Lisbon is a city of light and limestone, where Atlantic breezes weave through steep lanes paved with patterned calçada. Shaped by Phoenicians, Moors, and a Golden Age of explorers, the capital today is a buoyant mix of tiled façades, cutting-edge cuisine, and viewpoints that make sunsets feel cinematic.

History is never far: the 1755 earthquake reshaped downtown into grand, grid-like Baixa; Belém preserves the maritime might of the Portuguese empire; and Alfama’s maze survived almost intact, echoing with Fado in intimate taverns. Beyond the city, fairy-tale Sintra, surfy Cascais, and wave-battered Cabo da Roca await.

Practical notes: Lisbon is hilly—pack shoes with grip for slick stone streets. Pickpocketing can occur on tram 28 and crowded viewpoints. Try a pastel de nata still warm, order bacalhau (cod) in its many forms, and sip a cherry-bright ginjinha after dinner.

Lisbon

Lisbon rewards wanderers: climb to São Jorge Castle for sweeping views, hunt miradouros like Graça and Senhora do Monte, and duck into azulejo-lined churches. Belém offers Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the MAAT’s river-hugging curves; the creative pulse beats at LX Factory and in mural-streaked side streets.

Food is a headline act—seafood at classic cervejarias, modern Portuguese tasting menus, natural wine bars, and markets stacked with artisan treats. At night, listen to Fado in Alfama or Bairro Alto, then watch the Tagus glow from a rooftop.

• Top sights: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Castelo de São Jorge, Alfama, Praça do Comércio, MAAT, Oceanário, Miradouro da Graça.
• Good to know: The Viva Viagem card works on metro, buses, and trams; tram 12E is a calmer alternative to tram 28. Uber/Bolt are widely used.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon — landmark elegance with a sculpture-dotted running track on the roof. Check availability
• Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel — 19th‑century palace with tropical gardens and a serene pool. Check availability
• Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites — spacious, design-forward apartments ideal for families. Check availability
• Lisbon Destination Hostel — stylish hostel in Rossio Station with a fun atrium vibe. Check availability
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com — Lisbon | VRBO — Lisbon apartments

Getting to Lisbon: Fly into Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Compare options via Omio flights. The metro Red Line runs to downtown in ~25 minutes (cheap and frequent). Taxis/Uber/Bolt are 15–30 minutes to central neighborhoods depending on traffic.

Trains and buses: For regional or national routes (e.g., Sintra, Cascais, Porto), search schedules on Omio trains and Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Baixa & Chiado Warm‑Up

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stroll Praça do Comércio’s arcades and the riverfront at Ribeira das Naus. Grab your first pastel de nata at Manteigaria (bakers ring a bell when a tray emerges) and a bica (espresso) at nearby Fabrica Coffee Roasters.

Evening: Ride the Santa Justa Lift for golden-hour views over tiled rooftops. For dinner, try Taberna da Rua das Flores (handwritten menu of seasonal Portuguese small plates; arrive early for the queue), or book Solar dos Presuntos for classic seafood and Minho cooking—order the arroz de marisco or tiger prawns. Nightcap at Red Frog (speakeasy-style cocktails) or Pavilhão Chinês (eclectic bar-museum).

Day 2: Alfama, the Castle, and Fado

Morning: Breakfast at Fábrica Lisboa (buttery croissants, eggs on croissant toasts). Wander Alfama’s lanes toward the Sé Cathedral and climb to Castelo de São Jorge for city-and-river panoramas. Pause at Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia for iconic tile panels.

Afternoon: Snack on savory pies at Pois Café or grab petiscos at Prado Mercearia (natural wines, Portuguese cheeses). Ride tram 12E from Martim Moniz for a scenic loop with fewer crowds than 28E. Coffee at Copenhagen Coffee Lab Alfama.

Evening: Reserve a Fado dinner. Clube de Fado offers polished performances and traditional dishes; Parreirinha de Alfama is intimate and storied. If you prefer a casual vibe, Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto hosts late fado vadio. Finish with a shot of ginjinha near Rossio.

Day 3: Belém Monuments, Art, and River Sunset

Morning: Take tram 15E or a rideshare to Belém early. Tour Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline splendor) and fuel up at Pastéis de Belém—cinnamon and powdered sugar on top is the local way. Walk to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower.

