Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is easy to explore in a single day if you plan your itinerary well. We tested this route ourselves and believe it allows you to see most of the historic center and Belém at a leisurely pace. Follow our itinerary to make the most of your time in the city.
With our itinerary, we’ll guide you through Lisbon. Make the most of your trip and form your own opinion about this destination with our practical tips and plenty of photos!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Practical Tips for Visiting Lisbon in One Day
What can you see in Lisbon in one day? Is that long enough?
In our opinion, you can see a lot in just one day: São Jorge Castle, Alfama, the Sé Cathedral, Chiado, Bairro Alto, and the Belém neighborhood. Obviously, one day isn’t enough to see everything there is to do in the city. If you’d like to stay longer, check out our other itinerary articles: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, and 1 week in Lisbon.
Maps of must-see attractions
To help you follow along as you read our itinerary below, here is our map of Lisbon’s main tourist attractions:
Getting around Lisbon
Lisbon is a hilly city, built on seven hills, and the historic center is best explored on foot—provided you wear sturdy shoes. We alternated between walking, taking the subway, and riding the tram to give our legs a break in the steepest neighborhoods, such as Alfama and Bairro Alto. Tram 28 connects several historic neighborhoods and remains a convenient way to save time. You can also take a Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which stops at the main attractions. We highly recommend the Lisboa Card, which provides access to public transportation (metro, bus, tram, Santa Justa Elevator) as well as free or discounted admission to many tourist attractions!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Portugal
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
For a day trip to Lisbon, it’s best to choose a central place to stay, in Chiado or Baixa, so you can quickly reach the various stops on your itinerary. Find all our recommendations and tips by neighborhood in our comprehensive article on where to stay in Lisbon. Here are three places we recommend:
- Montebelo Vista Alegre Lisboa Chiado Hotel: Housed in a renovated historic building, this cozy hotel showcases Vista Alegre porcelain in its elegant decor, right in the heart of Chiado. See prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel Lisboa Pessoa: a hotel with a literary flair, paying tribute to the poet Fernando Pessoa, where we enjoyed the tranquility, comfort, and spa, right in the heart of the historic center. See prices, photos, and availability.
- Hôtel Hotel Hotel Member of Design: a contemporary-style hotel featuring an outdoor pool nestled in lush greenery—a rare find in Lisbon—near the Rato metro station. Check photos and availability.
WHERE TO STAY IN lisbon
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
The Baixa neighborhood in the heart of Lisbon –
Hotel da Baixa – See prices, photos and availability
Dare Lisbon House Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
The Alfama neighborhood, the oldest and most charming –
Hotel Poussada Alfama – See prices, photos and availability
The Chiado neighborhood, the most elegant—
Art Legacy Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Our Ideal Itinerary: 1 Day in Lisbon
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: São Jorge Castle and the Alfama neighborhood
Start your day early at São Jorge Castle, perched on the hill in Alfama. We were captivated by its imposing ruins, its slender towers, and its shady gardens where peacocks roam freely. Built in the 5th century, this Moorish castle has stood the test of time before becoming a Portuguese royal residence. From this vantage point, you can admire the red-tiled rooftops and the Tagus River as it winds its way through the city. The castle’s camera obscura—an optical device that projects a moving image of Lisbon onto a concave mirror—amused us greatly. Then take a leisurely stroll back down through the narrow streets of Alfama, the city’s oldest neighborhood, where you’ll come across laundry hanging from windows and lively little squares.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 1 hour and 30 minutes for the castle and its gardens
- Challenges: steep terrain, elevation changes in Alfama
- Access: minibus 37 or streetcar 28
- Price: €15 for a full-price ticket
- Opening hours: open daily from 9am to 9pm (closes at 6pm in winter)
- Don’t wait—book your ticket with an audio guide today!
