Once a starting point for some of the most ambitious expeditions, Portugal’s capital city is now one of Europe’s most romantic cities. You can easily fill up your Lisbon itinerary with ancient landmarks, stylish hotels, and the best food Portugal has to offer. There is so much to do in Lisbon it can be hard to see it all in a few days.
We were lucky enough to spend a week exploring Lisbon and the surrounding area. The city is much different than the laid-back atmosphere of Lagos in the Algarve but still has the same charm. Come with us to learn where to stay in Lisbon, what to do in Lisbon, and especially where to eat in Lisbon!
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How to Get to Lisbon
Lisbon Portela Airport
When you arrive in Lisbon from Canada, like us, you will most likely be landing at Lisbon’s main airport. The airport has a few names – Humberto Delgado Airport, Portela Airport, and Lisbon Airport. As long as your plane ticket says your destination is LIS you are good to go!
Lisbon Portela Airport is just over 7km from the city itself. Once you land, you will need to make your way out of the arrivals terminal and find a way to the city. If you’re not renting a car you’ll need to find a taxi, the metro, bus/shuttle, or a train to get from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon.
Getting From Lisbon Airport to Lisbon
By Taxi
Taking a taxi from Lisbon Airport to downtown is the most direct way but also the most expensive. Even though it is “expensive” it is still cheaper than other cities we’ve visited. The taxi to Lisbon will cost about €15 but make sure you take a licensed taxi from the designated area.
By Metro
You can take the metro from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon itself and it will only cost you €1.45 for each passenger. You will need to buy (and top up) the local Viva Viagem Transit Card which will cost another €0.50. There is a metro station in Portela Airport where you can catch the subway to just about anywhere in Lisbon.
By Bus/Shuttle
Another way to get from Lisbon Airport to downtown Lisbon is by city bus. You’ll also need a Viva Viagem card that you can purchase at the station before boarding your bus. The bus fare is the same as the metro but there is a luggage restriction.
If you have a really big bag (or lots of bags) you’ll have to take a special shuttle instead. These Lisbon Airport to Downtown shuttles are much more expensive (€41) but are essentially large taxis. Only take the shuttle if your bags are also too big for a standard taxi.
By Train
Taking the train from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon is probably the most inconvenient option. We only recommend the train if you’re heading further outside of Lisbon for your trip. If you do need to take the train, you’ll first take the metro (€1.45) to Gare do Oriente Station. From there, you can take a regional train to almost anywhere in Portugal.
Lisbon Itinerary: Where to Stay in Lisbon
Getting the most out of your Lisbon itinerary depends on which area of the city you call home during your visit. There are so many great areas to stay in Lisbon so it comes down to personal preference. Each area is full of many different types of hotels and AirBnBs it’s hard to go wrong anywhere in Lisbon!
Staying in Alfama, Lisbon
Our Lisbon itinerary is built around experiencing the romance of old Lisbon. For this reason, we decided to stay in the historic Alfama area in Lisbon. This area has many different hotels, restaurants, and sights that transport you back in time.
Alfama AirBnb
We recommend finding a cozy AirBnB while you stay in Alfama. This gives you the ability to live like a local while you explore Lisbon. Our apartment was right next to the Fado Museum in Lisbon and a short (uphill) walk to Castelo de Sao Jorge.
If you decide to stay in Alfama, make sure you stay closer to the water. The entire area is built on a hill leading down to the coast. Staying at the bottom of the hill means you can walk uphill to see sights but it’s all downhill on the way home. Your legs will thank you at the end of a long day!
Staying in Baxia, Lisbon
Baxia is the most central neighbourhood in Lisbon but it is large. It runs North from the water up to the famous Rossio Square. The entire Baxia neighbourhood in Lisbon is full of the famous straight streets paved with mosaics. Baxia is also home to some of the best shops and restaurants in Lisbon.
Internacional Design Hotel Lisbon
If you’re looking for a stylish, modern hotel in the heart of Lisbon then check out the Internacional Design Hotel. Each floor in this hotel is based on a different pop culture theme including their outside-meets-inside Loft area. The staff are also very friendly with great local Lisbon restaurant recommendations.
The Internacional Design Hotel is perfect for your Lisbon itinerary because you’re not far from most of Lisbon’s best attractions. It’s located at the Southeast corner of Rossio Square and steps away from the Rossio metro station. They also have a really great restaurant in the hotel which we’ll talk about further down.
Other Great Areas to Stay in Lisbon
Portugal’s capital city is large but easy to navigate. This means you can stay just about anywhere and still be able to complete your Lisbon itinerary. Just make sure you stay within the city limits so you don’t waste your day travelling back and forth.
