Lisbon is Europe’s sunlit western gateway, a hilltop capital layered with Moorish roots, maritime glory, and a creative present. It was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake in elegant Baixa grids, yet Alfama’s medieval lanes still cling to the castle like ivy—and that contrast is the city’s magic.

Expect azulejo tiles on convent walls, yellow trams rattling past jacarandas, and miradouros (viewpoints) that turn every sunset into an event. From Belém’s Jerónimos Monastery and Tower to the bold curves of MAAT, Lisbon reads like an art-and-history walk along the Tagus.

Practical notes: buy a Viva Viagem card for metro, tram, and ferry; Lisbon’s hills and cobblestones call for good shoes. Pickpockets work the packed Tram 28, so keep essentials secure. Reserve popular restaurants and Fado clubs ahead—this is a city where dinner lingers late, and music lingers longer.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a patchwork of neighborhoods: Alfama and Mouraria for fado and viewpoints, Baixa and Chiado for grand squares and shopping, Bairro Alto for nightlife, Belém for Portugal’s Age-of-Discovery landmarks, and riverside Alcântara for LX Factory’s creative scene.

Top highlights include São Jorge Castle, the National Tile Museum, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower (both UNESCO), MAAT’s riverside rooftop, the Oceanário at Parque das Nações, and a day trip to Sintra’s palaces and Cabo da Roca—the western edge of continental Europe.

• Where to stay (handpicked options): • Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic glamour, park views) Book on Hotels.com • Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (resort-like pool in a 19th‑century palace) Book on Hotels.com • Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (family-friendly apartments in Chiado) Book on Hotels.com • Lisbon Destination Hostel (budget-chic inside Rossio Station) Book on Hotels.com
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Lisbon | VRBO – Lisbon Apartments
• Getting in and around: For European flights, compare on Omio (Flights in Europe). Coming from outside Europe, check Trip.com (Global Flights). Trains and buses around Portugal are easy to scan via Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). The metro from the airport to Baixa/Chiado takes ~25 minutes; rideshares are widely available.

Day 1: Baixa & Chiado Welcome, Elevators, and a Rooftop Sunset

Morning: Fly into Lisbon. For Europe-based routes, search fares via Omio (Flights); for intercontinental options, use Trip.com. Land and take the metro (red line) or a rideshare to your hotel. Drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Start in elegant Baixa: stroll Praça do Comércio’s arcades and Rua Augusta’s triumphal arch. Pop into Manteigaria for a still-warm pastel de nata and an espresso—the bell rings when trays emerge from the oven. Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa to the viewing platform, then wander into Chiado’s bookshops and boutiques.

Evening: Dinner at Time Out Market Lisboa to sample from multiple chefs under one roof—try seafood at Sea Me, a prego sandwich from O Prego da Peixaria, and a custard tart encore at Manteigaria. For a golden-hour toast, head to Topo Chiado near the Carmo Convent ruins or the PARK rooftop perched atop a car park. If energy allows, a slow amble through Bairro Alto’s lanes sets the Lisbon mood.

Day 2: Tuk-Tuk Overview, Belém’s Age of Discovery, and Riverfront Dining

Morning: Fuel up at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (specialty beans, minimalist vibe) or Dear Breakfast (Chiado) with eggs, açai, and filter coffee. Then get your bearings on a lively city overview:

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

Skim Alfama’s lanes, Graca viewpoints, and downtown squares with stories that stitch the city together—perfect early in your trip.

Afternoon: Tram 15E or rideshare to Belém. Visit Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower (note: both typically closed Mondays). Bite into the original custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém—sprinkle cinnamon like a local. Walk the river past the Discoveries Monument to MAAT (closed Tuesdays) and climb its rooftop for a sweeping Tagus view.

Evening: Dine nearby at O Frade (modern Alentejo dishes—black pork, migas, excellent wine list) or return to the center for classic seafood at Solar dos Presuntos (book ahead). Nightcap on the terrace at Sky Bar overlooking Avenida da Liberdade.

Day 3: Alfama, Castle Views, Azulejos, and Fado

Morning: Beat the crowds on Tram 28 from Baixa toward Graça; validate your Viva Viagem card and keep valuables close. Climb to São Jorge Castle for Roman-to-Moorish layers and grand river views, then descend to Lisbon Cathedral (Sé) and the bougainvillea-framed Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

Afternoon: Taxi or bus to the National Tile Museum inside a 16th‑century convent—Portugal’s story told in cobalt and clay. For lunch, choose between Zé da Mouraria (legendary bacalhau portions; casual, reservations recommended) or O Velho Eurico (hearty plates and lively atmosphere).

