3 Days in Lisbon: Landmarks, coffee & cuisine

Here’s a simple but efficient itinerary for 3 days in Lisbon, Portugal. These suggestions are based on my experience visiting the city on different occasions. I arranged the points of interest all clustered in the same area so you can spend a whole day walking and taking in all Lisbon has to offer. Of course, you can take public transportation or a car share ride instead.  Enjoy Lisbon!

Day 1: Exploring Lisbon: Baixa, Chiado & Bairro Alto

• Morning: Begin in Baixa de Lisboa, the downtown historic district. Explore the beautiful Praça do Comércio and wander along the lively pedestrian street and Arco da Rua Augusta.
• Mid-morning/Early afternoon:  Explore the charming Chiado district. Browse Rua Garrett shopping avenue and its shops, bookstores including the world’s oldest 1700s Bertrand Bookstore, then enjoy the ambiance at the historic A Brasileira café. And later, ride the iconic Santa Justa Lift for sweeping city views.
• Afternoon: Take a break and savor traditional Portuguese coffee and pastries at Pastelaria Bairro Alto Hotel (R. do Alecrim 129, 1200-213 Lisboa, Portugal).
• Evening:  Consider these two dinner options in or around Bairro Alto:
  • Option 1: A Taberna da Rua das Flores (Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisboa, Portugal):  This cozy restaurant offers a classic Lisbon experience with authentic Portuguese cuisine in a lively atmosphere.
  • Option 2:  Cervejaria Trindade (R. Nova da Trindade 20C, 1200-303 Lisboa, Portugal): Housed in a former convent, this historic brewery serves up Portuguese seafood specialties and beer in a beautiful ambiance.

Key considerations:

• Ambiance: A Taberna da Rua das Flores offers a more intimate, casual environment with a traditional Portuguese dining experience. Cervejaria Trindade is an ancient brewery with a more formal dining experience serving seafood specialties at the restaurant. You can also eat in the Petiscaria for a more chill experience.
• Cuisine: Both offer Portuguese fare. A Taberna da Rua das Flores might be better if you want a wider exploration of the cuisine, while Cervejaria Trindade is ideal if you’re craving seafood.
• Location:  Both are in or very close to Bairro Alto, so location shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
• Carmo Convent: Located Largo do Carmo 27 is nearby and worth a visit if time allows

To get a better understanding of accommodation options and their costs throughout Portugal, check out my Portugal travel costs guide.

Google maps – Day 1 Google walking map and directions: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PudjqeM5XPuASnUX9

Day 2: Exploring Lisbon: Belém, History, and Culinary Adventures

• Morning: Start your day with Belém’s iconic landmarks. Admire the Bélem Tower (Torre de Belém) and the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), both testaments to Portugal’s age of exploration.
• Late morning/early Afternoon:  Indulge in the legendary Pastéis de Belém. Savor the warm, creamy custard tarts fresh from this renowned bakery. Don’t feel intimidated by the lines. There are plenty of tables and the lines move at a fast pace.
• Afternoon: Explore the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Late afternoon/evening:  Choose your culinary experience:
  • Option 1: Head to Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) for a casual bite with a variety of dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy the lively market atmosphere.
  • Option 2: If you desire a more formal gastronomic experience, make a reservation at Alma, where Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa celebrates Portuguese flavors with refined tasting menus.

If you’re wondering about transportation costs for exploring Portugal, read my Portugal travel costs article has insights.

Key considerations:

• Time at Jerónimos Monastery: Factor in enough time to fully appreciate the monastery, as it’s quite beautiful and worth exploring.
• Travel time: Allow sufficient time for travel between the sights in Belém and the Mercado da Ribeira.
• Alma reservation: If Alma is your preferred dinner choice, make a reservation in advance, as it’s a popular fine-dining spot.

For a detailed look at food costs and budgeting while in Portugal, see my Portugal travel costs post.

Google maps – Day 2 Google walking map and directions: 

Last Stop: Time Out Market: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4fsSWDzcC8qC9SqY6

Last Stop: Alma: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BkEF551XCLsTux5b8 

Day 3: Exploring Lisbon: Charms of Alfama & Sāo Jorge Castle

• Morning: Lose yourself in Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama. Discover its maze-like streets, admire colorful houses, and visit the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). Soak in views from viewpoints (miradouros) scattered throughout the neighborhood. You can walk by Miradouro de Santa Luzia on the way to Sāo Jorge Castle.
• Lunch: Enjoy traditional Portuguese food and local wine at cozy Alfama eateries like Restaurante de Sá or Velha Gaiteira both minutes away from the cathedral. 
• Afternoon: Delve deeper into Portuguese history by exploring the São Jorge Castle, offering panoramic views of the city.
• Evening: Afterward, enjoy a final delicious dinner at Prado, where fresh, seasonal ingredients take center stage in their creative cuisine. Afterward, immerse yourself in the soulful music of Fado at a traditional Fado house like Tasca do Chico. 

For a detailed look at food costs and budgeting while in Portugal, see my Portugal travel costs post.

Google maps – Day 3 Google walking map and directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y9UyAoz6fb1VdQzR9

Advantages of my suggested 3 days in Lisbon itinerary:

Focused exploration: Each day concentrates on specific neighborhoods, allowing for deeper immersion and less time spent in transit.

Logical flow: The itinerary progresses logically, building from Lisbon’s center outwards and includes natural breaks for coffee and meals.

Personal note: When my husband and I travel, we like to keep things simple. We enjoy walking around to explore, taking our time for coffee breaks and checking out interesting spots along the way. We’re not big on collecting souvenirs; we’d rather soak up the vibe of the place without lugging around extra baggage. Towards the end of the day, we love popping into local grocery stores, seeing what’s popular with the locals, and grabbing a few snacks or ingredients to try back at our hotel or on the plane home. It’s all about savoring the flavors and memories of the trip without adding unnecessary weight to our day.

I hope this information is helpful to you! Feel free to ask me any questions about the itinerary! If you like taking a guide book with you on trips, The Mini Rough Guide to Lisbon in Kindle format is great choice to have on your Kindle app during your Lisbon trip.

P.S. You can start researching check flights to Lisbon using the search widget below. And, If you like WayAway, you can use the discount code TP-526074 to get 10% off WayAway Plus Membership and save even more! I may earn a small commission from purchases at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting this blog!