Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest capitals, shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and the Age of Discoveries. The 1755 earthquake remade the city into today’s airy Baixa grid while hilltop Alfama kept its medieval maze. Expect sunlit viewpoints, cobbled lanes, azulejo tiles, and seafood just pulled from the Atlantic.

This 4-day Lisbon itinerary balances top sights—Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and Castelo de São Jorge—with local life: tram rides, markets, small tasca meals, and fado at night. You’ll also venture to Sintra’s palaces and wild coast, a classic day trip that feels straight out of a fairy tale.

Wear cushioned shoes for hills and calçada cobblestones, and carry a contactless card for quick metro and tram payments. Watch your belongings on Tram 28 and in crowded squares, book timed tickets for major sites when possible, and don’t leave without a still-warm pastel de nata dusted with cinnamon.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of light—literally. The Tagus River throws a silvery glow on white limestone squares, golden-stone monasteries, and red-tiled roofs. Explore distinct neighborhoods: Alfama’s fado and miradouros, Chiado’s literary cafes, Baixa’s grand boulevards, and Belém’s Manueline masterpieces.

• Iconic sights: Castelo de São Jorge, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Elevador de Santa Justa, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, MAAT, National Tile Museum.
• Can’t-miss neighborhoods: Alfama, Mouraria, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Belém, Príncipe Real, and creative LX Factory.
• Eat & drink: Grilled sardines, amêijoas à Bulhão Pato clams, bifana pork sandwiches, arroz de marisco seafood rice, and a shot of cherry ginjinha near Rossio.
• Local tip: Ride Tram 28 early morning to avoid queues; consider a 24-hour public transport pass (~€7) if you’ll use metro, trams, and elevators in one day.

Getting to Lisbon (LIS): Most travelers fly into Humberto Delgado Airport. From within Europe, compare fares and times on Omio flights (typical 1.5–3 hours from Madrid, Paris, London; fares often €50–€150). If you’re coming from outside Europe, check long-haul options on Trip.com flights. Airport to Baixa/Chiado by metro takes ~30 minutes; taxis and rideshares are ~20 minutes off-peak.

Arriving by rail or bus: From Porto to Lisbon: high-speed Alfa Pendular ~2h50 from Campanhã to Santa Apolónia or Oriente (~€15–€35) via Omio trains. From Faro: ~3–3.5 hours (~€12–€25). Buses like Rede Expressos connect major cities (often €10–€25) via Omio buses.

Where to stay (hand-picked):

• Classic luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon — modern art, park views, and a rooftop running track.
• Palatial retreat: Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel — landscaped gardens and a calm, residential vibe.
• Family favorite: Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites — apartment-style living with kids’ club.
• Design-forward budget: Lisbon Destination Hostel — in Rossio’s historic train station, central and social.
• Browse more: Apartments and unique stays on VRBO Lisbon or hotels on Hotels.com Lisbon.

Day 1: Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama at Sunset

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and stretch your legs with a gentle Baixa-to-Chiado loop: Rossio Square’s wave-patterned pavement, Rua Augusta’s arcades, and the neo-Gothic Elevador de Santa Justa for skyline views. Pause at A Ginjinha near Rossio for a tiny cup of cherry liqueur—Lisbon’s sweetest welcome.

Evening: Wander into Alfama for your first miradouro moment at Santa Luzia or Portas do Sol as the Terracotta rooftops glow. Dinner options: O Velho Eurico (hearty petiscos in Mouraria), Zé da Mouraria (grilled fish and pork steaks; portions are generous), or Taberna da Rua das Flores (daily chalkboard of seasonal dishes—arrive early or expect a wait).

Night: Experience live fado in Alfama or Bairro Alto. Clube de Fado offers polished performances with traditional dishes; Tasca do Chico is intimate and often features amateur fadistas dropping in. Cap the night with a rooftop drink at PARK (on a parking garage) or Sky Bar atop Avenida Liberdade for sparkling river views.

Day 2: Tuk Tuk, Belém’s Monuments, and Tagus Sunset

Morning: Kickstart with specialty coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (Chiado or Rossio), Hello, Kristof (Scandi-leaning), or The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch). Then get oriented the easy way on a private tuk tuk—your driver glides up Alfama and Graça hills to hidden lanes and viewpoints.

