏰 The Belem Tower

Continue with a visit to the Belem Tower, located in the iconic Belem district, in the west of the city. This waterside fort features beautiful Manueline architecture, with a very elegant white facade complemented by a touch of Gothic flair.

The tower formerly served as a defensive tower and played an important role during Portugal's maritime golden age, hence the marine ornaments on the monument. To access it, take a small drawbridge that will lead you inside the bastion. In total, 4 floors are accessible to visitors, and the highlight of your visit will be on the terrace with its view of the Tagus.

💡 Tip: Visits start at 10 AM. For safety reasons and due to the small size of the tower, visits are done in groups of about a hundred people. Arrive early to avoid long queues!

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

⛪ The Jerónimos Monastery

From the Belem Tower, stroll along the promenade by the Tagus. You will come across the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries), a symbol of Portugal's importance during the Age of Discovery. After a few photos, cross the splendid green garden opposite to reach the monastery.

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a huge building dating back to the 1500s. Fun fact: it was built to celebrate the return of explorer Vasco da Gama after his voyage to India. The latter stayed on the current site with his crew before setting sail, and he now rests there.

The tour takes you through a cloister, a church, and various rooms with sumptuous Manueline architecture.

💡 Tip: Arrive around 11 AM to avoid the tourist groups that flock right at the 10 AM opening. Allow about 1 hour for the visit.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

🎠 National Coach Museum

Then head to the National Coach Museum, where entry is also free with the Lisbon Card. The museum is located about a ten-minute walk from the Monastery.

Visiting the Belem district will occupy a large part of your day.

🎫 Included with Lisbon Card

⛵ Afternoon on the Tagus

During the afternoon, set off to discover the Tagus. Start by heading to the Pilar 7 Bridge Experience, an observation deck set up at the 7th pillar of the 25 de Abril Bridge. From 80 meters high, you will have a spectacular view of the river and Lisbon. The entrance is located at LX Factory, in the Alcântara district.

This huge red-orange bridge recalls the great American bridges – in fact, it was built by the same company as the Golden Gate in the 60s. At over 1 km long, it's the longest suspension bridge in Europe!

Next, why not embark on a sailing cruise on the Tejo? ⛵️ You will see the Belem Tower, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the Christ the King statue in Almada. For around €25 per person, go for a sunset ride with drinks and snacks included.

🍽️ End the evening at Mercado da Ribeira

The Mercado da Ribeira is the belly of Lisbon. It is a large covered market near the city center. At its heart, you will find the Time Out Market, a food court serving cuisines from all over the world.

The place is open late into the night, allowing you to quietly enjoy your meal in an ultra-friendly atmosphere.

🏯 Sintra and the Pena Palace

For your third day, head about 30 km west of Lisbon to discover Sintra. To get there, take the train from Rossio station – the journey is included in your Lisbon Card. You can also opt for a car rental for more flexibility.

Sintra is home to the magnificent Pena Palace, built in the heart of Pena Park. This castle is unique in the world: its facades are adorned with yellow, orange, purple, red, and gray... You will feel like you're at Disneyland! Atypical and absolutely sumptuous.

The palace is located on a hill and overlooks a beautiful forest through which you will hike before getting there. Allow about 20-30 minutes of walking from the park entrance.

💡 Tip: The site opens at 9:30 AM and attracts a lot of visitors. Come as early as possible to avoid the crowds! Admission costs around €14 (park only) or €20 (park + palace), with a 10% discount thanks to your Lisbon Card.

🚂 Train included with Lisbon Card

🏖️ End of the day: Cascais

End your trip with a visit to Cascais, a charming seaside resort 30 minutes by train from Lisbon (also included with the Lisbon Card). This former fishing town has become a popular destination for its beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

Stroll through the cobbled historic center, admire beaches like Praia da Rainha, and discover the lively marina. Don't miss the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, a museum dedicated to the Portuguese artist.

Enjoy a final dinner facing the Atlantic Ocean to perfectly round off your 3-day stay in Lisbon!

🚂 Train included with Lisbon Card