Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. At this time, 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.
For those who’re staying in Lisbon longer, you’ll want to take a look at 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 troublesome to see every thing in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it’s attainable to take pleasure in its highlights and prime points of interest in a single very jam-packed 24 hours. So, we’re going to present you the route that we expect you need 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, however it doesn’t open till 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. This attraction could be loved from the skin, and you’ll really feel fulfilled. For those who go for dawn, it would simply be you and some photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Website, considered one 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 quick 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 formidable sight. It was constructed within the twentieth century, however it’s no much less spectacular. For a small charge, 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.
Make sure 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. Inside the design, search for a mermaid, Neptune, fave compass roses, and blowing faces.
For those who actually wish 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. Guide your time entry ticket for the primary entry of the day. After seeing Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it ought to be the right time to enter Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 am.
Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and it too is considered one 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 wish 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 advise 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 whenever you get residence, individuals will ask, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” and you’ll say, “Sure, I did!”
- Improve to a Lisbon Card totally free entry to public transport and prime points of interest, together with Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and extra
Snack Break
Persevering with our journey via Belém it’s time for a snack break. You could have been going since dawn, and should you didn’t ebook a resort with breakfast included, (which we extremely suggest as a result of it saves time and cash) you may be able to eat.
Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of the town and whether or not you might be hungry or not, you should go inside for a style of this well-known Portuguese custard.
Besteis de Bélem is the unique Pastel de Nata that you’ll eat all through Portugual. 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, they gave the recipe to the bakery subsequent door they usually have been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.
Don’t be afraid should you see an extended line. The restaurant is big and the road strikes rapidly. We had been inside with in a couple of minutes.
Waterfront Stroll
For those who had greater than at some point in Lisbon, we’d recommend persevering with your waterfront stroll all the best way again to the previous city. There are a number of issues to see alongside the Tagus River together with the extremely trendy Museum of Artwork, Structure, and Know-how (MAAT ).
There may be the statue of Christ standing proud throughout the river and there’s the coach home museum as properly. You possibly can hire bicycling with the app… to discover the waterfront for a whole day.
Nevertheless, you solely have at some point, so you should get transferring to your subsequent cease on our record for lunch!
Noon / Lunch
You possibly can take the tram again to Placa Do Comercio (the principle sq. situated on the waterfront) and trip considered one of Lisbon’s historic trams when you make your approach to its stunning waterfront sq.. This offers you the chance to take pleasure in considered one of Lisbon’s prime points of interest – using its iconic trams – when you make your means again to the previous metropolis.
You possibly can 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 may 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 approach to the market, you possibly can take a look at the gorgeous sq. and Rua Agusta Arch
Time Out Market
No go to to Lisbon can be full with out experiencing considered one of its markets. Time Out Market is a busy market that shouldn’t be missed. Plus you possibly can mix sightseeing with lunch.
Previously the Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré, Time Out Market is an reasonably priced choice for lunch. However take be aware, this can be very busy.
Pink Avenue
After lunch, it’s a brief stroll to Pink Avenue, the place you may get your Instagram-worthy {photograph} of the pink road coated with umbrellas. For those who determine to not eat at Time Out Market and easily stroll via for a style of the bustling market, you possibly can eat at Pink Avenue as there are eating places lining the road.
This was as soon as a tough and tumble neighborhood that has been reworked to a stylish vacationer sizzling spot. Additionally it is a busy place for nightlife.
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 only a 15 minute stroll from Pink Avenue 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 slim 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 charge of about €2
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Portas do Sol is the subsequent cease, a brief stroll uphill. This is without doubt one of the hottest Miradouros in Lisbon, because it appears to be like 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 considered one of its historic trams and Tram 28 is iconic. Tram 28 changed the unique horse drawn carriages in 1914. Lisbon is named the town of hills and these trams helped 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 trip your complete route, however we advise utilizing it as a type of public transport as a substitute. For those who solely wish 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 every thing.
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 wish to skip it and head on to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
That is the 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 unbelievable views of the town from excessive above. Castelo de São Jorge is open till 9pm in the summertime and is a good spot for sundown.
You’ll have entry to its gardens and you’ll 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 websites is a major historic locations with settlements relationship again to the seventh century BC.
Nightime Leisure
Fado
When visiting Lisbon, you shouldn’t miss Fado. It’s the birthplace of this music, and UNESCO has designated it for its cultural significance.
To spherical of your at some point in Lisbon itinerary, pre-book a fado present within the Alfama district. Or you possibly can head to the Rua Agusta space to take pleasure in its nightlife. Numerous bars have Fado performers, however should you actually wish to see them, we advise reserving a Fado Present upfront. These proficient performers ooze emotion as they sing stunning soulful songs accompanied by guitars.
Night/Dinner
Barrio Alto
There are a number of selections for dinner in Bairro Alto and alongside Rua Augusta, and you may also head to the Barrio Alto for dinner and cocktails. 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 outside terrace.
After dinner, there are a number of selections; you possibly can or benefit from the nightlife of Bairro Alto and go bar hopping.
Nightlife
Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon’s Champs Elise and inns with rooftop bars. We stayed at Turim Boulevard Lodge and it had a superb view of Lisbon and the Tivoli Sky Bar proper subsequent door has a wonderful rooftop.
For those who don’t have a reservation, it may be troublesome to get in, so make a reservation.
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 find out how to benefit from your day AND evening on this gorgeous metropolis.
For much more prime sights, the perfect locations to eat, and essentially the most environment friendly methods to navigate Lisbon, take a look at our weblog The Finest Issues to Do in Lisbon
