Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest capitals, shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and the seafaring ambitions of the Age of Discovery. Its seven hills are laced with azulejo-clad façades, rattling trams, and miradouros that glow at sunset. From Moorish ramparts to cutting-edge museums, the city melds history and modernity with effortless style.

Expect days that move at a humane pace: espresso at the counter, a tram ride along the river, a long lunch of grilled seafood, then golden hour at a viewpoint and a late dinner capped by a shot of ginginha. Cuisine runs from tasca comfort (bifanas, bacalhau à Brás, piri‑piri chicken) to creative kitchens and wine bars pouring Douro, Dão, and Alentejo greats.

Practical notes: Lisbon’s cobbles are steep—pack shoes with grip and use the metro, trams, and funiculars. Museums often close on Mondays; book popular restaurants and fado houses. To arrive: flights reach LIS from all over Europe and beyond. Within Portugal, trains and buses are frequent and great value.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s neighborhoods each have a personality. Alfama is the medieval heart, all lanes and laundry, crowned by Castelo de São Jorge. Baixa and Chiado form the elegant downtown grid rebuilt after the 1755 quake. Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real brim with restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife; Belém preserves Portugal’s maritime glory.

• Top sights: Castelo de São Jorge, Sé Cathedral, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT, National Tile Museum, Oceanário de Lisboa, LX Factory, Miradouros da Senhora do Monte and São Pedro de Alcântara.
• What to eat: Pastéis de nata (custard tarts), grilled sardines (June fest favorite), octopus salad, cataplana, and any bacalhau rendition. Pair with vinho verde, Douro reds, or a glass of tawny port.
• Fun facts: Tram 28’s route dates back a century; the city’s “Portuguese pavement” mosaics are hand-laid; Lisbon averages 280+ sunny days a year.

Where to stay (handpicked, all with pool/character or prime location):

• Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon — art deco touches above Parque Eduardo VII, stellar spa and rooftop running track.
• Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel — 19th‑century palace in leafy Lapa with river views and gardens.
• Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites — apartment-style suites steps from Chiado, ideal for families.
• Lisbon Destination Hostel — budget-friendly, stylish digs inside Rossio Station’s historic building.

Browse more stays: VRBO Lisbon | Hotels.com Lisbon

Getting in and around: For flights within Europe, compare on Omio Flights (Europe); from outside Europe, try Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Typical times: London–Lisbon ~2h45; Paris–Lisbon ~2h30; NYC–Lisbon ~6h45 nonstop. From the airport, metro to Baixa takes ~25 minutes; taxis/ride-hail ~20–30 minutes. For European trains/buses into Portugal, use Omio Trains and Omio Buses (e.g., Porto–Lisbon ~2h50 by train).

Day 1 — Arrival, Baixa & Chiado, Fado Night

Afternoon: Land in Lisbon, drop bags, and take a gentle loop through Baixa’s grid to Chiado. Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa for a first panorama, then walk to the Arco da Rua Augusta for a view over Praça do Comércio and the Tagus. Snack on a still‑warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria (watch them torch the tops) and sip a quick shot of cherry liqueur at A Ginjinha near Rossio.

Evening: Seafood feast at Cervejaria Ramiro (order scarlet prawns, garlic clams, and finish with a prego steak sandwich) or book Solar dos Presuntos for Minho-style rice with monkfish and prawns. Cap the night with live fado in Alfama—try Clube de Fado or Tasca do Chico for intimate sets. Nightcap at Pavilhão Chinês, a quirky bar-museum lined with vintage curios.

Day 2 — Alfama, Castelo, and a Tuk Tuk Orientation

Morning: Flat white at Fábrica Coffee Roasters or sourdough and filter brew at Copenhagen Coffee Lab. Wander Alfama’s alleys up to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, then climb to Castelo de São Jorge for Moorish walls and citywide views. Step into the Sé Cathedral to feel Lisbon’s medieval core.

Afternoon: See more, faster, on a private tuk tuk. Book the True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local! to sweep through Alfama, Graça, Mouraria, Chiado, and scenic miradouros with local stories and photo stops.

Late lunch options: Chapitô à Mesa for castle‑side views and grilled fish, or Zé da Mouraria for rustic, generous cod and pork dishes (arrive early; it fills up).

Evening: Sunset at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Dinner at Taberna da Rua das Flores (ever-changing small plates; put your name down early) or the produce-led Prado. For cocktails, descend to Red Frog Speakeasy (reservations recommended) or sip under the stars at PARK, a rooftop bar atop a garage.

Day 3 — Belém’s Monuments and a Food & Wine Trail

Morning: Tram 15E or train to Belém. Start with a pastel at Pastéis de Belém, using the back room for a seat. Tour Jerónimos Monastery’s Manueline cloisters, then stroll to the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower along the river. Note: major museums often close on Mondays—swap days if needed.

