Lisbon itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Lisbon, day by day: Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, the Baixa and Praça do Comércio, the Santa Justa Lift and Carmo Convent, São Jorge Castle and Alfama, and the Gulbenkian and other museums as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Lisbon in 1 day
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
National Coach Museum
Royal and ceremonial coaches from the 16th to the 19th century, in Belém.
Lisbon in 2 days
Day 1
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace in Alfama with tiled panels and bougainvillea, looking over red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 2
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Eduardo VII Park
A park on a hillside with clipped hedges and a view down to the river.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
Lisbon in 3 days
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Berardo Collection Museum
A modern art collection in the Belém Cultural Centre, now the MAC/CCB museum.
Navy Museum
Portugal's maritime history, in a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Day 2
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of steep lanes and tiled houses beneath the castle; lose yourself on foot or ride the old Tram 28 through it.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace in Alfama with tiled panels and bougainvillea, looking over red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 3
Electricity Museum
A former power station in Belém, now part of the MAAT art and technology museum.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Lisbon in 4 days
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Navy Museum
Portugal's maritime history, in a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Praça do Império
The garden square in front of the Jerónimos Monastery, with a large fountain.
Berardo Collection Museum
A modern art collection in the Belém Cultural Centre, now the MAC/CCB museum.
Day 2
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Casa dos Bicos
A 16th-century house with a façade of diamond-shaped stones, home of the Saramago Foundation.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of steep lanes and tiled houses beneath the castle; lose yourself on foot or ride the old Tram 28 through it.
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Day 3
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)
A food hall in the old Ribeira market near Cais do Sodré, with stalls from leading Lisbon chefs: an easy lunch or dinner.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 4
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
A superb private collection, from Egyptian art to Lalique, in a modernist garden.
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of Europe's largest aquariums, with a huge central ocean tank.
Vasco da Gama Tower
A sail-shaped tower at Parque das Nações, the former 1998 Expo site.
Lisbon in 5 days
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Navy Museum
Portugal's maritime history, in a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Berardo Collection Museum
A modern art collection in the Belém Cultural Centre, now the MAC/CCB museum.
Electricity Museum
A former power station in Belém, now part of the MAAT art and technology museum.
Day 2
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of steep lanes and tiled houses beneath the castle; lose yourself on foot or ride the old Tram 28 through it.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace in Alfama with tiled panels and bougainvillea, looking over red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 3
D. Maria II National Theatre
Portugal's national theatre, on the north side of Rossio square.
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
A superb private collection, from Egyptian art to Lalique, in a modernist garden.
Day 4
Praça do Império
The garden square in front of the Jerónimos Monastery, with a large fountain.
Museum of the Orient
Portugal's connections with Asia, in a former cod warehouse at Alcântara.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Casa dos Bicos
A 16th-century house with a façade of diamond-shaped stones, home of the Saramago Foundation.
Day 5
Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
A house museum with Portuguese painting and Chinese porcelain.
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of Europe's largest aquariums, with a huge central ocean tank.
Vasco da Gama Tower
A sail-shaped tower at Parque das Nações, the former 1998 Expo site.
Lisbon in 6 days
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Navy Museum
Portugal's maritime history, in a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Berardo Collection Museum
A modern art collection in the Belém Cultural Centre, now the MAC/CCB museum.
Electricity Museum
A former power station in Belém, now part of the MAAT art and technology museum.
Day 2
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of steep lanes and tiled houses beneath the castle; lose yourself on foot or ride the old Tram 28 through it.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace in Alfama with tiled panels and bougainvillea, looking over red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 3
D. Maria II National Theatre
Portugal's national theatre, on the north side of Rossio square.
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Eduardo VII Park
A park on a hillside with clipped hedges and a view down to the river.
Day 4
Praça do Império
The garden square in front of the Jerónimos Monastery, with a large fountain.
Museum of the Orient
Portugal's connections with Asia, in a former cod warehouse at Alcântara.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Casa dos Bicos
A 16th-century house with a façade of diamond-shaped stones, home of the Saramago Foundation.
Day 5
Museu Benfica
The museum of SL Benfica, one of Portugal's biggest football clubs, at its stadium.
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of Europe's largest aquariums, with a huge central ocean tank.
Vasco da Gama Tower
A sail-shaped tower at Parque das Nações, the former 1998 Expo site.
Day 6
Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
A house museum with Portuguese painting and Chinese porcelain.
Lisbon Zoo
A zoo in historic gardens, with a cable car over the enclosures.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
A superb private collection, from Egyptian art to Lalique, in a modernist garden.
Lisbon in 7 days
Day 1
Belém Tower
A 16th-century fortress on the Tagus, symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.
Monument of the Discoveries
A stone caravel-shaped monument on the Tagus at Belém honouring Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discovery, with a lift to a viewing platform.
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture in Belém and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Navy Museum
Portugal's maritime history, in a wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Praça do Império
The garden square in front of the Jerónimos Monastery, with a large fountain.
Berardo Collection Museum
A modern art collection in the Belém Cultural Centre, now the MAC/CCB museum.
Day 2
Praça do Comércio
The grand riverside square where Lisbon's kings once received ships.
Rua Augusta Arch
The triumphal arch between Praça do Comércio and the Baixa; climb it for the view.
Carmo Convent
The roofless Gothic ruin of a church destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, now an archaeology museum.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic iron lift linking the Baixa to the Carmo, with a viewing platform.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Sé, a fortress-like Romanesque cathedral begun in the 12th century, with a rose window, a Gothic cloister and archaeological digs.
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of steep lanes and tiled houses beneath the castle; lose yourself on foot or ride the old Tram 28 through it.
