Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city is a real treat. 2 days in Lisbon is good to explore the imposing São Jorge Castle and other attractions, take in the old city’s pastel-coloured buildings, and wander around its charming neighbourhoods. This Lisbon Itinerary for 2 days takes you to the top sights of the city, the must-see attractions, and the epic culinary scene.
Lisbon is the largest city in Portugal with a rich history. The Portuguese capital is full of incredible views that look out over the colourful buildings adorning the city’s many hills. It has great food and drinks including fresh seafood that is among the best in the world. Not to mention some amazing historical sights and stories.
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Best time to visit Lisbon
Lisbon’s Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant destination basically year round. As in other parts of southern Europe, July and August, which is peak summer season in Lisbon, gets quite hot. There are also large crowds, which are pretty overwhelming during this time. I visited Portugal in early June, and the weather was perfect for both city sightseeing and beach time.
The best time to visit Lisbon is shoulder season, which means Spring (April, May) and Fall (September, October). it is one of the best cities to visit in Europe in April.
How to get around Lisbon
Lisbon’s public transport is well connected and easy to navigate. I enjoyed using the above-ground trams to several places. There is a (below ground) metro and a bus system. To use the public transportation system, you’ll want to buy a Viva card, which costs 0.50 Euro and makes each ride significantly cheaper.
Lisbon is very pedestrian friendly, and you could easily walk to all the attractions. If walking the hills is a problem for you, you can use the metro or trams to get to the top of the hill, then meander your way back down.
You can also explore Lisbon at your own pace with a flexible ticket to 2 different bus tours via this 1 or 2 days hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Uber is also available in Lisbon, and it’s the easiest way to get around. It is also cheaper than other European cities.
The Perfect 2 day Lisbon Itinerary
Two days in Lisbon is great to get a feel of the Portuguese capital. But if you want to get the most out of your visit, spend at least 3-4 days in Lisbon.
If you are keen on seeing many landmarks and attractions in the city, check out the Lisbon Card. It includes unlimited travel on city transport, free admission to 39 museums / historic buildings, and discounts at many attractions.
First Day of Lisbon 2 day Itinerary
On on first day in Lisbon, take you time to explore Bairro Alto and Alfama. Alfama is the oldest feeling part of the city, with narrow cobblestone streets that wind their way down from the Castelo de São Jorge at the crown of the hill. Barrio Alto offers all the trendy restaurants and bars in the city.
Start with Castelo De São Jorge (St. George Castle)
The castelo sits on top of the hill, with Alfama sprawling down the hill from its walls towards the river. You get to enjoy views of Lisbon and the Tagus River from the millennium-old walls of this national monument. What you get to explore here are the heavily fortified battlements, the medieval royal quarters, and the shaded gardens of the Paco da Alcacova ruins.
Castelo de São Jorge is open 7 days a week. Summer schedule (March 1st to October 31st) is from 9 AM to 9 PM. It is advisable to visit the castle early in the morning or late in the afternoon to get less crowds in the summer. To reach the site, you can take the bus 737 to Castelo bus stop, or ride the 28E tram to Santa Luzia Viewpoint tram stop. You can easily take a taxi / Uber as well. Walking uphill to the castle is meant for the fit but it is fun to meander down after your visit.
Book your entry ticket online with a self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Or join a guided tour of Saint George’s Castle with entry tickets included.
Meander through Alfama
Alfama’s narrow and maze-like streets are great to get lost in. After exploring the castelo, youo can walk down to Alfama district. Don’t miss the statue of St. Vincent here, the patron saint of Lisbon. Located in Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama, this is a stunning statue with views of Igreja de Sao Vicente de Fora in the background.
Do expect a lot of uphill walking in Alfama as the district extends over 2 steep hills. Though historically the poorest district of Lisbon, Alfama today has a trendy, artisan vibe. If you are visiting Portugal with kids, a tuk-tuk tour is a nice way to explore the best sights in Lisbon.
Afternoon in Baixa district
Baixa and Chiado districts are located in the heart of Lisbon, where you will find most of the historical monuments and the famous shopping street. Baixa district was completely rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake, which resulted in the world’s first grid plan layout.
One of the largest plazas in Portugal, the Praça do Comércio is a harbour-facing plaza in Baixa. Leading from this plaza is Rua Augusta, a delightful shopping street with many cafes and restaurants. You can grab a bite for lunch here.
At the northern end of Rua Augusta is Rossio, this has been one of its main squares in Lisbon since the Middle Ages. You can walk west to the Praça do Comércio to the riverside area of Ribeira das Naus.
Another tourist attraction in Baixa district is the Elevador de Santa Justa. This 19th century industrial lift transports passengers up the 45 m from the lower Baixa to the higher area of Largo do Carmo. A return ticket costs EUR 5.15 and includes the entrance fee to the viewpoint.
