Things to do in Lisbon: tiles, hills and a day in Sintra
Lisbon is hilly, tiled and best done on foot, by tram and by lift. Three days covers Alfama, Baixa, Belém and one day trip to Sintra. The one thing to know: the hills are steep, so wear flat shoes and use the lifts.
The short answer
- First trip
- Alfama and the castle, Baixa, Belém, then Sintra on a separate day.
- Where to stay
- Baixa and Chiado for convenience, Alfama for atmosphere, Príncipe Real for quiet.
- How many days
- Three days for the city, four if you add Sintra and the coast.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October for warm days without crowds.
- Book ahead
- Sintra palaces and a table at Cervejaria Ramiro.
- From the airport
- The metro red line takes about 25 minutes to the center.
Where to stay in Lisbon, in brief
Baixa and Chiado
first-time visitors
Flat, central and on the metro. Chiado is more elegant, Baixa more practical. Both are busy and noisy at night.
Alfama
atmosphere
The old quarter below the castle, with steep lanes and fado bars. Beautiful, but with many stairs and thin walls.
Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto
bars and nightlife
Gardens and boutiques in Príncipe Real, late-night bars in Bairro Alto. Choose the former for quiet.
Belém
a calm base
West of the center, beside the monuments. Quiet, but a tram ride from the nightlife.
Things to do in Lisbon
Castelo de São Jorge
A hilltop castle with views over the river and the rooftops. Go early or late for the light.
Book timed tickets online in summer.
Alfama
Walk the lanes down from the castle, past the cathedral and the miradouros. Be prepared for stairs.
Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery
Two riverside monuments in Belém, a short tram ride from the center. The monastery queue is long, so go at opening.
Book Jerónimos online if you can.
Tram 28
The yellow tram from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique. Ride it early, or walk the same route.
Miradouros
The viewpoints at Santa Luzia, Senhora do Monte and São Pedro de Alcântara are free and show different sides of the city.
Santa Justa Lift
A neo-Gothic lift from Baixa to Carmo. Expect a queue. The view is available free from the top of the Carmo Convent ruins.
LX Factory
Old factory buildings turned into shops and restaurants. Good for a Sunday market.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
The national tile museum in a former convent, with centuries of Portuguese tilework.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Lisbon can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Lisbon, and which to pick- Sintra palaces1 to 3 days ahead in summer
Pena Palace queues are long, and timed tickets help.
- Jerónimos Monastery1 to 2 days ahead in summer
The queue at the door can take over an hour.
- Cervejaria RamiroArrive early or expect a wait
Lisbon's best-known seafood restaurant, and its queue is part of the visit.
What to skip in Lisbon
- Tram 28 at midday
It is crowded and a favorite for pickpockets. Ride in the early morning, or walk the route.
- Restaurants with photo menus in Baixa
They aim at passing visitors. Walk a few streets and pick a place with a short menu.
- Fado dinners that are mostly show
Some are packaged tourist evenings. Choose a small fado house and pay for the music.
Best time to visit Lisbon
Lisbon is best in April to June and September to October, when days are warm and crowds thin. July and August bring heat above 30°C and the queues are at their longest.
Winters are mild but rainy, and many cafes stay open. The cobbles are slippery when wet, so bring shoes with grip.
- From Lisbon airportThe metro red line reaches the center in about 25 minutes. A taxi takes 15 to 25 minutes.
- Metro and tramsThe metro is quick and cheap for the flat parts. Trams and funiculars cover the hills.
- On footBaixa, Chiado and Alfama are walkable. Plan for steep slopes and uneven cobbles.
- Trains to Belém and SintraTrains from Cais do Sodré reach Belém in about 10 minutes. Sintra trains leave from Rossio and take about 40 minutes.
Lisbon in three days
- Day 1
Start at Castelo de São Jorge, then walk down through Alfama to the river. Finish with dinner in Baixa.
- Day 2
Take the train to Belém for the tower, monastery and a pastel de nata. Spend the evening in Príncipe Real.
- Day 3
Go to Sintra, then return for sunset at a miradouro.
Day trips from Lisbon
- SintraA hill town of palaces, about 40 minutes by train from Rossio. Go early and use the bus between sights.
- CascaisA seaside town about 40 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, with beaches and a sea-front walk.
- Setúbal and ArrábidaA coastal day with beaches and wine, about an hour south by car or train and ferry.
Lisbon: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three days covers the main areas. Add a fourth for Sintra, which needs its own day.
Is Lisbon worth visiting?
Yes. It combines river views, good food and cheap trams with the energy of a larger city.
What is the best time to visit Lisbon?
April to June and September to October. July and August are hot and crowded.
Where is the best area to stay in Lisbon?
Baixa and Chiado for convenience, Alfama for atmosphere and Príncipe Real for quiet. See the full guide.
Is Lisbon safe?
Yes, in general. Watch for pickpockets on Tram 28, in the metro and at viewpoints.
Do I need a Lisboa Card?
It covers transport and many entries. It pays off if you visit Belém, Sintra and a few museums in two days.