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Lisbon is the bustling capital of Portugal filled with castles, panoramic views, and an electrifying music scene that gave us goosebumps.  Lisbon is so lively and bursting with things to do that it can be a bit overwhelming to choose what’s worth doing and what you should skip, especially if you are short on time. So, in this Lisbon travel guide, we’ll show you 20 things to do including the essential and the optional sights, how to get around the city, and where to stay so you can easily take in the whole city on this 4-day Lisbon itinerary.

You can watch our full Lisbon travel guide YouTube video below!

How much time should you spend in Lisbon?

We spent 8 jammed-packed days in Lisbon exploring the city and taking day trips to Sintra and Evora.  From our experience, we think 3-4 nights is the perfect amount of time to spend in Lisbon.  3 nights is good for just seeing the Lisbon’s city center and Belem Tower and 4 nights is good for taking a day trip to Sintra, which has storybook castles that are amazing to see.  

What is Lisbon famous for?

Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills so be prepared for some stairs and several uphill climbs.  In reality, Lisbon has much more than seven hills, however, seven was arbitrarily selected as a lucky number for the city.  

Lisbon is also known as the oldest city in Western Europe with artifacts dating back as early as 1200 B.C., an ancestry that predates even Rome.

Most importantly, Lisbon is known for its food including its delicious seafood including bacalhau which is a dish that features salted cod.  You must also try the dessert pastéis de nata which is a sweet egg custard tart that is addictingly delicious. 

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How to Get Around Lisbon

Using public transportation is definitely the best way to get around Lisbon, and you have a variety of transportation options including the metro, buses, trams, and taxis.  Because of the hills, I recommend taking a taxi to your accommodation because it’s not fun carrying luggage uphill in Lisbon.  Once you are checked in though you can use public transportation during the remainder of your stay.  

As long as you stay in a central neighborhood like Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, the Moorish Quarter, or Bairro Alto, nearly all of the major tourist sights in Lisbon are walkable.  You will only need to use public transportation to go to the famous Belem Tower and to take a day trip to Sintra.

You can easily navigate to all of these destinations with Google Maps, which offers accurate walking directions and public transportation directions as well. If you need mobile data coverage to use Google Maps while in Lisbon, you can save 5% on your Portugal eSim here.  Just use the code, lucasworldtravel at checkout!    

The streets of Lisbon are so narrow and parking is so scarce, that I do not recommend renting a car while in Lisbon.  Only rent a car once you are ready to leave Lisbon and want to roadtrip around the rest of Portugal.  You can find affordable car rentals for your Portugal road trip here.  

4-Day Lisbon Itinerary Overview

Although it’s impossible to see everything in just 4 days, this time frame gives you an opportunity to get a feel of Lisbon’s vibrant soul.  From the charming cobbled streets to the enchanting sound of Fado music, over these four days, you will immerse yourself in the breathtaking vistas and savor the flavors of Lisbon.  

Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll see on this 4-day Lisbon itinerary.

• Day 1 – Take a free walking tour, Rossio Train Station, Dom Pedro IV Square, Eat pastel de nata, Commerce Square, Portas do Sol Viewpoint, and enjoy a fado music show.
• Day 2 – St. George’s Castle, Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest bookstore in the world, Carmo Convent, and Time Out Market
• Day 3 – Belem Tower, the Monument of Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery
• Day 4 – Day trip to Sinta

20 Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal

There are no shortage of things to do in Lisbon. Below are our top 20 picks.

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

We always like to start our journey with a free walking tour because these tip-based tours are a great way to learn the history of a city while seeing the most important sights at the same time.  We took an excellent 3-hour morning tour with Guru Walks and learned so much about the history of Fado music in Portugal, and saw the majority of Lisbon’s highlights at the same time.  If you are interested in seeing Lisbon the easy way with an interesting walking tour, then schedule your free Lisbon walking tour here.   

2. Rossio Train Station

On the walking tour, we stopped at Rossio Train Station which is both a functional transport hub and a testament to the city’s architectural splendor.  This historic station has an intricate facade with decorative motifs that showcase the craftsmanship of the 19th century.  It’s also useful to know that this is the station where you will catch the train to Sintra.  

3. Dom Pedro IV Square

Dom Pedro IV Square is also known as Rossio Square and is surrounded by elegant buildings and historical landmarks.  At one end of the square, you have the lovely National Theater while in the center of the square, there is an impressive monument and a lovely fountain.  This square is always buzzing and it is a great place to appreciate architecture and the buzz of daily life in Lisbon.  

