The Ultimate 2 Day Lisbon Itinerary For First Timers
Are you planning a two day trip to Lisbon? If so, this article is for you.
Lisbon Portugal is the first place I’ve traveled to in Europe, and it far exceeded my expectations. From the picturesque mosaic sidewalks to the numerous historic buildings, and smell of fresh pastries emanating from the pastelerias, it’s a trip I will never forget.
With there being so many places to see, it can be difficult to decide how to spend your time. This article will cover all of the must-see places, how to get around, and some tips for maximizing your time in the city.
Here’s the perfect two day Lisbon itinerary for first time visitors.
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How To Get Around Lisbon
The best way to get around Lisbon is to rely on the city’s amazing public transportation. Lisbon has a metro that can get you close to anywhere in the city, and it’s very easy to use.
Once you arrive in Lisbon, you can purchase a Navegante card at any of the metro stations, and reload it to use the city’s buses, tram and metro. It’s one of the cheapest ways to travel around the city, and I used it to get everywhere I needed.
Lisbon is known as the City of Seven Hills, and it’s a steep uphill walk to get to many places. Although everything was within a 15-20 minute walk from the metro, many of the walks felt like more of a hike!
If you don’t want to walk, you can use Bolt (Portuguese version of Uber), book a tuk tuk tour, or hire a taxi. The Bolt and taxi rides are surprisingly cheap in Lisbon, but tuk tuks can be overpriced for tourists, so I recommend booking a tour in advance.
Where To Stay In Lisbon
The best areas to stay in Lisbon for first time visitors are the Chiado district or historic Alfama.
Baixa Chiado is the lively tourist hub of the city, while Alfama is the center of the city’s historic district. These are the best places to stay if you want to be within walking distance to cafes, restaurants, and many of the popular attractions.
If you prefer a quieter neighborhood, Principe Real is the best place to stay. This is an upscale area, only a mile outside of downtown, with charming outdoor picnic areas, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
Ultimate Lisbon 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Baixa, Alfama, Miradouros, Sunset Cruise
Explore The City
One of the best first things to do in Lisbon is to explore the downtown area, starting in Rossio square (Praça Dom Pedro IV). This is a bustling square with the Dom Pedro VII statue and fountains, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops.
From Rossio square, it’s just a short walk to Praca do Comercio, a large waterfront plaza where you can see the iconic Rua Augusta arch. This is the liveliest area in Lisbon, and you’ll likely see street performers or musicians here when you visit!
After spending time in the city center, hike up the steep hills of Alfama. Alfama is the city’s historic district, and neighborhood known for surviving Lisbon’s 1755 earthquake.
It’s home to the most beautiful viewpoints of the city, as well as the Lisbon cathedral and Sao Jorge Castle.
Just remember to wear comfortable shoes, as it has steep hills and narrow winding streets. It’s one of the most charming neighborhoods in Lisbon, but walking around definitely feels like more of a workout!
Join A Free Walking Tour
If you want to learn about Lisbon’s history and better familiarize yourself with the area, join a free walking tour. There’s free walking tours available of downtown (Baixa) and the historic Alfama district.
Try Pastel de Nata
While exploring the city, stop at a pastelaria to try the iconic pastel de nata. These are a traditional Portuguese sweet custard tart pastry, and a definite must-try while in Lisbon.
You can find them at nearly every grocery store, but it’s best to try them fresh from a pastelaria. Manteigaria is known for making some of the best in Lisbon, and they also have a vegan-friendly option at Vegan Nata in downtown.
Tour the Sao Jorge Castle
For one of the best viewpoints of the city, visit the Sao Jorge Castle in Alfama. This is a medieval castle dating back to the 6th century, with tall stone walls, ancient courtyards, and a sweeping view of the city.
It’s a very strenuous hike to get to the castle from downtown, but thankfully it’s accessible by tram, bus, and tuk tuk tours. If you prefer less touristy spots, however, I recommend skipping the castle, and relaxing at a miradouro.
Enjoy City Views From A Miradouro
Miradouros or “viewpoints” are scenic overlooks of the city that are scattered at high points throughout Lisbon.
These are popular places for locals and tourists alike to relax at, and they’re the perfect places to watch the sunset. From the miradouros, you’ll get to view the city’s colorful buildings, 25 de Abril bridge in the ocean, and more.
Here are the most beautiful miradouros I’ve visited while in Lisbon:
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara: Popular large viewing terrace with benches, fountains, and a panoramic viewpoint of the city (near Baixa)
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia: Rooftop terrace in Alfama with charming decorative tiles and panoramic views of the city and Tagus River
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol: Large balcony right next to Miradouro Santa Luzia, overlooking the red roofs and churches of Alfama
Another amazing viewpoint I stumbled upon on accident was from the Santa Justa elevator. This is a popular tourist attraction of an elevator you can ride, with a panoramic viewing platform at the top.
Many people purchase tickets to ride the elevator, but you can walk to the viewing platform for free! To get there, visit the square by the Carmo Archaeological Museum, and walk down tv Dom Pedro de Menezes street (to the right of the museum) to get to the platform.