10:30–11:30 a.m.: Sé Cathedral and viewpoints
On your way back down toward the city center, stop by the Sé Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Lisbon. Built in the 12th century, it combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, reflecting its successive reconstructions. We found the interior to be quite simple yet steeped in history, with its gilded altarpieces and colorful stained-glass windows. Then continue your stroll to the nearby miradouros, those viewpoints so typical of Lisbon. The Santa Luzia Miradouro, with its azulejos and colonnades, struck us as one of the most pleasant in the area, as did the Portas do Sol Miradouro, a little further on. There, you’ll enjoy the unique view of the city’s rooftops and the Tagus River.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 30 minutes to 1 hour for the cathedral; allow an additional 30 minutes for the miradouros
- Directions: Take tram 28, which drops you off right in front of the cathedral
- Price: €5 full price for the cathedral; free admission to the miradouros
- Hours: The cathedral is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) or Museu do Design e da Moda (MUDE)
Before lunch, you can take a cultural break by choosing between two museums that are fairly close to each other. The National Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in a former convent in the Chiado district, features Portuguese works ranging from the late 19th century to the present day. We think this is a great spot for anyone who wants to round out their visit with a glimpse of the local art scene. The Museu do Design e da Moda, located in the Baixa district, is housed in a former bank building and features collections dedicated to 20th-century design and fashion.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 1 hour for either museum
- MNAC: located on Serpa Pinto Street, in the Chiado district
- MUDE: located on Augusta Street, in the Baixa district
12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: Lunch in Chiado or Baixa
For lunch, head to Chiado or Baixa. We really liked the Prado Restaurant. The decor is understated and chic, and the kitchen puts a modern spin on traditional Portuguese dishes using seasonal ingredients. In addition, the wine list is worth checking out. The restaurant also offers vegan dishes. Another option we recommend: Restaurant Com Certeza, a traditional restaurant with picturesque decor, located near the MUDE museum, which serves traditional Portuguese cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Practical advice
- Prado Restaurant: TV. das Pedras Negras 2, reservations required here
- Com Certeza Restaurant: near the MUDE Museum, in the Baixa neighborhood
- Restaurants generally open at 12:30 p.m. or even 1:00 p.m. for lunch
FUN around Lisbon: activities
Lisbon by E-Bike
Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
Dolphin watching
Kayaking in Arrabida
Surfing in Cascais
2:00–3:00 p.m.: The Chiado and Bairro Alto neighborhoods
The afternoon began with a tour of Chiado and Bairro Alto, two iconic neighborhoods that we found to be very lively. You’ll come across street musicians, squares shaded by purple jacaranda trees, and many shops. Be sure to stop by the Carmelite Convent, whose church lost its roof in the 1755 earthquake. We were struck by the beauty of these open-air ruins, which also house a fascinating archaeological museum. End this stop withthe Santa Justa Elevator, designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel, which offers a panoramic view of the city from its observation deck.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 1 hour for the entire area
- Rates: streetcar and elevator included in the Lisboa Card.
- The Baixa Chiado metro station is ideally located for accessing these neighborhoods
3:00–3:30 p.m.: Tram 28
Next, take tram 28, one of Lisbon’s landmarks. We had fun testing out this little bright yellow train car with a wooden interior, which dates back to the 1930s. It winds through the city’s narrow, steep streets, passing through legendary neighborhoods such as Alfama and Chiado. It’s also a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery after a morning of hiking, before heading back to Belém.
Practical advice
- Challenges: Expect long lines during peak season
- Hours: The tram runs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Find the schedules and stops here
3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Head to the Belém neighborhood
Head to the Belém neighborhood, just a few minutes away by tram or bus. We recommend that you start by admiring the Belém Tower from the outside. There isn’t much to see inside, and in our opinion, just seeing the building from the outside is enough. Built in the early 16th century by King Manuel, this fortress is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, head to the nearby Jerónimos Monastery. We were impressed by its cloisters, its carved decorations, and its spectacular church, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s return from India.