4. Santa Justa Lift 

Next, make a quick stop to see the Santa Justa Lift.  This elevator was built in 1907 as a way to connect the lower Baixa district to the elevated Carmo Square.  This lovely structure is now mainly used as a tourist attraction offering nice views of the city.  However, most travelers say this elevator is not worth the time or the money, so enjoy the beauty from the outside and continue on your walking tour.  

5. Try Pastel de Nata

After all of this walking, it’s time to recharge your batteries with a sweet treat, the iconic pastel de nata.  Eating one of these sweet egg custard tarts is an essential rite of passage when you come to Portugal, and it’s easy to pick one up at any of the restaurants on Augusta Street.  Make sure to add cinnamon to the top of the tart to make the flavors really pop.  

6. Arco da Rua Augusta (The Augusta Street Arch)    

Next, continue down Augusta Street to the Arco da Rua Augusta.  This majestic arch acts as a gateway between the bustling streets of Baixa and the lovely Tagus riverfront.  You can admire this arch just from the outside or pay €3.50 euros to climb to the top to get a great view of the surrounding area.   

7. Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square)

On the other side of Arco da Rua Augusta lies the expansive Praca do Comercio or Commerce Square.  This is one of the most picturesque squares in the city with golden-colored buildings adorned with hundreds of arches.  The square also has a lovely view of the Tagus River, so walk to the riverfront to enjoy the view of its shimmering waters.

8. Mirdouro das Portas do Sol  

The Lisbon walking tour finishes at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, which is a scenic viewpoint with lovely views of the terracotta rooftops of the Alfama neighborhood.  Enjoy seeing the views from all of the different platforms in this area.  This is also a great place to get a drink on the terrace and enjoy the view.  If you would like a full meal and want to try some of the delicious seafood in Lisbon, you can try the Restaurante Farol de Santa Luzia which is also in this area.  

9. Try Ginjinha

Ginjinha, often lovingly referred to as Portugal’s national liqueur, is definitely worth trying when you are in Lisbon.  There are several Ginjinha bars by Dom Pedro IV Square, where you can get a quick shot of this sweet, cherry-flavored liqueur.  And it’s so affordable, only €1.50 per shot.  It’s a great way to start your night in Lisbon.   

10. Listen to Fado music at Restaurante Porta de Alfama

Fado music is deeply rooted in Portugal’s cultural heritage and consists of traditional guitar music with the vocals of a soulful but melancholic singer.  Although we didn’t understand a word of the songs, the tone and vibration of the singer’s voice pulled at our heartstrings and gave us chills.  You can really feel the pain and longing of each song that resonates all throughout the room.

Listening to live Fado music was definitely the best thing that we did in Lisbon and it gets our highest recommendation!  We really enjoyed the singers at Restaurante Porta de Alfama. We also had dinner here as well and the food and wine was absolutely delicious.  We can highly recommend it!      

11. Castelo de S. Jorge (St. George Castle)

Start day 2 with the beautiful castle, Castelo de Sao Jorge.  Perched majestically atop one of Lisbon’s seven hills, Castelo de Sao Jorge is a lovely Moorish castle with impressive walls and watchtowers that offer amazing views of the city.  The castle has a small exhibit with archaeological artifacts that they found in the castle, but honestly, the best part of this attraction is walking the walls and enjoying the views.  

This castle is the most popular attraction in Lisbon so lines do get long, so it can be beneficial to book your castle tickets online and skip the line.  

12. Lisbon Cathedral

The Lisbon Cathedral was built in 1147 and is both an interesting piece of history and architecture.  Inside you can see a beautiful stained-glass window, the impressive arched sanctuary, and a nice view from the balcony.  It’s €5 euros to enter and while it is lovely, it is not necessarily a must-see.  If you are short on time it’s okay to skip it.  

13. Livraria Bertrand- The Oldest Bookstore in the World

Established in 1732, Bertrand Bookstore is the oldest operating bookstore in the world.  Although this an impressive achievement, we were surprised to see that the inside of the bookstore is quite ordinary.  What’s powerful about browsing the titles here though is just imagining the centuries of titles that have filled the shelves.  It’s a quick but interesting stop but is not a must-see if you are short on time.  

14. Carmo Covent  

Despite a catastrophic earthquake in 1755, Carmo Covent is still impressive with its towering Gothic arches and skeletal pillars beautifully framed by the blue Lisbon sky. The absence of a roof allows sunlight to stream through the arches, allowing you to see the beauty of this architecture in a new light.  At the back of the sanctuary, is a small museum as well, but these open air arches are the true show stopper of this attraction. It’s definitely a must-see when you come to Lisbon.     

15. Tram 28

Tram 28 is one of the most iconic tram routes in Lisbon that winds its way through the narrow streets of Lisbon.  This tram dates back to 1914 and offers travelers a nostalgic journey through the city’s charming neighborhoods. But is it worth doing?

