Julie Itinerary, Portugal 5 Comments

Stroll through the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighborhoods, tour the amazing Jerónimos Monastery, photograph historic tram 28, dine on Portuguese cuisine, and enjoy the view from a long list of breathtaking viewpoints. With 2 days in Lisbon, you even have enough time to day trip to Sintra.

In this guide, we lay out two different ways to spend 2 days in Lisbon.

The first itinerary is a detailed itinerary that visits the top attractions in Lisbon plus a few hidden gems.

The second itinerary gives you one day in Lisbon and one day in Sintra (this itinerary is perfect for those with a limited amount of time in Portugal and for those who only want to see a few highlights in Lisbon).

About this Lisbon Itinerary

All of the times in the daily schedules are rough estimates, just to give you an idea about timing throughout the day. Your times may differ, based on queues and how much time you decide to spend at each place. I did my best to anticipate waiting times and visiting times, but on very busy days (or very quiet days) these times can differ.

You will have to do some work in advance by booking entrance tickets and restaurant reservations, but this will save you hours of time once in Lisbon. We’ll let you know how to do this, too.

I do my best to keep the hours of operation and pricing up to date for each attraction, however, these can change at any time. I recommend getting updated hours and pricing for your dates of travel. The link to the official website is provided for each site.

We have visited Lisbon multiple times and we have lots more info about Lisbon (and Portugal) which you can see in our Portugal Travel Guide.

 

How Many Days Do You Need in Lisbon?

One day in Lisbon is just enough time to see a few essential highlights, stroll through the Alfama neighborhood, and indulge on some of Lisbon’s famous foods. Lisbon is filled with a long list of great things to do, so with one day you can’t get to everything, but it is enough time to get an overview of the city.

With two days in Lisbon, you can visit all of Lisbon’s top attractions if you move quickly. This extra time allows you to visit a few hidden gems and to dine in some fantastic restaurants.

If you want to thoroughly explore Lisbon without feeling like you are in a race, plan to spend 3 to 4 days in Lisbon.

It’s also important to be aware that Sintra is the #1 day trip from Lisbon. A lot of travelers enjoy Sintra more than Lisbon so even on the quickest of visits to Portugal, Sintra is not to be missed. If you only have 2 days in Lisbon, it can be worth it to give up one of those days to visit Sintra if you have no plans to visit Sintra during the remainder of your trip.

Best Things to Do with 2 Days in Lisbon

Below is a list of things to do if you have 2 days in Lisbon. Get the full list in our Lisbon Bucket List.

  • Praça do Comércio
  • São Jorge Castelo
  • Jerónimos Monastery
  • Belém Tower
  • Time Out Market
  • Ride or photograph Tram 28 & the Bica funicular
  • Stroll through Alfama and Bairro Alto
  • Take a day trip to Sintra
  • Enjoy the view from the Church of Our Lady of Grace Bell tower
  • Enjoy the view from Lisbon’s viewpoints and miradouros
  • Santa Justa Lift
  • See blue and white tiles (azulejos): National Tile Museum or the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: 2 Days in Lisbon

This first itinerary gives you a full 2 days in Lisbon (it does not include the day trip to Sintra).

Lisbon Itinerary Day 1

Lisbon City Center

Start your day in the Alfama neighborhood, one of Lisbon’s oldest, most interesting areas to visit. You will also explore the heart of Lisbon’s city center, so get ready for a memorable day.

Here’s an overview of today’s itinerary:

9:00 am: Best Views of Lisbon
10:15 am: Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
11:30 am: The National Pantheon
12:15 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: São Jorge Castle
2:45 pm: Alfama Viewpoints
3:30 pm: Lisbon Cathedral
4:15 pm: Praça do Comércio
4:45 pm: Baixa & Rua Augusta
5:45 pm: Chiado, Bairro Alto & Dinner

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the walking route). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest.
 
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

9:00 am: Best Views of Lisbon

There’s no better way to start your day than from two of the best viewpoints of Lisbon.

