Travel Itinerary: Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon was my very first solo travel destination and still my favorite years later. No longer one of Europe’s best kept secrets, Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe and offers a range of amazing things to do. Here’s my itinerary.
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Things to do
Spend the day in the beautiful Alfama neighborhood
Hands down the cutest part of Lisbon! Next time I visit I’m definitely staying here. Alfama is a quintessential European neighborhood with its narrow alleyways, beautiful architecture, and hilly streets.
Spend a day in Alfama taking in the sights, visit the Lisbon Cathedral, and end the day with dinner and drinks on one of the many hilltop restaurants while watching the sunset.
Ride tram 28
The trams in Lisbon are vintage, brightly colored, and connect you all over the city to see the sights and different neighborhoods. It’s a fun, bumpy ride as they turn those sharp curves and make their way down the narrow streets. You can ride the tram for 2.90 Euros per trip.
Learn about azulejos at the National Tile Museum
The second you arrive in Lisbon, you’ll immediately notice all of the buildings are adorned with vibrant, patterned ceramic tiles (aka azulejos). Learn about the history of azulejos and see the wide variety of beautiful patterns on display.
Explore the Monastery of St. Jerome
This massive former monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1501 and completed 100 years later. You can marvel at the ornate architecture and explore the grounds at your own pace. You can also visit the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia located onsite.
Marvel at the Belém Tower
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belém Tower was built between 1514-1520 and served as a military defense. Now it’s a lighthouse and tourist attraction. Explore the inside and rooftop of this magnificent tower. You can even see the pits where the prisoners were thrown in.
Walk through the Praça do Comércio (Commercial Square)
Located at the end of the popular street Rua Augusta and through the arch, Praça do Comércio is Lisbon’s popular waterside square and used to be considered the “door” to Lisbon when it was first built. Photograph the beautiful architecture of the surrounding buildings, view prominent statue of King John I, and hang out on the waterfront overlooking the Tagus River.
Get a lift in the Santa Justa Elevator
Standing 147 ft (45m) tall, the Santa Justa Elevator connects you from Baixa to the Barrio Alto neighborhood, which is situated on a higher altitude. The elevator was created as a form of transportation and currently serves as a tourist attraction offering awesome views of the Baixa neighborhood. It can carry up to 20 people up but only brings down 15 at a time. You can purchase tickets onsite for about 5 euros.
Take a day trip to Sintra
Sintra is easily the best day trip out of Lisbon. It’s a quick 40 minute train ride from Lisbon’s central station, Rossio. Sintra’s picturesque, mountainside village offers plenty to do in a full day. Expect to see a charming town, medieval castles, a fairy tail forest, a mighty historical fort, and more.
Listen to Fado music
Pop into almost any restaurant in Lisbon and they will likely have live Fado performances. Fado music is beautiful, passionate, and sometimes accompanied by a soulful acoustic guitar.
Walk through Rua Augusta
Located in the Baixa neighborhood, Lisbon’s central district, Rua Augusta is a pedestrian only street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Shop through the day, enjoy lunch outdoors, then pop into a bar for an afternoon cocktail.
Accommodation
The studio Airbnb apartment I chose was centrally located on Rua Augusta in Baixa. It was on the top floor and had an amazing balcony offering breathtaking views of the beautiful buildings on the strip. It was a five star experience! Check it out below.
Cuisine
Lisbon is a coastal city known for their fresh seafood. I ate a lot of fish (seared, baked, fritters - you name it). They’re also known for their tasty tomato rice and the popular sweet treat: pastel de nata.
Want to experience this itinerary?
If you like this itinerary and want to explore this as your next vacation, I can create this day by day plan for you, as well as book your trip (flights, accommodations, etc). You can customize this trip however you like to match your travel style. Click the button below to learn more about custom travel itineraries and vacation bookings.
