See our 3 days in Lisbon itinerary. We’ve put together an itinerary based on the city’s main sights, so that you can enjoy a lot of the Portuguese capital, even if you’re short on time.
First day in Lisbon
To begin this 3 days in Lisbon itinerary, on your first day of sightseeing, how about starting in the most historic part of the city? Well, you can start the tour with a stroll through Eduardo VII Park and, from there, enjoy the view from the Miradouro and the statue of Marquês de Pombal.
From there, set off for a walk along Avenida da Liberdade. Here you’ll find a variety of the biggest clothing brands. Following this path, you’ll reach Praça dos Restauradores, where you’ll see a large obelisk, which pays homage to Portugal’s liberation from Spanish rule.
For a break, have a coffee at the Hard Rock Café Lisboa, which is popular with Portuguese and tourists alike. After lunch, take a ride on the nearby Elevador da Glória, which connects Baixa to Bairro Alto.
From the top, in Bairro Alto, you can enjoy the capital’s nightlife, as it is full of bars, restaurants, stores, hairdressers and more. Our tip is to stop by Praça de Camões, where you’ll find the famous Café A Brasileira, with its famous statue of Fernando Pessoa, who frequented this café a lot.
Next to the Carmo Convent, you’ll find the Santa Justa Elevator, where, at the top, there’s a viewpoint where you can take beautiful photos of downtown Lisbon, including the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River. And to end the day, walk along Rua Augusta, where you’ll reach the Arch and come out at Praça do Comércio, one of the most beautiful and popular places in the city.
Important tip: To make the most of your trip is to stay in the best region. If you want, see our article here that explains the best area, hotels and how to save a lot on accommodation.
Second day in Lisbon
On your second day in Lisbon, start by visiting Belém, an area further away from the city center where you’ll find incredible sights. There, you’ll see the Afonso de Albuquerque Square, home to the National Palace of Belém, the official residence of the President of the Republic. Nearby is also the National Coach Museum, with old carriages from the royal families.
After visiting these two museums, there’s nothing better than a brief stop at the Pastelaria de Belém, where the well-known and delicious pastéis de Belém are made. And when you leave, head to the famous Jerónimos Monastery. There, you’ll find the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Camões, as well as other historical figures from Portuguese royalty, such as the writer Fernando Pessoa.
Then visit the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a monument built in honor of the Portuguese discoveries. You can take the elevator up to the top, where you’ll have a wonderful view of Belém, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Tagus River.
To end the day, our tip is to walk along the main avenue, on the banks of the river, until you reach a garden. From there, you’ll see the Belém Tower, which was built on the Tagus River and originally served as a watchtower to protect the city.
Third day in Lisbon
To finish these 3 days in Lisbon itinerary tips, there’s nothing better than starting the day by visiting Parque das Nações, which was built for the 1998 World Expo. There you’ll find Lisbon’s oceanarium, the cable car and other smaller tourist attractions.
Also nearby is Gare de Oriente Station, which has links to the metro, bus station, train station and several cab ranks. The Vasco da Gama Shopping Mall is located opposite the station and has impressive architecture that symbolizes a cruise ship.
When you cross the shopping center, you’ll come out at the back of a park and, if you head towards the River Tagus, you’ll find the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the Vasco da Gama Tower. There is also a cable car in Parque das Nações where you can end your trip by seeing Lisbon from above with an unmissable panoramic view of the city that will undoubtedly round off your trip in style.
Save money on tickets to paid attractions in Lisbon
There are incredible tours that take you to see the best of Lisbon and several other Portuguese cities. We’ve traveled the world and found a great company that offers all these guided tours at very good prices. On our last trips, it was precisely this Lisbon Tickets website that we used.
As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, the site is very secure and you can buy all your tickets in one place. By the way, it’s always cheaper to buy your tickets in advance, online, to avoid queues and to avoid wasting your travel time.
Best-selling tickets:
- Free Tour of Lisbon
- Visit to St. George’s Castle Alfama district
- Lisbon Cable Car
- Lisbon Oceanarium
- Boat trip Tour of Belém
- Tour of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery
- Lisbon Card
Save money on your trip to Lisbon:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Lisbon cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Lisbon. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
