What to Do in Lisbon in 3 Days: Complete Itinerary
Three days are enough to cover Lisbon's essentials: the Pombaline Baixa and Chiado on day one, Alfama with the Castelo de São Jorge on day two, and Belém with the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém on day three. If you add a day trip to Sintra, budget an extra day. Lisbon is noticeably cheaper than other European capitals: an espresso runs 0.80–1.20 €, a set lunch 10–15 €, and a metro ticket costs 1.90 €. The airport is 7 km from the centre; the red metro line gets you there in about 20 minutes.
Before You Go: What You Need to Know
Lisbon is built on seven hills and walking it means constant ups and downs over cobblestone streets. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. The metro (single ticket 1.90 €) covers the centre well; for Alfama and Graça, tram 28 is the most convenient option, though it's always packed with tourists. A rechargeable Viva Viagem card saves you from buying single tickets each time.
The best times to visit are spring (mid-April to June) and autumn (September and early October): good weather with fewer crowds than summer. July and August are the hottest (average 24 °C in August) and busiest. In June, the Festas de Lisboa take over the city — the night of Santo António (12–13 June) fills Alfama and Mouraria with grilled sardines and free street parties (arraiais).
Estimated budget: mid-range hotel 80–130 € per night, set lunch 10–15 €, beer 1.50–2.50 €. The Lisboa Card includes unlimited transport and entry to the Castelo de São Jorge (15 € at the door), among other monuments; check the current card price on the official website.
Day 1: Baixa, Chiado and Praça do Comércio
Start at Praça do Comércio, the grand square open to the Tagus with its yellow arches and equestrian statue of King José I. Climb the Arco da Rua Augusta (entry ~3 €) to get your bearings and take in the best views over the Baixa and the river from the very first moment.
From there, head up Rua Augusta toward Rossio. The Pombaline Baixa is a grid and easy to walk; soak up the atmosphere of the shopping streets. Then climb to Chiado: century-old bookshops sit alongside cafés and design stores. Livraria Bertrand, open since 1732, is worth a stop.
At sunset, the Bairro Alto is a solid choice — it starts coming alive around 19:00. For a no-fuss dinner, the Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira, Av. 24 de Julho 49; Sun–Wed 10:00–00:00, Thu–Sat 10:00–02:00) brings together 40 stalls from some of the city's best chefs. Budget 10–20 € per person for a dish and a drink. There's always a queue, but it moves fast.
Day 2: Alfama, the Castelo de São Jorge and the Viewpoints
Head up early to the Castelo de São Jorge (general entry 15 €; included with the Lisboa Card). This medieval fortress of Moorish origin crowns Alfama and offers 360° views over Lisbon's rooftops and the Tagus estuary. It opens at 9:00; arriving early avoids the midday queues.
Then walk down through Alfama at a leisurely pace. The cobbled alleyways, azulejo tiles and laundry strung between windows are the Arab-medieval neighbourhood that survived the 1755 earthquake. Tram 28 cuts through it end to end, but exploring on foot is a different experience altogether. Fado was born here; if you want to hear it in an intimate venue, look for fado houses in the neighbourhood (book ahead — the best ones fill up).
At sunset, climb to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Lisbon's highest viewpoint: 180° views over Alfama, the Castelo and the Tagus. You can walk there from Alfama via Graça (~20 min from the Castelo; no nearby metro stop). The late-afternoon light in summer is especially beautiful.
Day 3: Belém, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém
Spend the morning in Belém, about 6 km west of the centre (commuter train from Cais do Sodré). The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (entry 12 €; Tue–Sun 10:00–17:30 low season, 10:00–18:30 high season, closed Mondays) is the 16th-century Manueline building that commemorates Vasco da Gama's return. Its south facade is one of the most ornate in Europe; the full visit takes between 1 and 1.5 hours.
About 10 minutes' walk away is the Torre de Belém (entry 8 €; same hours as the Monastery, closed Mondays). It's smaller than it looks in photos; the visit takes 45–60 minutes. Children under 12 enter free at both Belém monuments. Summer queues can be long: arrive before 10:00 or book online.
On your way out, the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém (R. de Belém 84) has been making the original pastéis de nata since 1837. The queue outside looks long but moves quickly; you can also grab them to go. It's one of the cheapest breakfasts or snacks in the neighbourhood.
Getting Around Over Three Days
For Belém (day 3), take the CP commuter train from Cais do Sodré (~20 min). It's faster and more comfortable than the tram for that distance.
For Alfama and Graça (day 2), tram 28 is the most scenic option, but it gets very crowded in high season; walking up from the Baixa is perfectly doable with good shoes.
For the rest of the centre, the metro covers you well. Single ticket: 1.90 €. Uber and Bolt operate across the city and are a reasonable alternative for night trips or when you have luggage.
If you're driving: parking in the Baixa, Chiado or Bairro Alto is a nightmare and expensive. EMEL covered car parks (such as the one at Praça do Comércio) are the most practical option if you arrive by car.
If You Have More Time: Sintra
If you can extend your trip, Sintra deserves a full day. The CP commuter train departs from Rossio (~40 min). The Palácio Nacional da Pena and the Quinta da Regaleira are the main draws; the historic village has its own charm. The return by train is straightforward. You don't need a car to visit Sintra, though having one makes it easier to get between the monuments scattered across the hills.