Portugal · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Lisbon – a ready-made itinerary
Lisbon is hilly, bright and compact. Three days are enough for the old town, the Belém district on the Tagus and a trip to Sintra. The plan keeps walks short: each day covers one part of the city, and the stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- São Jorge Castle, Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Lisbon Cathedral (Sé)
- Day trips
- Day trip to Sintra
- Where to stay
- Baixa and Chiado, Príncipe Real
- Getting around
- Explore the old town on foot – wear comfortable shoes, the paving is slippery and steep.
- Best time to go
- March to June and September to October are the most pleasant: warm but not hot.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Alfama, the castle and Baixa
São Jorge Castle
The castle above the city. Come early, before the queue builds at the entrance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): São Jorge Castleabout 5 min on foot
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Tile panels, bougainvillea and a view over the roofs of Alfama down to the river.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Miradouro de Santa Luziaabout 5 min on foot
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé)
The oldest church in the city, built from the 12th century, with a cloister.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lisbon Cathedral (Sé)about 5 min on foot
Praça do Comércio
The big square on the Tagus. Walk through the triumphal arch into Rua Augusta.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Praça do Comércioabout 10 min on foot
Santa Justa Lift
A lift from 1902 between Baixa and Chiado. To skip the queue, walk up instead.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santa Justa Liftabout 10 min on foot
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Sunset with a view of the castle. Then dinner in Bairro Alto.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Day 2
Belém and LX Factory
Tram 15E runs to Belém from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio, about 25 minutes.
Jerónimos Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage in the Manueline style. The cloister is quietest in the morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jerónimos Monasteryabout 5 min on foot
Pastéis de Belém
Custard tarts to the original recipe, warm with cinnamon. Inside there are more seats than the queue suggests.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pastéis de Belémabout 5 min on foot
Monument to the Discoveries
The seafarers' monument on the waterfront, with a world map in the paving in front.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monument to the Discoveriesabout 15 min on foot
Belém Tower
The 16th-century fortified tower. The outside is often enough – inside it is cramped.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Belém Towerabout 30 min on foot
MAAT
Museum of art and architecture. You can walk over the curved roof for free.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): MAATabout 25 min on foot
LX Factory
A former factory with a bookshop, shops and restaurants – good for the evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): LX Factory
Day 3
Day trip to Sintra
Train from Rossio station to Sintra, about 40 minutes. Bus 434 goes up to the palaces. Buy palace tickets online in advance.
Pena Palace
The colourful palace on the hill. With a timed ticket go there first, before the buses fill up.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pena Palaceabout 10 min on foot
Castle of the Moors
Moorish castle walls above the forest. On the walls you look out as far as the Atlantic.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Castle of the Moorsabout 10 min on foot
Quinta da Regaleira
Gardens with grottoes, tunnels and the spiral Initiation Well.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Quinta da Regaleiraabout 10 min on foot
Sintra National Palace
The palace in town with the two tall chimneys. Afterwards try travesseiros, the local pastry.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sintra National Palace
Good to know
Best time to go
March to June and September to October are the most pleasant: warm but not hot. July and August are often above 30 °C and crowded. Winters are mild but wetter.
Getting around
Explore the old town on foot – wear comfortable shoes, the paving is slippery and steep. For longer distances there are metro, trams and buses. The easiest way to pay is contactless or with the rechargeable card from the machines. Suburban trains run to Sintra and Cascais.
Where to stay
Baixa and Chiado
Central and fairly flat. From here you can walk to Alfama, Bairro Alto and the trains to Sintra.
Príncipe Real
Quieter, with gardens, cafés and small shops. Good if you don't want to stay in the middle of the bustle.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Lisbon: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes, for the main districts and one day trip. With a fourth day you can add Cascais by the sea or explore the Graça district at a slower pace.
Is tram 28 worth it?
The route is beautiful but often packed. Get on early in the morning at the terminus, or walk parts of the route through Alfama.
Can you do Sintra in one day?
Yes, with two to four sights. All the palaces in one day is too much. Leave early and book timed tickets in advance.
When are museums closed?
Many museums and monuments in Lisbon close one day a week, often on Mondays. Check opening hours before you go.
More plans for Lisbon
- One dayLisbon in one day – walking route with mapFrom the castle down through Alfama to the river, then up to Bairro Alto in the evening – all on foot.
- WeekendA weekend in Lisbon: Friday to SundayFriday evening above the Baixa, Saturday by the river in Belém, Sunday on the castle hill – timed around your flights.
- 5 days5 days in Lisbon with Sintra and CascaisThree city days with museums and gardens, plus a day among the palaces of Sintra and one by the sea in Cascais.
- With kidsLisbon with kids: 2 easy daysOne day with the aquarium, experiments and a cable car, one with model ships, a lawn to run on and a riverside tower.
- On a budgetLisbon on a budget: 2 days, mostly freeTwo days of viewpoints, squares and riverside paths – you hardly pay an entry fee anywhere.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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