Lisbon, Portugal’s sunlit capital, has risen stoically from centuries of maritime glory and the 1755 earthquake to become a city of tiles, trams, and terraced viewpoints. Expect steep cobblestone lanes, fado music drifting from doorways, and a skyline punctuated by castle walls and church domes. Food lovers find refuge in tascas and modern tabernas, while Atlantic beaches and palaces sit an easy day trip away.

History is layered here: Phoenician roots, Moorish fortifications, the Age of Discoveries, and a modern creative pulse in districts like LX Factory and Marvila. You’ll glide by Manueline monuments in Belém, explore labyrinthine Alfama, and chase sunsets along the Tagus before swapping city stones for the golden sands of Cascais and Carcavelos.

Practical notes: Lisbon is hilly—pack comfortable shoes and expect stairs. Keep an eye out for pickpockets on crowded trams and in tourist hubs. Book popular sights and restaurants ahead, especially in peak season. Seafood is king, pastel de nata is non-negotiable, and the “prato do dia” lunch specials stretch your budget nicely.

Lisbon

Portugal’s cliff-and-river capital is a mood: tiled facades, vintage Tram 28 rattling past pastel buildings, and miradouros (viewpoints) catching peachy sunsets. The best days here mix hilltop wandering, waterfront rides, and detours to palaces and beaches.

• Top sights: Castelo de São Jorge, Alfama, Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery and Tower, MAAT museum, LX Factory, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Time Out Market Lisboa.
• Active hits: Tuk-tuk and e-quad tours, coastal bike rides in Cascais, surfing at Carcavelos or Costa da Caparica.
• Food highlights: Grilled sardines, clams “à Bulhão Pato,” piri-piri chicken, bifanas, and of course, pastel de nata.
• Fun fact: Lisbon claims more hours of sunshine than most European capitals—great for rooftop bars and riverside walks.

Where to stay

• Search apartments and houses: VRBO Lisbon
• Compare hotels by neighborhood: Hotels.com Lisbon
• Specific picks: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (resort-like city stay and sweeping views), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (historic river-view retreat), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (aparthotel in Chiado), Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget-friendly in Rossio Station).

Getting there & around

• Flights: Most European capitals reach Lisbon in 1.5–3 hours. Search and book on Omio (Flights). Expect ~€60–€200 one-way from hubs like London or Paris in shoulder season.
• Trains & regional transport: For day trips and suburban lines (e.g., Lisbon–Cascais, ~35 minutes, ~€2–€3 each way), see Omio (Trains). Long-distance buses (often cheaper) are on Omio (Buses).
• Ferries across the Tagus (e.g., Cais do Sodré–Cacilhas, ~10 minutes, ~€1–€3) via Omio (Ferries).

Day 1: Arrival, Riverfront First Tastes, and Sunset Tuk-Tuk

Afternoon: Land, check in, and shake off the flight with a riverside stroll from Praça do Comércio to Cais do Sodré. Coffee and a first pastel de nata at Manteigaria (watch them torch the tops). If you’re hungry, graze at Time Out Market—try O Surf & Turf (pica-pau), Manteigaria Silva (cured meats), and Santini (classic gelato) for a snackable intro to Portuguese flavors.

Evening: Get oriented the fun way with a tuk-tuk ride that threads the hills, viewpoints, and backstreets. Book the True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local! for golden-hour views and local storytelling.

Night: Dinner in Chiado at Bairro do Avillez (petiscos in Taberna or seafood in Páteo; book ahead). For a more casual start, hit Cervejaria Trindade (beer hall in a former monastery) for grilled fish and steaks. Drinks at PARK rooftop (garage-top garden bar) for bridge-and-river views, or cocktail classics at Foxtrot (since 1970s, art-deco vibe).

Day 2: Alfama & Mouraria, Castle Views, and a Food Tour

Morning: Espresso and cardamom bun at Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Alfama) or single-origin pour-over at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (Rua das Portas de Santo Antão). Walk up to Sé Cathedral, then wind the alleys to Castelo de São Jorge—linger at Miradouro de Santa Luzia for azulejo-clad arcades and river views. Early lunch: Zé da Mouraria (hearty daily specials; arrive before 12:30) or Chapitô à Mesa for grilled octopus and a postcard vista.

Afternoon: Dive deeper with the Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe. It’s a sit-down, multi-stop feast through Baixa/Alfama with regional wines—great storytelling and a smart way to taste beyond the obvious.

Evening: Experience fado in Alfama. Book Clube de Fado for a classic performance after dinner (cod “à Brás,” Alentejo pork), or opt for Sr. Fado de Alfama (intimate, home-style cooking with soulful sets). Nightcap at Duque Brewpub (Portuguese craft beers) or a ginjinha shot near Rossio for a sweet local ritual.

Day 3: Belém Monuments, Waterfront Museums, and LX Factory

Morning: Take tram 15E or taxi to Belém. Start at Jerónimos Monastery (ornate cloisters; arrive at opening) and the Monument to the Discoveries. Grab a warm pastel at Pastéis de Belém, the original since 1837. Coffee tip: Bica at their stand-up counter is fast and delicious.

