In today’s post, I’m sharing our 3 day Lisbon itinerary.
We just returned from two weeks in Spain and Portugal, and one of the highlights of our trip was our time in Lisbon.
(You can check out an overview of our full itinerary on this blog post).
I had visited Lisbon once before, over 10 years ago during my study abroad semester in Valladolid, Spain. Some friends and I took the overnight train to Lisbon and spent the weekend in a boisterous but welcoming hostel called…*checks notes*…The G Spot. (I’m not kidding). (The establishment has since been rebranded).
I remember instantly falling in love with Lisbon: the glow of the Alfama district at sunset, the fairytale castles in Sintra, and the TILES. I was obsessed with the tiles. Still am.
I had been hyping Lisbon up to Tyler for years–so much so that when we started planning this trip, I started to get nervous that I had overdone it and we’d both be disappointed.
Fortunately, Lisbon is still Lisbon, and we both absolutely loved it. It is a MUST on any Portugal itinerary and one of our favorite European cities we’ve visited together.
In today’s post, I’m sharing some background info on Lisbon as a travel destination (how to get there, how many days to account for, “family friendliness,” and where to stay). Then, I’ll share a little 3 day Lisbon itinerary based on our time in the city.
The Perfect 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital city and the westernmost capital city in continental Europe. A thriving political center since the 13th century, Lisbon is the second-oldest capital city in Europe (second to Athens!).
Lisbon is full of history and charm and is by far one of the most unique cities I have ever visited. Cobblestone streets and vintage trolley tracks wind up and down the city’s iconic hills. Tile facades adorn old buildings, each more colorful and detailed than the last. The port’s crystal waterfront is staggeringly beautiful, and the Southern Portugal sun famously shines over 290 days per year.
How to get to Lisbon
If you fly into Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), you can either take a taxi into the city center (20 minutes) or hop on the red metro line (25 minutes). We found the metro in Lisbon relatively easy to navigate.
Do you need a rental car in Lisbon?
We had a rental car with us because we drove down from Porto, but you do not need a car in Lisbon. Much of Lisbon is walkable, and you can get around easily via public transport even if you are planning a day trip out to Sintra or Cascais. Parking can be difficult, so I would avoid having a car with you unless you need it.
How many days to spend in Lisbon?
We spent four nights in Lisbon which gave us three full days plus that first evening to explore and enjoy the city. This was perfect.
You could conquer the city itself in two days, but a day trip to Sintra is, in my opinion, nonnegotiable for any Lisbon itinerary. Three days in Lisbon gives you enough time to enjoy the city and spend a day in one of the most beautiful areas in Western Europe. More on this in a second.
Is Lisbon kid friendly?
We found most of both Spain and Portugal to be extremely kid/family friendly.
Our definition of “kid friendly” encompasses some combination of family amenities and actual friendliness towards our kiddos. Some places have less amenities (gated playgrounds, clean public bathrooms) but are still full of people who are overwhelmingly welcoming to us (Croatia comes to mind). Others are sort of the opposite: less lovey-dovey (but still unbothered) but equipped with family friendly amenities that make traveling with kids much more seamless from a logistic perspective (thinking of Paris here). And while we certainly don’t expect anyone to bend over backwards to make our young children feel comfortable, a bit of kindness does go a very long way.
We found Portugal to fall into the first category (and I know I’m generalizing here–don’t come for me!). Lisbon doesn’t necessarily have the extensive playground system that a city like Paris does, but everyone we met was so kind to us and our kids. We didn’t feel like we were a nuisance at restaurants, and there were tons of kids on public transportation alongside ours.
The bottom line is this: our 3 and 5 year old girls LOVED Lisbon. We had a blast exploring, and they especially loved Sintra. I would absolutely recommend this city to families, but do keep in mind that it is still a big city.
Is Lisbon stroller friendly?
We used the stroller one day in Lisbon for our 3 year old, and there were a few times where we did have to collapse it and carry it up or down steps. Lisbon is a very hilly city, and there are certain streets where the sidewalk is made of cobblestone steps instead of a flat walkway.
Where to stay in Lisbon: Baixa House
One of the things that made our time in Lisbon so perfect was our stay at Baixa House.
Baixa House, a luxury apartment hotel, is located on a charming street in the heart of the Baixa neighborhood in Lisbon. This location couldn’t be better; the property is central and felt totally safe.
Baixa House provides an amazing base for exploring all that Lisbon has to offer: we were just minutes away from the iconic waterfront AND the historic Alfama district which is my absolute favorite area of Lisbon. The hotel shares a block with trendy coffee shops, delicious restaurants, and an adorable jewelry store.
Tyler and I have both said over and over again that this was one of our favorite stays we’ve ever had in all of our travels. I can’t say enough good things about Baixa House.
We stayed in an enormous 2 bedroom apartment called the Ajuda. The space had high ceilings, beautiful natural light all day, and was decorated with all of these gorgeous antiques and thoughtful elements. The cute kitchenette in the apartment had everything we needed to store food and cook eggs in the mornings for the girls.
Baixa House is one of those rare accommodations that makes you want to have a slow leisurely morning and provides a welcome respite after a long day of exploring the city.
I should also mention that the apartment was serviced daily which, after two weeks in Airbnbs, was SO nice. The staff provided breakfast daily in our room and dropped off—wait for it—FRESH BREAD at our door every morning.
The Baixa House property has various one, two, and three bedroom apartments, making this a wonderful option for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. We were so impressed with this property. I said about ten times while we were there that I would live in our apartment if they let us move in.
