More about: Lisbon in 2 Days: everything you need to know
It is possible to see Lisbon’s main sights and get to know the city in a weekend. What’s more, you can do so at a leisurely pace, taking your time to enjoy it. To help you do just that, here’s an itinerary for visiting the city in 48 hours. Although some of the less significant sights will be left out, in two days you’ll have time to explore the historic centre, the main neighbourhoods and landmarks such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.
Day 1: Visit the historic centre: Alfama and Baixa neighbourhoods
The first day of the itinerary is designed to help you discover and enjoy Lisbon’s historic centre. The route runs through the neighbouring neighbourhoods of Alfama and Baixas, where you’ll find some of the city’s most significant sights: Lisbon Cathedral, São Jorge Castle and Praça do Comércio are just a few of the highlights of this first day in Lisbon.
Take the best photos from the Portas do Sol and Santa Lucía viewpoints
The day can begin at the viewpoints on the hill of St George’s Castle. Those at Portas do Sol and Santa Lucía are two of the best thanks to their views of central Lisbon with the River Tagus in the background, and you’re sure to learn more if you book a guided tour of Alfama and St George’s.
Near both viewpoints there are several terraces perfect for breakfast and to recharge your batteries for the day.
Visit São Jorge Castle
Perched atop a hill in the very heart of the Alfama district lies São Jorge Castle, an unmissable stop if you book the guided tour of São Jorge Castle. The effort of climbing the steep streets is well worth it to explore this 12th-century castle.
For a €10 entrance fee, you can access the interior, which features the periscopic viewpoint of the Tower of Ulysses, the archaeological site and the castle gardens, where you can stroll amongst ducks and peacocks whilst enjoying spectacular views of the city.
Don’t miss Lisbon Cathedral
Heading down from the castle towards the Tagus, you’ll come across Lisbon Cathedral. The city’s most important church is free to visit, and for an extra €2.50 you can add the cloister and the treasure housed in this Romanesque church to your visit. A highly recommended visit – find out more by booking a guided tour of Lisbon.
Discover the Alfama district
After seeing the sights, it’s worth taking a short stroll through the streets of the Alfama district. Originally a fishing village that grew up beneath the walls of St George’s Castle, it is now one of Lisbon’s most charming neighbourhoods.
If you wander through its streets, you’re bound to come across a street musician singing fado, as this neighbourhood is considered the birthplace of this Portuguese musical genre. We can make the most of the stroll by popping into a restaurant to enjoy some Portuguese cuisine. Dishes featuring cod and other fish are particularly recommended, as Alfama is a neighbourhood with a long history of fishing.
And if you’d prefer not to miss a single detail about the history of this popular and unique neighbourhood, do book a guided tour of Alfama.
Stroll through Pedro IV Square
From the Alfama neighbourhood, we head down to Pedro IV Square, one of the stops on the guided tour of Lisbon. Formerly known as Rossio Square, it is one of Lisbon’s key hubs. In the centre of the square stands the column-shaped monument to Pedro IV, the first Emperor of Brazil and constitutional King of Portugal.
The surrounding area is home to countless shops and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat if you haven’t already. However, I recommend looking for better dining options in the streets near the square, as prices tend to be higher in the square itself.
Walk along Rua Augusta
This street is one of Lisbon’s main thoroughfares and connects Praça de Pedro IV with Praça do Comércio. These are Lisbon’s two most important squares, which you can visit if you book a guided tour of Lisbon.
Rua Augusta is a pedestrianised street, and along its 600-metre stretch you’ll find the city’s main shops and businesses. We can make the most of the stroll by sitting at a terrace for a coffee and popping into the shops to buy a souvenir or simply treat ourselves.
Don’t miss Praça do Comércio
As the afternoon draws to a close, we’ll arrive at the famous Praça do Comércio. One of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. We’ll enter via the arch on Rua Augusta, where we can climb up to the viewing platform to see the square and Rua Augusta from above.
