The Perfect One Day in Lisbon Itinerary

Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. At the moment, we’re going to information you thru the last word at some point in Lisbon itinerary, displaying you one of the best this metropolis has to supply in simply at some point.

For those who’re staying in Lisbon longer, it would be best to try our different weblog posts, 48 Hours in Lisbon, Where to Stay in Lisbon, and Best Day Trips from Lisbon. However for now, let’s get began with 1 day in Lisbon.

One Day in Lisbon Itinerary

The primary burning query that must be answered is, are you able to see Lisbon in simply at some point? Whereas it’s way more tough to see all the pieces in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it’s doable to get pleasure from its highlights and high points of interest in a single very jam-packed 24 hours. So, we’re going to present you the route that we predict it’s best to take.

Morning

Belem Tower

Begin your one-day journey to Lisbon within the Belem district with an early morning dawn at Belem Tower. You may go inside Belem Tower, nevertheless it doesn’t open till 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. This attraction might be loved from the skin, and you’ll really feel fulfilled. For those who go for dawn, it’ll simply be you and some photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Web site, one in every of Portugal’s seven wonders.

It’s situated instantly on the Tagus River. This stunning tower was in-built 1515 to defend Lisbon from invaders coming in alongside the Tagus River.

Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)

Leaving Belem Tower, it’s only a brief stroll alongside the waterfront promenade to the Monument of Discoveries. Portugal was a land of explorers; the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to Portugal’s legendary explorers. You may’t miss this monument because it towers over the Tagus River.

Standing 52 meters excessive, it’s a powerful sight. It was constructed within the twentieth century, however it’s no much less spectacular. For a small payment, you possibly can take an elevator up for views over the Tagus River, or you possibly can stroll up the steps. It doesn’t open till 10 a.m., so we are saying to easily benefit from the views.

Be sure that to cease and check out the Compass Rose adorning the sq. in entrance of the Monument of Discoveries. It was a present from South Africa and pays tribute to Portugal’s journies within the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Inside the design, search for a mermaid, Neptune, fave compass roses, and blowing faces.

For those who actually need to see the views of the Tagus, you possibly can return and take the elevator instantly after your cease at our subsequent Lisbon attraction.

Jerónimos Monastery

Strolling up from the waterfront, you’ll come throughout Jerónimos Monastery. That is the primary cease that we advise you go inside. E-book your time entry ticket for the primary entry of the day. After seeing Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it needs to be the right time to enter Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 am.

Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and it too is one in every of Porugal’s seven wonders as it’s a masterpiece of Manueline structure. Its stunning marble design is to not be missed. Inside, you’ll need to discover the cloisters, the courtyards and gardens, and the chapel. The monastery additionally homes the tomb of Vasco da Gama, who was the primary European to succeed in India by ship.

We propose spending an hour right here after which be in your approach. As a result of keep in mind, you solely have at some point in Lisbon, and whenever you get house, folks will ask, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” and you’ll say, “Sure, I did!”

• Improve to a Lisbon Card at no cost entry to public transport and high points of interest, together with Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and extra

Pateis de Bélem

Persevering with our journey via Belém, we see that it’s time for a snack break. You’ve got been going since dawn, and if you happen to didn’t ebook a lodge with breakfast included (which we extremely suggest as a result of it saves time and cash), you can be able to eat.

Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of the town, and whether or not you’re hungry or not, it’s essential to go inside to style this well-known Portuguese custard.

Besteis de Bélem is the unique Pastel de Nata that you’ll eat all through Portugal. The long-lasting Portuguese custard tart was began right here on the Monastery when the nuns used egg whites to starch their habits. That they had left-over yolks and didn’t know what to do with them, so that they made a custard that they stuffed into pastries and bought to earn cash for the Monastery. And thus, Pastel de Nata was born. Then, the Monastery was closed, they usually gave the recipe to the bakery subsequent door. They’ve been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.

Don’t be afraid if you happen to see an extended line. The restaurant is large, and the strains transfer shortly. We had been inside inside a couple of minutes.

Noon / Lunch

You may take the tram again to Placa Do Comercio (the principle sq. situated on the waterfront) from Belem and journey one in every of Lisbon’s historic trams when you make your option to its stunning waterfront sq.. This offers you the chance to get pleasure from one in every of Lisbon’s high points of interest – driving its iconic trams – when you make your approach again to the outdated metropolis.

