Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary
Lisbon · 3 days · 16 places
Day 1 · Belém: the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower Belém & Alcântara
- 1. Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in the parish of Belém, in the Lisbon Municipality, Portugal. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening · Admission: Cloister paid · church free — Usually closed on Mondays / Long lines for cloister tickets — buy online - 2. Pastéis de Belém
Best time: Early morning · Admission: Café purchase — If the takeaway line is long, sitting inside is often faster / Dust with cinnamon and sugar - 3. Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Free outside · viewpoint paid — A huge world-map mosaic lies in the plaza in front / The top overlooks Belém Tower and the monastery - 4. Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset (outside) · Admission: Interior paid — Narrow one-way stairs mean long waits — the outside is enough for many / Usually closed on Mondays - 5. MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT: Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia)
The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology or MAAT (Portuguese: Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia) (MAAT) is a museum in Lisbon, Portugal. Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Exhibitions paid · roof walkway free — Walk up the wave-shaped roof for river views / The old power station next door is also a gallery - 6. LX Factory
Best time: Evening, or Sunday (market) · Admission: Free to browse — Old factory buildings full of shops, restaurants and bars / A flea market runs on Sundays
Day 2 · From Praça do Comércio to Alfama and São Jorge Castle Baixa, Alfama & Bairro Alto
- 1. Praça do Comércio Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free — A grand square open to the river — watch the sunset from the river steps / Leads straight into the Rua Augusta Arch - 2. Rua Augusta Arch (Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta)
The Rua Augusta Arch (Portuguese: Arco da Rua Augusta) is a stone, triumphal arch and visitor attraction in Lisbon, Portugal, on the Praça do Comércio. Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Viewpoint paid — A lift and a few stairs to the top of the arch / Views over the square and Baixa - 3. Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) Wikipedia
Best time: Morning · Admission: Church free · cloister and treasury paid — The classic photo has yellow tram 28 passing in front / A good starting point for Alfama - 4. Alfama
The Alfama is the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus river. Wikipedia
Best time: Afternoon to evening (fado) · Admission: Free to browse — A maze of hillside lanes; fado restaurants in the evening / Tram 28 is notorious for pickpockets — bag in front - 5. Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Best time: Morning or sunset · Admission: Free — Tiled walls and bougainvillea over Alfama's rooftops and the river / Portas do Sol viewpoint is just above - 6. São Jorge Castle (Castelo de S. Jorge) Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Paid — The castle on Lisbon's highest hill — top sunset views / Some wall-top sections have low railings - 7. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free — Looks straight across at São Jorge Castle / Ride the Glória funicular up
Day 3 · A day trip to Sintra and sunset at Cabo da Roca Sintra & Cabo da Roca
- 1. National Palace of Pena (Palácio Nacional da Pena)
Best time: At opening (timed) · Admission: Paid · timed tickets — Sintra gets very crowded — book the first slot / Uphill from the gate to the palace; a shuttle runs - 2. Quinta da Regaleira
Best time: Morning (timed) · Admission: Paid · book ahead — The spiral Initiation Well is the highlight / Tunnels are dark — a phone light helps - 3. Cape Roca (Cabo da Roca) Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free — The westernmost point of mainland Europe — very windy / Reachable by bus from Sintra (check frequency)
Sources
These courses are compiled from public sources. Hours, prices, and closing days can change — check official info before you go.