Lisbon in 2 Days: everything you need to know

It’s possible to see Lisbon’s main sights and get to know the city in just a weekend. Plus, you can do it at a leisurely pace, taking your time to enjoy it. To help you do just that, here’s an itinerary for exploring the city in 48 hours. While some lesser-known spots will have to be left out, in two days you’ll have plenty of time to explore the historic center, the main neighborhoods, and landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

The first day of the itinerary is designed to help you discover and enjoy Lisbon’s historic center. The route winds through the neighboring neighborhoods of Alfama and Baixas, where you’ll find some of the city’s most significant landmarks: Lisbon Cathedral, São Jorge Castle, and Praça do Comércio are among 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 São Jorge Castle. The Portas do Sol and Santa Lucía viewpoints are two of the best thanks to their views of downtown Lisbon with the Tagus River in the background, and you’re sure to learn more details if you book a guided tour of Alfama and São Jorge.

Near both viewpoints, there are several terraces perfect for breakfast to fuel up for the day.

Enter São Jorge Castle

Perched atop a hill in the heart of the Alfama neighborhood stands São Jorge Castle, a must-see 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 admission 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 surrounded by ducks and peacocks while enjoying spectacular views of the city.

Don’t miss Lisbon Cathedral

Heading down from the castle toward the Tagus River, you’ll come across Lisbon Cathedral. The city’s most important church is free to visit, and for an additional €2.50, you can add the cloister and the treasure housed in this Romanesque church to your tour. A highly recommended visit—learn more by booking a guided tour of Lisbon.

Discover the Alfama neighborhood

After seeing its monuments, it’s worth taking a short stroll through the streets of the Alfama neighborhood. Originally a fishing village that grew up beneath the walls of São Jorge Castle, it’s now one of Lisbon’s most charming neighborhoods.

If you wander through its streets, you’re sure to come across a street musician singing fados, as this neighborhood is considered the birthplace of this Portuguese musical genre. You can take advantage of the walk to stop at a restaurant and enjoy some Portuguese cuisine. Dishes featuring cod and other fish are especially recommended, as Alfama is a neighborhood historically linked to fishing.

And if you’d rather not miss a single detail about the history of this popular and unique neighborhood, don’t hesitate to book a guided tour of Alfama.

Stroll through Pedro IV Square

From the Alfama neighborhood, 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 central hubs. In the center 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 on the streets near the square, as prices tend to be higher right there.

Walk down 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 pedestrian street, and along its more than 600 meters, you’ll find the city’s main shops and businesses. We can take advantage of the stroll to sit at a terrace for a coffee and pop into the shops to buy a souvenir or simply treat ourselves.

Don’t miss Praça do Comércio

As the afternoon wears on, we’ll arrive at the famous Praça do Comércio. One of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. We’ll enter through the arch on Rua Augusta, where we can climb up to the viewpoint to see the square and Rua Augusta from above.

It costs just €2.50 to go up to the viewpoint. In Praça do Comércio, we can also see the equestrian statue of José I and the pier that leads directly to the Tagus River, offering an excellent panoramic view.

This is a great spot to end the day, as it offers a beautiful sunset over the river, and nearby there are countless dining options 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.

We’ve already explored the center of Lisbon, so on the second day it’s time to finish the job and visit the Belém neighborhood, home to two of the most important monuments in Lisbon and all of Portugal. But that will come after taking a unique elevator to visit an impressive church in ruins.

Take the Santa Justa Elevator

Your second day in Lisbon can begin with a visit to the Santa Justa Elevator. Located on Rua do Ouro, this unique elevator connects the Baixa Pombalina and Chiado neighborhoods via an elevator and a walkway 45 meters above ground. The top level features a terrace with great views of downtown Lisbon.

Since lines are common, it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning. The elevator opens at 7:30 a.m. and costs €5.30, which includes a round-trip ride on the elevator and access to the observation deck.

Visit the Convento do Carmo

As we exit the upper walkway of the Santa Justa Elevator, we come upon 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.

Today, you can visit the ruins of the church, which houses the Carmo Archaeological Museum. The main structure of the temple remains intact, though without a roof, offering a simply spectacular view. Admission to the convent and museum costs €5.

Take the tram to Belém

One of the most authentic experiences in Lisbon is riding its trams. Since our next destination is the Belém neighborhood, which is somewhat far from the center, don’t hesitate to book the Lisbon tourist tram to get there.

The best option is to take a 10- to 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 a place to eat. There are many 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 recognized as a World Heritage Site thanks to its artistic and architectural value. Its convent and church are spectacular, making 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 approximately €17. It is open every day of the week except Mondays.

Try the pastéis de Belém

While in the Belém neighborhood, we can’t miss the chance to try its traditional pastries. These are flaky, cream-filled pastries baked 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 enjoy these treats. It’s definitely worth stopping by to try this famous delicacy.

Admire the views from the Monument to the Discoveries

After refueling with the pastéis de Belém, we’ll visit the Monument to the Discoveries. This impressive structure is located near the monastery, right next to the Tagus River. Standing over 50 meters tall, it was built 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’s 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 landmarks, the Belém Tower. This tower juts out into the river and was built to serve as both a fortress and a lighthouse.

Keep in mind that if you buy a ticket for the Belém Tower, you can tour 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.

Upon leaving, it’s advisable to sit for a few minutes and wait for sunset. The river’s waters bathed in the setting sun’s light offer the best possible scene to bid farewell to Lisbon.