Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary

This plan gives a day each to old Lisbon, the river and Belém, and Sintra. It assumes you're staying somewhere central, like the Baixa or Chiado, and have booked Pena Palace and the Belém Tower ahead.

Day 1: Baixa and Alfama

9am: Coffee and a pastel de nata, then down Rua Augusta to Praça do Comércio and the river.

10.30am: Tram 28 up from the Baixa to Graça, or the Graça funicular from Martim Moniz. Then follow our Alfama walk downhill, with the castle if you want it.

1.30pm: Lunch in Alfama. Grilled fish or a prato do dia at a tasca with paper tablecloths.

4pm: The tile museum, a short bus or taxi ride east.

Sunset: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Santa Luzia.

9pm: Dinner and fado in Alfama.

Day 2: Belém and the river

9am: Train from Cais do Sodré to Belém. Be at the Jerónimos Monastery for opening, and see our Belém guide for the order of things.

11am: Custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém, then walk along the river past the Padrão dos Descobrimentos.

Midday: The Belém Tower at your booked slot, then over the MAAT roof.

2pm: Lunch and browsing at LX Factory.

5pm: Back to Cais do Sodré, and the ferry to Cacilhas for the view of the city from the water.

Evening: São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, then dinner in Chiado or Príncipe Real.

Day 3: Sintra

8.30am: Train from Rossio, then straight up the hill to Pena Palace for an early slot. Our Sintra guide explains how to get up without a car.

11.30am: Walk the Moorish Castle ramparts next door.

1.30pm: Lunch and a travesseiro in the town.

3pm: Quinta da Regaleira and its well.

6pm: Train back to Lisbon and a slow last dinner.

With a fourth day, take the train along the coast to Cascais for the beach and the cliffs at Boca do Inferno, or spend the morning at the Gulbenkian and the afternoon doing very little in Príncipe Real.