These two viewpoints are located near each other, on top of one of the tallest hills in Lisbon. To get to the first viewpoint, use Uber or Bolt or take a taxi.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

From this hilltop setting, you get panoramic views of the city. São Jorge Castle, the Tagus River, and the Sanctuary of Christ the King can all be seen from here. It is free to visit and morning is the best time to be here, as Lisbon will be illuminated by the morning sun.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

The Bell Tower of the Church of Our Lady of Grace

This is our favorite viewpoint of Lisbon. From the top of the bell tower you get unobstructed views over Lisbon.

To get here, it is an 8-minute walk from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Enter the Church of Our Lady of Grace, pay the small fee to climb the bell tower, and enjoy the view. The church opens at 9 am. You can get updated hours and pricing on the official website (it is open every day of the week).

The Church of Our Lady of Grace sits right next to Miradouro da Graça, another very famous Lisbon viewpoint. However, the view from the bell tower is much better, so its overall a better experience.

Church of Our Lady of Grace Bell tower

The view from the bell tower

 

Julie Rivenbark

OPTIONAL ITINERARY MODIFICATION: You can skip these first viewpoints and go right to the Castle of São Jorge at opening time. This allows you to visit the castle without the crowds. If you don’t mind some extra walking, you could also visit the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora before lunch.

10:15 am: Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

With its murals of blue and white tiles, its cloister, and its stunning views from the roof, this is an underrated place to visit in Lisbon. This is often overlooked on many Lisbon itineraries, but we really enjoyed this experience.

To get here from the Church of Our Lady of Grace, it is a 5-minute walk.

The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora is one of Portugal’s most important monasteries. It was founded in 1147, the same year as the Lisbon Cathedral.

Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Inside of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

 

How to Plan a Lisbon Itinerary

The view from the roof of the monastery

On a visit here, you will tour many of the rooms of the monastery, including the cistern, the cloister, and the pantheon, which contains the tombs of the Patriarchs of Lisbon. As you walk through the monastery, you will get to see lots of painted murals and walls covered with historical scenes, made with blue tiles.

One of the highlights is stepping onto the roof. From here, the views of Lisbon are spectacular, rivaling those you will see in Alfama later today.

A visit here will take about one hour. For pricing and hours, visit the official website.

11:30 am: The National Pantheon

This is another overlooked gem in Lisbon. You have the option to skip it and spend more time exploring Alfama, but if you like the idea of visiting off-the-beaten-path attractions with low crowds, the National Pantheon is well worth your time.

To get here from the monastery it is a 5-minute walk.

The National Pantheon Lisbon | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

The National Pantheon (photo taken from the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora)

 National Pantheon Lisbon

Lisbon National Pantheon

This building started off as the Church of Santa Engrácia and it was later converted into the National Pantheon. It was completed in 1966, making it a relatively modern building in Lisbon. Presidents of the Republic, famous writers and athletes, and fado singers are entombed here.

The pantheon is beautiful inside. It was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and it shares a lot of similarities to the Pantheon in Paris. But like the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, the highlight here is visiting the roof for more views of Lisbon.

Admission costs €4 and a visit here lasts about 30 minutes. It is closed on Mondays.

12:15 pm: Lunch

Have lunch in Alfama. We really enjoyed lunch at Miss Can, which serves tinned seafood with fresh bread. This a quick, budget-friendly meal and you can also buy tins of mussels, octopus, sardines, and cockles to take home.

To get here, it is a 15-minute walk from the National Pantheon and a 10-minute walk from the monastery (if you skipped the National Pantheon).

1:00 pm: São Jorge Castle

This medieval castle sits atop one of the seven hills of Lisbon.

Most visits to the castle take an hour to an hour and a half. See and photograph the peacocks, enjoy the views over Lisbon, and walk the castle walls. There is also an archaeological site to see and you can visit the museum.

To get here it is 3-minute uphill walk from Miss Can.