David and I were majorly split on this one.  I thought it was a waste of time as you can’t see things clearly as you are zipping past all the sights too quickly, it’s crowded, and it’s uncomfortable.  Plus, there is no historical explanation of anything, so this tram is strictly for public transportation in my opinion.  It does not make a good tourist attraction.   

David, however, thoroughly enjoyed the ride.  He loves old trains, trams, and automobiles, and loved seeing the city from the back of the tram.  So, if you love nostalgia then this ride might be for you.  However, if you like clearly seeing sights without being packed in a tram like a sardine, then skip this attraction.     

If you would like to ride the tram 28 though, fares are €3 euros one way and you can catch this tram at the following locations.

• Miradouro das Portas do Sol
• Moorish Quarter

16. Belem Tower

The Belem Tower is an architectural gem perched on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon. Built in the early 16th century, this ornate fortress served as both a defensive stronghold with cannons to blast at enemy ships and has a facility to collect taxes as well. 

This tower is absolutely gorgeous to see from the outside, and lovely to go inside to see the panoramic views of the river and the city.  Belem Tower is definitely a must-see when you come to Lisbon.  

17. A Margem Restuarant

A Margem makes a great lunch stop, when you are in Belem.  It is conveniently located between Belem Tower and the Monument of Discoveries. Plus, the food here is delicious, the service is excellent, and the view of the Tagus River can not be beaten!  You will enjoy eating lunch in style at this restaurant.  

18. Padrão dos Descobrimentos (The Monument of Discoveries)

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, is a majestic tribute to Portugal’s Age of Exploration. It was erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator, a key figure in Portugal’s maritime history. Its design is a testament to the nation’s seafaring legacy, featuring a stone-carved ship’s prow with larger-than-life statues of explorers, navigators, and other luminaries who played pivotal roles in Portugal’s Age of Discovery.

For €6 euros, you can take an elevator to the top of the monument for an incredible view of the Tagus River and of Jeronimos Monastery.  It’s a quick but beautiful stop when you are in Belem.  

19. Jeronimos Monastery

Jeronimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 16th century that exudes an air of grandeur with its intricate carvings.  It’s free and worthwhile to enter the cathedral here, but costs €12 euros to see ornate the cloisters and the king’s armor.  

We enjoyed seeing the incredible architecture here and believe that Jeronimos Monastery is a great way to close out your time in Belem.   

20. Take a Day Trip to Sintra

Another must when you come to Lisbon is to take a day trip to Sintra, a whimsical town with rolling hills and fairy tale castles.  The castles here are so adorable that they don’t even seem real.  You can get to Sintra by taking the train from Rossio Train Station.  Once you arrive in Sintra you can purchase an all-day bus pass for €12.50 euros.  This bus pass will allow you to see the main sights in Sintra including:

• The Moorish Castle
• Pena Palace  
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Sintra National Palace  

It’s a day filled with incredible sights that shouldn’t be missed.  So, get up early so you have time to see as much as possible in just one day.  

Other Tours and activities to consider

But there are so many other fun activities to consider from Catamaran cruises to food tours. Discover all of your Lisbon tour options below!

Lisbon Hotels

To have the best experience in Lisbon, getting a centrally located hotel is essential.  Try to find your Lisbon Hotel in one of the following neighborhoods.

• Alfama 
• Baixa 
• Chiado 
• Mouraria (The Moorish Quarter)

Find your Lisbon hotel here!

Lisbon Portugal Weather

Lisbon has a mild Mediterranean climate with approximately 300 days of sunny weather per year making Lisbon known as the “City of Sunshine.” Summers here are warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from 70-80° Fahrenheit (24-30°C), making it the perfect time to explore the city’s vibrant streets and bask in the coastal breeze. 

Winters are mild and pleasant, with temperatures rarely dipping below 50°F (10°C). We went in February and thought the weather was pleasant.  We needed a jacket, but there was hardly any rain and we were able to enjoy outdoor activities fully.  This mild climate makes Lisbon a good year-round destination, offering visitors the chance to enjoy its captivating sights, rich culture, and delectable cuisine in comfort, no matter the season.    

Is Lisbon Worth Visiting?

Lisbon is definitely worth visiting if you love lively cities with excellent live music.  We loved experiencing the castles, the beautiful squares, and the great live music.  It’s a place that left a big impression on us and will leave a big impression on you as well.    

Now that you know about Lisbon, check out these other great Portugal destinations below.

• Sintra – A Must-Do Day Trip from Lisbon
• 15 Things to Do in Porto
• Braga Portugal – A great day trip from Porto
• Aveiro Portugal – The Venice of Portugal
• Coimbra Portugal – Portugal’s original capital

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