Lisbon, Portugal’s sunlit capital, has been rebuilt and reimagined since the 1755 earthquake, yet its soul remains etched in blue-and-white azulejos and the melancholic notes of Fado. From Phoenicians to Romans to Age of Discovery mariners, layers of history spill down seven hills to the Tagus, where the city’s past meets modern design, world-class cuisine, and a thriving arts scene.

You’ll explore Alfama’s medieval lanes, Belém’s monuments to explorers, and the creative repurposed warehouses of LX Factory. Day trips whisk you to Sintra’s storybook palaces and to the dramatic cliffs of Nazaré, with a medieval stop in Óbidos. Along the way, expect long, golden sunsets from miradouros, freshly grilled seafood, and more pasteis de nata than you planned.

Practical notes: Lisbon is walkable but hilly—use the metro, trams, and elevators to save your legs. Book major sights (Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace) in advance, and ride tram 28 early to avoid crowds. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for excellent service). Always keep an eye on belongings on public transport and in busy squares.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of viewpoints and vignettes: laundry lines fluttering in Alfama, the clack of tiles in the wind, and the gleam of the 25 de Abril Bridge. You’ll taste Portugal in cod done five ways, sip a tart cherry ginjinha on a corner, and watch the river turn copper at dusk.

• Top Sights: Castelo de São Jorge, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT, Praça do Comércio, Carmo Convent ruins, Oceanário de Lisboa.
• Neighborhoods to Know: Alfama (old-town maze and Fado), Chiado (elegant cafés, shopping), Bairro Alto (nightlife), Belém (monuments and museums), Parque das Nações (modern waterfront), Príncipe Real (boutiques and gardens).
• Fun to Try: Tuk-tuk tour over the hills, food and wine walking tour, tram 28 at sunrise, a Tagus sunset sail, and day trips to Sintra and the Silver Coast.

Where to stay (hand-picked and central):

• Search stays on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (spa, park views, classic service): Book on Hotels.com
• Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (19th‑century palace, pool, leafy Lapa): Book on Hotels.com
• Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (kitchenettes, family-friendly in Chiado): Book on Hotels.com
• Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget and social vibe in Rossio): Book on Hotels.com

Getting there and around:

• Flights within/to/from Europe: compare on Omio. Typical nonstop times: London–Lisbon ~2h45 (often $60–$180), Paris–Lisbon ~2h30, Barcelona–Lisbon ~1h50.
• Trains and buses in Europe (e.g., Porto–Lisbon 2h50 by Alfa Pendular, from ~€12–30): search schedules and fares on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.
• Long-haul flights from outside Europe: check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to center: Metro Red Line to Saldanha/Baixa (~25–35 min; ~€2 including card); taxi/Bolt/Uber ~€10–20 depending on traffic. Day passes (Viva Viagem) for metro/tram/bus are ~€7–€8.

Day 1: Arrival, Baixa & Chiado First Impressions

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs in Baixa: stroll Rua Augusta to the grand Arco and Praça do Comércio for your first Tagus glimpse. Pop into Manteigaria for a warm pastel de nata with cinnamon—watch the bakers torch the tops.

Evening: Classic seafood dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro (go early or expect a list). Order amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (garlicky clams), scarlet prawns, and a bifana (yes, a pork sandwich for “dessert”). If you prefer something lighter, try Bairro do Avillez (tavern-style petiscos) or Taberna da Rua das Flores (daily chalkboard; arrive before opening). End with a rooftop drink at Park Bar, perched above a parking garage with 25 de Abril Bridge views, or sip a shot at A Ginjinha, Lisbon’s beloved sour-cherry liqueur stand.

Day 2: Alfama by Tuk-Tuk, Castles and Fado Flavors

Morning: Kick off with a neighborhood café—Hello, Kristof (Scandi-style coffee and granola) or Fábrica Coffee Roasters (rich Portuguese roasts). Then let a local zip you up the hills:

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

You’ll glide through Alfama, Graça, and Mouraria, stopping at miradouros like Nossa Senhora do Monte for picture-perfect cityscapes and learning how the city rebuilt after 1755.

Afternoon: Lunch at O Velho Eurico (unpretentious, hearty daily dishes) or Zé da Mouraria (legendary grilled fish and bacalhau). Walk up to Castelo de São Jorge for walls, peacocks, and panoramic ramparts, then step into Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) and the postcard-perfect Portas do Sol viewpoint.

Evening: Taste your way through Portuguese classics on a guided walk:

Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour

Expect petiscos, cheeses, cured meats, cod cakes, and regional wines in tucked-away tasquinhas. For a nightcap, drift to Foxtrot in Príncipe Real (classic cocktails, art deco vibe) or grab gelato at Nannarella.

Day 3: Monuments of Belém, Riverfront Design & LX Factory

Morning: Fuel up at Dear Breakfast (eggs benedict, açaí bowls) and take tram/bus or rideshare to Belém. Tour the Manueline masterpiece Jerónimos Monastery (time-slot tickets strongly advised), then taste the original Pastéis de Belém—flaky, creamy, unforgettable. Walk the riverfront to Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries for Age of Discovery lore.