View from Sao Jorge Castle | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

The view from the castle

 

Sao Jorge Castle Lisbon

Sao Jorge Castle Walls | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

On the official website, purchase your ticket in advance and get updated pricing and hours of operation. The castle is open 7 days a week and closes on just a few holidays during the year.

Note: It is very important that you purchase your ticket online in advance. Midday the line to enter can be extremely long, I’m talking over an hour wait for tickets.

2:45 pm: Alfama Viewpoints

From the castle, it is a quick, easy walk to two of the most famous viewpoints in Lisbon.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

From this terrace, you get sweeping views of Alfama. It is free to visit and open 24 hours a day.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Less than one minute away is the History of Lisbon Mural, a mural that depicts the history of Lisbon. It’s not a must-see, but since it sits right below the Miradouro das Portas do Sol terrace, we want you to know about it. To get here, walk down the steps next to the viewpoint. You only need to go down the first set of stairs and then you’ll see the mural and tunnel to your left (don’t go to the bottom of the stairs).

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

This is one of Lisbon’s most famous viewpoints. This small, columned terrace is covered with grapevines and lined with beautiful azulejos (blue and white tiles). It overlooks the Alfama district, the Tagus River, and the cruise ship port.

Lisbon Miradouro

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

I think the view from Miradouro das Portas do Sol is better (the Santa Luzia viewpoint overlooks the giant cruise ships), but it is a great photography location, with the blue and white tiles and covered terrace.

3:30 pm: Lisbon Cathedral

Continue the scenic walk through Alfama by walking to the Lisbon Cathedral. It is a 6-minute downhill walk on Rua Augusto Rosa to the cathedral.

The Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest church in Lisbon. Watching Tram 28 as it travels past the front of the cathedral is one of Lisbon’s most popular photography spots.

Going inside the cathedral is optional. For a small fee, you can enter the cathedral, see the Treasury, and view the city streets from the upper, outdoor balcony (nice but nearly as good as the other viewpoints in this itinerary).

Lisbon Cathedral | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Lisbon Cathedral

4:15 pm: Praça do Comércio

Continue on to Praça do Comércio (about an 8-minute walk from the cathedral). You will leave Alfama behind and enter the Baixa neighborhood. This is one of the lowest points of Lisbon.

Along the walk, we have a photography spot to recommend. Another great place to see and photograph Tram 28 is right in front of the Church of Santa Maria Madalena (the cover photo for this itinerary was taken here).

Praça do Comércio, with its bright yellow buildings and magnificent arch is one of Lisbon’s iconic spots.

Lisbon Portugal

 

Enjoy the views and while here, you have the option to climb to the top of Arco da Rua Augusta for yet another panoramic view of Lisbon.

Arco da Rua Augusta View | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

The view from Arco da Rua Augusta

4:45 pm: Baixa & Rua Augusta

Walk up Rua Augusta, one of Lisbon’s busiest pedestrian streets. Continue through Baixa until you reach Rossio Square. It’s a photogenic spot and worth a quick look.

Praca do Rossio

Rossio Square

It’s a very short walk to the Santa Justa Lift, which will take you up to the Chiado neighborhood. Lines can be long to ride this elevator but it is the easiest way to get to Chiado, since it saves you a big uphill walk.

From the upper terrace of the Santa Justa Lift, you get a fantastic view over the Baixa neighborhood, São Jorge Castle, and you can also see the viewpoints you visited this morning.

Lisbon Views Santa Justa Lift

The view from the top of the Santa Justa Lift

5:45 pm: Chiado, Bairro Alto & Dinner

From the Santa Justa Elevator, go for a scenic walk through Chiado to the Bairro Alto neighborhood, working your way to Miradouro do São Pedro de Alcântara. This is your last viewpoint of the day and it’s another good one. From here, you get a panoramic view of Lisbon and this is one of the city’s top places to watch the sunset.