• True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!

  

  Ideal on Day 2 to cover Alfama, Graça, Chiado, and Bairro Alto efficiently, with stories layered in. Expect photo stops at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and time to peek into tiled backstreets.

Afternoon: Head to Belém for Lisbon’s Age of Discoveries landmarks. Visit Jerónimos Monastery (allow 60–90 minutes; timed entry recommended; ~€10–€15), stroll to Belém Tower, and pop into MAAT for contemporary architecture and riverfront shots. Refuel at Pastéis de Belém with still-warm custard tarts—cinnamon and powdered sugar on top is the classic.

Evening: Return riverside for golden hour. Board a sailboat to watch the city shift to pinks and golds, gliding beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge and past the Cristo Rei statue. Bring a light jacket—river breezes can be cool even in summer.

• Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour with White or Rosé Wine and Snacks

  

  A relaxed, photogenic sail on the Tagus with a glass in hand—arguably the most romantic way to see Belém’s riverside icons.

Dinner ideas: Near Cais do Sodré, try Time Out Market for grazing—hit Marisqueira Azul for seafood, Pap’Açorda upstairs for a refined take on classics, and a Manteigaria pastel for dessert. Or book Solar dos Presuntos for impeccable shellfish and rice dishes.

Day 3: Sintra Palaces and the Atlantic Edge (Full-Day Tour)

Trade city hills for forested mountains and storybook palaces. This small-group tour weaves together Pena Palace (Romanticist fantasia), Quinta da Regaleira (mystical wells and gardens), Cabo da Roca (continental Europe’s westernmost point), and Cascais for seaside strolls. It’s a big day, but routes and timing are handled for you—no parking headaches at Pena.

• Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

  

  Expect hotel pickup, expert guidance, and time to explore Sintra’s lanes. Bring layers—Sintra’s microclimate runs cooler than Lisbon—and comfortable walking shoes.

Dinner back in Lisbon: Celebrate with seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro (order scarlet shrimp, garlic clams, and end with a prego steak sandwich), or choose Bairro do Avillez for contemporary Portuguese plates in a lively, multi-space setting.

Day 4: Tiles, Tram 28, and Last Bites

Morning: Early coffee and a pastel at Manteigaria (several branches) before riding Tram 28 from Martim Moniz or Graça—go early to snag a seat and beat the crowds. Continue to the National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo) housed in a former convent, where you’ll trace Portugal’s azulejo story from Moorish beginnings to 20th-century panels (~60–90 minutes; ~€8–€10).

Afternoon (departure day): If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, stop by Feira da Ladra flea market for vintage finds and ceramics. Grab a quick lunch near Mouraria—try a bifana pork sandwich hot off the griddle, or sit down for grilled dourada (sea bream) with salad and boiled potatoes at a neighborhood tasca. Head back to your hotel for luggage and make for the airport or station.

Alternatively (for food lovers with a later flight): Swap in a late-morning/early-afternoon guided tasting walk to dive deeper into Lisbon’s culinary neighborhoods.

• Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

  

  Four sit-down stops, local wines, and street-art sprinkled in—an excellent finale that unlocks the city’s lesser-known flavors.

Lunch picks (today or earlier in the trip): Time Out Market for variety in one place; O Trevo on Largo Camões for classic bifanas; Sea Me in Chiado for sushi-meets-taberna seafood; Príncipe do Calhariz for charcoal-grilled meats and fish.

Coffee and sweets to-go: Copenhagen Coffee Lab (multiple spots), Betina Corallo for bean-to-bar chocolate in Principe Real, and a final pastel de nata for the journey.

Optional extra (if you skipped the tuk tuk):

• Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk

  

  A concise 2-hour overview that still hits Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and key viewpoints—great if your schedule is tight.

In four days, you’ll have climbed Lisbon’s hills, traced Portugal’s maritime past in Belém, roamed Sintra’s fairytale estates, and tasted your way through soulful neighborhoods. Keep this itinerary handy—it balances headline sights with local flavor, and it’s easy to adapt on a return visit.