Lisbon in 3 Days: The Working Itinerary

Three days in Lisbon is the sweet spot: enough for the historic core, Belém and one coastal escape, without exhausting the hills. The order below clusters sights by altitude and geography — Lisbon punishes bad routing.

Day 1 — Alfama and the castle

Start early at Sé cathedral, climb through Alfama’s lanes to São Jorge Castle before the crowds, then descend via the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol. Afternoon: Campo de Santa Clara’s flea market (Tuesdays/Saturdays) or the Fado Museum. Dinner in Alfama with fado — book a table, skip the tourist traps on the main drag.

Day 2 — Belém and the river

Train or tram 15 to Belém: Jerónimos Monastery (book ahead), the Tower of Belém, the Discoveries monument — and the original Pastéis de Belém queue, worth it. Return along the riverfront: MAAT, Cais do Sodré, sunset at the Time Out Market or a seafood dinner in Cais do Sodré’s lanes.

Day 3 — Choose your coast

• Option A — Sintra: Pena Palace early, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira; back by evening
• Option B — Cascais/Estoril: train along the coast, old town lunch, Guincho beach, Boca do Inferno at sunset
• Option C — city depths: Gulbenkian museum and gardens, Príncipe Real and the aqueduct, tram 28 as a grand finale