It is easy to explore Lisbon city by yourself following this 2-day itinerary. But if you want more cultural context and local stories, consider these tours:
Take in a Fado performance
No tradition better encapsulates the passions running through Lisbon streets better than fado. Fado is part of the UNESCO world heritage list and deserves to be enjoyed by anyone visiting the city. This music genre is hauntingly beautiful, and raw.
There are many spots to take in a fado performance in Lisbon at the end of Day 1. Alfama is the traditional home of Fado. You can visit to Mesa de Frades, built in a former chapel in Alfama to step back in time. Clube de Fado, a short distance away from Lisbon Cathedral is another spot in Alfama. Options in Bairro Alto include the beautiful Café Luso, the nostalgic Tasca Do Chico, and Adega Machado.
There are many bars and restaurants in Baixa Chiado districts to take a fado performance. I went to an excellent place in Chiado to listen to amazing performers in a not so crowded venue.
If you can leave behind your kids in the hotel room and try out the nightlife in Lisbon, there are 2 main areas for it. Bairro Alto district has many trendy bars and the Pink Street in Cais do Sodro district has several clubs.
Second Day of Lisbon Itinerary for 2 days
First half of the day in Belém
The second day of your 48 hours in Lisbon starts in Belém. It is right along the river, and is home to several cool sights. Belém lines the banks of the Tejo Estuary and was historically the location of shipyards.
Top sights in Belém
There is a lot to see in Belém. Start with Torre de Belém or Belém Tower, officially the Tower of Saint Vincent is a 16th-century fortification. This served as a point of embarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. You can reserve your entrance ticket to this spot.
My favourite historical sight in Belém was Jerónimos Monastery. The Jerónimos Monastery is a National Monument and was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It is worth noting the facades, the church and the cloisters in this monument. You can book a hassle-free entry to both the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower with an audio tour.
Then there is Padrão dos Descobrimentos or the Monument of the Discoveries on the bank of the Tagus river estuary. This imposing monument is a tribute to Portugal’s amazing history of explorers. Vasco da Gama is one of the figures featured in the depiction on the side of the monument, which was built in the 20th century under Portugal’s dictator, Salazar.
I took an elevator to the top of this towering monument that rises 171 feet over the river to take in stunning views of the area. The square in front of the monument is beautiful, with art made from limestone tile donated by South Africa.
After much sightseeing, it is time for a treat. Head to Pastéis de Belém, which is said to be the birthplace of the original Pastel de Nata. It’s essentially an egg custard tart, enveloped in a crispy, crunchy, flaky crust.
Second half of Day 2
For those interested in shopping, visit Avenida da Liberdade, the most fashionable shopping street in Lisbon. There are many designer stores and boutiques here. You can also visit the Principe Real district.
For the second half, I would suggest a Food Tour to enjoy the distinct culinary scene in Lisbon. There are so many traditional delights at the known establishments and lesser-known local gems to savour. Enjoy classics like pastel de nata and drinks like sour cherry liqueur. See some of these best food tour options:
You can also kick back and take a river cruise to enjoy Lisbon from a different perspective. There are several options:
Extending this to 3-day Lisbon itinerary
If you are spending 3 days in Lisbon, I recommend a day trip to Sintra. Sintra is an easy 45 minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio Station in Baixa. The two sites you should choose to explore in Sintra are Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. Lisbon makes for a great base for day trips, to explore both coastal regions as well as historic towns.
Pena Palace
Pena Palace is essentially a summer home, built in the Sintra Mountains by King Ferdinand II. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon. It is famous for famous for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture, historic estates, gardens, and royal palaces. This resulted in the classification of the town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You need at least 2 hours to enjoy the Pena Palace fully. You can book your entry ticket to the palace and the park.
Castelo dos Mouros
I enjoyed my visit to the Moorish Castle in Sintra even more. Walking along the reconstructed walls of this Moorish Castle from the 9th century is fantastic, and the views are spectacular.
The Castle of the Moors was classified as a National Monument in 1910 and it also forms part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1995. It soars 412 m above sea level and looms high above the surrounding forest. You can book Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket.
Here are tours to consider if you want the day trip organised to Sintra:
Where to stay in Lisbon
Baixa-Chiado is essentially the heart of Lisbon – and the most popular area. Here you will find many of the historical landmarks, as well as the glitzy shopping street.
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in the city, full of charming buildings and winding streets. It’s a great location as well. Bairro Alto is where you will find hundreds of bustling bars and restaurants – it truly comes to life after dark. It’s a great place to stay if you are looking to enjoy Lisbon’s nightlife.
Principe Real is an upscale area known for its hip restaurants, trendy gay bars, and art galleries. Estrela is a lesser-known district, as it is less touristy and only formed a few years ago by merging 3 former neighbourhoods.
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4 days in Rome: Journey into the vivid cultural past
Amsterdam with kids: 2 day itinerary for a family city break
London attractions with kids: Fun things to do for families
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