Afternoon: Stroll the river to Belém Tower, then cross to MAAT for contemporary art and a rooftop panorama. Lunch nearby at O Frade (Alentejano comfort in small plates) or Pão Pão Queijo Queijo (quick pita-style sandwiches). Continue to LX Factory—browse Ler Devagar bookstore and local design shops.

Evening: Dinner at 1300 Taberna (market-driven Portuguese) or A Praça (petiscos to share) inside LX Factory. For late drinks, Rio Maravilha serves sunset cocktails with 25 de Abril Bridge views; alternatively, head back to the city for Red Frog Speakeasy (reservation recommended; creative, award-winning cocktails).

Day 4: Full-Day Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais (Fairy-Tale Palaces + Ocean Cliffs)

Today is a full-day excursion to palaces, forests, and the coast. Book the Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca & Cascais small-group tour for efficient skip-the-line entry and insider history. Expect Pena Palace’s technicolor turrets, mystic gardens at Quinta da Regaleira, windswept cliffs at Europe’s westernmost point, and a gelato or beach stroll in Cascais.

Back in Lisbon, reward yourself with dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic clams, scarlet shrimp, and a humble prego steak sandwich for dessert). If there’s a wait, grab a number and a beer—turnover is brisk.

Day 5: Beach Day—Carcavelos Surf + Cascais Coastal Ride

Morning: Take the coastal train from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos (~25–35 minutes, ~€2–€3 each way; check schedules/prices on Omio (Trains)). Rent a board or book a surf lesson on the wide sandy beach; calmer option: a dip and lounge with a galao from the beach kiosks.

Afternoon: Continue by train to Cascais (~10 minutes) for a seaside lunch at Mar do Inferno (grilled fish, sea views) or House of Wonders (veggie-friendly rooftop). Rent bikes and cruise the oceanfront path to Guincho Beach—expect Atlantic swells, dunes, and a brisk breeze; stop at Boca do Inferno for wave-battered cliffs.

Evening: Return to Lisbon for dinner at Sea Me – Peixaria Moderna (market-style seafood and sushi with a Portuguese accent). Nightlife-option: Lux Frágil on the river (multi-room club, excellent sound) or a calmer sip at By the Wine (Portuguese wines by the glass).

Day 6: Urban Adventure—E-Quads, Street Art, and Craft Beer

Morning: See Lisbon’s historic heart the eco way on the Old Lisbon: Private Guided Tour by Electric Quad & Tuk Tuk. You’ll zip up to miradouros without breaking a sweat and catch stories you’d miss on your own.

Afternoon: Explore Marvila and Beato, Lisbon’s creative east side. Wander warehouse galleries and sample local brews—Cerveja Musa and Dois Corvos pour playful IPAs and sours. Late lunch at Da Beatriz (Portuguese comfort plates) or Refeitório do Senhor Abel (if open; simple, hearty fare).

Evening: Dinner at Prado near the Sé—farm-to-table Portuguese (iberico presa, seasonal veggies, excellent natural wines). For cocktails, book Red Frog Speakeasy (try the Bitter Presidente) or swing by Ático Rooftop for a nightcap with views.

Day 7: Last Look—Principe Real, Nata Masterclass, and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Brunch in Príncipe Real at Fauna & Flora (pancakes, shakshuka) or Dear Breakfast (eggs in many forms). Stroll Jardim do Príncipe Real, peek into Embaixada (design boutiques in a neo-Moorish palace), and, if it’s Tuesday or Saturday, browse Feira da Ladra flea market in Alfama for azulejos and vintage finds.

Late Morning / Midday: Learn to bake Lisbon’s iconic custard tart at the Pastel de Nata Masterclass at a Real Bakery—set in a working kitchen with pastry chef guidance, and you keep the recipe.

Afternoon (departure): Quick farewell bites at Time Out Market—consider a bifana from O Prego da Peixaria or custard tart encore—then head to the airport. If you have an extra hour, a final miradouro moment at São Pedro de Alcântara wraps the week with a panorama.

Extra day-trip idea (if you swap a beach day): Ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (~10 minutes; Omio (Ferries)), taxi up to Cristo Rei for sweeping city views, then a long lazy seafood lunch and sunset at Ponto Final right on the water.

Money & timing tips: Load a Viva Viagem card for tram/metro/train discounts. Many restaurants take reservations by phone or Instagram DM—book Ramiro, Prado, and fado venues in advance. “Menu do dia” lunches (~€12–€18) are value-packed, leaving budget for a tuk-tuk tour or surf lesson.

Travel booking quick links: Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains), Omio (Buses), Omio (Ferries). Stays: VRBO Lisbon and Hotels.com Lisbon.

In a week, you’ll have traced Lisbon from castle to quay, tasted its kitchens, and chased ocean light along Cascais and Sintra’s ridgelines. This adventurous city-and-coast itinerary balances must-see monuments with beaches, viewpoints, and neighborhood character—the Lisbon many return to, and the one locals love.