1Jerónimos Monastery
Manueline masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site, with a famously ornate cloister.
TipClosed on Mondays. Go right at opening on a weekday; late morning is when tour groups arrive.
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Lisbon travel guide.
Lisbon is a compact, hilly capital on the Tagus estuary. Most sights sit within a few tram stops of each other, Belém and Sintra make easy half-day and day trips, and the mild climate makes it a year-round city break.
Verified 2 November 2026Next check 1 February 2027Portugal
In one line
Hills, tiled facades, river light and great-value food.
Best time
Spring (Mar–May), Autumn (Sep–Nov)
How long
3 to 4 days, plus a day for Sintra
When to go
Lisbon by season.
Great time
Spring Mar–May
Mild, green and less crowded than summer. March and April can bring short, heavy showers, so pack a light rain layer.
Good time
Summer Jun–Aug
Peak season: hot days, long evenings and the busiest sights. Early to mid June brings the Santos Populares street festivals, with 13 June (Saint Anthony) as the high point in the old quarters. The Atlantic stays cool even in August.
Great time
Autumn Sep–Nov
September and October are warm and sunny with thinner crowds. Later in autumn the rain returns.
Possible
Winter Dec–Feb
Mild by northern European standards, but changeable: sunny and wet days are about equally common, and older flats can feel cold. Fewer visitors and calmer sights.
Where to stay
Neighbourhoods, and who they suit.
Baixa
Flat, central grid of grand squares and shopping streets, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Handy for first-timers, quiet in the evening.
Find stays in Baixa on Booking.com ↗Chiado
Historic cafés, bookshops and theatres on the slope above Baixa. Elegant and central, busy by day.
Find stays in Chiado on Booking.com ↗Alfama
The oldest quarter: steep lanes, laundry lines, viewpoints and fado houses. Full of character, not for those who want quiet nights or flat streets.
Find stays in Alfama on Booking.com ↗Bairro Alto
Sleepy by day, packed bars spilling into the street at night. Stay here only with good soundproofing.
Find stays in Bairro Alto on Booking.com ↗Príncipe Real
Leafy, relaxed and a little upmarket, with concept stores, a garden square and a weekend market.
Find stays in Príncipe Real on Booking.com ↗Cais do Sodré
Riverside transport hub turned food and nightlife district, home to the Time Out Market. Trains to Belém and Cascais leave from here.
Find stays in Cais do Sodré on Booking.com ↗Belém
Monuments, museums and the riverside promenade west of the centre. Quiet and residential in the evening.
Find stays in Belém on Booking.com ↗Parque das Nações
Modern riverside district built for Expo '98, with the Oceanário, parks and flat walks. Few historic sights.
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What to see
The places worth your time.
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2Belém Tower
Sixteenth-century fortress on the riverbank, a short walk west of the monastery.
TipEntry runs on timed slots, so book before you set out.
3São Jorge Castle
Hilltop castle walls with the widest view over the old town and the river.
TipCome in the late afternoon for the light, and take the tram or a taxi up if the hills are too much.
4Tram 28
The classic yellow tram through Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela.
TipBoard at either end of the line early or late in the day. Keep bags closed and in front: crowded trams attract pickpockets. Tram 12 and Tram 24 are quieter alternatives.
5Praça do Comércio
Vast riverfront square at the foot of Rua Augusta and its triumphal arch.
TipWalk along the river from here to Cais do Sodré for sunset.
6Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
One of the highest viewpoints in the city, looking across the castle to the river.
TipLess crowded than the Alfama viewpoints, especially in the morning.
7Time Out Market
Food hall in the old Ribeira market with stalls from well-known local chefs.
TipBusy at lunch and dinner peaks; go mid-afternoon if you want a seat.
8LX Factory
Former industrial complex under the 25 de Abril bridge, now cafés, shops and studios.
TipCombine it with Belém on the same day; it sits halfway between Belém and the centre.
9MAAT
Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology in a wave-shaped building on the river.