Miradouro do São Pedro de Alcântara | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Miradouro do São Pedro de Alcântara

Now it’s time for dinner. There are a lot of wonderful restaurants to choose from and some of the very best Lisbon restaurants are located in Bairro Alto.

For dinner, our #1 recommendation is Las Dos Manos. This restaurant serves a fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisine and it is a very short walk from Miradouro do São Pedro de Alcântara. Make your reservation in advance for this restaurant.

Las Dos Manos Lisbon | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Las Dos Manos

We also had an amazing dinner at O Barrigas. This small restaurant serves Portuguese cuisine and wine. I do not believe they take reservations (we were a walk-in).

Lisbon Itinerary Day 2

Belém & Chiado

This itinerary starts in Belém, where you will visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument of Discoveries. In the afternoon, return to Lisbon’s city center to visit a few more must-see sights.

8:30 am: Pastéis de Belém
9:30 am: Jerónimos Monastery
11:00 am: The Monument of Discoveries
11:45 am: Belém Tower
1:00 pm: Lunch at the Time Out Market
2:30 pm: Pink Street
2:45 pm: Bica Funicular
3:30 pm: Carmo Convent
4:15 pm: Free Time or Pre-Dinner Drinks

8:30 am: Pastéis de Belém

Pastel de Nata is one of the most famous Portuguese foods. One of the best places to try this delicacy as at Pastéis de Belém.

What makes Pastéis de Belém so special is that they produce Pastel de Nata with the original recipe handed down from the monks at Jeronimos Monastery.

This is an extremely busy place to visit all day, as dining on Pastel de Nata from this small restaurant is one of Libson’s top things to do. We dined here at 9:00 am and the place was empty so this early in the day you should not have to wait to get a table.

In addition to Pastel de Nata, they also sell many other pastries and breakfast foods, plus coffee.

They open at 8:00 am 7 days a week. The easiest way to get here is by ride share app (Uber or Bolt) or taxi but you can also get here on tram 15 (Mosteiro Jerónimos stop) or the Lisbon-Cascais train line (Belém station).

9:30 am: Jerónimos Monastery

Commissioned by King Manual I in 1501 to celebrate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India, the Jerónimos Monastery exemplifies the Manueline architectural style (a richly ornate and intricate architectural style). It was completed in 1601.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal.

Jeronimos Monastery | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Jeronimos Monastery Lisbon

From Pastéis de Belém, it is a 5-minute walk to the Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery opens at 9:30 am but lines to enter can be very long, so I recommend getting in line earlier than 9:30 am (9:00 am is ideal).

I also highly recommend either purchasing your ticket in advance, which you can do through GetYourGuide (currently you cannot purchase a ticket online in advance through the official website), or have the Lisbon Card, which includes your entrance into the monastery (we had the Lisbon Card).

On a visit here, first get in line for the monastery (ideally, get in line at 9:00 am). It takes 30 to 45 minutes to visit the monastery.

Once you exit the monastery, get in line to enter the Church of Santa Maria de Belém. This church sits next to the monastery and it is the final resting place of Vasco da Gama. It is free to visit. Most likely there will be a line. If it is moving slowly or you have no interest in seeing the inside of the church, you can move on to the next site.

Don’t miss seeing the South Portal, an ornate, intricately carved façade with scenes of the life of Saint Jerome, the Madonna (Santa Maria de Belém), archangel Michael, and a cross of the Order of Christ. It is located on the side of the Church of Santa Maria de Belem.

Church of Santa Maria de Belem South Portal

South Portal

How to Visit Jerónimos Monastery

 
Line to Enter: There are two different lines at the entrance to Jerónimos Monastery. The line to the left is to enter the monastery and the line to the right is to enter Santa Maria de Belém Church. There are signs indicating these lines so confirm that you are getting in the correct one.
 
Tickets: You can purchase an entrance ticket in advance through GetYourGuide. If you have the Lisbon Card, this serves as your ticket into the monastery. Or, purchase your tickets at the ticket stand across the street from the monastery (just be aware that lines here can be long).
 
