Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. Today, we’re going to information you thru the final word sooner or later in Lisbon itinerary, exhibiting you the perfect this metropolis has to supply in simply sooner or later.
If you’re staying in Lisbon longer, it would be best to take a look at our different weblog posts, 48 Hours in Lisbon, Where to Stay in Lisbon, and Best Day Trips from Lisbon. But for now, let’s get began with 1 day in Lisbon.
One Day in Lisbon Itinerary
The first burning query that must be answered is, are you able to see Lisbon in simply sooner or later? While it’s rather more tough to see every little thing in Lisbon than, say, Porto, it’s attainable to take pleasure in its highlights and high points of interest in one very jam-packed 24 hours. So, we’re going to present you the route that we expect you must take.
Morning
Belem Tower
Start your one-day journey to Lisbon in the Belem district with an early morning dawn at Belem Tower. You can go inside Belem Tower, nevertheless it doesn’t open till 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. This attraction will be loved from the skin, and you’ll really feel fulfilled. If you go for dawn, it’s going to simply be you and some photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one in every of Portugal’s seven wonders.
It’s positioned instantly on the Tagus River. This stunning tower was constructed in 1515 to defend Lisbon from invaders coming in alongside the Tagus River.
Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
Leaving Belem Tower, it’s only a brief stroll alongside the waterfront promenade to the Monument of Discoveries. Portugal was a land of explorers; the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to Portugal’s legendary explorers. You can’t miss this monument because it towers over the Tagus River.
Standing 52 meters excessive, it’s a powerful sight. It was constructed in the twentieth century, however it’s no much less spectacular. For a small price, you possibly can take an elevator up for views over the Tagus River, or you possibly can stroll up the steps. It doesn’t open till 10 a.m., so we are saying to easily benefit from the views.
Make certain to cease and try the Compass Rose adorning the sq. in entrance of the Monument of Discoveries. It was a present from South Africa and pays tribute to Portugal’s journies in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Within the design, search for a mermaid, Neptune, fave compass roses, and blowing faces.
If you actually wish to see the views of the Tagus, you possibly can return and take the elevator instantly after your cease at our subsequent Lisbon attraction.
Jerónimos Monastery
Walking up from the waterfront, you’ll come throughout Jerónimos Monastery. This is the primary cease that we propose you go inside. Book your time entry ticket for the primary entry of the day. After seeing Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it needs to be the right time to enter Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 am.
Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it too is one in every of Porugal’s seven wonders as it’s a masterpiece of Manueline structure. Its stunning marble design is to not be missed. Inside, you’ll wish to discover the cloisters, the courtyards and gardens, and the chapel. The monastery additionally homes the tomb of Vasco da Gama, who was the primary European to succeed in India by ship.
We recommend spending an hour right here after which be in your means. Because keep in mind, you solely have sooner or later in Lisbon, and once you get residence, folks will ask, “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?” and you may say, “Yes, I did!”
Upgrade to a Lisbon Card at no cost entry to public transport and high points of interest, together with Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and extra
Pateis de Bélem
Continuing our journey via Belém, we see that it’s time for a snack break. You have been going since dawn, and in case you didn’t guide a resort with breakfast included (which we extremely advocate as a result of it saves time and money), you’ll be able to eat.
Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of town, and whether or not you’re hungry or not, you need to go inside to style this well-known Portuguese custard.
Besteis de Bélem is the unique Pastel de Nata that you’ll eat all through Portugal. The iconic Portuguese custard tart was began right here on the Monastery when the nuns used egg whites to starch their habits. They had left-over yolks and didn’t know what to do with them, so that they made a custard that they stuffed into pastries and bought to earn cash for the Monastery. And thus, Pastel de Nata was born. Then, the Monastery was closed, they usually gave the recipe to the bakery subsequent door. They have been serving Pasteis de Belem ever since.
Don’t be afraid in case you see an extended line. The restaurant is large, and the strains transfer rapidly. We have been inside inside a couple of minutes.
Midday / Lunch
You can take the tram again to Placa Do Comercio (the primary sq. positioned on the waterfront) from Belem and experience one in every of Lisbon’s historic trams when you make your approach to its stunning waterfront sq.. This offers you the chance to take pleasure in one in every of Lisbon’s high points of interest – using its iconic trams – when you make your means again to the outdated metropolis.
