Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. Right this moment, we’re going to information you thru the final word at some point in Lisbon itinerary, displaying you the perfect this metropolis has to supply in simply at some point.
If you happen to’re staying in Lisbon longer, it would be best to try our different weblog posts, 48 Hours in Lisbon, The place to Keep in Lisbon, and Finest Day Journeys 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 things in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it’s doable to take pleasure in its highlights and prime sights in a single very jam-packed 24 hours. So, we’re going to present you the route that we predict it is 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 possibly can go inside Belem Tower, but it surely doesn’t open till 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. This attraction will be loved from the skin, and you’ll really feel fulfilled. If you happen to go for dawn, it is going to simply be you and some photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Web site, one in every of Portugal’s seven wonders.
It’s positioned straight on the Tagus River. This lovely 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 possibly can’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 price, 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 certain that to cease and try 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. Throughout the design, search for a mermaid, Neptune, fave compass roses, and blowing faces.
If you happen to actually need to see the views of the Tagus, you possibly can return and take the elevator straight 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 propose you go inside. Guide 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 lovely 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 achieve India by ship.
We propose spending an hour right here after which be in your means. As a result of keep in mind, you solely have at some point in Lisbon, and once you get residence, folks will ask, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” and you may say, “Sure, I did!”
Improve to a Lisbon Card totally free entry to public transport and prime sights, 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 gotten been going since dawn, and should you didn’t guide a resort with breakfast included (which we extremely advocate as a result of it saves time and money), you can be able to eat.
Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of town, and whether or not you might be hungry or not, you have 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, in order that they made a custard that they stuffed into pastries and offered to earn cash for the Monastery. And thus, Pastel de Nata was born. Then, the Monastery was closed, and so they gave the recipe to the bakery subsequent door. They’ve been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.
Don’t be afraid should you see a protracted line. The restaurant is big, and the strains transfer rapidly. We have been inside inside a couple of minutes.
Noon / Lunch
You possibly can take the tram again to Placa Do Comercio (the primary sq. positioned on the waterfront) from Belem and experience one in every of Lisbon’s historic trams whilst you make your technique to its lovely waterfront sq.. This offers you the chance to take pleasure in one in every of Lisbon’s prime sights – using its iconic trams – whilst you make your means again to the outdated metropolis.
You possibly can rent an Uber, like we did. If you happen to rent an Uber, have it drop you off on the Time Out Market, the place you can be having lunch. If you happen to take the tram, the Time Out Market is only a 15-minute stroll from Comercio Sq.. Earlier than you make your technique to the market, you possibly can try the attractive sq. and Rua Agusta Arch
Rua Agusta
From Comercio Sq. stroll to the Rua Agusta Arch in the direction of the pedestrian road of Rua Agusta. Rua Agusta is 6 blocks of outlets, eating and power with road performers entertaining clients as they eat their lunch.
Pull up a chair at one of many out of doors cafes to take pleasure in some genuine Portuguese meals. This can be a lovely road that isn’t to be missed, and it’s proper within the coronary heart of town. Stroll alongside this road, 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 an excellent 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, relationship again to the twelfth century. You possibly can go inside totally free, however to see its cloisters, there’s a small price of about €2
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Portas do Sol is the subsequent cease, a brief stroll uphill. This is among the hottest Miradouros in Lisbon, because it seems 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 positioned on a big balcony, providing loads of room to absorb the panoramic view. Issues to maintain an eye fixed 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 could 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 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 experience the complete route, however we propose utilizing it as a type of public transport as an alternative. If you happen to 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 things.
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 it’s possible you’ll 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 town.
Castelo de São Jorge
Take a stroll alongside the citadel’s historical partitions and benefit from the unimaginable views of town from excessive above. Castelo de São Jorge is open till 9 pm in the summertime and is a superb spot for sundown.
You’ll have entry to its gardens and may be a part of a guided tour. There’s a museum inside that’s free to enter, and naturally, the citadel partitions and views of town are lovely. This website is a big historic vacation spot, with settlements relationship again to the seventh century BC.
Night/Dinner
To spherical your at some point itinerary in Lisbon, make your technique to Barrio Alto. That is the place for nightlife in Lisbon, and there are a number of decisions for dinner in Bairro Alto. We liked 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 have got just a few decisions: you possibly can benefit from the nightlife of Bairro Alto, go bar hopping, and seek for some Fado performers. If you happen to actually need to see a Fado present, we advocate reserving an organized efficiency prematurely right here. This extremely rated tour
Nicely, 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 you can take advantage of your day AND evening on this gorgeous metropolis. If you’re spending extra time in Lisbon, try our publish 48 Hours in Lisbon, Itinerary
For much more prime sights, the perfect locations to eat, and probably the most environment friendly methods to navigate Lisbon, try our weblog The Finest Issues to Do in Lisbon