TipWalk over its roof for a free view of the bridge and the river.
10Oceanário de Lisboa
Large aquarium built around one central ocean tank.
TipA good rainy-day plan with children. Metro to Oriente station, then a short walk.
A first visit
Three days in Lisbon.
Day 1: Old Lisbon
- Morning: Baixa and Praça do Comércio, then up to São Jorge Castle
- Afternoon: wander down through Alfama's lanes and viewpoints
- Evening: fado in Alfama or Mouraria
Day 2: Belém and the river
- Morning: Jerónimos Monastery at opening, then Belém Tower (timed ticket)
- Afternoon: MAAT and the riverside, then LX Factory
- Evening: dinner and drinks in Cais do Sodré
Day 3: Sintra
- Train to Sintra in the morning
- Park and Palace of Pena with a booked time slot
- Back to Lisbon for a late dinner in Chiado or Príncipe Real
Your trip
Who you're travelling with.
Solo
Easy to navigate alone, with a lively hostel and café scene in Baixa, Chiado and Cais do Sodré. Free walking tours and the viewpoints are good ways to meet people.
Couple
Sunset at a miradouro, a fado evening in Alfama or Mouraria, and a slow day in Sintra. Príncipe Real and Chiado have the calmer, prettier places to stay.
Family
Pick a flat area like Baixa or Parque das Nações to avoid pushing a buggy up hills. The Oceanário, the riverside in Belém and the beaches at Cascais work well with children.
Friends
Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré for nights out, the food halls for big groups, and the train to Cascais for a beach day.
Getting around
- Metro: four lines; the red line runs straight from the airport into the city. You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone at every gate.
- Trams, buses and funiculars (Carris): contactless works on the onboard readers in central Lisbon, including Tram 28. Some articulated trams on line 15E do not take bank cards.
- Navegante card: reusable card from metro station machines. Load it with credit or a day ticket. You need it for the suburban trains to Sintra and Cascais, which do not take contactless.
- One card or phone per person: you cannot tap twice for two travellers.
- On foot: the centre is compact but steep, and the polished stone pavements are slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
Good to know
- Money
- Euro. Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash for small cafés and markets.
- Tipping
- Not expected. Rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service is common.
- Tourist tax
- Lisbon charges a municipal tourist tax per person and night, collected by your hotel or apartment. Check the current amount when you book.
- Power
- Plug types C and F, 230 V, like most of continental Europe.
- Safety
- Generally safe. Watch for pickpockets on Tram 28, at viewpoints and in Baixa, and ignore street sellers offering drugs.
- Sightseeing days
- Many monuments close on Mondays, and some on public holidays such as 13 June. Check opening days before you plan.
Day trips
When you want a change of scene.
Sintra
Romantic palaces and gardens in the hills. The Palace of Pena only admits visitors at a booked date and time, with no late entry, and you need about 30 minutes from the park gate to the palace.
Getting there: Suburban train from Rossio station (Navegante card).
Cascais
Seaside town with beaches and a coastal promenade, good for a slower half day.
Getting there: Suburban train from Cais do Sodré along the coast (Navegante card).
Pack for Lisbon
- Shoes with grip for steep, slippery pavements
- A light rain jacket outside summer
- A layer for breezy evenings by the river
- A small cross-body bag that closes, for trams and viewpoints
Sources
Checked when this guide was last verified. Opening days, tickets and transport rules can change, so confirm on the official site before you go.
- Parques de Sintra: entry to the Palace of Pena with booked date and time (checked 2 November 2026)
- Public Transport Guide: contactless payment in Lisbon (2026) (checked 2 November 2026)
- Art Visit Guide: Jerónimos Monastery opening days and visiting tips (checked 2 November 2026)
- Lisbon Lisboa Portugal: Tram 28 guide (checked 2 November 2026)
- Lisbon Lisboa Portugal: Lisbon weather and when to go (checked 2 November 2026)
- Portugalist: a guide to Lisbon's neighbourhoods (checked 2 November 2026)
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