3 Days in Lisbon – a first timers guide
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal is a beautiful, and city. It is know for its iconic trams, colorful tiles, hilly cobblestone streets leading to spectacular views, and delicious food. If it’s your first visit to the city, this 3 day itinerary in Lisbon will get you to all the major attractions.
Day One
Spend the morning getting to know the winding medieval streets of Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon Working your way up the main street, stop at the Miradoura Santa Luzia for a great view and refreshment. Wend your way up the Castelo Sao Jorge, the castle. You can get a sense of Lisbon’s important strategic position along the River Tagus and the Atlantic Ocean, and how it was defended from the castle.
Catch lunch at Prado – a light-filled farm-to-table restaurant at the foot of the Alfama district.
After wandering around Alfama and seeing the tile-covered building, go to the Museu do Azulejo, the National Tile Museum. Learn the process and history of the tiles that decorate the city, and see even more spectacular designs
Sign up for an afternoon food tour that doubles as dinner since you’ll definitely be filled up by the end of the tour. Move through samples of the delicacies of Portugal like port, chorizo, and ginjinha. You can find a tour here.
Day Two
Start the day in the district of Belem.
Spend the morning in the neighborhood of Belém. Visit the Monastery of Jeronimos. Vasco Da Gama’s tomb is in the church as well as other Portuguese dignitaries. It was built was the wealth of the explorations in the 15th century and the architecture displays their new status in the world.
After exploring the monastery and the cloisters, grab a pastel de Nata at the home of the original egg tart treat, Casa Pastéis de Belém.
Across the street on the waterfront, visit the Monument to the Discoveries honoring navigators of Portugal’s glory era. Continue down the avenue to the Belém Tower, also celebrating the early voyages of exploration.
For lunch, stop in at the Time Out Market, where you can choose from a wealth of stalls including some of the city’s best restaurants.
After lunch wander through the Baixa area of Lisbon. This includes the largest square in Europe, the Plaça do Comercio. Walk through the arch of triumph and up the Rua Augusta to experience the hub of Lisbon’s downtown dotted with shops and cafes.
Day Three
Begin with breakfast at the historic cafe of A Brasiliera. Whether seated outside watching crowds go by or inside like poets of the past, it is a delightful place with good cafe fare.
After that, wander the streets of Chiado and Bairro Alto. In Chiado find the iconic yellow Bica trams that move up and down the steep street while tourists and locals alike gather to watch. Hop on a tram or the trolleys in the nearby square for a ride. Chiado is also a bustling area of shops where you can come across some unique finds including one of the oldest bookstores in Lisbon.
In Bairro Alto, a high point in the city, enjoy a viewpoint over the lower city, relax in a tree-lined square, Largo do Carmo, and visit the Convent do Carmo. The site is the remains of a convent destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, which wreaked havoc on the city and now it serves as a living memory.
Catch the sunset and a cocktail at Park Rooftop
Dine at Bairro de Avillez for modern Portuguese food in a lovely setting.
This itinerary for 3 days in Lisbon should get you familiar with the city, visiting different neighborhoods, tasting great food, and seeing interesting sights.
If you have more than 3 days in Lisbon, consider day trips to Évora or Sintra and Cascais.
Beware: Lisbon is built on hills and has some steep streets. There are also cobblestones making up many of the roads and sidewalks. Wear comfortable shoes, watch your step, and take your time up the
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