Hours: The monastery is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm 7 days a week. Confirm hours before you go on the official website or Google.

11:00 am: The Monument to the Discoveries

The Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Portuguese) celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery. It is an 8-minute walk from Jeronimos Monastery.

Monument of Discoveries Lisbon | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Statues line the base of the monument, with Henry the Navigator being the main statue. The smaller statues are of other seafarers and explorers, including Vasco da Gama, Afonso V of Portugal, and Queen Philippa of Lancaster.

For the best view of Belém, visit the terrace on top of the monument. An elevator takes you most of the way to the top (Tim counted 42 steps from the elevator to the upper terrace).

The view of Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Tagus River is spectacular from this vantage point.

Get hours and pricing on the official website.

Jeronimos Monastery Lisbon

The view of Jerónimos Monastery from the Monument to the Discoveries

11:45 am: Belém Tower

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the symbol of Europe’s Age of Discovery.

Belém Tower is interesting to see and photograph.

Belem Tower

You can climb the tower, but lines are usually very long and the view is not all the great (at least not compared to the Monument of Discoveries and other viewpoints in Lisbon). If you have interest in climbing Belém Tower, purchase your ticket online in advance.

To get here from the Monument of Discoveries, it is a flat 12-minute walk along the Tagus River.

1:00 pm: Lunch at the Time Out Market

The Time Out Market is a covered market that is lined with small shops selling a wide variety of foods, from traditional Portuguese dishes to gourmet hot dogs and burgers to cakes, cookies, and donuts. You can also taste port, have a cocktail at the Time Out Bar, and try Super Bock beer. There are even a few shops selling ceramics, home goods, and souvenirs.

For us, Time Out Market was a highlight of our time in Lisbon. Tim and I ordered lunch from Marlene Vieira, which specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine. We had the polvo a lagareiro (octopus with potatoes and spinach), the bacalhau (codfish), and mussels with tomato sauce. It was all fantastic. If we didn’t have so many other restaurants to try in Lisbon, we would have dined here again.

Time Out Market Lisbon

How to get to Time Out Market from Belém Tower:
 
Ride share app (Uber or Bolt): 18 minutes
Tram 15E: 45 minutes; this includes an 8-minute walk to the tram stop
Train: 30 minutes (this includes a 15-minute walk to the Alges station); this is the Lisbon-Cascais train line, take it in the direction of Cais do Sodre and get off at the Cais do Sodre station.

2:30 pm: Pink Street

From Time Out Market, it is a 3-minute walk to Pink Street, one of Lisbon’s most photographed streets.

Pink Street Lisbon | 2 days in Lisbon itinerary

Pink Street

2:45 pm: Bica Funicular

From Pink Street, it is a 4-minute walk to the Bica Funicular.

The Bica Funicular (Ascensor da Bica) is one of the most iconic funiculars in Lisbon and an extremely popular photography location.

The Bica Funicular runs from Rua de Sao Paulo up to Rua do Loreto. Two cars run at the same time, in opposite directions.

You can wait in line to ride the funicular to the top of the hill but be aware that this is a very popular thing to do and waiting in line can be much longer than simply walking up the hill (it is about 5 to 7 minute walk).

Plus, as you walk up the road, you can photograph the funicular as it passes by. Our photo was taken from the intersection of Travessa da Laranjeira and Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo.

Bica Funicular Lisbon Portugal

Bica funicular

3:30 pm: Carmo Convent

From the upper station of the Bica Funicular, it is a 10-minute walk to the Carmo Convent.

This historic building shows visitors the power of the 1755 earthquake.

The Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded in 1389 and the church was constructed between 1389 and 1423. The church sustained heavy damage after the earthquake and much of it remains unrestored, making this one of the most unique churches to visit in Portugal.

The Gothic arches still stand but the roof was never rebuilt.