You can rent an Uber, like we did. If you rent an Uber, have it drop you off on the Time Out Market, the place you’ll be having lunch. If you’re taking the tram, the Time Out Market is only a 15-minute stroll from Comercio Square. Before you make your approach to the market, you possibly can take a look at the attractive sq. and Rua Agusta Arch
Rua Agusta
From Comercio Square stroll to the Rua Agusta Arch in the direction of the pedestrian road of Rua Agusta. Rua Agusta is 6 blocks of retailers, eating and vitality with road performers entertaining clients as they eat their lunch.
Pull up a chair at one of many out of doors cafes to take pleasure in some genuine Portuguese meals. This is a lovely road that’s not to be missed, and it’s proper in the guts of town. Stroll alongside this road, taking in the sights and going into the Bacalau, Pasteis de Nata, and Portuguese cans shops.
Afternoon
Alfama District
The Alfama District is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and a superb place to spherical off the remainder of the afternoon. If you wish to stroll, it’s simply 5-10 minutes from Rua Agusta to the beginning of your strolling tour of Alfama. It is right here that you simply’ll actually really feel the historical past of Lisbon as you wander its slender streets.
Lisbon Cathedral
Start your time in Alfama on the Lisbon Cathedral. It is the oldest church in town, courting again to the twelfth century. You can go inside at no cost, however to see its cloisters, there’s a small price of about €2
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Portas do Sol is the following cease, a brief stroll uphill. This is among the hottest Miradouros in Lisbon, because it appears to be like out over the river and metropolis. See the terracotta rooftops that feels as if you’re overlooking a Meditteranean village cascading into the ocean.
It is positioned on a big balcony, providing loads of room to take in the panoramic view. Things to maintain a watch out for is the Monastery of St. Vincen and the National Pantheon.
Tram 28
From Portas do Sol, you possibly can hop on Tram 28. No journey to Lisbon can be full with out getting on one in every of its historic trams, and Tram 28 is iconic. Tram 28 changed the unique horse-drawn carriages in 1914. Lisbon is named town of hills, and these trams assist locals journey via its steep hills. Tram 28 is a 7m route that takes you thru the favored vacationer districts of Lisbon, Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Santa Catarina & Estrela.
It takes 50 minutes to experience the whole route, however we propose utilizing it as a type of public transport as a substitute. If you solely wish to take it a few stops, you possibly can rent an Uber. The tram runs till 10 or 11 pm (relying on the season), so you possibly can at all times hop again later to see every little thing.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
From Portas do Sol, Tram 28 will take you subsequent to the Monastery of St. George, the place you possibly can hop off to discover inside, or you possibly can merely benefit from the view and wait to your subsequent cease, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Time might be getting tight now, so you might wish to skip it and head on to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
This is the very best level in Lisbon and is price stopping for an overhead view of town.
Castelo de São Jorge
Take a stroll alongside the citadel’s historical partitions and benefit from the unimaginable views of town from excessive above. Castelo de São Jorge is open till 9 pm in the summer season and is a superb spot for sundown.
You’ll have entry to its gardens and may be a part of a guided tour. There is a museum inside that’s free to enter, and naturally, the citadel partitions and views of town are stunning. This web site is a big historic vacation spot, with settlements courting again to the seventh century BC.
Evening/Dinner
To spherical your sooner or later itinerary in Lisbon, make your approach to Barrio Alto. This is the place for nightlife in Lisbon, and there are a number of selections for dinner in Bairro Alto. We cherished the Gin Lover’s Bar in Barrio Alto. We had a cocktail right here earlier than having fun with a scrumptious meal on the out of doors terrace.
Nightlife
After dinner, you may have just a few selections: you possibly can benefit from the nightlife of Bairro Alto, go bar hopping, and seek for some Fado performers. If you actually wish to see a Fado present, we advocate reserving an organized efficiency in advance right here. This extremely rated tour
Well, that was a busy sooner or later in Lisbon, Portugal! From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods and beautiful views from its miradouros, we’ve proven you profit from your day AND evening in this beautiful metropolis. If you’re spending extra time in Lisbon, take a look at our submit 48 Hours in Lisbon, Itinerary
For much more high sights, the perfect locations to eat, and probably the most environment friendly methods to navigate Lisbon, take a look at our weblog The Best Things to Do in Lisbon