Arrival, Baixa and Chiado
Arrive at Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado)
The airport sits close to the city, so the transfer is short and easy on a first afternoon. The metro red line runs from the terminal into the centre in around 20 minutes, or a taxi or Uber is roughly 15–20 minutes and about €15–20 with luggage. Lisbon is mild for most of the year; spring and autumn are the gentlest for walking the hills. Book flights →
Check in around Baixa or Chiado
Basing yourselves in Baixa or Chiado keeps everything on this trip within an easy walk and puts you on flat ground for the arrival day. Drop the bags, then wander out with no agenda. Search hotels →
Praça do Comércio and Arco da Rua Augusta
This grand riverside square is the natural place to start, opening straight onto the Tagus. Walk through the triumphal arch and, if you fancy a first view, take the lift to the rooftop terrace (open daily, around €3.50 each) for a look over Baixa's grid of streets.
Pastel de nata at Manteigaria, Chiado
Stroll up pedestrianised Rua Augusta into Chiado for your first custard tart. Manteigaria's original Chiado shop on Rua do Loreto bakes them fresh all day (about €1.50 each) and you can watch the bakers work. The historic Café A Brasileira on Rua Garrett, open since 1905, is a couple of minutes' walk away if you want a coffee with it.
Dinner at Time Out Market
A short downhill walk brings you to the Time Out Market inside the Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré, a food hall gathering stalls from well-known Lisbon chefs under one roof. It is relaxed and low-commitment for a first night: pick different counters, share a table, and go at your own pace. Open until midnight (later at weekends).
Evening on Pink Street
Rua Nova do Carvalho, painted pink since 2011, is right beside the market and makes for an easy after-dinner drink. It gets livelier as the night goes on, but early evening it is calm enough for a relaxed glass somewhere and a slow walk back.
Alfama, the cathedral and the castle
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)
Start low in Alfama at the fortress-like cathedral, the oldest church in the city. A ticket including the cloisters and treasury costs around €5. Note it is closed on Sundays, so if your day here lands on a Sunday, swap this day with Day 4 and do the castle and viewpoints first.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia
Climb a few minutes up into Alfama to these two viewpoints, which sit almost side by side. Santa Luzia has a tiled pergola and small garden; Portas do Sol, thirty metres on, opens a wider balcony over Alfama's rooftops and the river. Both are free and open all hours, and there is a kiosk with tables for a coffee and a rest.
Lunch in Alfama
Rather than book anywhere specific, drop into one of the small family-run tavernas tucked along Alfama's lanes for grilled fish or a bowl of the day. It is the neighbourhood at its most everyday, and pausing here keeps the afternoon unhurried before the walk up to the castle.
Castelo de São Jorge
The hilltop castle crowns Alfama and gives the broadest view in the old town, out across the whole city to the river. It is open daily (around €17 each, about £14), so there is no weekday to plan around, and the ramparts and camera obscura are worth the climb. Book ahead in summer to skip the queue. Search Sao Jorge Castle tickets in Lisbon on GetYourGuide →
Wander down through Alfama
Come down slowly through the maze of stepped lanes, washing lines and tiled facades, with no particular route in mind. Stop at a miradouro kiosk for a drink and let the afternoon wind down before dinner.
Fado dinner in Alfama
Alfama is the home of fado, and a dinner with live singing is a fitting first-trip evening. Clube de Fado, near the cathedral, was founded by guitarist Mario Pacheco and runs every night; the long-established Parreirinha de Alfama, open since 1950, is a warmer, more traditional room. Both take bookings and both do set Portuguese menus, so reserve ahead. Search fado show in Lisbon on GetYourGuide →
Belém by the river and LX Factory
Tram 15E to Belém
The 15E tram runs west along the river from Praça da Figueira in the centre (also stopping at Cais do Sodré) out to Belém in around 30–40 minutes. It is a modern tram rather than the vintage yellow ones, and an easy, scenic way to start the day. A single is about €3.30 on board, or cheaper (around €1.60) using a rechargeable Navegante card.
Jerónimos Monastery
This vast Manueline monastery is Belém's showpiece, all carved stone cloisters and a soaring church (the church itself is free; the monastery and cloisters ticket is around €18 each). Important: it is closed on Mondays, along with Belem Tower, so if your Belém day falls on a Monday, switch it with Day 4. Go early to beat the queues. Search Jeronimos Monastery tickets in Lisbon on GetYourGuide →
Pastéis de Belém
A few minutes' walk from the monastery is the original home of the pastel de nata, baking to the same recipe since 1837 (around €1.50 each). There is often a queue for takeaway, but the tiled rooms inside usually move faster if you want to sit with a coffee. Worth comparing against yesterday's Manteigaria to settle your own favourite.
Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries
Walk down to the waterfront for the two riverside monuments. The Belém Tower is at its best from the outside, so you can simply admire it rather than queue; the nearby Padrão dos Descobrimentos has a lift to a viewing deck (around €10; note it also closes on Mondays in winter). A gentle stroll along the promenade links them, passing the striking white curves of the MAAT museum building.
LX Factory, Alcântara
Hop back on the 15E a few stops to LX Factory, a former textile works under the 25 de Abril bridge, now full of independent cafes, restaurants, a well-known bookshop and design shops. It is a relaxed spot for a late lunch and a browse. If you happen to be here on a Sunday, the LX Market fills the courtyards with stalls and street food.
Sunset on the Tagus
Ending the river day on the water suits a couples trip: small sailing boats run short sunset cruises on the Tagus, passing under the bridge and back past Belém as the light drops. Book a late-afternoon or golden-hour slot and bring a layer, as it cools on the water. Search sunset river cruise in Lisbon on GetYourGuide →
Bairro Alto, Príncipe Real and an easy last morning
Slow breakfast in Chiado
No rush on the last morning: start with a long breakfast at one of the cafes around Chiado or Príncipe Real. This whole day stays in the walkable west-central neighbourhoods so you never stray far from your bags.
Jardim do Príncipe Real
This leafy garden square, shaded by a huge old cedar, is one of the calmest corners of central Lisbon and the boutiques and concept shops around it are good for a last browse. A quiet, unhurried way to spend the morning.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
A short walk downhill brings you to this terraced garden viewpoint looking across to the castle and Alfama, with a tiled map naming what you can see. Note the Glória funicular that used to carry visitors up from Restauradores has been closed since the September 2025 accident, so reaching the viewpoint means a short walk uphill instead.
Santa Justa viewpoint from Largo do Carmo
Rather than queue for the Santa Justa lift from below (about €5.30 return, and often a long wait), walk down through Chiado to Largo do Carmo, where you can reach the top-level walkway and its view over Baixa from street level. The ruined Carmo Convent beside it is a quiet spot to pause.
Final lunch and one last nata
Round the trip off with a relaxed lunch in Baixa or Chiado and, of course, a final custard tart. Keep it simple and close to your accommodation so there is no scramble before heading out.
Depart for Lisbon Airport
Collect your bags and head back to the airport: the metro red line takes around 20 minutes from the centre, or a taxi or Uber is quick outside peak traffic. Allow a little extra buffer at busy times of day. Book flights →