3 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect Itinerary (Day by Day)

Lisbon was one of those cities that completely surprised me. I knew it would be beautiful, but I didn't expect it to feel so alive — the light bouncing off the Tagus, the sound of fado drifting out of a doorway, the views that seem to appear around every corner. Three days is enough to fall in love with it, and with the right plan, you won't waste a single hour.

Here's exactly how I spent my 3 days in Lisbon, organized by neighborhood so you're never crossing the city back and forth unnecessarily.

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Practical Information

Getting there

✈️ By Plane: Lisbon Portela Airport is just 7 km from the city center, connected by metro (Red Line), bus, and taxi.

👉 Book your flight here 🔗

Getting around

🚶‍♂️On Foot: Lisbon is a joy to explore on foot, especially its historic neighborhoods like Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Chiado. Its narrow streets and iconic tiled facades make every corner picturesque.

👉 Exploring the city on foot is one of the most authentic experiences you can have, and this walking tour is perfect for discovering stories you’d otherwise miss. I recommend taking a look here🔗

🚆 By Train & Bus: For an efficient way to explore Lisbon's many attractions, consider purchasing the Lisboa Card, available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. This card grants free or discounted entry to many museums, landmarks, and attractions, as well as unlimited use of public transportation, including trams, buses, and metro services.

👉 Details about the card and where to purchase it can be found here🔗 or at tourist information centers

Where to Stay in Lisbon

• Luxury: Figueira by The Beautique Hotels & Spa 🅱️ Booking 🔗 
• Mid-range: Estrela dos Anjos Guesthouse 🅱️ Booking🔗 
• Budget / My pick: Paradouro 🅱️ Booking 🔗 
  

💡 I stayed at Paradouro — very affordable, great location right next to a Green Line metro stop. For first-time visitors, the Baixa/Chiado area is the most convenient base. If you want more character, Alfama is atmospheric but hilly.

Day 1 — Baixa, Chiado, Príncipe Real & Bairro Alto

The historic downtown by day, the bohemian hilltop neighborhoods by evening

Start your first morning at Praça do Comércio — arrive early, before the tour groups descend. The light on the Tagus at that hour is genuinely worth setting an alarm for. Walk north along Rua Augusta and let the city wake up around you.

• Praça do Comércio — One of Europe’s largest and most beautiful squares, located by the Tagus River.
  

• Pink Street (Rua Nova do Carvalho) — One of Lisbon's most photographed streets, with its iconic pink-painted road. By day it's calm and great for a stroll; by night it transforms into one of the liveliest bar strips in the city.
• Green Street (Rua Verde) — Less famous than Pink Street but worth the detour. The street gets its name from the green-painted facades lining it, creating a quieter and more local atmosphere. Good for a leisurely walk, with colorful houses, small shops, and local cafes.
• Rua Augusta Arch — 💰 €3 | 🕐 9am–9pm 
• Praça da Figueiras and Praça dos Restauradores
• Rossio Square —  A lively square with a long history as a meeting place for locals.

• Santa Justa Lift — A 19th-century iron elevator connecting Baixa to the upper city. Included in the 24h transport ticket. 💰 €5.30 standalone | 🕐 7am–11pm.

• Rua da Conceição — From here you can follow the iconic Tram 28 route on foot, which is actually a better experience than taking the tram itself. Tram 28 has become quite overcrowded and heavily tourist-oriented — walking lets you appreciate the charm of Lisbon's streets at your own pace.

👉 If you don't want to walk, there's also the option of a tuk tuk tour🔗 of the city, following the tram 28 route

• Largo do Carmo & Carmo Convent — Head out to Largo do Carmo and visit the Carmo Convent, a Gothic church partially destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and left as a hauntingly beautiful open-air ruin. One of my favorite spots in all of Lisbon — there's something about standing under that roofless nave that stays with you. 💰 €7 | 🕐 Mon–Sat 10am–7pm (May–Oct), 10am–6pm (Nov–Apr)

• Chiado — Browse the bookshops on Rua Garrett, grab a coffee at A Brasileira, soak in the neighborhood's slightly literary atmosphere.
• Príncipe Real — One of Lisbon's quietest and most elegant neighborhoods. Independent boutiques, antique shops, beautiful 19th-century townhouses. Stroll through Jardim do Príncipe Real, a shaded garden built around an ancient cedar tree. Free entry.
• Estufa Fria (optional) — A hidden botanical greenhouse in Eduardo VII Park that feels completely removed from the city. 💰 €3.90 | 🕐 Tue–Sun 9am–6pm
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara — The best viewpoint for sunset on Day 1. Castle on the right, Baixa below, river in the distance. Get there just before golden hour. Free entry.
• Bairro Alto (evening) — This neighborhood only really comes alive after dark. Narrow streets packed with bars, restaurants, and live music. If you want fado in a less touristy setting than Alfama, there are some intimate venues here. For nightlife, Rua da Atalaia is the heart of it all.

