Ultimate 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary For First Timers
Are you planning a 3 day trip to Lisbon? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Lisbon is one of the world’s oldest cities, with beautiful historic architecture, picturesque miradouros (viewpoints), and such a vibrant culture. It’s the first city I visited in Europe, and it blew away my expectations. Not only was it surprisingly cheap, but there were dozens of interesting places to visit.
To help you plan an unforgettable trip, this 3 day itinerary will cover all of the best things to do, how to get around, where to stay, and more.
Here is the perfect 3 day Lisbon itinerary for first time visitors.
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Where To Stay In Lisbon
If you want to be close to everything, the best areas to stay in Lisbon are Baixa (downtown) or the historic Alfama district.
Baixa is in the heart of downtown, within walking distance to many restaurants, cafes, the metro, and Rossio train station. It’s the bustling cultural hub of the city, so it can be noisy, but it’s one of the most convenient places to stay.
The historic Alfama district is a hilly neighborhood in the oldest and most beautiful area of Lisbon. It’s home to many gorgeous miradouros (viewpoints), great cafes and restaurants, but it may not be ideal for those with mobility issues.
Everything requires a bit of a hike to reach, and a short 10 minute walk on google maps, may end up being more of a 20 minute hike! That being said, it’s typically quieter than Baixa, and you can hop on a tram or tuk tuk tour to get around.
If you want to be closer to downtown in a quieter neighborhood, Principe Real is the place to stay. This is an affluent neighborhood, a few miles north of Baixa, with outdoor parks, gardens, and charming boutique hotels. It has a metro, restaurants, cafes, and is only a 20 minute walk (mostly downhill) to get to downtown.
How To Get Around Lisbon
Lisbon has a fantastic public transportation system, so there’s no need to rent a car in the city. The city has a metro (subway), buses, and trams that can get you within a 10 minute walk of everything.
Once you arrive in Lisbon, you can purchase a Navegante card, a reusable card that’s valid for the city’s metro, buses, and trams.
You can purchase it at any metro station (€0.50), and either load money onto it, or buy a daily ticket. A single trip ticket costs €1.85 and a daily ticket costs €7, so it’s the cheapest way to get around.
Lisbon has four color-coded metro lines, and google maps will tell you exactly which to take to get to your destination. I relied on the metro to get everywhere, and it was very easy to get the hang of.
Perfect 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary
Day 1: Downtown (Rossio/Baixa/Chiado)
Rossio Square
Start your first day off exploring the bustling downtown of the city, Rossio square. This is a lively square centered around the Dom Pedro VII statue, with fountains, and the beautiful mosaic tiled sidewalks.
It’s dotted with cafes, shops, and restaurants, and only a 5 minute walk to the Rua Augusta Arch. On your way over to the arch, you can stop by Manteigaria to try their famous pastel de nata.
This is a must-try Portuguese sweet egg custard pastry, and they’re known for making the best in the city!
Rua Augusta Arch
The Rua Augusta Arch is an iconic yellow arch that was rebuilt after Lisbon’s 1755 earthquake, and one of the city’s most popular landmarks.
Here you’ll likely see street performers, and you can stroll around the waterfront plaza (Praca do Comercio) to enjoy views of the Tagus River.
If you want more insight on Lisbon’s history, you can join a free walking tour from Rossio square.
Visit The Carmo Archaeological Museum
After strolling around downtown, head to the Carmo Archaeological Museum to explore more of Lisbon’s history. This is a museum showcasing the ruins of a 14th century Gothic church that was destroyed by Lisbon’s earthquake in 1755.
Get A City View From The Santa Justa Lift
The museum is located right next to the Santa Justa Lift, an 147 foot gothic style elevator with an observation deck overlooking the city.
You can ride this elevator from downtown (€5.30 roundtrip), or walk to it’s observation deck for free from the Carmo Archaeological Museum! I stumbled upon the elevator’s observation deck by accident, and it had a great viewpoint of downtown.
See The Oldest Operating Bookstore In The World
From Carmo square, it’s only a five minute walk to Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest operating bookstore! It’s worth stopping by to buy a book as a souvenir, and you can ask for it to be stamped with the Guinness World Records logo.
Enjoy Sunset Views From Miradouro São Pedro Alcantra
As the sun begins to set, head to Miradouro São Pedro Alcantra to enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the city.
This is a large terrace with fountains, benches, and an overlook of the city’s red rooftops, Sao Jorge Castle, and the Tagus River. It’s the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset, and it’s near many restaurants.
Other things to see near downtown
If you have more time in the day, here are a few other unique places to check out around the city:
- Church of Saint Roch: Spectacular 16th century catholic chapel with an interior covered in gold & religious art
- Money Museum: Unique money-printing museum built inside of an old church
- Time Out Market: Indoor food court with over 20 of the best restaurants, bars, and cafes throughout Lisbon
- Parque Eduardo VII: Peaceful park with a large geometric grass lawn on a sloped hill, overlooking downtown
- National Tile Museum: Museum dedicated to the iconic Portuguese azulejos tiles with a chapel and fascinating architecture
Day 2: Historic Alfama District
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, and known for its narrow streets, steep hills, and picturesque miradouros at every corner.
It’s the most beautiful area I visited in Lisbon, but everything requires a steep hike to reach, so I recommend hopping on the tram when you can. Additionally, if you want to familiarize yourself with the area, you can join a morning walking tour.
Here’s some of the must-see sites in Alfama.
