Lisbon is Portugal’s coastal capital metropolis and one of many first stops on most individuals’s Portugal itinerary. We spent an unforgettable 48 hours in Lisbon, packing in as a lot as potential. In this put up, we are going to take you thru its finest neighborhoods and high points of interest, giving insider recommendations on the place to remain and what to eat. If you’ve two days in town, comply with this 48 hours in Lisbon itinerary to see the highest points of interest and to get pleasure from a few of its tradition, meals, and structure.
Two Days in Lisbon Itinerary
When spending a few days in Lisbon, be certain that to e-book a resort with breakfast included. Usually, breakfasts at European lodges are superb, with pastries, eggs, gourmand espresso, and tea. We stayed on the Turim Boulevard Hotel positioned in the guts of Lisbon on Avenida da Liberdada. You can learn our full article about the place to remain in Lisbon right here.
We discovered an excellent deal on Booking.com to remain at this 5-star resort that was inside strolling distance to the Old Town and plenty of of Lisbon’s high points of interest. Check charges and availability right here.
To get round Lisbon, we used Uber. The app was reasonably priced and straightforward to make use of. We extremely advocate downloading Uber earlier than touring to Portugal.
A Lisbon Card means that you can enter lots of Lisbon’s high points of interest and skip the road. If you wish to see lots shortly, it is a nice choice to buy forward of time. So, are you able to discover one in all Europe’s most fun cities in two days? Let’s dive in!
Day 1 – The Top Attractions
After breakfast, we referred to as an Uber to take us to the Belém neighborhood, the place we might start our Lisbon itinerary at two of town’s high vacationer points of interest.
The Belém neighborhood is positioned alongside the Tagus River, only a brief tram or Uber experience from Lisbon’s metropolis middle. Belém is the birthplace of the Age of Discoveries and homes a few of Lisbon’s most iconic points of interest.
Belém Tower
Belem Tower is among the few monuments to outlive the 1755 earthquake. It is among the Seven Wonders of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located immediately on the Tagus River, it’s a good way to start your Lisbon journey.
An Uber from the outdated metropolis price us 8€ and took about 20 minutes.
We didn’t go inside Belém Tower however admired it from the surface. The price to enter Belém Tower is 6 Euro, and opening hours are from 10 am to six:30 pm from May to September, with an earlier closing of 5:30 from Oct to April. You can reserve your timed entry in advance right here. It can be included in the Lisbon Card.
Since it opens so late, getting in at 10 a.m. actually cuts into the Lisbon Itinerary. We counsel going earlier than the crowds to see this surprise earlier than it opens. You can then proceed down the Tagus River to see extra points of interest.
Jerónimos Monastery
Just a brief stroll from Belém Tower is Jerónimos Monastery, It’s one other UNESCO World Heritage Site that you could not miss.
Jeronimos monastery was constructed in the sixteenth century to commemorate Vasco de Gama’s voyage to India; he was the primary European to succeed in India by sea.
The monastery is a masterpiece of Manueline structure, showcasing elaborate carvings that pay homage to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Visitors can anticipate to be mesmerized by the monastery’s beautiful cloisters, every intricately designed with columns richly adorned with maritime motifs and symbols of exploration.
The church of Santa Maria, housing the tomb of Vasco da Gama, offers a poignant connection to Portugal’s navigational achievements. Open to the general public, the Jerónimos Monastery invitations vacationers to step again in time and marvel at its breathtaking magnificence, expansive dimensions, and historic significance. With its shut proximity to different notable points of interest such
Tickets price 12 euros, and you should purchase them on-line in advance. They are additionally included in the Lisbon Card.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos – Monument of Discoveries
It is simply becoming that the Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) is positioned close by. Vasco Da Gama was simply one in all many legendary explorers from Portugal, and this spectacular monument, constructed on the Tagus River in the twentieth century, celebrates these nice explorers with Prince Henry the Navigator on the entrance.
This monument celebrates the Portuguese explorers who charted unknown territories worldwide. You can to as much as the highest to take in the views of the Tagus River and the Belem neighborhood.
Pasteis de Bélem
Also positioned in the Belem Neighborhood is the birthplace of Portugal’s well-known Pasteles de Nata. Pastéis de Belém has been serving its secret recipe since 1837 and provides the unique model of the creamy custard tart that has develop into a logo of Portuguese culinary custom.
The historical past of those tarts dates again to the early Nineteenth century when monks crafted them. When the monastery closed, the recipe was handed to the bakery, making certain the legacy of this scrumptious deal with.
This is a wonderful place to seize a espresso and snacks earlier than transferring on. The finest recommendation we acquired was to go inside to sit down down. The line could appear lengthy, however the restaurant is large, and the turnover is quick. We solely stood in line for about 5 minutes earlier than we had been seated.
Tagus River Attractions
Walking alongside the Tagus River is a Lisbon attraction unto itself. As we continued alongside the waterfront, we loved the websites of the Belém neighborhood. As you proceed alongside the waterfront, you’ll come throughout monuments and statues and there are a couple of museums price stopping at.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is positioned close to Jeronimós Monastery if you wish to pop into that, and the National Coach Museum is positioned alongside your stroll again in the direction of downtown.
We continued to stroll alongside the waterfront, having fun with the views of the Tagus River, together with The Sanctuary of Christ the King – a monument that reminded us of Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro. There are loads of issues to see, and you’ll lease bikes or scooters to get round as effectively
Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
Whatever you do, don’t miss the spectacular Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Conveniently positioned on the banks of the Tagus River and nonetheless in the Belém district, MAAT stands as a beacon of up to date tradition and innovation.
Inside, guests are handled to a dynamic array of exhibitions that bridge the hole between artwork and expertise, showcasing works that provoke thought and encourage innovation. Whether you’re an artwork aficionado, a expertise fanatic, or just trying to immerse your self in Lisbon’s cutting-edge cultural scene.
It is open from Wednesday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., making it an ideal addition to your Lisbon journey.
LX Factory
We walked all the best way to the LX Factory, one of many coolest neighborhoods in Lisbon. It is a posh of outdated industrial buildings positioned below the April twenty fifth Bridge that has been become an artisan group.
There are eating places, boutiques, artwork galleries, and multimedia shows. This is a good spot to seize a snack and an aperitif and easily folks watch. Even the locals like to hang around at LX Factory, so you’ll really feel like you might be actually immersing in the native tradition.
Avenida da Liberdade
After catching an Uber again downtown, we relaxed at our resort positioned on the Champs Élysées of Lisbon, the c As we talked about, that is the realm that we stayed in and we beloved how shut it was to downtown, but it surely was additionally quiet and stylish away from the hustle and bustle.
This stunning treelined road was impressed by the boulevards of Paris with a shaded walkway by stunning structure.
For high-end procuring, that is the place to go. It is among the costliest streets in Portugal and we acquired an incredible deal on reserving.com on the Turim Boulevard Hotel.
Rooftop Bar for Sunset
Our resort had a rooftop bar the place we loved the sundown. Watching the sundown from a rooftop or one in all Lisbon’s Miradouros is a should. This metropolis is gorgeous. With its seven hills surrounding the historic city, it is among the most stunning scenes in Europe.
Right subsequent door to the Turim Boulevard Hotel is the Tivoli Avenida Hotel Next door. Their Skybar is famous and is a wonderful place for a sundown cocktail. We stayed on the Tivoli in the Algarve, and beloved the Skybar there as effectively. We counsel getting there early, although, as this patio fills up shortly.
The space of Avenida da Liberdade is a good place to seize dinner and benefit from the rooftop bars with beautiful views.
Fado Show
One of the must-do experiences in Lisbon is to look at a Fado Show. UNESCO acknowledges it as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and it’s also possible to go to the Fado Museum in Alfama.
Fado is the soulful, haunting music style that captures the essence of Portuguese tradition and emotion. Originating in the 1820s in Lisbon, it’s acknowledged for its deeply melancholic melodies and lyrics that always discover themes of affection, loss, and longing, reflecting the Portuguese idea of “Saudade” — a profound sense of nostalgia and craving.
Even if we couldn’t perceive what they had been saying, we felt the emotion seep by their voices.
We made the error of reserving a Fado present on-line with GetYour Guide. While it was only a brief stroll from our resort to the venue, we actually ought to have gone to the Alfama district to expertise this style of music in town’s oldest district.
Day 2 – Miradorous and Neighborhoods
Day two in Lisbon takes you throughout the Old City to see its vibrant neighborhoods and high points of interest of the Old City. After breakfast, we walked all the way down to the Old Town to start on the Alfama District.
Alfama District
The Alfama district is Lisbon’s oldest district and its most cultural and genuine neighborhood. It is the proper place to begin day 2 of your 48-hour keep.
Tram 28
Tram 28 prices 3 Euros and goes by a few of Lisbon’s most iconic neighborhoods. A 24-hour go is offered, and it’s free with the Lisbon Card. However, every time we glided by a cease, there was all the time a crowd.
Castelo St George
You can simply spend the half a day right here. Start by making your technique to the highest and discover Castelo St George. You can see this fortress from throughout town.
The outdated fortifications date again to the 2nd century BC but it surely underwent in depth renovations. You can stroll alongside its outdated partitions and take in views of Lisbon.
Make certain to get there early or e-book your tickets in advance because it will get crowded.
Belvedere Lookout
If you don’t wish to tour the Castle, there’s a Miradorou proper beside Castelo St. George that we went to as a substitute. It prices €5 to go up the steps to the bell tower, however there’s a glass of wine
Porto do Sol
Miradouro de Santa Catarina, sometimes called “Porto do Sol” by locals is among the high stops in the neighborhood with breathtaking views of the Tagus River and town’s picturesque rooftops.
This scenic viewpoint, nestled in the colourful neighborhood of Santa Catarina, turns into a magical spot because the solar units, portray the sky in shades of orange and pink. It’s a favourite amongst each locals and vacationers for its relaxed environment, complemented by the mild strumming of guitars and the mushy hum of dialog.
Visitors can get pleasure from a refreshing drink from the close by kiosk or café, making it a great location for a serene night after a day of exploring Lisbon’s bustling streets. The panoramic views from Porto do Sol present an ideal backdrop for memorable photographs, capturing the essence of Lisbon’s magnificence. Whether you’re in search of a romantic spot to look at the sundown or a peaceable place to soak in town’s allure, Miradouro de Santa Catarina guarantees an unforgettable expertise, making it a must-visit vacation spot on any Lisbon itinerary.
Tuk Tuk Tour
You can hop on one other historic tram to tour town or rent a Tuk Tuk as we did.
It is definitely a good way to see lots of the high points of interest in a brief period of time. If you solely have 48 Hours in Lisbon, we extremely advocate hiring a tuk-tuk.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
One of the very best views in Lisbon is the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. This was included in our tuk tuk tour and it was price going up for a view over town.
Comercio Square
Commerce Square is Lisbon’s grand sq. positioned on the River Tagus. It is as large as it’s stunning, with its distinctive U-shaped association of yellow Nineteenth-century buildings standing on the former Royal Palace of Ribeira.
There is lots taking place at this sq., and you’ll’t miss going to see it.
Pink Street
Pink Street, formally often called Rua Nova do Carvalho is positioned in the guts oof the Cais do Sodré district. Once a gritty space, Pink Street has reworked right into a bustling hub for nightlife.
During the day, it attracts photographers with their sensible telephones to take social media photographs of its pink-painted street lined with colourful umbrellas.
Open from nightfall until daybreak, this stylish hotspot provides an eclectic mixture of musical genres and atmospheres, catering to all tastes. Whether you’re trying to dance the evening away, get pleasure from a cocktail in a trendy bar, or just soak in the electrical environment.
Time Out Market
Time Out Market is a should go to on any Lisbon itinerary. Located in the previous Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré, this bustling meals corridor brings collectively a curated collection of Lisbon’s finest eating places, cooks, and meals producers below one roof. But take notice, this can be very busy. However, it’s an reasonably priced choice for lunch.
Open every day, it provides guests an opportunity to indulge in a big selection of gastronomic delights, from conventional Portuguese dishes to worldwide delicacies, all freshly ready in an open kitchen surroundings.
Whether you’re craving seafood, gourmand burgers, or genuine pastéis de nata, the Time Out Market offers an unparalleled eating expertise that showcases the richness of Lisbon’s culinary scene. Its central location, close to main points of interest and simply accessible by public transport, makes it a handy cease for vacationers.
Rua Agusta
We then spent the afternoon testing the websites alongside Rua Augusta, an extended pedestrian road in the guts of Lisbon’s bustling Baixa district.
Framed by the majestic Arco da Rua Augusta at one finish and the sprawling Praça do Comércio on the different, this road is a bustling hive of exercise, providing an array of outlets, cafes, and road performers that entertain guests at each flip.
The triumphal arch itself, providing panoramic views of town and the Tagus River from its rooftop, is a must-visit attraction, offering a singular vantage level to understand Lisbon’s historic allure.
The road’s pedestrian-friendly format encourages leisurely strolls, permitting guests to soak in the colourful environment and architectural magnificence that outline Lisbon. For these trying to immerse themselves in Lisbon’s dynamic metropolis life whereas having fun with quick access to its historic sights, Rua Augusta is an unmissable vacation spot.
Santa Justa Lift
Throughout this neighborhood, there are many outlets and eating places and different points of interest, such because the Santa Justa Lift. The Santa Justa elevate is open to the general public to go up and take in the views from the platform (the platform was closed throughout our go to) and it acts as public transport to take you as much as the Largo do Carmo space.
Bairro Alto District
We ended our two days in Lisbon in the Bairro Alto District to get pleasure from dinner and drinks in this energetic space the place the streets come alive with dwell music, bars and eating places as soon as the solar goes down.
Bairro Alto is the pulsating coronary heart of Lisbon’s nightlife. This historic neighborhood turns right into a energetic hotspot when the solar goes down, the place slender cobbled streets come alive with the sounds of Fado music, emanating from quaint bars and intimate eating places.
This space is a haven for nightlife seekers, providing a various array of leisure choices, from stylish rooftop bars with beautiful views over Lisbon to cozy taverns the place locals and vacationers alike mingle over glasses of vinho verde and plates of petiscos (Portuguese tapas).
The district’s bohemian environment is unmatched, making it the proper place to expertise Lisbon’s legendary evening scene. Whether you’re trying to dance the evening away in one in all its many nightclubs or just get pleasure from a leisurely night stroll amidst the colourful road artwork and historic structure, Bairro Alto guarantees an unforgettable evening out, showcasing the easiest of Lisbon’s dynamic and inclusive tradition.
We went for gin and tonic cockails at Gin Lovers cocktail bar in the Portuguese Concept shops, we then at dinner on the terrace with stunning views of the outdated metropolis. This is a good neighborhood to finish your Lisbon Itinerary.
Day 3 Bonus
If you’ve one other day in your Lisbon itinerary, most individuals go to Sintra, which is only a brief day journey from Lisbon. We spent two evening in Sintra, however it may be carried out on a day tour to see its high points of interest. Sintra is among the hottest locations in Portugal, and should you solely have a short while in the nation, you actually shouldn’t miss visiting this magical vacation spot. Read all about it 14 Best Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal
And there you’ve our 48 hours in Lisbon. We are heading again there quickly and can share much more issues to do in town, however for now, try our movies on Sintra, the preferred day journey from Lisbon and included on everybody’s Lisbon Itinerary.