It costs just €2.50 to go up to the viewing platform. In Praça do Comércio, we can also see the equestrian statue of José I and the quay that leads directly to the River Tagus, offering an excellent panoramic view.
This is a great spot to end the day, as it offers a beautiful sunset over the river, and there are countless dining options nearby for dinner before returning to your accommodation or heading out to enjoy Lisbon’s nightlife. If you don’t want to make a mistake about where to go, don’t hesitate to book a food tour of Lisbon.
Day 2: Enjoy the Santa Justa Lift, the Convento do Carmo and Belém
We’ve already explored the centre of Lisbon, so on the second day it’s time to finish the job and visit the Belém district, home to two of the most important monuments in Lisbon and indeed the whole of Portugal. But that will be after taking a unique lift to visit an impressive church in ruins.
Take the Santa Justa Lift
Your second day in Lisbon can begin with a visit to the Santa Justa Lift. Located on Rua do Ouro, this unique lift connects the Baixa Pombalina and Chiado districts via a lift and a walkway 45 metres above ground level. The top level features a terrace with excellent views of central Lisbon.
As queues are common, it is advisable to go first thing in the morning. The lift opens at 7.30 am and costs €5.30, including a return trip on the lift and access to the viewing platform.
Visit the Convento do Carmo
As we leave the upper walkway of the Santa Justa Lift, we come across the former Convento do Carmo. This was Lisbon’s most important Gothic building until 1755, the year a historic earthquake struck, leaving this and many other buildings in ruins.
You can now visit the ruins of the church, which houses the Carmo Archaeological Museum. The main structure of the church remains, though without a roof, offering a simply spectacular view. A visit to the convent and museum costs €5.
Take the tram to Belém
One of the most authentic experiences in Lisbon is travelling on its trams. As our next destination is the Belém district, which is a bit of a way from the centre, don’t hesitate to book the Lisbon tourist tram to get there.
The best option is to take a 10- or 15-minute walk from the Convento do Carmo to Praça do Comércio, where you can catch tram number 15, which will take you to Belém in about 20 minutes.
Once you arrive, and before visiting the Jerónimos Monastery, look for somewhere to eat. There are plenty of options near the monastery itself. I recommend eating beforehand, as the visit to the monument can take longer than expected.
Be dazzled by the Jerónimos Monastery
We’ll get off the tram at the stop right in front of the Jerónimos Monastery. This building is recognised as a World Heritage Site thanks to its artistic and architectural value. Its convent and church are spectacular and make it a must-see in Lisbon.
I recommend booking your ticket to the Jerónimos Monastery in advance, as it is the most visited monument in Lisbon. Prices start at around €17. It is open every day of the week except Mondays.
Try the pastéis de Belém
Whilst in the Belém district, we cannot miss the chance to try its traditional pastries. These are baked puff pastry tarts filled with custard, originally made by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery.
You can find them all over the city, but the original bakery is right next to the monastery, making it the best and most authentic place to try these treats. It’s well worth stopping by to sample this famous delicacy.
Admire the views from the Monument to the Discoveries
After regaining our strength with the pastéis de Belém, we’ll visit the Monument to the Discoveries. This impressive structure is located near the monastery, right by the River Tagus. Standing over 50 metres tall, it was erected as a tribute to all the adventurers and explorers who shaped Portugal’s history. It’s a lovely spot to stop for a few minutes to admire the view and take photos by the Tagus.
End your tour at the Belém Tower
As you can see, it is possible to see Lisbon’s main monuments and enjoy the city in 48 hours. The final stop on this itinerary will be at one of Lisbon’s most famous monuments, the Belém Tower. This tower juts out into the river and was built to serve as both a fort and a lighthouse.
Bear in mind that if you buy a ticket for the Belém Tower, you can visit the interior to see its dungeons and climb to the top to take in the views. The price for access to the interior is approximately €19.
On leaving, it’s worth sitting down for a few minutes and waiting for sunset. The river’s waters bathed in the setting sun’s light offer the perfect scene to bid farewell to Lisbon.