3-day itinerary
Lisbon in 3 days: the perfect weekend itinerary
Lisbon is one of Europe’s best 3-day cities because it’s compact, walkable, and full of contrast. This route hits all four central neighborhoods plus the iconic Belem monuments without rushing.
Day 1: Baixa, Alfama, Castelo
Morning
Start in Praça do Comercio for the riverfront. Walk up Rua Augusta through the arch, through the Baixa grid to Rossio Square. Coffee at Cafe a Brasileira in Chiado.
Afternoon
Climb up to Alfama via the Sao Jorge Castle. The castle ramparts give the best aerial view of Lisbon. Wander down through Alfama’s tangled lanes – lunch at A Travessa do Fado or a tasca with grilled sardines.
Evening
Fado dinner in a small Alfama venue (Mesa de Frades, A Baiuca, or Pateo de Alfama). Reserve 1-2 days ahead. Dinner with fado runs 35-60 EUR per person.
If you have an extra hour
Sunset coming? Miradouro Santa Luzia or Portas do Sol for the Alfama-and-Tagus view.
Day 2: Bairro Alto, Chiado, Belem
Morning
Walk Bairro Alto and Chiado in the morning while the night-life neighborhood is quiet. Visit the Carmo Convent ruins (the 1755 earthquake left the roof open). Coffee at the iconic Cafe a Brasileira.
Afternoon
Take Tram 15 (35 min) or Uber/Bolt (12 min, 10 EUR) to Belem. See the Jeronimos Monastery + Belem Tower (combined ticket 18 EUR; closed Monday). Eat at least one pastel de nata at Pasteis de Belem.
Evening
Back to central Lisbon. Dinner at Time Out Market (great for sampling many things) or LX Factory (cool industrial district, Sunday brunch is iconic).
If you have an extra hour
Coffee crawl through Chiado’s literary cafes – Cafe a Brasileira (Pessoa’s old haunt), Bertrand Bookstore (oldest bookstore in the world).
Day 3: Sintra day-trip
Morning
Catch the 8:20am or 9am CP train from Rossio Station (40 min, 4.55 EUR round-trip). Arrive Sintra and immediately catch the 434 bus loop to Pena Palace (the yellow-and-red one on the ridge).
Afternoon
After Pena, hike down through the Moorish Castle ramparts. Lunch in Sintra village (Tascantiga or Cafe Saudade). Quinta da Regaleira is the afternoon move – the spiral initiation well is iconic.
Evening
Return to Lisbon by 7pm. Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro for seafood (the iconic Lisbon dinner). Or Bairro Alto bars if you want a final-night feel.
If you have an extra hour
Cabo da Roca (Europe’s westernmost point) is a 30-min bus ride from Sintra if you have a full day.