Ready-made trips · Portugal
Lisbon in 5 days
The castle and Alfama, Belém and its monastery, pastéis de nata and fado, and a day among the palaces of Sintra.
- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- March to June, September to October
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- Sintra
Five days in Lisbon: The Castle and Alfama; Belém, plus a day trip to Sintra. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening in ChiadoArrival
- When you arriveElevador de Santa JustaHistoric lift with city views.Tip: A genuinely ornate cast-iron elevator connecting two parts of Lisbon — offers good city views from its top platform, though queues can be long.
Lunch nearby: Café Nicola or Cervejaria Trindade
Dinner: Tapisco or Solar dos Presuntos
2The Castle and Alfama
- MorningSão Jorge CastleHilltop castle with city views.Tip: Offers panoramic views over Lisbon and the river — go for sunset, though book ahead as timed entry is increasingly required in peak season.
- AfternoonLisbon CathedralOldest church in Lisbon.Tip: Lisbon's oldest church, genuinely fortress-like in appearance — a good, quick historical stop within the Alfama district.
- If you have timeMiradouro de Santa LuziaA tiled terrace of bougainvillea above the Alfama rooftops and the river.Tip: The neighbouring Portas do Sol terrace has cafés with the same view.
Lunch nearby: Chapitô à Mesa or Taberna Sal Grosso
Dinner: O Pitéu da Graça or A Brasileira
3Sintra: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the Old TownDay trip to Sintra
- MorningPena PalaceColorful hilltop palace.Tip: Book the first timed slot and take bus 434 up; by 11am the queues are long.
- AfternoonQuinta da RegaleiraPalace with Initiation Well.Tip: A genuinely mysterious estate with symbolic gardens and an initiation well spiraling underground — book timed entry in advance given its popularity.
Lunch nearby: Tascantiga or Piriquita
Dinner: Tascantiga or Piriquita
4Belém
- MorningJerónimos MonasteryManueline monastery with cloisters.Tip: The church is free; the cloister needs a ticket — book a timed slot online and skip the long queue.
- AfternoonPadrão dos DescobrimentosThe monument to the Age of Discovery on the Belém waterfront, with a rooftop view.Tip: Home to genuine landmarks of Portugal's Age of Discovery — a good, walkable area combining monuments with river views.
- If you have timeBelém TowerHistoric riverside defense tower.Tip: A UNESCO-listed fortified tower marking Portugal's Age of Discovery — book timed entry in advance, as the interior space is genuinely narrow and limited in capacity.
Lunch nearby: Pastéis de Belém or Pão Pão Queijo Queijo
Dinner: Nunes Real Marisqueira or Pastéis de Belém
5A Last Morning on the RiverLast morning
- Before you leavePraça do ComércioLarge waterfront square.Tip: Lisbon's grand riverside square, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake — a natural gathering point with genuinely good river views.
Lunch nearby: Chapitô à Mesa or A Brasileira
Dinner: Bairro do Avillez or Confeitaria Nacional
Where to stay
Baixa & Chiado
The flat, grand downtown grid and the elegant café quarter just above it.
Baixa-Chiado, Rossio and Terreiro do Paço metro; trains to Sintra from Rossio and to Cascais from Cais do Sodré.
Príncipe Real & Bairro Alto
Leafy Príncipe Real and the street-party lanes of Bairro Alto below it.
Rato and Baixa-Chiado metro; the Glória funicular down to Restauradores.
Alfama
The oldest quarter, a maze of lanes below the castle, full of fado houses.
Tram 28 and buses; 10 min walk down to the Baixa.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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