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Lisbon Trip Planner
Pastel hills, rattling trams, and Atlantic seafood.
Free to start — no account needed.
- Best time
- March–June and September–October — sunny and mild without peak crowds
- Ideal length
- 3–4 days
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Portuguese
Lisbon tumbles down seven hills to the Tagus in a wash of pastel facades, blue tiles, and viewpoints. It's a city made for wandering, but the cobbles are steep and slippery, so a good Lisbon itinerary pairs uphill mornings with flat riverside afternoons and leaves an evening for fado. Belém and a Sintra day trip are the two things worth planning around.
Top things to do in Lisbon
Alfama
The oldest quarter — a tangle of lanes, viewpoints (miradouros), and fado bars below the castle.
Belém
The Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and the original Pastéis de Belém custard tarts.
Tram 28
The yellow tram that climbs through Graça, Alfama, and Baixa — ride early to get a seat.
Time Out Market
Lisbon's top chefs and classic petiscos under one converted-market roof.
Sample Lisbon itinerary
Day 1 · Old town
São Jorge Castle, wander Alfama's lanes and miradouros, fado dinner at night.
Day 2 · Belém & river
Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, custard tarts, then MAAT and the riverfront.
Day 3 · Day trip
Sintra's fairytale Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, an easy train ride away.
Lisbon travel tips
- ✓Wear real walking shoes — Lisbon is steep and paved in slippery calçada cobbles.
- ✓Buy a rechargeable Viva Viagem card for trams, metro, and the Sintra/Cascais trains.
- ✓Ride Tram 28 before 9am; by midday it's packed and a pickpocket favorite.
- ✓Book Sintra's Pena Palace online with a timed slot to avoid long queues.
Lisbon trip planning FAQ
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three to four days covers Lisbon's neighborhoods and Belém, with a day trip to Sintra.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Spring and early autumn are ideal — warm and sunny with far fewer crowds than July and August.
Is a Sintra day trip worth it?
Absolutely — its palaces and gardens are the region's highlight and just 40 minutes by train from central Lisbon.