Lisbon is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Portugal and honestly, it completely exceeded my expectations. With a few days off, I spontaneously booked a flight from London and spent four days (three nights) exploring the city, and it turned out to be one of my favourite European getaways.
I visited at the end of March, and it was the perfect time to go. The weather was warm and pleasant, around 19-20°C during the day, with slightly cooler evenings. It also felt much less crowded compared to peak summer months, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
From charming cobbled streets and historic viewpoints to delicious food and coastal day trips, Lisbon has so much to offer, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
In this blog post, I’ll share my full 4-day itinerary, including the best things to do, places to see, and tips to help you make the most of your trip to Lisbon ✨
1. Explore Alfama and its viewpoints
Start your trip in Alfama, one of the oldest and most beautiful areas in Lisbon. Make sure to visit Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Both viewpoints offer stunning views over Lisbon’s rooftops and the river. As you walk around, you’ll also spot the famous Tram 28 passing through the narrow streets.
2. Visit Lisbon’s castle
Next, head to Castelo de São Jorge. I’ll be honest, I’ve visited quite a few castles across Europe, and they don’t always impress me. But this one was different. It was absolutely stunning. The views over Lisbon are incredible, and walking along the castle walls gives you a completely different perspective of the city. It’s definitely worth the ticket price.
3. Stop for coffee with a view
If you’re near the castle, stop by Café da Garagem. It’s such a cool spot with one of the best views in Lisbon. I had a sandwich and tea here, and it was the perfect little break after all the walking. It can get quite busy, but it’s definitely worth it for the view.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Castelo de São Jorge
Café da Garagem
4. Visit the Church of St. Vincent
Make sure to visit São Vicente de Fora. It’s a really beautiful and spacious complex with so much to explore, from peaceful cloisters to historic interiors. One of the highlights is the 360-degree rooftop view, which is absolutely stunning and often less crowded than other viewpoints.
5. Check out Lisbon Flea Market
If you’re in the area, try visiting Feira da Ladra. I wasn’t able to go because it was closed when I visited, so definitely check the days before you go. It’s usually held on specific days like Tuesdays and Saturdays, and I’ve heard it’s a really fun place to explore for vintage finds and local items.
6. Eat at Time Out Market
Head to Time Out Market Lisbon for a variety of food options all in one place. I tried Ground Burger here and it was really good. It’s a great spot if you want to try different cuisines and don’t know exactly what you’re in the mood for.
São Vicente de Fora
São Vicente de Fora
Ground Burger at Time Out Market
7. Walk through Praça do Comércio and Arco da Rua Augusta
Don’t miss Praça do Comércio, one of the most iconic squares in Lisbon, located right by the river.
From here, walk through Arco da Rua Augusta, which leads you into the main shopping street. It’s a great area to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the atmosphere.
8. Visit Pink Street
Pink Street is one of the most popular photo spots in Lisbon.
It’s colourful and fun during the day, and turns into a lively nightlife area in the evening.
9. Visit MAAT Museum
If you’re into architecture or modern art, visit the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT).
The building itself is very unique, and you can even walk on the rooftop for beautiful views of the river.
10. Explore LX Factory
Another must-visit spot is LX Factory.
It’s a really cool, creative area filled with cafes, shops, and street art. I had cake and drinks here, and it was such a nice place to relax. Don’t forget to check out the famous bookstore Ler Devagar, it’s one of the most unique bookshops in Lisbon.
Pink Street
MAAT Museum
LX Factory
11. Take a ferry to Almada and visit Ponto Final
One of the most beautiful experiences I had in Lisbon was taking a ferry across the river to Almada to visit Ponto Final. This restaurant is incredibly popular, especially at sunset, so you need to book well in advance. I didn’t have a reservation and tried to queue on the day, but the line was very long, so I ended up going to another local restaurant nearby.
If you can’t get a table, don’t leave without visiting Jardim do Rio. The sunset views from here are absolutely stunning and worth the trip on their own.
12. Try Lisbon’s Best Food Spots (Breakfast, Coffee & Local Eats)
Lisbon has so many great breakfast and coffee spots. I tried Breakfast Lovers, but later realised they also have a location right next to Tram 28, which would have been a much more unique experience. I definitely regret not going to that one.
I also visited Heim Cafe, which is a very popular brunch spot. The food was great, but the music was a bit loud for my liking. Copenhagen Coffee Lab is another great place for coffee; simple, aesthetic, and really good quality.
For something more local and affordable, A Merendinha do Arco is a great option. I had grilled sea bass and dessert here, and both were excellent, really delicious and very reasonably priced.
Ponto Final
A Merendinha do Arco
Breakfast Lovers
13. Take a day trip to Sintra
One of the main things to do if you’re in Lisbon, especially if you have time, is visiting Sintra. It’s truly magical and feels completely different from Lisbon.
I didn’t plan my trip very well, so I made a few mistakes. I booked Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace, but I had issues with transport. My map showed the wrong bus, and I ended up in the wrong place before eventually taking a taxi.
So my advice is to double-check transport routes in advance.
Quinta da Regaleira was beautiful. I went straight to the Initiation Well as it gets very busy, and I spent around 1-2 hours there. It’s also quite easy to walk around this area.
Pena Palace, on the other hand, is much more difficult to reach. I decided to walk uphill, thinking it would be manageable, but it ended up taking around an hour and was very tiring.
If you’re visiting Pena Palace, I would definitely recommend taking the bus and the shuttle to the entrance instead of walking.
The palace itself is stunning and absolutely worth visiting.
Afterwards, I went back to the town and had seafood rice at Tasca Saloia. It was one of my favourite meals from the trip, and I would definitely recommend it.
The Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira
Pena Palace
Seafood rice
14. Where to stay in Lisbon
For my stay, I chose Locke de Santa Joana, and I really enjoyed it.
It’s a beautiful boutique-style hotel in a great location. I used the метро every day, and within 15–20 minutes I could reach most places I wanted to visit.
The room was very comfortable, and the hotel has a pool area, although I didn’t use it since it wasn’t warm enough in March.
One thing I really liked is that there’s a pizza restaurant inside the hotel, which was perfect for evenings when I didn’t feel like going out. It’s always nice to have everything in one place.
Lisbon is a city that’s easy to fall in love with. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, there’s always something new to discover. Take your time, explore at your own pace, and enjoy every moment ✨
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