Visit one of the oldest cities in the world and one of the most fun cities in Europe! Lisbon has delectable food, a thriving nightlife, and a deep history. You could spend a week exploring everything there is to see in this large city, but if you only have a few days you can read below for the best 3 Day Lisbon and Sintra Itinerary!
I have been to over 45 countries, with plenty of capital cities, but Lisbon is by far my favorite! This city has such an endearing community and a wonderful atmosphere that will make you fall in love.
Below you will find my guide to 3 days in Lisbon and Sintra. This guide has everything from where to stay, when to go, and what to see on your trip. You can easily mix things around and change things up for your own schedule, to have the ultimate trip!
LISBON IN A NUTSHELL
Short on time? Read this quick overview for your trip to Lisbon with everything you need to know!
- Where to Stay: Stay in one of the great neighborhoods like Alfama or Baixa at the Memmo Alfama or Hotel de Baixa
- Getting there: You can fly into Lisbon Airport or take the train from other European destinations into Lisbon
- How to Get Around: The best way to get around is public transportation like the trams or buses
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall
- Things to Do: Explore the streets of Alfama, learn about history in Belem, and visit the historical town of Sintra
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Lisbon Itinerary
How to Get to Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, which makes it a hub for transportation in and out of the country. There are many ways to get there from taking the train 🚂, flying, or driving into the city.
There are international flights into Lisbon Airport from many different countries. But, if you are traveling from other parts of Europe you can look at Rail Europe. There are great train routes from London, Madrid, and Paris.
Getting Around Lisbon
Lisbon is a wonderful city to use public transportation or walk around. They have everything including buses, trams 🚃, and a great metro system.
I don’t recommend driving around the city, because the streets are narrow and not as driver friendly. However, if you want to explore further around Portugal, then you can easily rent a car. Just keep in mind a lot of the cars are manual!
Best Time to Visit Lisbon
Lisbon is a fantastic destination to visit year round! However, fall and spring are perfect with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. We went during the spring and it was absolutely gorgeous there!
Summer is an incredibly popular time to visit, but that means prices will be higher. There are tons of festivals and fun events to experience during this time of year. Just keep in mind that it can be super hot! 🥵
Also, winter can still be a great time to visit. It’s much milder compare to elsewhere with temperatures in the 60s (8-10 Celsius). So, go as an escape from the cold!
Don’t forget to get health insurance for your trip! SafetyWing has amazing plans to cover you for, so you don’t have to stress. 😌
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Lisbon is an incredibly large city, so it can be confusing to figure out where to stay! There are numerous neighborhoods and lodging options to choose from. I’ll walk you through the neighborhoods and best hotels.
One of my favorite areas to stay is Bairro Alto, a more bohemian cute area. There are cobble stoned streets with tons of great food and bar options. Stay at the Bairro Alto Hotel in this part of town.
Want something more central? Try hotels in Baixa, like the Hotel de Baixa, or Chiado neighborhoods. But, if you want something more historic stay in the beautiful Alfama area at the Memmo Alfama or Belem.
Best Hotels in Lisbon:
The Perfect Lisbon 3 Day Itinerary
Visit the hilly city of Lisbon and fall in love with this cosmopolitan city. Below you’ll find the best things to do in Lisbon and Sintra. Walk through the neighborhoods of Alfama, fill yourself up with Pasteis de Nata, and enjoy the nightlife! Find out all the details for your trip below.
Day 1: Alfama District and Bairro Alto
You should dedicate a lot of time to see the gorgeous Alfama district, the oldest and in my opinion the prettiest district in Lisbon. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, because you will be exploring this area on foot!
Food Tour
If you are a true foodie, make sure that you sign up for a food tour in Lisbon. This food tour was one of the highlights of our trip and I highly recommend booking it early! We met our tour at the Miradouro das Porto del Sol, a great vista to take pictures of the Alfama district. Then, we got to learn all about the neighborhood by exploring it on foot.
Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon and one of the most picturesque as well. Taking a food tour with the local guides is an incredible way to learn about Portuguese food and the city!
We started by eating the best Pasteles de Natas (so good we went back for more!), drank coffee, tried bacalhau (a fried cod dish), and ended with a feast of sausages and port at a local restaurant.
