Lisbon is Europe’s sunniest capital, draped over seven hills where pastel buildings, tiled facades (azulejos), and echoing fado ballads shape a city that feels made for romance. Once the launchpad of the Age of Discoveries, it still looks to the Atlantic, with a riverfront perfect for evening strolls and golden-hour photography.

History lives in the details: trams rattling past 18th-century plazas, Gothic church ruins from the 1755 earthquake, and Renaissance monasteries built with spice-route wealth. Coffee culture is strong—sip a bica (espresso) for under €1, then bite into a still-warm pastel de nata while plotting your next miradouro (viewpoint).

Practical notes for a budget-friendly trip: get a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and load a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass (about €6.80) to ride trams, buses, and metro, including the famous 28E. Wear good shoes—those cobbled hills are no joke—and watch your pockets on crowded trams. Many museums close on Mondays; always check hours ahead.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a mosaic of neighborhoods: Alfama’s medieval lanes, Baixa’s grand squares, Chiado’s literary cafés, and Belém’s riverside monuments. It’s photogenic at every turn—steaming funiculars, pink sunsets over terracotta roofs, and blue-tiled staircases that beg for a pause.

Top sights include the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower (UNESCO), the Carmo Convent ruins, and the MAAT’s swooping riverside architecture. For local flavor, try a bifana sandwich, grilled sardines, or piri-piri chicken; wash it down with a ginginha cherry liqueur in a tiny standing bar.

• Stay (budget-friendly): Search central neighborhoods (Baixa/Chiado, Rossio, Alfama/Graça, or Avenida) for guesthouses or apartments. Compare deals on Hotels.com and homey stays on VRBO. Aim for places with kitchenettes to save on meals.
• Getting to Lisbon: Within Europe, compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). From outside Europe, check fares on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com (flights).
• Local transport: Metro from airport to Baixa/Chiado in 25–30 min (~€2 incl. card). A 24-hour pass (~€6.80) covers metro, buses, and trams. Tram 28E is included—ride early for seats.
• Sample intra-Europe travel times/costs: Porto→Lisbon train 2.5–3h, ~€10–30 (advance) via Omio trains. Madrid→Lisbon flight 1h20 from ~€25–80 via Omio flights; Madrid→Lisbon bus 7–8h, ~€20–40 via Omio buses.

Day 1 — Alfama’s Lanes, Tram 28, and Sunset Fado

Morning: Travel to Lisbon. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a coffee near Rossio: try Fábrica Coffee Roasters (specialty pour-overs and €1–2 espresso) or Café Nicola for an old-school bica at the historic square. Pick up a Viva Viagem card and load a 24-hour pass to keep transport costs low.

Afternoon: Start in Alfama, the oldest quarter. Wander up from Sé Cathedral through alleys draped in laundry, pausing at Miradouro de Santa Luzia for tiled arcades and Tagus views—an ideal photography spot. Snack on pastéis de bacalhau (codfish cakes) or split a bifana at O Trevo (a Chiado classic; €3–4) if you’re peckish.

Ride the short, scenic Tram 12E loop (often less crowded than 28E) from Martim Moniz to circle Alfama’s hill. Duck into the National Pantheon (rooftop views) or the Fado Museum for context before tonight. Coffee break: Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Alfama) for robust brews and shared pastries to keep budget in check.

Evening: Time your climb to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for a sweeping, romantic sunset over red roofs and the Castelo. Dinner nearby: Zé da Mouraria (homestyle bacalhau and daily dishes; arrive early, portions are huge and shareable), or Frangasqueira Nacional (takeaway grilled piri-piri chicken and sides—perfect for a picnic under the stars).

For fado without blowing the budget, try Tasca do Chico (Bairro Alto) on informal fado nights—arrive before the first set to snag a seat and expect a modest cover or minimum spend. Cap the night with a €1–1.50 shot of sour-cherry liqueur at A Ginjinha by Rossio, then stroll Praça do Comércio’s arcades.

Day 2 — Belém’s Monuments, Chiado’s Cafés, and LX Factory

Morning: Take tram 15E or bus to Belém (covered by your pass). Visit Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline splendor; typically ~€10–15; closed Mondays) and the riverside Belém Tower for classic Lisbon photos. Don’t miss Pastéis de Belém—order two each while they’re hot; dust with cinnamon and sugar (€1.30–1.50 per tart).

Walk the promenade to the Monument to the Discoveries for panoramic views (optional small fee). Architecture fans should swing by MAAT’s curving roof for riverfront shots; even if you skip the exhibits, the exterior is a stunner. Budget lunch: Pão Pão Queijo Queijo (generous sandwiches and kebabs) or O Prego da Peixaria for a fish prego—share fries to save.

Afternoon: Head back to Chiado/Baixa. Pop into the Carmo Convent—an open-sky Gothic nave born from the 1755 quake—and learn how Lisbon rebuilt. Skip paying for the Santa Justa Lift by walking to the top platform via Largo do Carmo for the same view. Coffee stop: Hello, Kristof (Scandi vibe, great filter) or Nicolau (brunchy and colorful; share a bowl and a pastry to stay on budget).

If you like books and photos, Bertrand Chiado (world’s oldest operating bookstore) and the Elevador da Bica (iconic funicular) are nearby—shoot Bica at golden hour from the top of Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo. Then tram or bus to LX Factory for street art, the photogenic Ler Devagar bookshop, and indie design stalls.

Evening: End with a riverfront sunset near Cais do Sodré or at Miradouro das Portas do Sol for dreamy castle views. Dinner options: Taberna da Rua das Flores (small, seasonal plates; arrive early, waitlist system), or a budget seafood fix at Uma (arroz de marisco—seafood rice; share one pot). If it’s Monday and Belém sights were closed, swap in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum earlier (noted for its serene gardens and superb collection).

Departure: Most travelers leave this afternoon. If you have a free hour, grab one last pastel at Manteigaria (near Chiado) and a final espresso. Metro red line connects downtown to the airport in ~25–30 minutes.

Extra local tips (to stretch your budget):

• Buy the 24-hour transit pass and plan all tram/funicular rides within that window—including the famous 28E early morning to avoid crowds.
• Share plates at tascas (traditional eateries); portions are large. Lunch menus (pratos do dia) can be €8–12 with soup/coffee.
• Free viewpoints (miradouros) and riverside walks deliver the best “wow” for €0.

Where to book: Compare central, well-rated budget stays on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO. For getting in/out, check Omio (flights), Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and—if you’re flying intercontinentally—Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In two days you’ll trace Lisbon’s story from Alfama’s medieval lanes to Belém’s maritime splendor, fuelled by excellent coffee and wallet-friendly tascas. Expect big views, intimate music, and countless photo moments—proof that romance doesn’t need a big budget to shine.