5 days in Lisbon
5 Days in Lisbon: Complete Itinerary + Day Trips
Five days lets Lisbon properly, Baixa + Alfama + Belém + Sintra day-trip + Cascais beach. Here's the day-by-day route.
Day 1: Baixa + Alfama + Castelo
Morning
Walk Praça do Comércio + Rua Augusta arch + Baixa grid. Coffee at Café A Brasileira.
Afternoon
Climb to Castelo de São Jorge (15 EUR). Wander Alfama's tiled lanes + Miradouro Santa Luzia + Portas do Sol.
Evening
Fado dinner in Alfama (Mesa de Frades, A Baiuca, or Pateo de Alfama). Reserve 1-2 days ahead.
Day 2: Bairro Alto + Chiado + LX Factory
Morning
Bairro Alto + Chiado walking. Carmo Convent ruins + Café A Brasileira (Pessoa's haunt).
Afternoon
Tram to LX Factory — old industrial complex turned design district. Ler Devagar bookshop + Sunday brunch.
Evening
Time Out Market dinner (32 stalls, easy sampling). Bairro Alto bars after 10pm for nightlife.
Day 3: Belém + Cacilhas ferry
Morning
Tram 15 or Uber to Belém. Jerónimos Monastery + Belém Tower combined ticket (18 EUR). Pastéis de Belém custard tarts.
Afternoon
MAAT museum + Cordoaria Nacional + Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument.
Evening
Ferry across to Cacilhas for dinner: Atira-te ao Rio or Ponto Final. View back to Lisbon skyline.
Day 4: Sintra day-trip
Morning
8am train from Rossio Station (40 min). Bus 434 from Sintra station to Pena Palace (yellow + red on the ridge).
Afternoon
Quinta da Regaleira's initiation well + grounds. Moorish Castle ramparts. Lunch at Tascantiga in Sintra village.
Evening
Return to Lisbon by 7pm. Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro (Lisbon's famous seafood spot).
Day 5: Cascais + departure
Morning
Train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais (40 min). Old fishing town + Atlantic coast walks.
Afternoon
Lunch at Cascais. Optional: continue to Cabo da Roca (Europe's westernmost point, 30 min bus from Cascais).
Evening
Return to Lisbon. Final dinner at a Bairro Alto tasca or rooftop bar with Tejo view.
5 days in Lisbon: a day-by-day itinerary
Five days is ideal for Lisbon plus its two great day trips:
Day 1 — Alfama
Sao Jorge Castle, the maze of Alfama, a ride on Tram 28, and a fado dinner.
Day 2 — Belem
Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and the original pasteis de nata.
Day 3 — Sintra
A full day at the fairy-tale Pena Palace and mysterious Quinta da Regaleira.
Day 4 — Modern Lisbon
Chiado and Bairro Alto, the LX Factory, and viewpoints (miradouros) at sunset.
Day 5 — Coast
Cascais and the wild cliffs of Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe's westernmost point.
Tip: wear proper shoes — Lisbon's hills and cobbles are relentless.
5 Days In Lisbon FAQ
Is 5 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes — two days in the city plus Sintra and a coastal day trip.
Is Sintra worth a day trip from Lisbon?
Absolutely — its palaces are the highlight of many Lisbon trips; go early.