Day 2 — Alfama & Graça

Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, best explored slowly and on foot

This is the most physically demanding day — lots of hills and cobblestones — but also the most rewarding. Start early, wear comfortable shoes, and resist the urge to follow a strict route. The best things in Alfama happen when you get a little lost.

What to See — Day 2

• Castelo de São Jorge — Arrive at opening time. Even with a pre-purchased ticket it gets busy quickly, and the queues are no joke by mid-morning. The 360° views over the city make the early start worth it. 💰 €15 | 🕐 9am–9pm (Mar–Oct), 9am–6pm (Nov–Feb) | Book in advance🔗 

• Sé Cathedral — Lisbon's oldest church, dating to the 12th century. Tram 28 passes right in front — great photo opportunity if you time it right. 💰 Free (Cathedral) / €4 (Cloister) | 🕐 Mon–Sat 10am–6pm | Book in advance🔗 

• Miradouro de Santa Luzia — A garden viewpoint with beautiful azulejo panels overlooking the river. One of those spots you stumble across and end up staying far longer than planned. Free entry.

• São Vicente de Fora — A 17th-century monastery with some of the finest azulejo tilework in the city. The cloister alone is worth the entrance fee. 💰 €5 | 🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–6pm | Book in advance🔗
  
• Feira da Ladra (Tuesdays & Saturdays only) — Lisbon's famous flea market, just minutes from São Vicente. Chaotic and charming in equal measure. Free entry. 🕐 Tue & Sat 7am–3pm
• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte — The highest viewpoint in Lisbon. The view takes in the Ponte 25 de Abril, the Tagus, and the entire city spread out below. Go at sunset — it's one of those moments that makes you feel genuinely lucky to be there. Free entry.

• Miradouro da Graça — A café on site, views over Alfama's terracotta rooftops. This is where you sit with a glass of wine and do absolutely nothing for a while. Free entry.
• Miradouro do Jardim do Torel (just outside Graça) — A lesser-known viewpoint with a serene atmosphere and a unique perspective on the city. Much quieter than the main miradouros. Free entry.
• Vila Berta (optional) — A quaint residential street that feels like stepping back in time. Colorful facades and cobblestone paths — particularly enchanting in June when the street comes alive with local festival decorations.
• Jardim da Cerca da Graça (optional) — A peaceful park nestled between Graça and Alfama. Good for a picnic or a quiet break with views of the castle and surrounding neighborhoods. Free entry.

💡 Fado dinner in Alfama (evening) — Clube de Fado or Parreirinha de Alfama are both excellent. Book your table in advance — they fill up fast and for good reason.

Day 3 — Belém & LX Factory

UNESCO monuments in the morning, creative hub in the afternoon

⚠️ Belém is about 6 km west of the city center along the Tagus. Skip the Tram 15E (slow and crowded) and take the train from Cais do Sodré instead — just 7 minutes.

What to See — Day 3

• Jerónimos Monastery — One of the most extraordinary buildings I've ever visited. 16th-century Manueline architecture with stone carvings so intricate they look more like lacework than stonework. Inside are the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões. One honest warning: even with a pre-purchased ticket, I waited 30 minutes to get in. Arrive at opening time and book ahead. 💰 €10 | 🕐 Tue–Sun 9:30am–5:30pm | Book in advance🔗

• Torre de Belém — Lisbon's most iconic image, and it earns it. Beautiful from the outside; worth going in for the river views from the top. 💰 €6 | 🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–5:30pm | Book in advance🔗 

• Monumento dos Descobrimentos (optional) — Worth a quick stop for the river perspective it gives you. 💰 €6 | 🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–7pm
• MAAT (optional) — Worth visiting for the architecture alone — a curved white building that seems to rise directly from the riverbank. 💰 €9 | 🕐 Mon & Wed–Sun 11am–7pm

✨ No visit to Belém would be complete without tasting the famous pastéis de nata (custard tarts) at Pastéis de Belém, a bakery that has been serving these delicious pastries since 1837. The tarts are a local delicacy, and there’s nothing like enjoying one fresh from the oven with a cup of coffee while soaking in the atmosphere of the area.  A must-try, as they are absolutely delicious!

• LX Factory  — A former industrial complex turned into one of Lisbon's most vibrant spots: art galleries, independent restaurants, concept stores, a genuinely local energy. On Sundays there's a market. It's a perfect place to end your last afternoon in the city — long lunch, good wine, no rush. Free entry. 🕐 Shops from 12pm

Markets in Lisbon

• Feira da Ladra (Alfama) — Tues & Sat mornings. Antiques, vintage, curiosities. Best before noon.
• LX Factory Sunday Market — Weekly. Food, design, vintage, local artisans.
• Mercado do Campo de Ourique — A covered food market in a residential neighborhood, much less touristy than Time Out. Great for a local lunch.
• Time Out Market (Cais do Sodré) — Touristy but genuinely good for a quick meal with lots of options under one roof.

Lisbon is one of those cities that gets under your skin quietly. You spend three days thinking you're just sightseeing, and then you're on the plane home already looking up flights back.

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