Afternoon: Explore MAAT’s swooping riverside architecture and contemporary exhibitions, then walk the pedestrian roof for views. Coffee break at À Margem, a minimalist café right on the Tagus. If you fancy a mini-escape, ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and lunch at Ponto Final, a jetty restaurant with Lisbon’s skyline as your backdrop.

Evening: Join the city’s best-reviewed tasting walk: Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe. Expect four proper dine‑in stops across Baixa and Mouraria—think petiscos, artisanal charcuterie, and regional wines—plus street art lore and neighborhood history.

Day 4 — Sintra & Cascais Day Trip (Full-Day)

Trade city hills for fairy‑tale palaces and Atlantic cliffs on this small‑group excursion: Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon. You’ll wind through Sintra’s historic center, visit colorful Pena Palace and mystical Quinta da Regaleira, stand at windswept Cabo da Roca (continental Europe’s westernmost point), and stroll the seaside in Cascais before returning to Lisbon.

DIY alternative: train from Rossio to Sintra ~40 min via Omio Trains, then local buses/taxis up the hill; consider pre-booked palace tickets to skip lines. Wear layers—Sintra runs cooler and foggier than Lisbon.

Day 5 — Oceanário, Parque das Nações, and LX Factory

Morning: Brunch at Dear Breakfast (eggs Benedict, fluffy pancakes) or The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese plates and excellent espresso). Head to Parque das Nações: admire Santiago Calatrava’s Oriente Station, ride the Telecabine cable car, and visit the Oceanário—one of Europe’s finest aquariums with a mesmerizing central tank.

Afternoon: Shift to LX Factory, a creative hub in a former industrial complex. Browse Ler Devagar bookstore’s towering shelves, sip a flat white at Wish Slow Coffee House, and check local design studios and street art. Late lunch at Cantina LX (wood-fired oven, rustic pastas and salads) or A Praça (market-style plates).

Evening: Golden hour on the riverfront near Cais do Sodré, then dinner at Sea Me (modern fish market restaurant—try the nigiri of Portuguese fish and razor clam rice) or Pap’Açorda (classic Portuguese upstairs at Time Out Market; famed for “açorda” bread stew). Drinks at TOPO Chiado with the Carmo Convent as a backdrop.

Day 6 — Tiles, Gardens, and Nightlife

Morning: Explore the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum—masterpieces from Egypt to Impressionists, plus a landscaped garden perfect for a stroll. Walk (or metro one stop) to Parque Eduardo VII for a broad city vista. Coffee and a pastel de nata at nearby Eric Kayser or Padaria Portuguesa.

Afternoon: Uber or bus to the National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo), housed in a 16th‑century convent. Don’t miss the 23‑meter panorama of Lisbon in tiles (pre‑1755). Lunch afterward at A Casa do Bacalhau for cod five ways or head back to Avenida da Liberdade for seafood at Cervejaria Ribadouro.

Evening: Dinner in Príncipe Real: A Cevicheria (Peruvian‑Portuguese mashup; the octopus with “leite de tigre” is a crowd favorite) or Tasca da Esquina (seasonal petiscos). For late night, Musicbox (indie/electro under the pink street) or Lux Frágil by the river (multiple rooms; check the lineup).

Day 7 — Tram 28, Markets, and Farewell

Morning: Beat the crowds by boarding Tram 28 at its Campo de Ourique terminus for a scenic loop through Graça and Alfama—grab a window perch. Hop off at Campo de Ourique Market for coffee and flaky pastries from Confeitaria Aloma (award‑winning nata). If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, pop by Feira da Ladra, a historic flea market.

Afternoon: Last‑minute shopping in Chiado at A Vida Portuguesa (heritage goods), Vista Alegre (porcelain), or Bertrand (the world’s oldest operating bookstore). Quick lunch: a bifana pork sandwich at O Trevo or a prego at Rui dos Pregos, then transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Local tips for a smooth week: Buy a 24‑hour Viva Viagem pass to cover trams/metro/funiculars. Keep an eye on your bag on Tram 28 and in crowded squares. Many restaurants seat late; if you see queues, add your name and enjoy a nearby aperitif. For intercity add‑ons before/after Lisbon (e.g., Porto, Évora), check schedules and prices on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Recap: In one week you’ve climbed castle walls, traced Portugal’s golden age in Belém, tasted Lisbon through markets and taverns, and wandered the palaces of Sintra before sunsets over the Tagus. Lisbon lingers—in the chords of fado, the crackle of a just‑baked nata, and the light that makes every tile shimmer. Until next time.