Most Popular Areas in Lisbon for Tourists
Some of the most popular areas to stay in Lisbon are: Alfama, Barrio Alto, and Chiado to name a few. Each of these areas are centrally located in Lisbon which makes them a great choice for a home base. They are also where most of the top sights are located so you can walk to most of them.
Lisbon Itinerary: Where to Eat in Lisbon
Tapas in Lisbon
A Muralha Tapas e Vinhos
There are a lot of great restaurants in Alfama so it is hard to choose where to eat. Luckily, our AirBnB in Alfama was located extremely close to a great spot with amazing wine. You definitely want to plan a night at A Muralha Tapas E Vinhos as part of your Lisbon itinerary.
This lovely little eatery is located on R. Jardim do Tobaco at the South End of Alfama. After a long day of exploring, the staff was very welcoming and quick to recommend delicious food, wine, and beer to help recharge our batteries. A Muralha Tapas E Vinhos serves many different small, sharing plates paired with amazing local wines.
French Restaurant in Lisbon
Le Petit Cafe Lisbon
We LOVE Portuguese food but we always have a soft spot for good, French cuisine. Imagine our excitement from finding Le Petit Cafe Lisbon which marries those two styles together! This night stands out as possibly our favourite meal in Lisbon.
The atmosphere in Le Petit Cafe Lisbon is lively in a way that you know you’re in for a good night. The menu is full of winners from top to bottom but Kailey could not resist the Duck Confit on top of Mascarpone Risotto. Mark loves a great piece of meat so there’s no way he can turn down their immaculate Beef Tenderloin over seasonal veggies.
Le Petit Cafe Lisbon has an extensive list of both French and Portuguese wines as well as expertly-mixed cocktails. You can find them on Largo São Martinho at the North End of Alfama. It is so worth the visit!
Cocktails in Lisbon
Bastardo Restaurant
Is there any better way to prepare for dinner than with a hand-crafted cocktail? We don’t think so! Our nights out usually include a stop for a unique drink along the way. If you are staying at the Internacional Design Hotel Lisbon then you have a great option just downstairs.
Bastardo Restuaraunt inside the Internacional Design Hotel Lisbon is for more than just food. We were offered a free welcome drink upon our arrivel which we gladly accepted. This became a return visit for more cocktails before our dinner in Lisbon. Mark imbibed on their Maple Bacon Old Fashioned while Kailey sipped on an Aperal Spritz – her favourite!
If you are staying at the Internacional Design Hotel Lisbon, make sure to accept their free breakfast at least once. Breakfast is provided by Bastardo Restaurant and has something for everyone. It’s served buffet-style but we noticed everything was being replaced often so it’s all fresh. It’s a great breakfast in Lisbon option if you find yourself in the area.
Traditional Portuguese Dinner in Lisbon
Sacramento do Chiado
We like to splurge a bit on dinner on our last night before heading back home. The front desk staff at the Internacional Design Hotel Lisbon recommended a great Portuguese restaurant nearby – Sacramento do Chiado. It is a little more expensive than others on this list but completely worth it!
Walking in to Sacramento do Chiado feels like taking a step back through time. The restaurant is built inside the old 18-th century Palace Stables. They have kept a lot of the original elements with some contemporary updates.
Sacramento do Chiado is located on Calçada do Sacramento near Chafariz do Carmo. Their speciality is traditional Portuguese dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. They also have an extensive list of Portuguese wines so just ask your server for one that pairs well with your meal.
Restaurant Experience in Lisbon
Time Out Market Lisbon
If you can’t decide on a restaurant in Lisbon to visit then why not visit two dozen at once? Time Out Market is a gourmet experience combining traditional farmers’ markets with top chefs. The concept has spread to Dubai, Montreal, London, and more but it all started in Portugal’s Capital City.
Time Out Market Lisbon is located near the water on Avenue 24 de Julho across from Cais do Sodré Station. The building is circled with market stalls selling fresh ingredients and supplying the chefs. Head further in to find 26 restaurant concepts from Lisbon’s top chefs!
You’ll be able to find a meal here no matter how picky of an eater you are. Everything is on offer from fresh seafood, handmade pasta, well-aged beef, and even the world famous Santini Gelato.
Seating at Time Out Market Lisbon is food-court style so order your food then find a seat. It can get very busy for weekend dinner service and seating is limited. Luckily, each restaurant will give you a beeper so you can make sure you find a place to sit and eat.
Lisbon Itinerary: What to See in Lisbon
Iconic Lisbon Landmark
Santa Justa Lift
Standing tall above the Baxia District in Lisbon, the Santa Justa Lift is a functional work of art. It was made in a time where ironwork was made to be beautiful while getting the job done. To be honest, the elevator is best for the view from the top rather than the street it takes you up to.
The top of Santa Justa Lift gives you sweeping, panoramic views of Lisbon that give you a new perspective on the city. A return trip will cost you €5.30 per person which is a bit steep but the view is worth it!