You may rent an Uber, like we did. For those who rent an Uber, have it drop you off on the Time Out Market, the place you can be having lunch. For those who take the tram, the Time Out Market is only a 15-minute stroll from Comercio Sq.. Earlier than you make your option to the market, you possibly can try the gorgeous sq. and Rua Agusta Arch

Rua Agusta

From Comercio Sq. stroll to the Rua Agusta Arch in the direction of the pedestrian avenue of Rua Agusta. Rua Agusta is 6 blocks of retailers, eating and power with avenue performers entertaining prospects as they eat their lunch.

Pull up a chair at one of many out of doors cafes to get pleasure from some genuine Portuguese meals. It is a stunning avenue that isn’t to be missed, and it’s proper within the coronary heart of the town. Stroll alongside this avenue, taking within the sights and going into the Bacalau, Pasteis de Nata, and Portuguese cans shops.

Afternoon

Alfama District

The Alfama District is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and place to spherical off the remainder of the afternoon. If you wish to stroll, it’s simply 5-10 minutes from Rua Agusta to the beginning of your strolling tour of Alfama. It’s right here that you just’ll actually really feel the historical past of Lisbon as you wander its slender streets.

Lisbon Cathedral

Begin your time in Alfama on the Lisbon Cathedral. It’s the oldest church within the metropolis, courting again to the twelfth century. You may go inside at no cost, however to see its cloisters, there’s a small payment of about €2

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Portas do Sol is the following cease, a brief stroll uphill. This is without doubt one of the hottest Miradouros in Lisbon, because it appears out over the river and metropolis. See the terracotta rooftops that feels as in case you are overlooking a Meditteranean village cascading into the ocean.

It’s situated on a big balcony, providing loads of room to soak up the panoramic view. Issues to maintain a watch out for is the Monastery of St. Vincen and the Nationwide Pantheon.

Tram 28

From Portas do Sol, you possibly can hop on Tram 28. No journey to Lisbon can be full with out getting on one in every of its historic trams, and Tram 28 is iconic. Tram 28 changed the unique horse-drawn carriages in 1914. Lisbon is called the town of hills, and these trams assist locals journey via its steep hills. Tram 28 is a 7m route that takes you thru the favored vacationer districts of Lisbon, Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Santa Catarina & Estrela.

It takes 50 minutes to journey your entire route, however we advise utilizing it as a type of public transport as an alternative. For those who solely need to take it a few stops, you possibly can rent an Uber. The tram runs till 10 or 11 pm (relying on the season), so you possibly can all the time hop again later to see all the pieces.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

From Portas do Sol, Tram 28 will take you subsequent to the Monastery of St. George, the place you possibly can hop off to discover inside, or you possibly can merely benefit from the view and wait to your subsequent cease, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Time might be getting tight now, so you might need to skip it and head on to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

That is the very best level in Lisbon and is value stopping for an overhead view of the town.

Castelo de São Jorge

Take a stroll alongside the fort’s historic partitions and benefit from the unimaginable views of the town from excessive above. Castelo de São Jorge is open till 9 pm in the summertime and is a good spot for sundown.

You’ll have entry to its gardens and may be part of a guided tour. There’s a museum inside that’s free to enter, and naturally, the fort partitions and views of the town are stunning. This website is a big historic vacation spot, with settlements courting again to the seventh century BC.

Night/Dinner

To spherical your at some point itinerary in Lisbon, make your option to Barrio Alto. That is the place for nightlife in Lisbon, and there are a number of decisions for dinner in Bairro Alto. We beloved the Gin Lover’s Bar in Barrio Alto. We had a cocktail right here earlier than having fun with a scrumptious meal on the out of doors terrace.

Nightlife

After dinner, you might have a number of decisions: you possibly can benefit from the nightlife of Bairro Alto, go bar hopping, and seek for some Fado performers. For those who actually need to see a Fado present, we suggest reserving an organized performance in advance here. This highly rated tour

Effectively, that was a busy at some point in Lisbon, Portugal! From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods and gorgeous views from its miradouros, we’ve proven you how one can profit from your day AND night time on this gorgeous metropolis. In case you are spending extra time in Lisbon, try our submit 48 Hours in Lisbon, Itinerary

For much more high sights, one of the best locations to eat, and essentially the most environment friendly methods to navigate Lisbon, try our weblog The Best Things to Do in Lisbon