End this stage with a tasty treat. Pastéis de nata, these cream-filled tartlets, are a specialty that we highly recommend. Pastelaria de Belém is the best known, but the lines there are often long. We also enjoyed the pastries from Pastelaria Alcôa on Ivens Street and from Confeitaria Nacional on Figueira Square, where the lines are usually shorter.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 2 hours to see the monastery and the tower from the outside
- Directions: Tram 15E or buses 727, 728, 729
- Jerónimos Monastery: €12, open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Pastéis de nata: expect to pay between €1.50 and €3 each
- Free admission to the monastery with the Lisboa Card
- Book your ticket for the Monastery now and save time!
DISCOVER Lisbon
6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.: Waterfront and Fado performance
Head back toward the city center for a walk along the Tagus River. We enjoyed walking along the river at the end of the day, with a view of the 25 de Abril Bridge and the modern silhouette of the MAAT Museum. Next, catch a Fado show—traditional Portuguese music—at one of the venues in Chiado or Alfama. We really enjoyed this musical interlude, which delves into the city’s melancholic spirit.
Practical advice
- Estimated time: 1 hour for the walk, 1 hour and 30 minutes for the Fado show
- Book your Fado show
8:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.: gourmet dinner
To end the day on a high note, treat yourself to a gourmet dinner. We really enjoyed the vegetarian, Michelin-starred Restaurant Encanto for the sophistication of its cuisine. Boubou’s Restaurant is another great option for a special evening out. It elevates traditional Portuguese dishes in a welcoming setting—a wonderful way to end your whirlwind trip to Lisbon on an authentic note.
Practical advice
- Be sure to make reservations in advance for these restaurants: Encanto Restaurant here, Boubou’s Restaurant here
- Restaurants generally open at 7:30 p.m., not before
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Alternative 1: with more museums
If you’re more of a museum lover, feel free to adapt our itinerary by replacing the afternoon tour of Chiado and Bairro Alto with a visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, which houses a unique and extensive collection spanning from antiquity to the early 20th century. The Museu do Azulejo, dedicated to Portuguese painted tiles, or the MAAT on the banks of the Tagus River are two other options we recommend. Check out all our cultural spots in our article on the best museums in Lisbon.
Option 2: with a field trip
If you’d rather get out of the city, spend the afternoon on a trip to Sintra, famous for its palaces listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or to Cascais, a seaside gem just a 40-minute drive away. We also recommend the Serra de Arrábida and Sesimbra, about an hour from Lisbon, for their coves with turquoise waters and a medieval castle perched above a fishing village. Find details about these outings in our article on the best day trips from Lisbon.
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Option 3: With children
If you’re traveling with your family, we recommend replacing the cultural afternoon with a visit tothe Oceanário de Lisboa, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, or the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, a fully interactive science museum. São Jorge Castle and its camera obscura are sure to appeal to children, as is Tram 28. Check out all our ideas in our article on things to do in Lisbon with kids.
Option 4: Along the Tagus River
For a day focused more on the river, swap the evening out for a sunset cruise on the Tagus. We enjoyed this different perspective on the city, with the Belém Tower, the MAAT, and the 25 de Abril Bridge passing by as we cruised along the river. Some private cruises even offer Portuguese wine tastings, which can make the outing especially enjoyable. Book your cruise here.
What You Need to Know for Your Day in Lisbon
The Weather in Lisbon
Lisbon enjoys a pleasant climate for much of the year. We found spring and fall to be particularly pleasant, with mild temperatures ranging from 17 to 24°C depending on the month. In the summer, temperatures can exceed 35°C in July and August, while in the winter temperatures remain moderate, around 12 to 15°C, with plenty of sunshine.
The Crowds in Lisbon
The peak season runs from April through October. We’ve noticed that the lines get significantly longer at the most popular attractions during this time, particularly at the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. The Festas de Lisboa, held in June, also draw large crowds throughout the city. For a more peaceful visit, plan your trip for spring or fall.
Adjusting Your Itinerary When It Rains
In case of rain, replace the outdoor stops on our itinerary with visits to museums such as the MAAT or the Museu do Azulejo. A Fado show or a visit to the Lisbon Aquarium are also good options for continuing to enjoy your day despite the bad weather.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Portugal
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- Practical advice
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