Evening: Experience Fado where it was born. Book dinner-and-music at Clube de Fado (Alfama) or the intimate Mesa de Frades in a former chapel. Etiquette: silence during songs; applause from the heart. If you prefer a drink after, slip into Pavilhão Chinês, a time-capsule bar filled with whimsical antiques.

Day 4: Full-Day Sintra and Cascais (Palaces, Cliffs, and Seaside)

Trade city hills for forested mountains and the Atlantic. This small-group tour handles transport and timing, which is valuable at popular palaces:

Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Marvel at Pena Palace atop its misty ridge, wander the mystical wells of Quinta da Regaleira, stand at Cabo da Roca (the continent’s edge), and enjoy the seaside promenade in Cascais. If you’re DIY: the train from Rossio to Sintra takes ~40 minutes, about €2.50 each way, with frequent departures.

Day 5: Oceanário, Gulbenkian Art, and Cocktails After Dark

Morning: Breakfast at The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese brunch, excellent flat whites) or Copenhagen Coffee Lab (sourdough and Scandinavian bakes). Head to Parque das Nações for the Oceanário, one of Europe’s best aquariums—kids and adults linger at the central tank as sunfish glide by.

Afternoon: Lunch riverside at D’Bacalhau (try cod four ways). Then cross town to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum—a serene collection from Egyptian artifacts to modern Portuguese art, set in sculpture gardens. Stroll Avenida da Liberdade’s leafy boulevards and boutiques.

Evening: Book Prado (farm-to-table Portuguese produce, natural wines) or A Cevicheria (Chef Kiko’s Lisbon-fresh ceviche under a giant octopus installation). For cocktails, reserve Red Frog (speakeasy classics with Portuguese twists) or drop into art-deco Foxtrot.

Day 6: Food & Wine Deep Dive, LX Factory, and Nightlife in Cais do Sodré

Morning: A light start—espresso and a pastel at a neighborhood pastelaria—so you’re ready for a serious tasting tour.

Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Four sit-down stops and neighborhood stories showcase Lisbon’s culinary heart—expect petiscos, cured fish, cheeses, and regional wines.

Afternoon: Hop to LX Factory (converted warehouses, design stores, weekend markets). Browse Ler Devagar bookstore’s soaring stacks and street art in the lanes. Coffee at Wish Slow Coffee House before a riverside stroll.

Evening: Feast at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic shrimp, clams “Bulhão Pato,” goose barnacles; finish with a prego steak sandwich). Afterwards, sample Cais do Sodré’s scene: start with tinned-fish pairings at Sol e Pesca and, if you like a late one, wander along the neon of “Pink Street.”

Day 7: Principe Real, Carmo Convent, and Farewell Miradouro

Morning: Brunch at Janis (Cais do Sodré; Mediterranean-leaning plates) or Heim Café (Santos; cozy, all-day breakfast). Shop concept stores in Príncipe Real and the Moorish palace turned mall, Embaixada. Treat yourself to gelato at Nannarella (pistachio is a local favorite).

Afternoon: Step into the open-sky nave of the Carmo Convent, hauntingly beautiful since the 1755 quake. Pick up last souvenirs in Chiado and Baixa—cork goods, ceramics, and tins of conservas make packable gifts.

Evening: One last view from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte as the city blushes pink. Celebrate with a classic dinner: Taberna da Rua das Flores (daily chalkboard menu; walk-in) or Belcanto by José Avillez (two Michelin stars; reserve well ahead). End at a tiny bar for a shot of Ginjinha—Lisbon’s sweet cherry liqueur—and toast “saúde.”

Optional Logistics & Tips

• Transit passes: A 24‑hour Carris/Metro ticket is roughly €7 and covers trams (including 28), buses, and metro; top up a Viva Viagem card at stations.
• Belém timing: Jerónimos and Belém Tower typically close Mondays; MAAT closes Tuesdays—swap days in this itinerary if needed.
• Sintra on your own: Rossio–Sintra trains take ~40 minutes with departures every 15–20 minutes; palace entries sell timed slots—arrive early or consider a guided day to skip parking and lines.

Alternate/Additional Experience (if you swap a morning): Private Tuk-Tuk Overview

If you missed Day 2’s overview or want a different route, consider:

Private Lisbon Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: Alfama, Belém & More

Where to book transport and stays for this itinerary: Flights in Europe via Omio or globally via Trip.com; Portugal trains via Omio (Trains); hotels via Hotels.com – Lisbon and apartments via VRBO – Lisbon.

Summary: In a week, you’ll trace Lisbon’s story from castle ramparts to Belém’s maritime stonework, taste your way through markets and wine bars, and stand atop Atlantic cliffs on the Sintra–Cascais loop. The city’s miradouros bookend each day with painterly light—exactly why so many travelers fall for Lisbon and return.