Afternoon: Explore MAAT’s swooping ceramic facade and contemporary exhibits, then head to LX Factory, a creative complex of indie shops, studios, murals, and the photogenic Ler Devagar bookshop. Lunch at Cantina LX (wood-fired Alentejano comfort) or The Therapist (seasonal bowls with a healthy bent).

Evening: Graze at Time Out Market Lisboa—try Marlene Vieira’s seafood, Miguel Castro e Silva’s bacalhau à Brás, and a final pastel at Manteigaria’s stall. Watch sunset from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, then cocktails with a view at Sky Bar Tivoli or TOPO Chiado by the Carmo Convent.

Day 4: Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca & Cascais (Full-Day)

Swap city hills for fairy-tale peaks on this bestselling day trip:

Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca & Cascais from Lisbon

Wander Pena Palace’s vivid turrets and the mystical wells of Quinta da Regaleira, then stand at continental Europe’s westernmost point at Cabo da Roca before a seaside pause in Cascais. Wear comfy shoes; Sintra’s microclimate can be cool and misty—pack a light layer.

Back in Lisbon, dine at Sea Me — Peixaria Moderna (sushi-meets-seafood brasserie) or Solar dos Presuntos (old-school excellence; reserve ahead).

Day 5: Oceanfront Modernity & Museums—Parque das Nações to Azulejos

Morning: Head to Parque das Nações, the 1998 Expo site reborn as a breezy waterfront district. Visit Oceanário de Lisboa (one of Europe’s finest aquariums) and hop the Telecabine cable car for river vistas. Coffee or brunch nearby at Honest Greens (fresh market plates) before a cod-focused lunch at D’Bacalhau (try bacalhau à lagareiro).

Afternoon: Dive into tile art at the National Azulejo Museum (a highlight spanning five centuries, set in a former convent). Alternatively, art lovers can spend the afternoon at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum—one of Europe’s great private collections—in tranquil gardens.

Evening: Pre-dinner aperitivo at Topo Chiado overlooking the Carmo ruins. For dinner: Café de São Bento (Lisbon’s most-loved steak with pepper sauce), Prado (farm-to-table, natural wines), or The Green Affair (modern plant-based plates). Night owls can wander Bairro Alto’s tiny bars or slip to Pink Street in Cais do Sodré for a quick look, then call it early to rest up for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 6: Fátima, Nazaré & Óbidos—Faith, Waves, and Medieval Walls (Full-Day)

See Portugal’s center-west highlights in one scenic loop:

Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Visit Fátima’s Sanctuary, scan the Atlantic for giant winter waves at Nazaré’s lighthouse (Sitio), and circle Óbidos’ stone ramparts before a ginginha served in a chocolate cup. Expect a full day with coastal views and cobbles underfoot.

Return to Lisbon for late dinner: Cervejaria Liberdade (shellfish and steak sandwiches), Tasca da Esquina (modern Portuguese tapas), or Zunzum (creative small plates by the river).

Day 7: Markets, Miradouros, Tram 28 & Farewell Fado

Morning: Early ride on tram 28 from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique to nab a seat and avoid pickpockets. Brunch at Seagull Method Café (fluffy pancakes, eggs) or Heim Café (brunch classics with a Portuguese twist). If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, browse Feira da Ladra flea market near the National Pantheon; on other days, try Mercado de Campo de Ourique for gourmet stalls.

Afternoon: Visit the hauntingly beautiful Carmo Convent ruins and the Santa Justa Lift’s ironwork (walk the connecting platforms to avoid the queue). Shop for tasteful souvenirs: cork accessories, ceramics from A Vida Portuguesa, or an azulejo from a reputable maker (ask for certification if antique). Pause at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for one last city panorama.

Evening: Book a Fado dinner in Alfama—Clube de Fado (classic, candlelit), Parreirinha de Alfama (intimate), or Mesa de Frades (former chapel with late sets). Keep conversation hushed during songs. Close your Lisbon chapter with a riverside stroll by Praça do Comércio, the lights shimmering off the Tagus.

Optional Experiences & Practical Tips

• Prefer a shorter overview instead of a 4-hour ride? Consider: Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk for a compact, eco-friendly intro.
• Mondays: many museums (including Jerónimos/Belém sites) close—swap this day with another if needed.
• Restaurant reservations are smart for Friday–Sunday; tabernas often hold a few walk‑in spots right at opening.

How to book transport for this itinerary: For European flights and intercity trains/buses, compare on Omio, Omio Trains, and Omio Buses. If you’re flying long-haul from outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For stays, browse VRBO Lisbon and Hotels.com Lisbon, or pick from the curated hotels above.

In seven days, you’ll trace Lisbon’s story from Moorish alleys to maritime glory, taste its kitchens from tasca to chef table, and stand where Europe meets the ocean. Keep your Viva Viagem card and a sense of curiosity—Lisbon rewards both with effortless views, soulful music, and a culinary scene that lingers long after you leave.