Lisbon in 2 Days: everything you need to know

It is possible to see Lisbon's main monuments and get to know the city in a weekend. What's more, we can do so at a relatively leisurely pace, enjoying ourselves at our own pace. To do so, I'm sharing this itinerary for visiting the city in 48 hours. Although some less important sights will be left out, in two days you'll have time to see the historic center, the most important neighborhoods, and monuments such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

The first day of the itinerary is designed to discover and enjoy the historic center of Lisbon. The route runs through the neighboring districts of Alfama and Baixas, where you will find some of the city's most significant sights: Lisbon Cathedral, St. George's Castle, and Commerce Square are some of the main highlights of this first day in Lisbon.

Take the best photos from the Porta do Sol and Santa Lucia viewpoints

The day can begin at the viewpoints on the hill of São Jorge Castle. Portas do Sol and Santa Lucía are two of the best thanks to their views of the center of 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 that are perfect for breakfast and recharging your batteries for the day.

Enter São Jorge Castle

At the top of the hill in the heart of the Alfama district is São Jorge Castle, an essential stop if you book the guided tour of São Jorge Castle. The effort of climbing the steep streets is well worth it to see this 12th-century castle.

For a €10 entrance fee, you can access the interior, where the periscopic viewpoint of the Tower of Ulysses, the archaeological site, and the castle gardens stand out. Here, you can stroll surrounded by ducks and peacocks while enjoying spectacular views of the city.

Don't miss Lisbon Cathedral

Coming down from the castle towards the Tagus, you will come across Lisbon Cathedral. The city's most important temple can be visited free of charge, and for an extra €2.50 you can add a visit to the cloister and the treasure housed in this Romanesque church. A highly recommended visit, which you can learn more about by booking a guided tour of Lisbon.

Discover the Alfama district

After seeing the monuments, we recommend taking a short stroll through the streets of the Alfama district. Originally a fishing district that grew up under the walls of St. George's Castle, it is now one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Lisbon.

If you lose yourself in its streets, you are sure to come across a street musician singing Fados, as this neighborhood is considered the birthplace of this Portuguese musical genre. We can take advantage of the walk to pop into a restaurant and enjoy some Portuguese cuisine. Cod and other fish dishes are especially recommended, as Alfama is a neighborhood with a long history of fishing.

And if you don't want to 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 the nerve centers of Lisbon. In the center of the square stands a column-shaped monument to Pedro IV, the first emperor of Brazil and constitutional king of Portugal.

There are countless shops and restaurants in the surrounding area where we can grab a bite to eat if we haven't already done so. However, I recommend looking for better places to eat in the streets near the square, as prices tend to be higher there.

Walk down Rua Augusta

This street is one of Lisbon's main thoroughfares and connects Pedro IV Square with Commerce Square. These are the two most important squares in Lisbon, which you can visit if you book a guided tour of Lisbon.

Rua Augusta is a pedestrian street, and its more than 600 meters are home to the city's main shops and businesses. We can take advantage of the walk to sit on a terrace and have a coffee, pop into the shops to buy a souvenir or simply treat ourselves.

Don't miss the Praça do Comércio

As the afternoon draws to a close, we arrive at the famous Praça do Comércio. One of the most iconic places in Lisbon. We access it through the archway on Rua Augusta, where we can climb up to the viewpoint and see the square and Rua Augusta from above.

It only costs €2.50 to climb 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 and its excellent panoramic view.

This is a good place to end the day, as it offers a beautiful sunset over the river and there are endless dining options nearby for dinner before returning to your accommodation or starting to enjoy Lisbon's nightlife. If you don't want to make a mistake about where to go, don't hesitate to book a gastronomic tour of Lisbon.

Now that we've explored the center of Lisbon, 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 first, we'll take a unique elevator to visit an impressive church in ruins.

Take the Santa Justa Elevator

The second day in Lisbon can begin with a visit to the Santa Justa Elevator. Located on Rua do Ouro, this unique elevator connects the neighborhoods of Baixa Pombalina and Chiado via an elevator and a 45-meter-high walkway. The upper part has a terrace with great views of downtown Lisbon.

Since queues are common, it is advisable to go first thing in the morning. The elevator starts operating at 7:30 a.m. and costs €5.30, including a round trip on the elevator and access to the viewpoint.

Visit the Convento do Carmo

As we leave the upper walkway of the Santa Justa elevator, we find the old Convento do Carmo. This was the most important Gothic building in Lisbon until 1755, when a historic earthquake left this and many other buildings in ruins.

Today, you can visit the ruins of the church, which houses the Do Carmo Archaeological Museum. The main structure of the temple has been preserved, but without the roof, offering a simply spectacular view. Visiting the convent and museum costs €5.

Take the tram to Belém

One of the most authentic experiences in Lisbon is traveling on 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 thing to do is to take a 10-15 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.

When you arrive, 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 will 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 and make 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. The price is approximately €17. It is open every day of the week except Mondays.

Try the pastéis de Belém

While in the Belém neighborhood, we cannot miss the opportunity to try its traditional pastries. These are cream-filled puff pastries baked by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery.

You can find them all over the city, but the original factory is located next to the monastery and is the best and most traditional place to try these pastries. It's worth stopping off to try this famous treat.

Admire the views from the Monument to the Discoveries

After recharging your batteries with some Belém pastries, we will visit the Monument to the Discoveries. This impressive building is located near the monastery, right next to the Tagus River. The structure, which is over 50 meters high, was built as a tribute to all the adventurers and explorers who shaped the history of Portugal. It is a beautiful place to stop for a few minutes to admire and take photos next to the Tagus.

End your tour at the Tower of Belém

As you can see, it is possible to see the main monuments of Lisbon and enjoy the city in 48 hours. The last stop on this itinerary will be at one of Lisbon's most famous monuments, the Tower of Belém. This tower juts out into the river and was built to serve as a fort and lighthouse.

Keep in mind that if you buy your ticket for the Belém Tower, you can visit the inside to see its dungeons and climb to the top to enjoy the views. The price to access the interior is approximately €19.

When you leave, it is advisable to sit down for a few minutes and wait for the sunset. The waters of the river bathed in the light of the setting sun are the best possible image to bid farewell to Lisbon.