Things to do in Lisbon: top sights, day trips and where to stay

Three days cover the essentials; with four you can spend a whole day in Sintra. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip: the Portuguese cobblestone pavements get slippery, especially in the rain.

What to see in Lisbon: top sights

Top sightsAreas to stay

Belém: Jerónimos, the Tower and the pastries
The explorers’ district by the river: the Jerónimos Monastery, a Manueline masterpiece; Belém Tower, which guarded the harbour entrance; the Monument to the Discoveries and the bakery where pastéis de Belém were invented.
Recommended time: Half a day
Tip: Arrive early at the monastery, which has long queues, and save the pastries for afterwards. Get there by tram 15 or by train from Cais do Sodré.
The Alfama
Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood and the one that best withstood the 1755 earthquake: stairways, lanes running down to the river, laundry on the lines, the Sé cathedral and taverns where fado plays at nightfall.
Recommended time: 2–3 h
Hotels near The Alfama · 678 properties
São Jorge Castle
The fortress on top of the highest hill in the centre, with walls to walk along, peacocks in the courtyards and the best views over the Baixa and the Tagus.
Recommended time: 1.5–2 h
Tip: Go in the late afternoon to watch the sunset from the walls.
Hotels near São Jorge Castle · 1,446 properties
Tram 28
The wooden tram that crosses the historic neighbourhoods, from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique, through Graça, the Alfama, the Baixa and Estrela. More than transport, it is a way to see the city.
Recommended time: 1 h
Tip: Board at the first stop in Martim Moniz or early in the morning to get a seat, and watch your belongings: it is a pickpocket hotspot.
Baixa and Praça do Comércio
The centre rebuilt after the earthquake, with a grid of straight streets and Rua Augusta and its triumphal arch opening onto the great square on the river. The Santa Justa Lift climbs from here to the Chiado.
Recommended time: 1–2 h
Hotels near Baixa and Praça do Comércio · 967 properties
Chiado and Bairro Alto
The Chiado is the elegant district of historic cafés and bookshops, such as Bertrand, considered the oldest operating bookshop in the world. Next door, the Bairro Alto fills with bars and people in the street every night.
Recommended time: 2 h
The viewpoints
Lisbon is the city of miradouros: Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol over the Alfama, Senhora do Monte and Graça with the widest view, and São Pedro de Alcântara facing the castle. Each one has its terrace and its time of day.
Recommended time: 1–2 h
LX Factory
A former textile factory under the 25 de Abril bridge turned into a hub of shops, studios, restaurants and one of Lisbon’s most photogenic bookshops. There is a market on Sundays.
Recommended time: 1–2 h
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of Europe’s largest aquariums, in the Parque das Nações, with a huge central tank surrounded by the ecosystems of four oceans.
Recommended time: 2 h
A night of fado
Fado, listed by UNESCO, is performed in fado houses in the Alfama and Bairro Alto, often with dinner and in total silence during each song. It is the soundtrack of Lisbon.
Recommended time: 2–3 h
Tip: Book the small houses: they have few tables and fill up.

Day trips from Lisbon

Sintra
About 40 min by train from Rossio
Fairy-tale palaces in the forest: Pena Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation well, the Moorish Castle and the National Palace. It deserves a full day.
Cascais and Cabo da Roca
About 40 min by train from Cais do Sodré
The seaside resort of Portuguese royalty, with beaches and a promenade to Estoril. Nearby is Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
Évora
About 1 h 30 min by train or bus
Capital of the Alentejo and a UNESCO site: a Roman temple, a cathedral, the Chapel of Bones and walls enclosing a beautifully preserved old town.
Óbidos
About 1 h by bus
A walled medieval village of white houses and bougainvillea, famous for its ginja cherry liqueur served in little chocolate cups.
Setúbal and Arrábida
About 45 min by car
Turquoise beaches at the foot of the Arrábida hills, dolphin-watching trips in the Sado estuary and the best grilled fish.

Lisbon in 3 days

Day 1
The Baixa and Praça do Comércio in the morning, up to São Jorge Castle and down through the Alfama. Sunset at the Santa Luzia viewpoint and dinner with fado.
Day 2
Belém in the morning: Jerónimos, the Tower and pastéis de Belém. In the afternoon, LX Factory, then the Chiado and the Bairro Alto nightlife.
Day 3
A day trip to Sintra. If you prefer to stay, ride tram 28, climb to the Graça viewpoints and spend the afternoon at the Oceanarium and Parque das Nações.

Lisbon with kids

The Oceanarium, with sharks, rays, sea otters and penguins.
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento, the hands-on science museum in Parque das Nações.
A ride on tram 28 or the Bica and Glória funiculars.
Lisbon Zoo and the beaches of Cascais.

Free things to do in Lisbon

The viewpoints: Santa Luzia, Senhora do Monte, São Pedro de Alcântara and Graça.
Walking through the Alfama, the Baixa and along the river to Cais do Sodré.
Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta.
The Sunday market at LX Factory.
The Jardim da Estrela and the Estrela Basilica opposite.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Lisbon gets around by metro, tram and on foot, but the hills take their toll: staying central saves a lot of climbing.

Baixa and Chiado
The most practical base: flat, well connected and between the Alfama and the Bairro Alto. Ideal for a first visit.
Places to stay in Baixa and Chiado · 967 properties
Alfama
To sleep in the most authentic neighbourhood, among fado and viewpoints. Charming, but with lots of stairs.
Places to stay in Alfama · 678 properties
Príncipe Real
Elegant and quiet, with gardens, design shops and good restaurants, close to the Bairro Alto.
Places to stay in Príncipe Real · 721 properties
Avenida da Liberdade
Lisbon’s grand boulevard, with spacious hotels and the metro on the doorstep. A good choice for a comfortable stay.

See places to stay in Lisbon · 1,661 properties

When to go to Lisbon

Spring and autumn are ideal: mild temperatures and spectacular light. In June, the Popular Saints festivities, with Santo António as the big night, fill the neighbourhoods with grilled sardines, music and garlands.

Summer is hot but usually cooled by an Atlantic breeze; it is high season, so book ahead. Winter is mild and rainy, with fewer visitors and better prices.

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Frequently asked questions about Lisbon

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

Three days let you see the Baixa, the Alfama, the castle, Belém and the Chiado. A fourth day allows a trip to Sintra, which deserves a full day.

Is tram 28 worth it?

Yes, it is a lovely way to see the historic neighbourhoods, but it gets packed in high season. Board at the Martim Moniz terminus or early in the morning, and watch your belongings.

Can you see Sintra in one day?

Yes, if you leave early. Most visitors choose two or three palaces, such as Pena and the Quinta da Regaleira, and travel between them by tourist bus or taxi, as the distances and hills are considerable.