Sao Jorge Castle
Start your morning off by visiting the Sao Jorge Castle, an 11th century fortress perched high up on a hill in the Alfama district.
It has ancient ruins dating back to the 2nd century BC, wild peacocks roaming around, and one of the most amazing views of the city. The castle has eleven towers, so you can easily spend a few hours here.
It’s a steep uphill hike to get to the castle, so it’s best to ride bus 737 (from Praca da Figueira), which will take you right to the entrance. Tickets to the castle are €15/adult.
From the castle, it’s only a 10 minute walk downhill to see the Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon (built in 1147!). This is the place to go if you want to take a photo of the iconic yellow tram 28, and it’s worth touring the inside (€5/adult) if you love architecture.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Just up the street from the Lisbon Cathedral, Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the most spectacular viewpoints of Lisbon. It has a terrace with the iconic azulejos (blue Portuguese tiles), and an amazing view of the city’s red rooftops, and the Tagus River.
There was a local band playing music here when I visited, and it’s the perfect place to sit, relax, and enjoy coffee or a pastel de nata.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Miradouro das Portas do Sol is another stunning viewpoint of Alfama, just steps away from Miradouro de Santa Luzia. It has a balcony with a beautiful view of Alfama’s red rooftops, colorful houses, and the Tagus River, especially during sunset.
There’s many cafes and restaurants nearby, and you can hop on tram 28 directly from this viewpoint.
Food and Wine Tour
End your night exploring Lisbon’s food scene on a walking food tour. You’ll get to roam around the city’s historic neighborhoods, and try everything from bacalhau (salted codfish), to bifana (Portuguese pork sandwich) and octopus salad!
This tour includes 7 different tastings, along with beer and wine at some of the city’s most popular restaurants.
Day 3: Day Trip To Sintra
For your last day in Lisbon, go on a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra. Sintra is a mountainous town, only 40 minutes outside of Lisbon, with medieval castles, royal palaces, parks, gardens, and more.
It’s home to sites like the famous Pena Palace and Moorish Castle, and is a definite must visit while in Portugal.
Here are some of the popular attractions in Sintra.
- Pena Palace: 19th century colorful Romanticist castle nestled on a mountain summit
- Moorish Castle: Hilltop 8th century medieval castle with stone walls
- Quinta da Regaleira: Fairytale-like palace in the mountains with an underground spiral staircase tower
- Sintra Palace: 15th century royal palace museum in the historic center
- Cabo de Roca: Coastal viewpoint with a lighthouse at the westernmost point of Europe
To get to Sintra, you can join a group tour, or ride the train from Rossio station in Lisbon.
Sintra is very mountainous, and there’s a tourist bus (434) that visits the attractions high up in the hills. I took the train from Rossio station in Lisbon, and used the 434 bus to get around town once I arrived.
However, joining a group tour is the most convenient way to get there, since you’ll get to visit the attractions directly with an experienced local.
For more details, check out our complete Lisbon to Sintra day trip itinerary! On a group tour, you’ll also get to visit sites like Cabo de Roca (westernmost point of Europe) and the charming coastal town of Cascais.
Here are the highest-rated tours from Lisbon:
- Most Popular Sintra Cascais Tour (w/ Pena Palace tickets included): Full day group tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Cape Roca
- Private Sintra Tour: Full day private tour to Sintra, Cape Roca that passes by Cascais
- Cheapest Sintra Cascais Tour: (without Pena Palace Tickets): Full day group tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Cape Roca
Best Time To Visit Lisbon
The best time to visit Lisbon is in the spring (late March-Jun) or fall (Sep-Oct), for the nicest weather and least amount of crowds. It’s the most crowded in July and August, and the rainiest in December and November.
Summary
Lisbon is such a vibrant city, with beautiful historic architecture, cobblestone streets, amazing food, and picturesque miradouros around every corner.
In three days, you have plenty of time to explore the city’s popular landmarks, the historic Alfama district, and make room for a day trip.
And if you plan on visiting Porto, make sure to check out our 2 day Porto itinerary for insight on all of the best things to do in town!
Lisbon FAQs
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Lisbon is two to three days if you want to fully explore the city. It’s the city of seven hills, so although everything may seem close, it can take longer than expected to get around.
I spent three full days in the heart of Lisbon, and could have easily spent a few extra days visiting the museums. If you have limited time, I recommend joining a tuk tuk tour to see all of the city’s highlights.
Do you need a car in Lisbon?
No you don’t need to rent a car in Lisbon, as it has an amazing public transportation system. The city’s metro, trams, and buses will get you within a 10 minute walk of everything.
Additionally, Uber and Bolt are relatively cheap in Lisbon, if you have limited mobility, or need to bring luggage to your accommodation.
Is Lisbon worth visiting from Porto?
Yes, Lisbon is the vibrant capital city of Portugal, and has dozens of interesting places to visit. Whether you want to visit historic sites, watch street performers downtown, or simply relax by a miradouro, it’s definitely worth spending a few days in.
Is Lisbon safe for solo travelers?
In my experience, Lisbon was very safe as a solo traveler. The public transportation made it extremely easy to get around, and the locals were always very helpful and friendly.
However, one safety concern to watch out for in Lisbon (and other European destinations) are pickpockets.
Some helpful tips to avoid pickpockets are to keep your belongings secured in front of you, and avoid sitting by the exit on the metro/trams. I recommend bringing a front sling bag to hold your belongings, so that they’re always within your sight as you explore around.
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