Go On A Sunset Wine Cruise
After a long day of walking, unwind on a sunset boat tour. You’ll get to enjoy sunset views, Portuguese wine, and see famous landmarks like the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, Belem Tower, and more from the water.
This is a great way to see the popular landmarks in Belem, without needing to go on a full day trip. I went on a day trip to Belem (via train), and would skip it if you have limited time, as there’s much more things to see in the city center.
Other things to do in Lisbon
- Visit museums (Carmo Archaeological Museum, National Tile Museum)
- Explore Lisbon’s food scene at the Time Out Market
- Try traditional dishes like Francesinha or grilled sardines at a Portuguese restaurant
- Shop at the LX Factory
- Stroll around Parque Eduardo VII
- Tour the Lisbon cathedral
- Take a pastel de nata baking class
- Attend a fado show
Day 2: Day Trip To Sintra
On your second day in Lisbon, go on a day trip to the charming fairytale town of Sintra. Sintra is a designated UNESCO world heritage site, and home to royal palaces, medieval castles, picturesque parks, gardens, and beaches.
It’s one of the most beautiful areas in all of Portugal, and it’s only a 40 minute train ride from Lisbon. In Sintra, you can visit the colorful Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and more.
Here are some of the popular attractions in Sintra.
- Pena Palace: Colorful Romanticist castle in the mountains that you can tour inside (Buy tickets ahead of time)
- Moorish Castle: Medieval castle built in the 8th century with stone walls, and an amazing viewpoint of the city
- Quinta da Regaleira: Fairytale like historic estate with a spiral staircase tower
- Sintra Palace: Medieval royal palace museum from the early 15th century
- Cabo de Roca: Breathtaking coastal viewpoint and westernmost point of Europe!
To get to Sintra, you can either join a tour from Lisbon, or take the train from the Rossio station.
If you arrive in Sintra by train, you can hop on the 434 bus to see all of the top attractions. Sintra is very mountainous, and the attractions are high up in the hills, so they require a strenuous hike to reach.
Thankfully, the 434 bus visits most of the top attractions, with the exception of Cabo de Roca. When I visited Sintra by train, I hiked up to the Moorish castle and Pena Palace, and took the 434 bus back to the historic center.
It was my favorite place I visited in Portugal, and it has a little historic center with cafes, restaurants, and gift shops.
If you want a more relaxed experience, I highly recommend joining a tour from Lisbon. Plus, on a tour, you’ll get to visit the beautiful coastal town of Cascais, and Cabo da Roca (not accessible by the 434 bus).
Check out our complete Sintra day trip guide for in-depth details on getting around, and what to do in town!
Best Time To Visit Lisbon
The best months to visit Lisbon are spring (late March-late June), or fall (September-October), for the best weather, and least amount of crowds.
July and August are the most crowded months of the year, and December and November are the wettest months.
Summary
Lisbon is one of the most charming cities in Europe, and somewhere I hope to return to for a second time.
In two days, you have time to explore the city’s top attractions, savor Portuguese food, and soak up city views from a miradouro.
Although you can spend a full two days exploring the city, I recommend going on a day trip to Sintra. Sintra is an idyllic fairytale town with everything from medieval castles to royal palaces, gardens, and more.
There’s a variety of group tours from Lisbon that cover transportation to Sintra and the coastal town of Cascais. These are a great way to learn about Portuguese history, and relax without needing to worry about transportation.
Lisbon Portugal FAQs
Do you need to rent a car in Lisbon?
No, you don’t need to rent a car in Lisbon, since it has amazing public transportation. In Lisbon, you can use the metro, buses, trams, and use the train for day trips including Belem, Cascais or Sintra.
There’s a metro station in every neighborhood, so you can get nearly everywhere within a 20 minute walk. Additionally, taxi rides and Bolt (Portuguese version of Uber) are relatively cheap in Lisbon.
Is Lisbon safe for solo travelers?
In my experience, Lisbon was very safe as a solo traveler. It’s considered one of the safest cities in Europe, and the widely available public transportation makes it easy to get around.
However, one safety issue to watch out for in Lisbon is pickpocketing. You can help prevent this by keeping your belongings in front of you, wearing a front backpack, and never sitting by the exit on a metro or tram.
I kept my valuables in a front sling throughout my trip, and fortunately didn’t get pickpocketed.
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Lisbon is 2 to 3 days, as there’s dozens of interesting things to see in the city.
This will give you time to relax, shop, and try out new restaurants without feeling rushed. Many neighborhoods are in the hills, so a 15 minute walk on google maps can end up being more of a 30 minute hike!
To maximize your time in Lisbon, I highly recommend utilizing transportation (bus, trams, tuktuk) when possible.
Is Lisbon worth visiting?
Yes, Lisbon is incredibly charming and worth visiting on your Portugal trip. From the historic architecture to the mosaic tiled sidewalks, and beautiful miradouros, it’s one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited.