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Lisbon in 2 Days - Itinerary & Things to Do

Sep 10
6 min read

🤩 My reflection

Being one of those “good weather, good food” cities in Europe, Lisbon is a place almost everyone seems to enjoy. It’s full of character, beautiful viewpoints, and little moments that make the trip feel special. With its hills and the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril stretching across the city, many people even compare it to Istanbul, although for some reason, I don’t really see the resemblance at all. I’ve been to Lisbon three times so far, each time spending 2 to 3 days there, which feels like the perfect length for a long weekend. I’d say you can cover the core of the city in about two days, but you can easily extend your trip by adding a beach day, a visit to Sintra and Pena Palace, or even an extra day for Porto. I didn’t find the beaches particularly charming. They felt quite shallow and muddy when I visited in the middle of summer. However, I really enjoyed both Pena Palace and Porto, so I’d definitely recommend adding either if you have the time.


🔍 Trip overview

Day 1: Baixa (historic center), Chiado (cultural and shopping district), Bairro Alto (nightlife atmosphere), Alfama (city’s oldest and most traditional neighborhood)

Day 2: Belém (riverside), Ajuda (quieter local feel), Alcântara (modern waterfront and creative spaces)

Bonus - Day 3: Sintra (UNESCO World Heritage town in the mountains), Palace of Pena (colorful National Palace of Pena, one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks)


✍🏻 Itinerary

Day 1: Baixa (Downtown), Chiado, Bairro Alto and Alfama

  • Time Out Market Lisboa – modern food hall with top local chefs

  • Praça do Comércio – Lisbon’s grand riverside square opening onto the Tagus River

  • Arco da Rua Augusta – triumphal arch marking the entrance from river to downtown

  • Rua Augusta – pedestrian main street of Baixa lined with shops and cafés

  • Elevador de Santa Justa – neo-Gothic iron lift with panoramic views over Baixa

  • Carmo Convent – atmospheric Gothic church ruins left after the 1755 earthquake

  • Café A Brasileira – historic café known for writers and intellectuals

  • Livraria Bertrand – world’s oldest operating bookstore

  • Praça Luís de Camões – lively square connecting Chiado and Bairro Alto

  • Rua do Norte in Bairro Alto district – narrow street full of bars, street life, and evening energy (Bairro Alto is a historic district famous for nightlife and small bars)

  • Praça Dom Pedro IV – Lisbon’s central square (Rossio) with wave-pattern pavement

  • Largo de São Domingos – small historic square with church and cultural mix

  • Tram 28 – iconic historic tram connecting central Lisbon to Alfama and Graça - Board at Martim Moniz station and drop off at Portas do Sol station

  • Miradouro da Senhora do Monte – highest viewpoint in Lisbon, best for sunset

  • São Jorge Castle – medieval castle with panoramic views over Lisbon

  • Lisbon Cathedral – oldest church in the city and starting point of medieval Alfama

  • Dinner at VDB Bistronomie


Day 2 - Belém, Ajuda, Alcântara

  • Padrão dos Descobrimentos – monument celebrating Portuguese explorers

  • Belém Tower – iconic riverside fortress

  • Jerónimos Monastery – UNESCO masterpiece of Manueline architecture

  • Break at Pastéis de Belém – original custard tart bakery

  • Ajuda National Palace – royal palace with ornate interiors

  • Break at LX Factory – industrial complex turned creative hub

  • Ponte 25 de Abril – suspension bridge often compared to Golden Gate

  • Cristo-Rei (from distance) – giant Christ statue overlooking Lisbon skyline

  • Dinner at Solar dos Presuntos

  • Drinks at Red Frog Speakeasy


Bonus: Day 3 - The city of Sintra and National Palace of Pena

Day trip to the town of Sintra, including the Pena Palace

  • Sintra – a historic town near Lisbon, known for its lush green hills, romantic palaces, and fairytale castles, and one of the most popular day trips in Portugal

  • Palácio da Pena – a colorful fairytale palace on a hill in Sintra, famous for its Romantic architecture and panoramic views


What to Eat in Lisbon

  • Pastéis de Nata: A creamy egg custard tart with a crispy, flaky pastry. The best place to try it is Pastéis de Belém, the birthplace of this dessert.

  • Ginjinha: A sweet cherry liqueur served in small shot glasses, sometimes with a cherry inside.

  • Grilled octopus / seafood (Polvo à lagareiro): Grilled octopus served with olive oil, garlic, and potatoes.

  • Sardines: Grilled sardines, especially popular during summer festivals. There are also dedicated canned sardine shops with colorful, aesthetic packaging.

  • Bifana: A spicy marinated pork sandwich served in a soft bread roll

  • Bacalhau (salted cod): Portugal’s national ingredient, prepared in many different ways.


Restaurants I Saved in Lisbon

I didn't go to all of them, but I included a few options to make it easier for you to shortlist.

  • VDB Bistronomie - We found this place by luck, and the food was delicious!

  • Palacio Chiado - We’ve been there, and it was very chic! The interior design is amazing.

LX Factory

Rooftops

Fado music


Coctail Bars I Saved in Lisbon

I didn't go to all of them, but I included a few options to make it easier for you to shortlist.


Breakfast Places I Saved in Lisbon

I didn't go to all of them, but I included a few options to make it easier for you to shortlist. Many of them are chains, so there might be a closer alternative to where you stay.


Beach Clubs I Saved near Lisbon

I didn't go to all of them, but I included a few options to make it easier for you to shortlist.

  • Coco Beach (Costa de Caparica) - We've been here and it was lovely. Sunbeds and the options was nice, and the food was surprisingly great! The only issue was the beach it self; whichever beach club you go, beach is too far away and the sand is a bit mudlike.

  • Princesa (Costa de Caparica)

  • Emma Beach Club & Restaurant (Cascais)

  • Rainha Beach Club (Cascais)


Some Activities to Consider

I didn't do all of them, but I included a few options to make it easier for you to shortlist.


📢 Essential tips

Where to stay in Lisbon?

We stayed in Chiado one time and Alfama another time, and I’d recommend Baixa, Chiado, or Bairro Alto, as they’re the closest to the city center and main attractions. Our Airbnb in Alfama had a perfect location, but the further up the hill you go, the harder it is to walk around.


What is the best time to visit Lisbon?

As winter can be a bit chilly and summer can get quite hot for walking around, I’d say April to June and September to October are the best times to visit.


How to get around in Lisbon?

Although it’s hilly, if you’re an average healthy adult like we are, it’s still very walkable. You can also try the famous Tram 28 as both an experience and a way to get up into Alfama. Other than that, ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are quite affordable. In 2024, we paid around €13 for a 45-minute ride to Palácio da Pena in Sintra. In 2025, we paid around €18 for a 30-minute ride to Costa de Caparica.


What are some cultural experiences to try?

  • Experience Fado – Fado is one of the most traditional Portuguese music styles, and experiencing it in an intimate setting is definitely worth it. Alfama and Mouraria are great areas to look for a traditional Fado house.

  • Try Portuguese food – Food is a huge part of the culture! Make sure to try traditional dishes like bacalhau, bifana, grilled sardines, and petiscos, as well as Portuguese pastries like pastel de nata.

  • Explore Portuguese wine culture – Try some Portuguese wines, especially Vinho Verde, Douro, or Alentejo wines. You can also do a wine tasting or visit a local wine bar.

  • Learn about azulejos – The colorful Portuguese tiles, or azulejos, are an important part of the country’s artistic and architectural culture. You’ll see them all over Lisbon.


🔗All travel links

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