Portugal · 5 days · 5 days · 20 stops
5 days in Lisbon with Sintra and Cascais
With five days there is no need to rush. The first three show Lisbon from different sides: Alfama with the tile museum, the quieter northern districts with the Gulbenkian collection, and Belém on the river. Then the train takes you into the hills of Sintra and along the coast to Cascais – both about 40 minutes away.
In short
- Length
- 5 days, 20 stops
- Highlights
- São Jorge Castle, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace, Praia da Rainha
- Day trips
- Day trip to Sintra; Cascais by the sea
- 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
Castle, Alfama and tiles
São Jorge Castle
Start from the top: from the castle walls you see where the next days will take you – river, bridge, hills.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): São Jorge Castleabout 10 min on foot
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
Cloisters lined with tile panels and a roof you can walk across. Far fewer people than at the castle.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monastery of São Vicente de Foraabout 5 min on foot
Alfama
Lunch on the way down through the lanes. Small tascas often have just a few tables and a dish of the day.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): AlfamaBus or taxi east along the river, about 15 min.
National Tile Museum
Five centuries of tile art in an old convent, including a long panorama of Lisbon before the earthquake.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Tile Museum
Day 2
Gulbenkian, parks and Príncipe Real
For the Gulbenkian, take the metro (blue line) to São Sebastião, about 10 min from Baixa-Chiado.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
A private collection from ancient Egypt to Lalique, manageable in size and calm. The garden around it is made for a break.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Calouste Gulbenkian Museumabout 15 min on foot
Eduardo VII Park
From the top of the park you look down the long lawn all the way to the river.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Eduardo VII Parkabout 20 min on foot
Príncipe Real Garden
A small park with a huge old tree whose branches rest on a frame. Around it, shops and cafés in old town houses.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Príncipe Real Gardenabout 10 min on foot
Cervejaria Trindade
A beer hall in a former monastery with tiled walls. Good for seafood and steak in the evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cervejaria Trindade
Day 3
Belém on the river
Tram 15E runs to Belém from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio, about 25 min.
Jerónimos Monastery
Give the monastery the morning. Don't skip the church with its slender columns and the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jerónimos Monasteryabout 5 min on foot
Pastéis de Belém
In the tiled rooms at the back you usually find a table, even when there is a queue at the front.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pastéis de Belémabout 5 min on foot
National Coach Museum
Gilded royal state coaches in a large modern hall – more impressive than you might expect.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Coach Museumabout 25 min on foot
Belém Tower
Finish with a riverside walk to the tower. In the afternoon the sun is good for photos from the water side.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Belém Tower
Day 4
Day trip to Sintra
Train from Rossio station to Sintra, about 40 min. Bus 434 goes up to Pena Palace. Buy timed tickets online in advance and check opening hours before you go.
Pena Palace
With the first time slot you are ahead of the tour groups. Leave time for the large park with ponds and viewpoints.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pena PalaceBus 434 down to the village, then bus 435 or a taxi to Monserrate, about 40 min in total.
Monserrate Palace
A Moorish-style summer palace in the middle of a botanical garden. Quieter than the village centre.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monserrate PalaceBus 435 or a taxi back towards the village, about 10 min.
Quinta da Regaleira
In the gardens, spiral stairs lead down a deep well and tunnels run to grottoes. A torch helps.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Quinta da Regaleiraabout 10 min on foot
Piriquita
The old-town pastry shop is known for travesseiros, puff pastry with almond cream. Then take the train back.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Piriquita
Day 5
Cascais by the sea
Train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais (end of the line), about 40 min. The line runs along the water almost the whole way.
Praia da Rainha
A small cove between rocks, just steps from the station. In the morning there is still room on the sand.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Praia da Rainhaabout 10 min on foot
Cascais Citadel
The old fortress by the marina is now an open courtyard with a hotel, galleries and shady benches.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cascais Citadelabout 5 min on foot
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
A museum for the painter Paula Rego, in a building with two red pyramids. Then lunch in the town centre.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Casa das Histórias Paula Regoabout 10 min on foot
Boca do Inferno
A rock arch on the cliffs where the sea shoots up when the waves are high. A lovely walk along the coast.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Boca do Inferno
Good to know
Order of the day trips
Check the forecast: Sintra is often in fog while the sun shines in Cascais. Swap the days if that suits.
Sintra tickets
For Pena and Regaleira, buy ahead. On weekends and in summer the queues at the gates are long.
Travel cards
The rechargeable card works on the metro, trams, buses and the suburban trains to Sintra and Cascais. Top it up at the machine.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for Lisbon.
Your plan
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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.
5 days in Lisbon: frequently asked questions
Are 5 days in Lisbon too many?
No. Three days cover the city itself, and Sintra and Cascais fill the other two nicely. If you would rather stay in town, add a day in Alfama and Graça.
Can I do Sintra and Cascais in one day?
It is possible but rushed – Sintra alone fills a day. There are buses between the two, but for a relaxed trip keep them separate.
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.
- 3 days3 days in Lisbon – a ready-made itineraryCastle, viewpoints and old-town lanes, plus Belém and a day among the palaces of Sintra.
- 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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