In the archaeological museum, on display are mummies from Peru and a sarcophagus from Egypt, making this visit full of wonderful surprises.

Carmo Convent

Carmo Convent

Carmo Convent is open every day except Sunday. Get hours and pricing on the official website.

4:15 pm: Free Time or Pre-Dinner Drinks

Now you have a few free hours until dinner. Here are a few options of things to do before dinner.

Lumi Rooftop. From the Carmo Convent, it is a relatively short walk to Bairro Alto, where you spent last night. Lumi Rooftop is a rooftop bar and restaurant with very nice views over Lisbon. You can get a table here, unwind, and have an aperitif before dinner.

Lumi Rooftop

The Lisbon Winery. If you want to sample Portuguese wine and port, make a reservation at the Lisbon Winery. During your tasting, you will try five Portuguese wines along with Portuguese artisanal cheeses and Iberian pork charcuterie, as well as Portuguese extra virgin olive oil. We did this and it was a great introduction into Portuguese wine before starting our road trip through Portugal.

Explore Bairro Alto, Chiado, or Alfama. You can also spend a few hours in Chiado or nearby Bairro Alto or return to Alfama if you really enjoyed your time here.

For dinner recommendations tonight, refer to day #1 for recommendations in Bairro Alto. Other restaurants that we tried and had a great experience are Cura (a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Four Seasons Ritz Hotel and our #1 dining experience in Portugal…it’s so good we are planning a return visit to this restaurant this summer), Cervejaria Ramiro (famous seafood restaurant in Lisbon), and Solar dos Presuntos (another very famous seafood restaurant in Lisbon). Make your reservation far in advance for each of these (at least 2 weeks).

Solar dos Presuntos Lisbon


2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: Lisbon & Sintra

Visiting the palaces and castles in Sintra is one of the best things to do in Portugal. If you do not plan to spend time in Sintra before or after your visit to Lisbon, we recommend using one of your two days in Lisbon to visit Sintra. And day tripping to Sintra from Lisbon is extremely easy to do.

Lisbon Itinerary Day 1

Lisbon

Spend the entire day in Lisbon. You can follow one of the two days listed earlier in this guide. Another option is to choose from one of our One Day in Lisbon itineraries. In our One Day in Lisbon guide, we list two time efficient ways to spend one day in Lisbon. Choose the one that visits the attractions that are most interesting to you.

Lisbon Itinerary Day 2

Day Trip to Sintra

On a day trip from Lisbon, you can visit 3 to 5 palaces in Sintra or split your time between the palaces and coastal sights. Sintra is easy to visit using public transportation, so there is no need to rent a car.

From the town of Sintra, you can visit:

  • Pena Palace
  • Quinta da Regaleira
  • Castle of the Moors
  • The National Palace of Sintra
  • Monserrate Palace

Pena Palace Sintra Portugal

Pena Palace

 Castle of the Moors Sintra Portugal

Castle of the Moors

 

Palace of Monserrate Sintra

Palace of Monserrate

This area is also home to a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Places to visit here include Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of continental Europe), Azenhas do Mar, Praia da Ursa, and Praia das Maças.

Praia das Azenhas do Mar

Praia das Azenhas do Mar

For the full list of things to do, plus many more photos, refer to our article Best Things to Do in Sintra.

In our Sintra Day Trip Guide, we list multiple ways to plan your day trip, whether you just want to focus on the palaces and castles or split your time between the palaces and the coast.

If you prefer to do this by tour, this tour includes Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate Palace and this tour includes Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.

Portugal Travel Guide

How to Get Around Lisbon

The city center of Lisbon is easily walkable. Many of the top sites and neighborhoods where visitors will spend their time are easy to get to on foot. However, Lisbon is a hilly city, so you will walk up and down some hills. Fortunately, there are a few elevators and funiculars that can save you a massive stair climb. The Bica Funicular and Santa Justa Elevator make this list.

