This guide about what to see in Lisbon in 3 days includes the perfect itinerary so you don’t miss anything in this incredible city. The capital of Portugal hides corners full of charm, art and culture. Lisbon is a perfect destination for a getaway within Europe.
On this post you will find:
- What to see in Lisbon in 3 days
- DAY 1: Elevador da Bica, Time Out Market, Santa Justa Elevator, Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon Cathedral, Portas do Sol, Santa Luzia
- DAY 2: Sintra – Palacio da Pena & Quinta da Regaleira
- DAY 3: Belém Tower, Padrao dos descobrimentos, Jerónimos Monastery, LX Factory, Sao Jorge Castle, Mirador de Graça
- Where to stay in Lisbon
What to see in Lisbon in 3 days
DAY 1: Lisboa city center
➔Elevador da Bica
➔Mercado da Ribeira/Time Out Market
➔Santa Justa Elevator
➔Arco da Rua Augusta
➔Lisboa Cathedral
➔Portas do Sol viewpoint
➔Santa Luzia Viewpoint
On this first day in Lisbon you will visit the most central neighborhoods and some of the most important tourist spots in the city.
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Lisbon 3-Hour Sightseeing Tour
A great way to start your day in Lisbon is to take this 3-Hour Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk. Tuk tuks are really common in Lisbon, you will see them everywhere! In this tour you will see the highlights of Lisbon.
- Elevador da Bica
Start the day by visiting the Elevador da Bica, the city’s most famous funicular. The funicular has a very short route that allows you to climb one of the steepest streets in Lisbon. Even if you don’t take it, I recommend that you go to this street and wait for the funicular to pass to take one of the most typical photos of the city. It is one of the most beautiful streets in Lisbon!
- Mercado da Ribeira/Time Out Market
Go down the funicular street to the Mercado da Ribeira, now converted into the Time Out Market Lisboa. There you can find a lot of restaurants with typical food from Portugal and other places in the world. The place is very beautiful and even if you are not going to eat anything, it is worth visiting.
Very close to the market is the famous “pink street”, a street whose floor is painted pink and is truly very picturesque.
- Santa Justa Elevator
The next stop on your first day in Lisbon will be the Santa Justa Elevator, an elevator that connects the Baixa Pombalina and Chiado neighborhoods. The ticket to get on the elevator costs €5. Nowadays it is a purely tourist elevator since you can go up to the other neighborhood for free via escalators. Even so, it is still an unmissable tourist spot in the city.
- Arco da rua Augusta
From the elevator head to Rua Augusta street, a super famous shopping street. If you are hungry, be sure to make a pit stop to try Manteigaria’s delicious pasteis de nata. Continue down this street until your reach the Arco da Rua Augusta, located in Praça do Comércio.
- Miradores Portas do Sol & Santa Luzia
Continue walking from the Arch to Lisbon Cathedral, a National Monument. End the first day in Lisbon touring the beautiful Alfama neighborhood, and visit the Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints, with a very nice view of the city.
DAY 2: Sintra
➔Palacio da Pena
➔Quinta da Regaleira
For the second day, I recommend you take a short trip to Sintra, less than 1 hour from the city. It’s one of the best places to visit near Lisbon and it’s really amazing. There you can visit the stunning Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira, among many other places.
Palacio da Pena in Sintra
How to get to Sintra:
- Train: The cheapest option to get to Sintra from Lisbon is to take a train from Rossio station, located in the heart of the city. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs €4.5 round trip. Once you get to Sintra station you will have to take a bus or tuk tuk to get to the Pena Palace.
- CAR: a much more comfortable option is to rent a car in Lisbon and go to Sintra. Although it may be convenient if you travel in a group, it is not the best option that I recommend since Sintra is actually very well connected with public transport.
- TOUR TO LISBON: you can also book a tour from Lisbon and this way you won’t have to worry about how to get there. There are several excursion options to Sintra, many of which also include a visit to Cascais. I haven’t visited this town yet but they say it’s beautiful!
DAY 3
➔Belém Tower
➔Padrão dos Descobrimentos
➔Jerónimos Monastery
➔LX Factory
➔São Jorge Castle
➔Miradouro da Graça
- Torre de Belém
Start your last day in Lisbon by visiting Belém, located in western Lisbon. Here you will find Belém Tower, one of the undisputed icons of Lisbon which is an old military construction.
If you want to visit the interior of the tower make sure you book your ticker in advance.
➔Tagus River Sunset Cruise with Welcome Drink
- Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Very close to the Tower is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a monument built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. The monument is 52 meters high and commemorates all those who participated in the development of the Age of Discovery.
- Jerónimos Monastery
The Jerónimos Monastery is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome, where several kings and important figures of Portugal are buried.
If you are interested in learning more about its history, make sure you book your entrance ticker to Jeronimos Monastery in advance.
- Pasteis de Belém
Obviously you can’t leave Lisbon without trying the original pasteis de nata! The recipe for these sweets that are sold throughout Portugal was born in the store located in Belém. They are truly a delight.
- LX Factory
To go to the next stop you can continue walking along the edge of the Tagus River or take the train. LX Factory is a different place to visit in Lisbon.
It is an old industrial factory converted into a space for art and gastronomy. Here you can find several shops, art galleries and restaurants. Be sure to visit Ler Devagar, a beautiful bookstore.
- São Jorge Castle
In the afternoon return to the city center to visit St. George’s Castle, one of the most important tourist spots in Lisbon. You can see complete information for your visit on the official website.
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Miradouro da Graça
To finish this 3-day trip in Lisbon, I recommend going to see the sunset at the Miradouro da Graça, a viewpoint with incredible views of the city.
➔Tagus River Sunset Cruise
Another great option to finish your 3 days in Lisbon is to book a sunset cruise and enjoy the views of the city while having a drink.
Where to stay in Lisbon
These are some of the hotels I recommend to stay in the city:
- Lisbon Serviced Apartments: If you are looking for comfortable accommodation at a good price, I recommend these apartments. They have several locations in different parts of the city. It was my choice to visit Lisbon in 3 days and I would stay again. Click here to see photos, availability, and prices.
- TURIM Boulevard Hotel: 5-star hotel located on Av Libertad in the center of Lisbon. It has a terrace, restaurant and bar. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
- The Ivens Autograph Collection: If you are looking for a luxury stay, this hotel is perfect. With elegant and modern decoration, this first-class hotel is located in the heart of Lisbon. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
Map for 3 days in Lisbon
This concludes the Lisbon itinerary for 3 days. There are so many places to see in this beautiful city and I hope this guide helps you plan your trip 🙂
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