Portugal is definitely one of my favorite travel destinations. I’ve traveled to both Lisbon and Porto multiple times with family and friends. Whenever anyone asks which city I prefer I never know what to answer. I love both cities, but for different reasons. Porto is small and has an undeniable charm, however Lisbon has a special place in my heart. The cosmopolitan capital is undeniably beautiful, with breathtaking viewpoints, bright colorful buildings and an endless number of things to see and do! If you are planning a trip to Portugal in the nearby future then continue reading for my guide to 3 days in Lisbon.
DAY 1: ALFAMA & CITY CENTER
The first day in Lisbon was without a doubt a day for exploring and taking in the beauty of the city. After leaving our belongings at our centrally located Airbnb we went off to explore. Our first stop was the Alfama neighborhood, which is one of the oldest and most intact in Lisbon.
Castelo de S. Jorge
Our itinerary started with a visit to Castelo de S. Jorge. The Lisbon Castle dates back to the 12th century, and has withstood the reign of the Romans, Visigoths and the Moors. For all of you history nerds, visiting the castle is an absolute must! What currently remains of the castle are mostly the walls and towers, but the views are spectacular! Tickets start at 5 euros, and I recommend going in the morning to beat the crowds. I was there at around 10am, and was able to enter without having to wait, but when I left there was a very long queue outside of the castle doors.
Pastelaria San António
After a visit to the castle head straight to Pastelaria San Antonio for a delicious mid morning snack. This pastry shop is famous for their Pastéis de Nata, and you cannot leave Lisbon without trying one. Pastéis de Nata is a creamy custard tart with a crunchy exterior that melts in your mouth after every bite. The small pastry is a heavenly treat for all of you with a sweet tooth. Try one, or several, and even buy some for later!
Miradouro do Chāo do Loureiro
Around the corner from the pastry shop you’ll find one of my favorite viewpoints in all of Lisbon. The Miradouro do Chāo do Loureiro is definitely a great spot for a photo-op! There is also a restaurant if you would like to relax your legs after the climb up to the castle. Enjoy a refreshing drink and admire the breathtaking views. Once you have had enough and feel that your legs can handle a bit more walking, hop on the public elevator and ride back down to the center of the city.
Try Ginjinha
Ginjinha is a typical Portuguese liqueur made from ginjinha berries. If you have never heard of a ginjinha berry before don’t worry because you aren’t the only one! It is a sour cherry, but the liqueur has quite a lot of sugar making it a sweet treat! This traditional drink is served in shot form and some bars even serve it in a chocolate shot glass which you can eat afterwards. There are several bars around Lisbon where you can try the liqueur, but one of the most famous is called A Ginjinha on Largos Sao Domingos.
Praça do Comércio
After our morning in Alfama we made our way to the center of the city. Praça do Comércio is Lisbon’s main square. The southernmost point opens up to the Tagus River and the other three points are made up of beautiful yellow buildings. The square used to be home to the Royal Palace, but is now surrounded by varying bars and restaurants. After a few photos we sat at one of the many terraces for a quick bite to eat and a drink. Of course the prices in the square are a bit more expensive due to the location. If you wish to find something a bit cheaper then head to one of the nearby side streets for lunch.
Fado Dinner
In the evening, head back into the quaint Alfama neighborhood for a traditional Fado dinner. For those who are unfamiliar with Fado, it is traditional Portuguese music, dating back to the early 1800’s. It is typically very melancholy and expressive, yet beautiful and definitely worth listening to while in Lisbon! There are a handful of typical Portuguese restaurants hosting Fado performances every evening in the Alfama neighborhood!
DAY 2: SINTRA
On our second day in Lisbon we went on an excursion to Sintra. Sintra is a charming city with stunning palaces, historic ruins, and mansions. The city is easily accessible via train and makes for the perfect day trip. Trains depart from the Rossio Station every 30 minutes and a roundtrip ticket costs about 5 euros. The ride is approximately 45 minutes.
Once in Sintra you have the option of either walking or taking the tourist bus up to the main square. We opted for the 434 tourist bus which connects the historic center, the Castle and the Pena Palace in one loop. A single ticket for the bus is about 4 euros and the roundtrip loop around 7 euros. There is also a path up the mountain if you prefer to walk, but keep in mind it takes a minimum of 30 minutes to reach the top. If you are crunched for time, I highly recommend using the bus service.
National Palace of Sintra
In Sintra we decided to visit only two attractions to save on time and costs. Our first stop was the National Palace of Sintra. Located in the historic center, the current day museum was once home to the many kings of Portugal. The interior is very impressive and my favorite room was the coat of arms hall with about 40 family crests hand painted on the ceiling. Entry starts at 8 euros and tickets can be purchased either online or in person at the museum.
Pena Palace
Our next stop in Sintra was Pena Palace. Pena Palace is a colorful castle perched on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains. It is without a doubt one of the top attractions in Lisbon. There are several ticket options to enter the Palace grounds. You can opt for a Park and Palace combination ticket which starts at 12 euros, or you can decide to only purchase the park entrance ticket for about 7 euros. The entrance to the park will allow you to visit the main outdoor areas of the Palace and the Palace grounds made up of many fountains and gardens. If you wish to enter the Palace and view the staterooms, then you will need to buy the combination ticket. Keep in mind that if you do decide to go inside, the visit goes quite slowly due to the large number of tourists.
Dinner & Drinks in Bairro Alto
Once back in Lisbon head to the lively neighborhood of Bairro Alto for dinner, and drinks. The many streets are lined with restaurants and bars offering typical Portuguese cuisine. As the name entails, Bairro Alto is made up of steep cobblestones streets in the heart of Lisbon. At night the area comes alive with music, and young crowds gather outside to socialize and enjoy a drink with friends.
DAY 3: BELÉM
On our final day in Lisbon, we took one of the many famous trams to a neighborhood East of Lisbon; Belém. This part of the city is definitely a must-see even if you only have three days in Lisbon. From the center you can take tram 15 to Belém Station. A single ticket costs about 2 euros and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. You can also opt for a taxi ride, or hop in a famous tuk tuk for a faster journey.
Pastéis de Belém
My first stop in Belém is always Pastéis de Belém. If you loved the Pastéis de Nata at Pastelaria San Antonio, then you will love these. Pastéis de Belém is the original custard tarts dating back to 1837. In fact, the recipe was created in a Monastery and is still a family secret. You can either enjoy your pastry inside or queue up outside for takeaway. As this pastry shop is quite famous, the wait for a table can be very long, so I recommend ordering some to go if you are short on time.
Jeronimos Monastery
Next to the pastry shop, is the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. The famous monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The historical building houses the tombs of many important people in Portuguese History. Tickets to enter the Monastery are about 10 euros, and I highly recommend you purchase them beforehand to avoid the long queues. Alternatively, you can also enter the church on the right hand side. Entrance is free and the architecture and interior decor is just as impressive.
Belém Tower
Belém tower is definitely one of the highlights of Lisbon, and one of my favorite spots! The tower is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the 1500s. Its purpose was to guard the entrance to the harbor, but has now become one of the most visited spots in Portugal. The tower is open everyday, except Mondays. Tickets cost about 6 euros to enter and must be purchased onsite. If you don’t wish to go inside, simply enjoy the views and grab a coffee at a nearby cafe!
After 3 days in Lisbon we definitely felt very acquainted with the city. Nonetheless, the city has many more secrets waiting to be discovered, but that shall be for my next trip! Even if you only have a few days to explore this amazing capital, I hope my guide to three days in Lisbon helps you discover everything the city has to offer!
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
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