Several tram lines run through the heart of Lisbon. Tram 28 is the most famous. It’s more of a tourist attraction than a useful way to travel around the city and it tends to be packed with people all day. It doesn’t make a great option for getting around Lisbon because lines to get on the tram can be very long, so it’s sometimes faster just to walk.

The metro is also a great way to travel through Lisbon.

Ride share apps like Uber and Bolt are very handy to get you to places that are farther from the city center (such as Belém and some viewpoints, such as Miradouro da Senhora do Monte). We used Uber quite a bit in Lisbon and other travelers have written in with great things to say about Bolt.

For a great article that explains all the public transportation options in Lisbon, click here.

The Lisbon Card

The Lisbon Card is a money saving travel card. It gives you free access to some of the top attractions in the city and unlimited free travel by bus, tram, metro, and the elevators (such as the Santa Justa Lift). It also includes free transport by metro to and from the airport and free travel by train to Cascais and Sintra.

The Lisbon Card gives you free entry to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the National Pantheon, and the Santa Justa Lift. It also includes free entry to many other attractions, but none of them are included on our itinerary (places such as the National Tile Museum and National Coach Museum). It gives you a small discount on the Carmo Archaeological Museum and the Lisbon Cathedral.

The card has a long list of free entries and discounts, even in Sintra, Mafra, and as far north as Batalha, so its usefulness extends beyond Lisbon.

I recommend looking at the official website for pricing information and the list of what is covered (click the “Discounts” tab).

Since this card gives you free entry into Jerónimos Monastery, it saves you a wait in the ticket line, which is a huge advantage (currently, you cannot purchase tickets online in advance on the official website for the monastery). For this reason, and the benefits it offers for public transportation, it can be worth it to purchase the Lisbon Card. If you don’t plan to purchase the Lisbon Card, then I recommend purchasing your entrance ticket to Jerónimos Monastery on GetYourGuide.

You can purchase the Lisbon Card at tourist information offices in Lisbon and at attractions that accept the card. The National Pantheon is the first place you will visit on this itinerary that accepts the Lisbon Card so you should be able to purchase it here.

Learn more on the official website.

Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto

Where to Stay in Lisbon

In our Lisbon Hotel Guide, we cover the best locations to stay in Lisbon and the top hotels/apartments/B&B’s/hostels for all travel styles, including mid-range travelers, budget travelers, families, and luxury travelers.

Tours of Lisbon

Joining a tour can help save you time waiting in line, allow you to learn more about Lisbon from a knowledgeable guide, and introduce you to sights that you may not be able to do on your own. Here are some of the best tours in Lisbon.

Save your steps by cruising around Lisbon on a 3-hour sightseeing tour by tuk tuk.

Take a 2-hour cruise on the Tagus River, either during the daytime, at sunset, or in the evening.

This walking tour of Chiado and Bairro Alto gets near perfect reviews. And this 3 hour walking tour includes the highlights of Chiado, Rossio, and Alfama.

Foodies should take a look at this food tour of Lisbon or this cooking class where you learn how to make Pastel de Nata.

From Lisbon, take a day trip to visit Pena Palace in Sintra, the coastlines of Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can’t you miss in Lisbon?

In Lisbon, Praça do Comercio, the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighborhoods, São Jorge Castle, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, dining on Pastel de Nata, seeing Tram 28, and viewing the city from its spectacular viewpoints are not to be missed.

Is 2 days enough time in Lisbon?

2 days in Lisbon gives you just enough time to visit the highlights and must-see sights in Lisbon. This is a large city with a long to-do list, so you’ll need a few days to explore its neighborhoods, tour its amazing historic buildings, and sample a few great restaurants. Those on a quick visit to Lisbon have the option to spend one very busy day in Lisbon and one day on a day trip to Sintra.

When is the best time to visit Lisbon?

The best time to visit Lisbon is the spring (mid-April through early June) and fall (mid-September through early November), when the weather is pleasant and crowds are below peak levels. Summer is the hottest, busiest, and most expensive time to visit Lisbon. Winter tends to be a lot quieter, with cool days and an increased chance of rain.