Panteao Nacional
After the tour you can continue to explore the streets of the Alfama district. Originally this building was the The Church of Santa Engrácia, but they transformed it into the Panteao Nacional.
Important Portuguese figures are honored in this building. The architecture on the inside is beautiful but if you go upstairs you can get a lovely view of Lisbon from the balcony.
Castle of Sao Jorge
Then walk to the Castle of Sao Jorge, where you can climb along the castle walls and get some of the best views of Lisbon. It’s a gorgeous historic castle that dates back to the 8th century BCE!
f you have extra time or want to take public transportation, you should take the tram 28 that runs through this district. After all of your exploring, you can stop into one of the local restaurants for dinner or a drink before heading back to the hotel to change.
Go Out in Bairro Alto
To truly experience Lisbon, you should go out and enjoy the nightlife. The Portuguese go out very late and they stay out until the early hours of the morning. The liveliest area to go out is the Bairro Alto.
Once you get to this area you will find large lines out of the door of various dance clubs and people drinking on the street. You can pop into a quiet bar to grab a drink and sip it while you wait in line for another club. You can dance, drink, and get late night bites on the street until you are too tired to stay out any longer.
Day 2: Belem District
On your second day you can explore the Belem district, a popular district for many tourists to visit. It is situated on the Tagus River and it was one a thriving port area. Now there are plenty of historic landmarks and sights to fill your day of exploring.
Jeronimos Monastery
You should start your tour at the Jeronimos Monastery . If you show up and there’s a long line, don’t let that deter you- it’s worth it.
This Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has a lot of religious significance. As soon as you walk in, you will notice the stunning architecture. 😮The walls and columns have beautiful stone carvings that are incredibly intricate and you could spend a long time staring at these alone.
While you’re inside make sure to check out the church which has magnificent stained glass windows and ornate details.
Pasteis de Belem
The original recipe for Pasteles de Natas was created at the monastery, so in order to pay your respects you can head over to Pasteis de Belem the bakery that still uses this secret recipe.
TRAVEL TIP: Many people will be lined up outside, but you will get the pastries much quicker if you go into the restaurant and wait to be seated.
We were seated within ten minutes, coffee mugs and plates of Pasteles de Natas covered the table.
Belem Tower
Once you’re full, you can head over to the famous Belem Tower. The tower sits along the river and it was created for defensive purposes. Canyons are situated along the edge of the towers walls. You should go inside if you have time to learn more about the tower’s history and you can get views of the river from the top.
Other Things to See in Lisbon:
Day 3: Sintra
Sintra is a historic town full of castles and palaces that make you feel like you’re in a fairy tail. It is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, and you can get there by car or train. Additionally there are plenty of organized day tours that will take you around many of the sites that Sintra has to offer.
If you plan on taking the train, you’ll want to grab the train from Rossio to Sintra. This train runs about every 15 minutes, so you won’t need to buy tickets in advance. Once you get there, you can travel by foot or take a tuk tuk.
Read all about how to spend your day exploring through Sintra below!
Pena Palace
From the center of town, you can take a tuk-tuk or taxi to the top of the hill to see Pena Palace first. Pena Palace is a vibrant, colorful palace that was constructed in the middle ages and that is visible throughout the town of Sintra, because it resides on the top of the hill.
When you get to the top you can grab a ticket for your entry at one of the electronic stations in order to skip the large lines. If you plan on visiting the other sites in Sintra, make sure you get a combination ticket. 🎟 You will want to spend a few hours walking around the colorful palace and wandering through the gardens.
Moorish Castle
After visiting the colorful Pena Palace, head to the Moorish Castle. This walled castle sits on top of the hill and is absolutely stunning! It’s a bit of a walk from the Park, so you can also taxi there if you want. Spend a couple hours walking around the grounds.
Sintra National Palace
Finally, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sintra National Palace. It’s the most well preserved medieval royal residences. So, it’s an incredibly unique place to explore and learn about!
When you’re done exploring, you can head back to Lisbon and enjoy the rest of your night.
Final Tips for Visiting Lisbon in 3 Days
Lisbon is so large that you could spend a week there and not see everything. If you only have 3 days in Lisbon, then I think this guide will help you see the best sights! Just make sure to plan ahead, make room for spontaneity, and download the maps so that you have everything you need.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this itinerary!
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