Two Days in Lisbon
Since Lisbon has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe and is a perfect city to discover, we have created this itinerary to visit Lisbon in 2 days. You won't miss a thing!
Arrival Day: Baixa
If you land in Lisbon and want to save time traveling from the airport, you can book a transfer right to your hotel.
Once you're settled in, we recommend you start exploring the Baixa district. Take the Metro or a bus to Restauradores Square (Praça dos Restauradores), where you’ll find the magnificent Hotel Edén. Lisbon’s main avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, starts from the square and stretches straight towards Marquis of Pombal Square (Praça do Marquês de Pombal), where modern Lisbon starts.
Near Praça dos Restauradores is Rossio Square, now called Praça de D. Pedro IV. This lively square houses the National Theatre Maria II and one of the city’s most famous coffee houses called Café Nicola. From here, head to Figueira Square, with its sloping-roofed picturesque houses. You’ll get a beautiful view of São Jorge Castle on the summit of São Jorge Hill, the city’s tallest ridge.
These three squares are very close to one another, barely one hundred steps away. The elegant pedestrian street, Rua Augusta, extends from Figueira Square, through Rua Augusta Arch until it reaches Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square).
With a ticket to the Rua Augusta Arch, you can enjoy unparalleled views from this privileged vantage point.
If you’re feeling a bit tired of walking, you can take tram nº 12 and get a good idea of this neighborhood while it makes its journey.
Then again, if you want to explore the city without getting too tired, consider purchasing combined tickets that include the bus, streetcar, and Lisbon sightseeing boat.
As the day comes to a close, the Baixa area is very lively, making it easy to find a place to dine, have a coffee, or enjoy a drink before heading back to your hotel.
Morning Day 1: São Jorge Castle, Alfama, & Park of the Nations
Before heading to any of the city’s attractions, we suggest purchasing a one-day travel card, since it's quite cheap and you’ll get more than your money’s worth. Even if you’ve rented a car in Lisbon, we recommend you leave it parked and take public transport or walk around the city.
Day one begins in Figueira Square. From here, take tram nº 28 to the top of São Jorge Hill, to one of Lisbon’s most impressive landmarks, São Jorge Castle. The area is called Largo das Portas do Sol and offers some of the most beautiful views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. Mouraria and Alfama are two of the oldest and most picturesque districts located at the foot of São Jorge Hill. Alfama is an old fishing neighborhood with narrow cobblestone streets, perfect for wandering around and exploring.
The Tajo River is the soul of Lisbon and an absolute must-see via a tranquil boat ride that offers breathtaking views of the city from a different perspective. Below you'll find our favorite activities to do along the Tajo River:
If you’ve already visited the Castle and it’s getting late, you can stop and have lunch in one of Alfama’s modest and genuine restaurants. Some even include live Fado music.
If you like the neighborhood and want to come back and visit it later in the day, we recommend taking a look at our night tour of Alfama with dinner and a fado show.
Then, take a bus to Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations). This area is one of the most modern in Lisbon. It was designed for the 1998 Expo and is now an area full of restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and other top attractions, like the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe, and the Oceanário de Lisboa.
Evening Day 1: Chiado & Bairro Alto
During the evening, head to Chiado and Bairro Alto, two of the most striking neighborhoods in Lisbon. The best way to get to them is either to take tram nº 28, the Santa Justa Lift, or the Gloria Lift from Restauradores Square.
Chiado was rebuilt after parts of it were destroyed by a fire that took place in 1998. The main streets of the district are called Rua do Carmo, where the ruins of Carmo Church remain after the great 1755 earthquake. The other important street is called Rua da Garrett. Chiado is famous for being an elegant and bohemian neighborhood, frequently referred to as the “Montmartre” of Lisbon.
While you're in the area, we suggest attending a traditional Fado show in Chiado.
Chiado is home to the popular café called A Brasileira, where the Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa would spend much of his time. On the roof terrace of the coffee shop sits a bronze statue of the writer.
If you follow the Rua da Misericórdia you’ll get to the Bairro Alto. This district is packed with cafés, bars, and restaurants, as well as several stores and antique shops. Bairro Alto, along with Alfama is probably one of the best neighborhoods to listen to Portugal’s famous Fado music.
After dinner, you’ll find numerous bars where you can have a drink or a cocktail. If you want to discover the city’s nightlife, we recommend you head to the reconverted industrial area called Santo Amaro. Other great areas are Alcântara, where there are many nightclubs and good watering houses, and the Santos district.
Morning Day 2: Belém
Belém is the most fabulous neighborhood in Lisbon, as it houses two of the city’s most impressive landmarks: the Jerónimos Monastery, especially its Church and Cloister are must-see sights, and Belém Tower, a fortified tower at the mouth of Tagus River. These two monuments alone will make your trip to Lisbon worth it. The nice thing about visiting Belém on Sunday morning is that a lot of the attractions are free at this time.
You can get to Belém from Praça do Comércio with the tram nº 15, or you can buy tickets for the Lisbon sightseeing tram car for its enchanting route.
You’ll also find the 25 April Bridge, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the National Coach Museum in Belém, not to mention cute bakeries where they sell the renowned pastéis de Belém pastries.
As you approach the 25 April Bridge, you can challenge yourself to reach new heights by climbing up to the bridge's impressive 262-foot (80-meter) high viewpoint. You can purchase your tickets here for the Lisbon Pilar 7 Experience.
Surely by this point, in just 48 short hours, you'll have seen enough of Lisbon to know you'll have to come back again!
If you want to enjoy every minute of your stay in the Portuguese capital, a great way to see all of Lisbon's monuments and landmarks is the Lisbon Sightseeing Bus. You can buy your tickets at the following link:
More Than Two Days in Lisbon?
If, during your visit to Lisbon, you want to indulge in a unique experience, check out this Lisbon Walking Tour + Cruise + Helicopter Ride for the ultimate tour package. You'll see the city from the ground, water, and air!
But, if you find yourself with more than 2 days to spend in Lisbon, make sure to check out popular day trips leaving from the capital. For example, below you'll find some of our favorite places to go:
