Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. Today, we’re going to information you thru the final word at some point in Lisbon itinerary, displaying you the most effective this metropolis has to supply in simply at some point.
If you’re staying in Lisbon longer, it would be best to take a look at our different weblog posts, 48 Hours in Lisbon, Where to Stay in Lisbon, and Best Day Trips from Lisbon. But for now, let’s get began with 1 day in Lisbon.
One Day in Lisbon Itinerary
The first burning query that must be answered is, are you able to see Lisbon in simply at some point? While it’s way more tough to see all the things in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it’s potential to get pleasure from its highlights and prime points of interest in one very jam-packed 24 hours. So, we’re going to present you the route that we predict you must take.
Morning
Belem Tower
Start your one-day journey to Lisbon in the Belem district with an early morning dawn at Belem Tower. You can go inside Belem Tower, nevertheless it doesn’t open till 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. This attraction could be loved from the skin, and you’ll really feel fulfilled. If you go for dawn, it’s going to simply be you and some photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one in every of Portugal’s seven wonders.
It’s situated immediately on the Tagus River. This lovely tower was constructed in 1515 to defend Lisbon from invaders coming in alongside the Tagus River.
Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
Leaving Belem Tower, it’s only a quick stroll alongside the waterfront promenade to the Monument of Discoveries. Portugal was a land of explorers; the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to Portugal’s legendary explorers. You can’t miss this monument because it towers over the Tagus River.
Standing 52 meters excessive, it’s a formidable sight. It was constructed in the twentieth century, however it’s no much less spectacular. For a small charge, you may take an elevator up for views over the Tagus River, or you may stroll up the steps. It doesn’t open till 10 a.m., so we are saying to easily benefit from the views.
Make positive to cease and try the Compass Rose adorning the sq. in entrance of the Monument of Discoveries. It was a present from South Africa and pays tribute to Portugal’s journies in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Within the design, search for a mermaid, Neptune, fave compass roses, and blowing faces.
If you actually wish to see the views of the Tagus, you may return and take the elevator immediately after your cease at our subsequent Lisbon attraction.
Jerónimos Monastery
Walking up from the waterfront, you’ll come throughout Jerónimos Monastery. This is the primary cease that we recommend you go inside. Book your time entry ticket for the primary entry of the day. After seeing Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it must be the right time to enter Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 am.
Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it too is one in every of Porugal’s seven wonders as it’s a masterpiece of Manueline structure. Its lovely marble design is to not be missed. Inside, you’ll wish to discover the cloisters, the courtyards and gardens, and the chapel. The monastery additionally homes the tomb of Vasco da Gama, who was the primary European to succeed in India by ship.
We recommend spending an hour right here after which be in your manner. Because bear in mind, you solely have at some point in Lisbon, and while you get dwelling, individuals will ask, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” and you’ll say, “Yes, I did!”
Upgrade to a Lisbon Card without spending a dime entry to public transport and prime points of interest, together with Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and extra
Pateis de Bélem
Continuing our journey by Belém, we see that it’s time for a snack break. You have been going since dawn, and if you happen to didn’t guide a lodge with breakfast included (which we extremely suggest as a result of it saves time and money), you can be able to eat.
Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of the town, and whether or not you might be hungry or not, you should go inside to style this well-known Portuguese custard.
Besteis de Bélem is the unique Pastel de Nata that you’ll eat all through Portugal. The iconic Portuguese custard tart was began right here on the Monastery when the nuns used egg whites to starch their habits. They had left-over yolks and didn’t know what to do with them, so that they made a custard that they stuffed into pastries and offered to earn cash for the Monastery. And thus, Pastel de Nata was born. Then, the Monastery was closed, and so they gave the recipe to the bakery subsequent door. They have been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.
Don’t be afraid if you happen to see a protracted line. The restaurant is large, and the strains transfer shortly. We have been inside inside a couple of minutes.
Midday / Lunch
You can take the tram again to Placa Do Comercio (the primary sq. situated on the waterfront) from Belem and journey one in every of Lisbon’s historic trams whilst you make your option to its lovely waterfront sq.. This offers you the chance to get pleasure from one in every of Lisbon’s prime points of interest – driving its iconic trams – whilst you make your manner again to the outdated metropolis.