Church of Santa Engrácia
The domed National Pantheon in Alfama, with a rooftop terrace over the river.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A terrace in Alfama with tiled panels and bougainvillea, looking over red rooftops, church domes and the Tagus.
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on Lisbon's highest hill, with views over the city and the river.
Day 3
Restauradores Square
A square with an obelisk marking Portugal's independence in 1640, beside the Glória funicular.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
A terraced viewpoint in the Bairro Alto looking across the rooftops to the castle and Baixa, with a garden and a kiosk for drinks.
Chiado
An elegant hillside district of old cafés, bookshops and theatres, with the ruined Carmo convent and the historic café A Brasileira.
D. Maria II National Theatre
Portugal's national theatre, on the north side of Rossio square.
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon's grand tree-lined boulevard of shops and mosaic pavements.
Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
A house museum with Portuguese painting and Chinese porcelain.
Bairro Alto
A hilltop grid of narrow lanes that is quiet by day and, late evening onwards, filled with bars, fado houses and people on the street.
Day 4
National Coach Museum
Royal and ceremonial coaches from the 16th to the 19th century, in Belém.
Electricity Museum
A former power station in Belém, now part of the MAAT art and technology museum.
Museum of the Orient
Portugal's connections with Asia, in a former cod warehouse at Alcântara.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Portugal's national gallery: Portuguese, European and Asian art.
Casa dos Bicos
A 16th-century house with a façade of diamond-shaped stones, home of the Saramago Foundation.
Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)
A food hall in the old Ribeira market near Cais do Sodré, with stalls from leading Lisbon chefs: an easy lunch or dinner.
Day 5
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
A superb private collection, from Egyptian art to Lalique, in a modernist garden.
National Museum of the Azulejo
A museum in a former convent that traces Portuguese tilework from the 15th century, including a long blue panel of Lisbon before the earthquake.
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of Europe's largest aquariums, with a huge central ocean tank.
Vasco da Gama Tower
A sail-shaped tower at Parque das Nações, the former 1998 Expo site.
Day 6
Eduardo VII Park
A park on a hillside with clipped hedges and a view down to the river.
Lisbon Zoo
A zoo in historic gardens, with a cable car over the enclosures.
Museu Benfica
The museum of SL Benfica, one of Portugal's biggest football clubs, at its stadium.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Lisbon's highest viewpoint, looking over the castle, the Tagus and the red rooftops, especially good at sunset.
Day 7
Pena Palace
A colourful hilltop Romantic palace in Sintra, yellow, red and blue over the forest; book a timed ticket and go early, with trains from Lisbon.
Sintra National Palace
A medieval royal residence in Sintra's old town, recognisable by two conical chimneys and decorated with Moorish tiles and painted ceilings.
Quinta da Regaleira
A Sintra estate with a Gothic-style palace, tunnels, grottoes and the spiral Initiation Well in wooded, romantic gardens.
Seteais Palace
A neoclassical palace in Sintra, now a hotel; a day trip from Lisbon.
Watch: Lisbon in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Lisbon
March to May and September to October are the best months, with warm, sunny weather and fewer crowds than in summer. July and August are hot and busy with peak hotel prices, while winter is mild but rainy. The Festas de Lisboa in June, especially the Santo António festival around 12-13 June, bring sardine grills and street parties.
Flight prices to Lisbon by month, from where you are:
From the airport
A private transfer from the airport or station to your hotel in Lisbon, booked ahead at a fixed price:
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Lisbon on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Lisbon on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Lisbon on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Portugal from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Lisbon with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Lisbon
- The Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower are closed on Mondays.
- Lisbon is hilly: wear good shoes and use the trams, lifts and funiculars.
- Tram 28 is crowded and a favourite of pickpockets; ride early or take the quieter Tram 12.
- The Lisboa Card covers public transport and free or reduced entry to many sights.
- Try pastéis de nata in Belém, a short walk from the monastery.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Alfama: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
- Avenida da Liberdade: Alexander Svensson, CC BY 2.0
- Bairro Alto: Daniel VILLAFRUELA., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Belém Tower: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Berardo Collection Museum: Iantomferry, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Carmo Convent: Georges Jansoone, CC BY 2.5
- Casa dos Bicos: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves: Juntas, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chiado: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag), CC BY-SA 2.5
- Church of Santa Engrácia: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
- D. Maria II National Theatre: Anne-Lotte O´Dwyer, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Eduardo VII Park: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Electricity Museum: Elmf, CC BY 2.5
- Jerónimos Monastery: Georges Jansoone, CC BY 2.5
- Lisbon Cathedral: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lisbon Oceanarium: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lisbon Zoo: unknown author, CC BY 2.5
- Monument of the Discoveries: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museu Benfica: Threeohsix, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Museum of the Orient: Manuel Correia, Public domain
- National Coach Museum: Pedro Beltrão, CC BY 4.0
- National Museum of Ancient Art: Anonymous., Public domain
- National Museum of the Azulejo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Navy Museum: Felix König, CC BY 3.0
- Pena Palace: Singa Hitam, CC BY 2.0
- Praça do Comércio: Kent Wang, CC BY 4.0
- Praça do Império: Fernando de Sousa from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Quinta da Regaleira: Kent Wang, CC BY 4.0
- Restauradores Square: Tiseb [2], CC BY 2.0
- Rua Augusta Arch: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Santa Justa Lift: Luca Galuzzi ( Lucag ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- Seteais Palace: Gryffindor, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sintra National Palace: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- São Jorge Castle: fulviusbsas, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira): Paul Arps from The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0
- Vasco da Gama Tower: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