Afternoon: Explore the sculptural MAAT and the MAC/CCB contemporary art museum next door. Lunch at Enoteca de Belém (petiscos and Portuguese wines) or riverside at À Margem (light plates with a breeze). Head back via the riverside path.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Topo Chiado beneath the Carmo Convent arches or at the parking‑lot rooftop Park Bar for 25 de Abril Bridge views. Dine at Zé da Mouraria (generous grilled fish, famed fried cod) or modern Portuguese at Prado (farm-to-table; book ahead).

Day 4: Tuk Tuk, LX Factory, and Bairro Alto

Morning: See a lot without the hills’ burn on a private tuk‑tuk tour. It’s fantastic for first-timers to connect neighborhoods and viewpoints with local commentary.

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

Afternoon: Taxi to LX Factory, a former industrial complex turned creative quarter. Browse Ler Devagar bookstore’s soaring stacks, street art lanes, and design studios. Lunch at Cantina LX (wood-fired Portuguese comfort dishes) or 1300 Taberna (seasonal plates, good veggie options). Espresso at Wish Slow Coffee House.

Evening: Ramble Principe Real’s boutiques and the botanical garden. Dinner at Sea Me – Peixaria Moderna (market-fresh seafood, great for sharing) or A Cevicheria (Peruvian-Portuguese mashup under a giant octopus sculpture; queue moves quickly). Gelato at Nannarella.

Day 5: Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais (Full-Day Tour)

Trade city tiles for palaces and sea cliffs. This small-group day trip hits highlights without the hassle of lining up for buses in Sintra.

Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Expect Pena Palace’s candy-colored terraces, mystic wells at Quinta da Regaleira, windswept Cabo da Roca (continental Europe’s westernmost point), and free time on Cascais’ promenade. DIY alternative: train Rossio→Sintra (~40 min; frequent) via Omio trains, then a rideshare up to the palaces to save time.

Back in Lisbon, celebrate with a late seafood feast at Cervejaria Ramiro (garlic clams, scarlet prawns, prego steak in bolo do caco) or grilled goodness at Pinóquio on Praça dos Restauradores.

Day 6: Hidden Flavors, Market Hopping, and Riverside Golden Hour

Morning: Breakfast at Nicolau (fresh bowls, pancakes, solid coffee) or The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese café; scrambled eggs with cornbread). Browse A Vida Portuguesa for beautiful gifts—soaps, tins, and ceramics with classic designs.

Afternoon: Eat your way through lesser‑known quarters with a guided tasting walk—four proper dine‑in stops and stories that connect dishes to neighborhoods.

Winner 2025 Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Afterward, pop into Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market) for a look at Portugal’s chefs under one roof; if peckish, share croquettes from Croqueteria or a tart from Manteigaria’s outpost.

Evening: Sunset along Miradouro de Santa Catarina (locals call it Adamastor) with buskers and bridge views. Dinner in Campo de Ourique’s Mercado (less touristy than Time Out; try Pigmeu pork sandwiches and Marlen Vieira’s seafood counter) or book Cavalariça Lisboa for creative plates and Portuguese wines.

Day 7: Oceanário, Tiles, and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Head to Parque das Nações, the Expo ‘98 riverfront district. Visit the Oceanário de Lisboa, one of Europe’s best aquariums (the central tank is mesmerizing). Coffee with a view at FAUNA & FLORA Nations.

Afternoon: Taxi to the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Tile Museum) housed in a former convent—Portugal’s artistry in blue-and-white, culminating in a panoramic tile view of 18th‑century Lisbon. Farewell lunch at D’Bacalhau (four iconic cod preparations) or riverside Sud Lisboa for a celebratory meal with poolside vibes.

Evening (departure day): If time allows, one last espresso at Hello, Kristof (Scandi coffee bar) and a stroll through Chiado for last-minute chocolates at Arcádia. Metro Red Line or a 20–30‑minute rideshare gets you to LIS for your afternoon flight.

Optional extra day trip (if you swap a city day): For a blend of spirituality, giant waves, and medieval charm, consider this small-group excursion.

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

Local logistics tips: Load a Viva Viagem card for pay‑as‑you‑go fares or a 24‑hour pass (great value if you’ll use metro, buses, and trams the same day). For airport transfers, rideshares are plentiful; during rush hour, the metro is typically faster.

Seven days in Lisbon gives you rhythm—morning miradouros, afternoons by the river, evenings of Fado and feasting. With palaces, ocean air, and warm hospitality, the city lingers long after your last pastel de nata.