You can rent an Uber, like we did. If you rent an Uber, have it drop you off on the Time Out Market, the place you can be having lunch. If you’re taking the tram, the Time Out Market is only a 15-minute stroll from Comercio Square. Before you make your option to the market, you may take a look at the gorgeous sq. and Rua Agusta Arch
Rua Agusta
From Comercio Square stroll to the Rua Agusta Arch in direction of the pedestrian road of Rua Agusta. Rua Agusta is 6 blocks of retailers, eating and power with road performers entertaining clients as they eat their lunch.
Pull up a chair at one of many out of doors cafes to get pleasure from some genuine Portuguese meals. This is a fantastic road that isn’t to be missed, and it’s proper in the center of the town. Stroll alongside this road, taking in the sights and going into the Bacalau, Pasteis de Nata, and Portuguese cans shops.
Afternoon
Alfama District
The Alfama District is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and an excellent place to spherical off the remainder of the afternoon. If you wish to stroll, it’s simply 5-10 minutes from Rua Agusta to the beginning of your strolling tour of Alfama. It is right here that you simply’ll actually really feel the historical past of Lisbon as you wander its slim streets.
Lisbon Cathedral
Start your time in Alfama on the Lisbon Cathedral. It is the oldest church in the town, relationship again to the twelfth century. You can go inside without spending a dime, however to see its cloisters, there’s a small charge of about €2
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Portas do Sol is the following cease, a brief stroll uphill. This is likely one of the hottest Miradouros in Lisbon, because it appears to be like out over the river and metropolis. See the terracotta rooftops that feels as if you’re overlooking a Meditteranean village cascading into the ocean.
It is situated on a big balcony, providing loads of room to take in the panoramic view. Things to maintain a watch out for is the Monastery of St. Vincen and the National Pantheon.
Tram 28
From Portas do Sol, you may hop on Tram 28. No journey to Lisbon could be full with out getting on one in every of its historic trams, and Tram 28 is iconic. Tram 28 changed the unique horse-drawn carriages in 1914. Lisbon is named the town of hills, and these trams assist locals journey by its steep hills. Tram 28 is a 7m route that takes you thru the favored vacationer districts of Lisbon, Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Santa Catarina & Estrela.
It takes 50 minutes to journey your complete route, however we recommend utilizing it as a type of public transport as an alternative. If you solely wish to take it a few stops, you may rent an Uber. The tram runs till 10 or 11 pm (relying on the season), so you may at all times hop again later to see all the things.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
From Portas do Sol, Tram 28 will take you subsequent to the Monastery of St. George, the place you may hop off to discover inside, or you may merely benefit from the view and wait to your subsequent cease, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Time might be getting tight now, so chances are you’ll wish to skip it and head on to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
This is the best level in Lisbon and is value stopping for an overhead view of the town.
Castelo de São Jorge
Take a stroll alongside the fortress’s historical partitions and benefit from the unbelievable views of the town from excessive above. Castelo de São Jorge is open till 9 pm in the summer season and is a superb spot for sundown.
You’ll have entry to its gardens and may be a part of a guided tour. There is a museum inside that’s free to enter, and naturally, the fortress partitions and views of the town are lovely. This web site is a big historic vacation spot, with settlements relationship again to the seventh century BC.
Evening/Dinner
To spherical your at some point itinerary in Lisbon, make your option to Barrio Alto. This is the place for nightlife in Lisbon, and there are a number of selections for dinner in Bairro Alto. We beloved the Gin Lover’s Bar in Barrio Alto. We had a cocktail right here earlier than having fun with a scrumptious meal on the out of doors terrace.
Nightlife
After dinner, you may have a number of selections: you may benefit from the nightlife of Bairro Alto, go bar hopping, and seek for some Fado performers. If you actually wish to see a Fado present, we suggest reserving an organized efficiency in advance right here. This extremely rated tour
Well, that was a busy at some point in Lisbon, Portugal! From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods and gorgeous views from its miradouros, we’ve proven you tips on how to take advantage of your day AND evening in this gorgeous metropolis. If you might be spending extra time in Lisbon, take a look at our submit 48 Hours in Lisbon, Itinerary
For much more prime sights, the most effective locations to eat, and essentially the most environment friendly methods to navigate Lisbon, take a look at our weblog The Best Things to Do in Lisbon