Make sure to get there early if you want to have the views all to yourself. The Santa Justa Lift opens at 9 AM everyday but quickly gets busy. We arrived in time to get the first trip up and ended up with the whole top to ourselves. The line was already getting long by the time we came back down at 9:30.
Pastel de Nata Workshop in Lisbon
Pastelaria Batalha
If you don’t know about Pastel de Nata before going to Portugal you will learn about them fast. These Portuguese custard tarts are something you must eat while visiting Portugal and you’ll find a pastelaria on just about every street. If you become obsessed with pastel de nata in Portugal like we did then you should learn how to make them!
We love taking cooking courses while travelling. So, once we saw Pastelaria Batalha offered a pastel de nata workshop in Lisbon we jumped at the chance. This Lisbon pastelaria makes award-winning, traditional pastries and they teach you their secrets.
The class is hands-on and very informative. They tailor the class to suit all cooking abilities so don’t worry if baking isn’t your forté. You will also receive a complete pastel de nata recipe after the class so you can make them at home. We felt like a member of the Pastelaria Batalha family – it is an amazing experience!
Best Place to Watch Sunset in Lisbon
Castelo de Sao Jorge
One thing that should be on your Lisbon itinerary is watching a sunset over the city. There are a few great places to watch sunset in Lisbon but our favourite is Castelo de Sao Jorge. This Alfama landmark is perfect for panoramic sunset views of Lisbon.
Castelo do Sao Jorge is at one of the highest points in Lisbon. It is at the top of the Alfama hill and boasts 360 degree views of Portugal’s capital city. You should get there an hour or so before sunset to give yourself time to explore the grounds and get a good viewing spot. Also, keep your eye out for one of the many peacocks at Castelo de Sao Jorge!
Lisbon Itinerary: Alfama
Alfama District in Lisbon
Ok, so this isn’t one, single thing to see but an entire neighbourhood. The Alfama district in Lisbon was originally a poor area but is now one of the hottest tourist destinations. You could spend days exploring all of Alfama’s tiny streets!
Make sure you’re well rested and have comfortable shoes if Alfama is on your Lisbon itinerary. This medieval Lisbon neighbourhood is almost completely on an incline and covered in stairs. We recommend taking your time as you make your way up the hill. There is so much to discover in Alfama so you don’t want to miss it.
Start exploring Alfama from the base of the hill near the water. If you time it just right, you’ll make it to Castelo de Sao Jorge just in time for the best sunset view in Lisbon.
Something Insta-Worthy for your Lisbon Itinerary
Pink Street Lisbon
We always try to find street art around the world but the Pink Street in Lisbon puts a new spin on that. The street is officially known as Rua Nova do Carvalho but gets its nickname from its vibrant colour. Basically, it’s called Pink Street because…well, it’s a pink street!
If you want a people-free photo then we recommend getting here early in the day. The Pink Street in Lisbon is lined with bars and clubs so it gets lively at night. It’s worth getting a photo in the morning then coming back for drinks at night.
Praça do Comércio
Arco da Rua Augusta
Another big part of Portuguese history, Praça do Comércio is a beautiful waterfront plaza. It was the main commercial hub of old Lisbon with goods from around the world being bought and sold. Take your time to explore the square before heading into Lisbon like people have done for centuries.
Pass under the majestic Arco da Rua Augusta to enter the heart.of Lisbon. You can’t miss it with its bright yellow paint and ornate marble statues. Just like anywhere in a busy city like Lisbon, get there early for your best photo ops.
Day Trip from Lisbon
Visit Sintra for a Day
There are a few great day trips from Lisbon you can choose from but make sure one is to Sintra. This small, mountaintop village can easily be explored in a day but it will be a busy one. The streets are small and winding so we don’t recommend driving in Sintra; take a tour instead.
Sintra is most famous for one of the most extravagant castles in Europe, Palácio da Pena. Make sure to go there first because it gets incredibly busy as the day goes on. Pena Palace is also best seen from outside so you can skip the price to go inside. It’s worth going in if you’re curious but you’ll be missing. the multi-coloured exterior.
After Pena Palace, make your way to the ancient ruins of Castelo dos Mouros. The Castle of the Moors was overrun in 1147 and has been left to nature for centuries. Head from the castle back into town and treat yourself to some of the best food Sintra has to offer.
7 Days in Lisbon Itinerary
If you follow our Lisbon itinerary you will have truly experienced the city. We found the best area to stay in Lisbon, some of the best restaurants in Lisbon, and the best things to see in Lisbon. There is a lot to do in the city but 5 to 7 days in Lisbon is the perfect amount of time!
Comment below and let us know your favourite spots in Lisbon or if you have any questions about the city. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive our exclusive Travel Hacks and entries into our upcoming giveaways.
