Hotels in Baixa-Chiado HotelCentral and walkable, with metro and tram links to nearly every stop in this plan.
3Days
14Stops
9Meal tips
About £90-140 a day, mid-range, flights excludedBudget
This page contains affiliate links; Trip-Planner or the creator may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work
Three days across Lisbon's seven hills: the old lanes of Alfama and its castle, the monuments and custard tarts of Belém, and a day trip to the fairytale palaces of Sintra. Best from April to June and September to October, when it is warm but not packed. Wear flat shoes: the cobbles are steep and slippery.
Planning this trip?
Book a place to stay and the popular tickets early for Lisbon, Portugal.
✨ Remix this trip for me Adapt it to your dates, budget and interests with AI
Questions about this trip? Ask the Tripsora AI agent.
Where Mohammed Ali stayed and what to book
Sintra and Cascais day trip from Lisbon TourUseful if you prefer a driver-guide to managing trains and buses.
Lisbon food and wine tour ActivityA guided tasting walk is a good way to taste regional dishes in a short time.
Day by day
Alfama, the castle and a fado evening
09:00
Castelo de São Jorge
A hilltop castle with ramparts and some of the best views over Lisbon's rooftops and the Tagus river. Arriving at opening time means cooler weather and fewer tour groups.
View on map ↗💡 Buy tickets online and take a taxi or tram 12 uphill to save your legs for the walk down.
11:30
Lisbon Cathedral and the lanes of Alfama
Walk down past the Romanesque Sé cathedral into Alfama, the oldest district, a maze of washing lines, tiled houses and tiny squares. Getting lost here is part of the point.
View on map ↗💡 Stay out of the middle of tram tracks and watch for pickpockets near the busiest stops.
14:30
Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol
Two neighbouring viewpoints with blue-and-white tile panels, bougainvillea and a classic red-roof view down to the river. A good place for a coffee break.
View on map ↗💡 Portas do Sol has a café terrace; the view costs nothing from the wall beside it.
19:30
Fado dinner in Alfama
Fado is Lisbon's melancholic folk music, performed in small restaurants and bars. Book a table in advance, expect a set of songs during dinner, and keep conversation quiet while the singer performs.
View on map ↗💡 Ask about any minimum spend or music charge when booking so there are no surprises.
🍽 Where to eat
breakfastPastelaria breakfast: pastel de nata and a galãoPortuguese café · $
lunchPetiscos (small plates) near Largo das Portas do SolPortuguese · $$
dinnerGrilled fish or bacalhau with fado musicPortuguese · $$
🎟 Book ahead for day 1Tickets and tours: Castelo de São Jorge 🏨 Find a hotel
Belém: monuments and custard tarts
09:30
Jerónimos Monastery
A masterpiece of Manueline architecture with a carved cloister, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry to the church is usually quicker than the cloister queue, so check both.
View on map ↗💡 Check the weekly closing day (normally Monday) and book ahead in peak season.
11:30
Pastéis de Belém
The original home of the famous custard tart, baked here since 1837. The take-away queue moves faster than it looks, and the tarts taste best warm with cinnamon and icing sugar.
View on map ↗💡 If the queue is long, ask for a table inside; staff usually seat you quickly.
12:45
Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries
A fortified tower on the riverbank and a huge monument shaped like a ship's prow. Walking around the outside is free; going up the tower has a small fee and a queue.
View on map ↗💡 To walk around. Go back along the river path rather than the main road: it is flat and has good views.
15:00
MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
A modern riverside museum whose curved roof can be walked on. Even if you skip the exhibitions, the roof is a relaxed place to watch the river and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
View on map ↗💡 Check whether the roof is open in wet weather.
19:00
Time Out Market
A big food hall with stalls from well-known local chefs and traditional favourites. It is busy but convenient for a group that wants different dishes.
View on map ↗💡 Go before 19:30 to find seats without a long wait.
🍽 Where to eat
breakfastCafé breakfast near the hotelPortuguese · $
lunchSandwich or soup near BelémPortuguese · $
dinnerTime Out Market stallsMixed · $$
🎟 Book ahead for day 2Tickets and tours: Jerónimos Monastery
Day trip to Sintra
08:30
Train from Rossio to Sintra
Trains leave Rossio station every 15-20 minutes and take about 40 minutes. Start early: the palaces get crowded by late morning.
View on map ↗💡 Use a contactless card or a rechargeable Viva Viagem card to pay.
10:00
Pena Palace
A candy-coloured palace perched on a hilltop, mixing Romantic and Moorish styles. The grounds are large, so allow time for the park and the viewing terrace.
View on map ↗💡 Book a timed ticket in advance and take bus 434 from the station rather than walking uphill.
13:00
Lunch in Sintra town
Sintra's old town has small restaurants and the local sweet travesseiros. It is a good place to refuel before the afternoon.
View on map ↗💡 Cheaper menus are often a few streets back from the main square.
14:30
Quinta da Regaleira
A mansion with gardens, grottoes and the spiral Initiation Well. Exploring the tunnels is the highlight, so bring good shoes and be ready for dim lighting.
View on map ↗💡 The tunnels can be slippery after rain.
18:30
Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Back in Lisbon, finish at one of the city's best sunset viewpoints, with the castle and the river in view. Locals bring a drink and sit on the wall.
View on map ↗💡 Take tram 28 or a short taxi, since the climb is steep.
🍽 Where to eat
breakfastQuick breakfast before the early trainPortuguese · $
lunchLunch in SintraPortuguese · $$
dinnerSeafood dinner in BaixaPortuguese · $$
🎟 Book ahead for day 3Tickets and tours: Train from Rossio to Sintra
Good to know
✈️ Getting thereHumberto Delgado Airport is about 20 minutes from the centre. The red metro line runs to the city, and taxis or ride-hailing take 15-25 minutes.
🚆 Getting aroundThe centre is walkable but very hilly. Metro, buses and trams all use a rechargeable Viva Viagem card. Ride-hailing helps with steep climbs.
💷 CurrencyEuro (€). Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small cafés.
🗣 LanguagePortuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Want a guided group tour instead?
Browse ready-made tours from independent tour operators. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
How useful was this trip?
Be one of the first to rate it.
Photos: Travel Photographer, Farnaz Kohankhaki, Tiago Chaves, Efrem Efre on Pexels.
Mohammed Ali
Mohammed Ali is the Founder and CEO of Tripsora, an AI-powered travel companion transforming how people discover and plan their journeys worldwide. Driven by a passion for authentic exploration, tech innovation, and seam
More trips