Disclaimer: Lisbon, like any metropolitan city, is always changing. All times, prices, and other details shared in this post were accurate at the time of our visit. As always, we highly recommend you check out a place online or give them a call to confirm details prior to your visit. Also, this post does not contain affiliate links. All opinions are our own and we only recommend places and products we love. Nothing in this post is AI-generated.

Day 1

With its wandering streets, intricate tile work and unforgettable colors, Lisbon by is one of Europe’s most charming cities. One of the best places to get acquainted with Lisboa and its rich culture is by exploring the Alfama district. The Alfama is often referred to as the historic hear of Lisbon and it has a long history dating back to the time of the Moors. It’s a popular area characterized by narrow, cobblestone streets that wind past countless quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and dreamy viewpoints.  You’re guaranteed to get lost here. No two streets are the same, but you’ll always be near to a lovely open-air café just waiting for you to drop by and enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee with a side of people watching. We suggest you spend at least half a day in the Alfama. If you’re really pressed for time, try to dedicate at least 2 full hours.

Start by avoiding the never-ending hills in Alfama by hopping on the iconic Tram 28 which you can ride through the neighborhood.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol – This miradouro is often considered to be the most popular viewpoint in all of Lisbon. It has a sprawling open-air patio where you can sip um café (an espresso) and enjoy live street performances while basking in warm sun rays. It’s easy to access and certainly worth a stop if you happen to be passing by while out and about in Alfama.

Next, climb up the hill to the Castelo de Sao Jorge – considered by many to be the highlight of Alfama. This landmark is a former Moorish citadel turned residence of Portuguese kings. Most of what remains today was largely restored in the 1930s. There are many sites within the complex including a museum and 12^th century church. The castle’s observation terrace offers spectacular views over the city. The Torre de Ulysses has an amazing camera obscura which is made up of an intricate system of lenses and mirrors that projects views onto castle walls. The quality of the projected views is highly dependent on the weather, but it is a very cool castle feature, nonetheless.

For a killer view of the Castle by both day and night, head over to Rooftop Bar Mundial and enjoy a drink on their terrace.

If you have time: Just outside of Alfama (to the northwest / near the Tagus River) you will find one of the best museums in the city: Museu Nacional de Azulejo. Housed in a 16^th-century convent, this museum offers an unrivaled display of Portuguese azulejos or tiles that date back from the 15^th century all the way to today. For more information on this museum and what you can expect to see here, check out our blog pos: The Best Museum in Lisbon for People Who Hate Museums.

Paid admission is required to reach the top and can be purchased the day of your visit (not necessary to purchase in advance). After you purchase your admission ticket you need to scan it and then take a lift part of the way and then climb a short, narrow staircase to the tippy top. At the midpoint, where the lift stops, there is some information on display that talks about how the arch came to be. You can expect to see some of the original proposed designs and challenges faced when building the arch. When you reach the very top, you’ll get a spectacular bird-eye view of the downtown Baixa district while soaring above the crowds below on the Rua Augusta (the main tourist thoroughfare). After you enjoy the view from the top of the arch, spend some time walking down the Rua Augusta which leads all the way to Parque Eduardo VII. This main avenue is reminiscent of Champs-Elysees in Paris – it’s said to have been modeled after this famous Parisian throughfare.

In Baixa you will also find the Elevador de Santa Justa, which is the only vertical street lift in Lisbon today. The structure and architecture are impressive and it can be a convenient way to reach the Barrio Alto district, but we think this is one place you can SKIP. The ticket is very pricey and sometimes the wait to ride the elevator to the top can last hours. If you do want to take this ride, you can buy a ticket in advance with cash only or you should know that your 24-hour public transport ticket will also get you to the top.

Once you explore Baixa and tire of it’s logical, easy to navigate streets (ha!) head back over to Alfama and end the day winding down with some fado music. Alfama is said to be the birthplace of Fado, a music genre so integral to the Portuguese experience that UNESCO recognizes it as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

Many traditional Fado clubs are in Alfama, and you can oftentimes hear fado music lofting in the streets. Whether you’re in the mood for a full-on fado restaurant (where you get a traditional meal served alongside a three-hour-or-longer fado performance), or you’re just in the mood for a glass of albariño at the local watering hole where you can hear up-and-coming fadistas give an impromptu performance, be sure to work some fado music into your schedule. Here’s a list of Lisbon’s treasured fado hot spots. And if fado music might not be your scene, you’re in luck! Alfama is the best neighborhood to try ginjinha, a sweet cherry liqueur famous in Lisbon. So find a spot to sit back, relax and sip some ginjinha.

Start the day with a short metro or uber ride to the Belém district where you will find some of the most iconic and awe-inspiring architecture in all of Lisbon. Situated 7 miles west of central Lisbon and sometimes called a “suburb”, Belém is a pleasant place for waterfront wandering. It is considered the birthplace of the Age of Discovery so you can expect a lot of seafaring exploration monuments and motifs to be found here. Start your day down by Belém Tower, perhaps the most famous image of Lisbon. Located directly in the Tagus riverfront this tower and the area around it used to be a bustling port in the 16^th century. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and free to visit but to enter and explore inside the tower, it will cost you 6 Euros. This is a popular place to enjoy a breathtaking sunset and it is considered by many to be a must-see destination in Lisbon.

After you’ve enjoyed some time along the river, head inland a bit to explore Jeronimos Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site pays homage to Portugal’s riches and expansion during the Age of Discovery. The building’s exterior is designed to emphasize the empire’s wealth during this time. Inside you will find many maritime motifs throughout and the tombs of ancient explorers like Vasco da Gama a 19^th century navigator. You’ll also find lots of azulejos or homemade, glazed tiles which the city is quite famous for.

Spend the second part of the day or even just the evening in Barrio Alto, Lisbon’s district that is all about the good times. This is the vibiest neighborhood we explored, and its narrow streets are loaded with bars and incredible restaurants. In Barrio Alto you will find Manteigaria, a tiny pastéis de nata factory that serves up pastel de natas that rival the famous shop in Belém. Stop by to enjoy the art nouveau façade and sip a traditional Portuguese drink like ginjinha and port wine.

There’s no shortage of places and sights to explore in Lisbon but you may very well find yourself short on time to see and experience it all. We hope this detailed 48 hour or 2-Day guide serves you well. We wish you a wonderful, jam-packed time in Lisboa!

~ Alyssa + Justin