If you have any questions about this 2 days in Lisbon itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Portugal

BEST OF PORTUGAL: For a list of must-have experiences in Portugal, take a look at our Portugal Bucket List. Visit the Seven Wonders of Portugal, explore the country’s amazing cuisine and top foods to eat, get started planning your trip with 5 different ways to spend 10 days in Portugal.

LISBON: In our Lisbon Bucket List, we list 40 highlights and hidden gems to visit in Lisbon. Plan your time with our one day in Lisbon itinerary and our 3 day Lisbon itnerary. Find the perfect place to stay in our Lisbon Hotel Guide and where to eat in our Lisbon Restaurant Guide. And here are 14 amazing day trips to take from Lisbon.

PORTUGAL ITINERARIES: If you are just beginning to plan your Portugal itinerary, take a look at our 10 Day Portugal Itinerary for five different ways to spend 10 days in Portugal. We also have a detailed 10 day itinerary that includes Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve and a 2 week itinerary that includes the highlights of mainland Portugal.

SINTRA: In our article Best Things to Do in Sintra, we cover the top sights to see in Sintra. In our article One Day in Sintra, we provide three different ways to plan a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.

PORTO: Get started with our Porto Travel Guide, which lists where to eat, where to stay, and has lots of helpful tips for visiting Porto. We cover the best things to do in Porto in our Porto Bucket List. In our Guide to the Wine Cellars in Gaia, get recommendations on which wine cellars to visit and how to plan your time. See the best of Porto in our One Day in Porto Itinerary and 2 Days in Porto Itinerary.

We have TONS more information about Portugal in our Portugal Travel Guide, including Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Algarve, the Douro Valley, and Madeira.

 

2 Days in Lisbon Portugal Itinerary

 

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Comments 5

  1. Avatar for Ravi
    Ravi

    Hi Julie,

    Can you provide any feedback/recommendation on the below itinerary to spend an afternoon and 3 full days in Lisbon?

    Day 1 afternoon – drive to Cascais and Cabo de Roca (for sunset)
    Day 2 and 3 – follow your 2 day itinerary
    Day 4 – Sintra

    I am little torn between Day 1 and Day 4 as they are generally combined into a day from what I have read. But, we wanted to space it out and since Day 1 we will be jet lagged, we wanted to keep it light.

    Thank you very much for the info – much appreciated.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Ravi. I’d be happy to help! Overall I think your itinerary looks perfect. You have a nice, light afternoon your first day followed by 2 somewhat busy days in Lisbon. Seeing the palaces and castles in Sintra can take a full day, so I think giving yourself a full day is perfect. Most likely, you will be back in Lisbon in time for dinner (we were). Take a look at our One Day in Sintra itinerary, which will help you plan your time. And if you have any other questions, please let me know. We will be returning to Lisbon and Sintra in about 2 weeks…this time with our kids, Tyler and Kara, who haven’t been here yet, so we are all very excited! Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for Ravi
        Ravi

        Thank you for the super prompt response! Appreciate the feedback, Julie. Day 5, we drive to Algarve and are staying in Lagos for 5 nights. Is there a specific 4 day itinerary from your website I could refer or should I follow your bucket list and/or top 10 beaches? Many thanks in advance.

        1. Avatar for Julie Post
          Author
          Julie

          Our Algarve Itinerary breaks out things to do into different days and then you can pick your 4 favorite days and do these in any order. These daily itineraries make a good starting point for how to plan your time. But it’s good to looks at our bucket list and beaches post for more things to do (although most if not all of these should also show up in the Algarve Itinerary). Sounds like you are planning a great trip! Cheers, Julie

          1. Avatar for Ravi
            Ravi

            Thank you again for the guidance and feedback. I wish you and your family a pleasant holiday as well. And, thank you for the recommendation on the Benagil cave trip. I booked it!

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