3 Days in Lisbon, Portugal
In this 3 day Lisbon itinerary, you’ll wander through Lisbon’s Baixa and Alfama districts. You’ll take a day trip to visit some princess castles and the charming town of Sintra. Finally, you’ll walk through Barrio Alto and explore Belem.
Day 1: Walking tour + Alfama
Spend your first day in Lisbon getting the lay of the land and exploring the Baixa and Alfama neighborhoods. Lisbon is a wonderful place to get lost in. Follow this little walking tour loosely, and have fun meandering through all of the gorgeous nooks, crannies, and random sweeping viewpoints that Lisbon will surprise you with!
But first: coffee. Grab a flat white and a brioche bun from Copenhagen Coffee Lab while you map out your morning.
Self-guided walking tour of Lisbon
Our walking tour begins at Monumento dos Restauradores, so head there once you’re properly caffeinated. Then, make your way to Praça Dom Pedro IV, one of Lisbon’s most famous plazas known for its wavey cobblestones and fountains.
The next spot on our walking tour is the Church of Saint Dominic, one of Lisbon’s national monuments. This church was first built in the 13th century and has been restored after earthquakes and fires.
Make your way to the Church of Saint Nicholas. This is where you’ll turn onto Rua da Vitória until you hit Rua Augusta which will put you on the main path towards the waterfront.
As you walk towards the Arco da Rua Augusta, you might want to detour quickly and sample some of Portugal’s most famous pastries (pastéis de nata) from Manteigaria.
Passing under the arch will lead you to Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s famous waterfront square.
At this point, feel free to break for lunch at Ministerium Terrace–a patio table is a must. Order a spritz, lobster roll (trust me), and enjoy the 2010’s playlist. All of these spots on the square are touristy, but the food at Ministerium Terrace is actually really good, and you cannot beat the vibes.
After lunch, go ahead and take an afternoon rest at your hotel because we have another big walk in store this evening.
(As you walk through Lisbon, you’ll start to notice various trolley stops along the streets. If the hills become too much at any time, feel free to stop and wait for a trolley. Make sure to carry some cash with you for these!).
Once you’re ready to head out for the evening, begin your walk towards Castelo de São Jorge, an 11th century Moorish castle and one of Lisbon’s most notable landmarks. You can purchase tickets either online or in person.
Once you’re finished at the castle, grab some dinner in the Alfama neighborhood below. We ate pizza twice in the Alfama (LOL) and enjoyed both the vibes and the pizza at Pizzeria Romana al Tavolo and Pizzaria Maledetta.
After dinner, it’s time to wander and find a lookout point. One of the most magical things about Lisbon is the way the Alfama district glows at and after sunset. The red roofs and white and pastel buildings set against the water is one of my favorite views ever.
There are many stunning lookout points to choose from, but Miradouro das Portas do Sol was our favorite.
Day 2: Day trip to Sintra
I recommend reserving one full day to spend in Sintra. You can check out my guide dedicated to Sintra here.
Even though Sintra is just a 40 minute train ride from the Rossio train station, you’ll want to dedicate most of this day to it because there are several beautiful spots within Sintra that you’ll want to explore (and a lot of it is quite spread out).
After you get back to Lisbon, you’ll likely be ready for a nice big dinner.
One of my top travel tips is to make a dinner reservation (in advance) for every night of your trip. Even if you end up canceling it and going another route, you will be so happy to have the option. This is even more true if you are traveling with kids and/or traveling during the busy summer months.
One of the best restaurants we ate at in Lisbon was this Lebanese place called Citron. This would be an amazing meal after a long day exploring Sintra, so make a reservation at a time that will give you enough time to rest and freshen up. Citron is not too far from Alfama too, so you can easily head up in that direction if you are craving another romantic evening walk after dinner.
Day 3: Barrio Alto + Chiado walk + Belem
On your third morning in Lisbon, we are going to take on Barrio Alto and Chiado.
Grab a coffee at SO Coffee Roasters, and make sure to check out the boutique it’s attached to. This whole area had such fun shopping, and this was one of my favorite stores that we checked out.
The next stop this morning will be the Carmo Convent and the adjacent square, Chafariz do Carmo. On your way to the lookout point, you’ll pass the Church of Saint Roch.
You’ll finish up the walk at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for a sweeping view of the city.
After the walk, head back down towards Time Out Market for lunch. The options are honestly a bit overwhelming, so I recommend doing some research beforehand on what to eat here!
After lunch, you might want to grab some caffeine at The Coffee for the train ride out to Belem. You can hop on the train at Cais do Sodré (buy tickets at the kiosk or counter).
Once you’ve arrived in Belem, head first towards the Belem Tower for an iconic view of Lisbon’s bridge.
Then, make your way back to Jerónimos Monastery (we skipped this on our recent trip but I remember thinking this was so cool on my first visit!). I do recommend buying tickets in advance online. Each ticket comes with a time slot, and if you wait to purchase until you’re there you might have to wait for your time slot to open up.
After touring the Monastery, head to Pastéis de Belém. This is arguably the most iconic place to try pastéis de nata. There is almost always a line, but it moves pretty quickly.
At this point, you’ll want to make your way back to the city center for an evening rest before dinner.
No trip to Lisbon can be complete without dinner at a rooftop restaurant. We LOVED our meal at Javá Rooftop. The drinks were amazing, and the Mediterranean-fusion menu was a hit for all four of us. Definitely make a reservation in advance.
Thank you for checking out our 3 day Lisbon itinerary! Please let me know how your trip goes and if we have missed anything essential on this guide.
Lisbon Packing List
On that note…
Our 2 week Spain and Portugal Itinerary
Everything I wore in Spain and Portugal
Looking for more city guides, packing tips, and/or family travel hacks? Click here.
