Is 7 days in Lisbon too long? Definitely not! It’s a European city that’s full of attractions, cool neighbourhoods and some excellent food and drink spots. Sure, you can visit Lisbon for a long weekend and see the top sites. But to really experience everything the city has to offer; you’ll need 5 days to a full week.
After spending one week in Lisbon, we’ve assembled the perfect itinerary for you to follow. It includes all the top sites you’ll want to see, but also some excellent daytrips, lesser-known attractions and plenty of relaxation time. As we get older, we appreciate slow travel and seeing a place properly without try to pack too much into one day. That’s exactly what we’ve kept in mind when assembling this 7-day Lisbon itinerary.
Read on to discover the top things to see and do in Lisbon in 7 days.
Day 1:
Morning
Baixa
Baixa de Lisboa (view on map) is Lisbon’s main city centre district and tourist hub. Featuring distinct rows of high-rise buildings, the area was completely re-built after the 1755 earthquake. As such, it looks very different to the rest of the city. It’s home to many vibrant squares, shopping streets and corner cafes. It’s also one of the best places in Lisbon to dine outside.
Wander the straight streets of Baixa district on your first morning in Lisbon and take in the sites. It’s a great place to shop, or to simply soak in the atmosphere with a bakery treat. Top things to see here include the Santa Justa Lift, Dom Pedro IV Square and Augusta Avenue.
Arco da Rua Augusta
Walk down Augusta Street and the towering Arco da Rua Augusta is the first structure you’ll see at the bottom of the street. Built in the 18th-century, it’s a memorial monument with a series of ornate carvings, statues and stone columns. Walk underneath the arch and take some photos of this historic monument.
Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio is the main square you’ll reach when you walk under the memorial arch. Noted as being one of Portugal’s largest plazas, it faces the seafront, and is often host to parades, pop-up events and ceremonies. It’s also one of the most historic points in the city. It once hosted the Royal Palace of Ribeira, which was destroyed by the infamous Lisbon earthquake of 1755. It was then remodelled and left as a large open space.
Learn about the history of the square by joining a walking tour, or simply wander all four corners and admire the colourful buildings and statues that surround it.
Afternoon
Chiado
Next on our itinerary is the city centre’s neighbouring Chiado district. Noted for its steep hills and excellent restaurant and café scene, it’s our favourite place to grab a bite to eat. Visit Luís de Camões Square to admire the architecture and grab a Pastel de Nata treat at Manteigaria bakery. You can then explore Chiado at your leisure.
The narrow, cobbled streets, live street performers and upbeat atmosphere are an attraction in itself. It’s a great place to grab a coffee or browse the shops.
Lisbon seafront
In the afternoon of day 1 in your one-week Lisbon itinerary, we recommend checking out the long seaside promenade. Located right next to Praça do Comércio, the promenade stretches the full length of Lisbon city centre and beyond. It has several viewpoints, plenty of relaxation areas with free-to-use loungers and some excellent bars and restaurants. It even has several beaches, which can be seen only when the tide is out.
Go for a long walk along the promenade, grab a drink with a view, or check out the cruise port. There’s a cruise ship in Lisbon almost every day.
Day 2:
Morning
Alfama District
On day two of our 1 week Lisbon itinerary, we recommend allocating a full morning to the city’s charming Alfama district. Located on the hillside right next to the city centre, Alfama is a collection of winding, cobblestone streets, old buildings, viewpoints, churches and terracotta-rooved houses. It’s the birthplace of the city’s famous ‘Fado’ music and is also one of the best places to see a Fado show.
Walk up the hill to Alfama or catch the popular ‘28’ tram route if you want to save your legs. Whilst in Alfama, we recommend checking out all of the following sites:
Lisbon Cathedral
Stop by one of the district’s most historic buildings. Lisbon Cathedral is beautiful inside and out, and if you time it right, you’ll capture the iconic photo of the cathedral as a tram drives past.
Santa Luzia viewpoint
Climb up to Santa Luzia viewpoint for panoramic views of the Alfama district, river and cruise port. The garden area at the viewpoint is decorated with colourful flowers and archways. It’s a must-see in the Alfama area.
Santo Estêvão viewpoint
A little further out, Santo Estêvão viewpoint is the second viewpoint in Alfama that’s worth checking out. It gives you a nice view of Lisbon’s bridge and seaside promenade in the distance.
National Pantheon
Climb to the rooftop of the National Pantheon building for more captivating city views. The inside of the Pantheon is also worth checking out. It features stunning dome ceilings, marble floors and tall stone columns, boasting some of the best architecture in Lisbon.
Santa Clara Flea Market
Right next to the National Pantheon, you’ll find the small and quirky Santa Clara Market. It’s the go-to place for antiques, homeware, vintage clothing and a vibrant market atmosphere. There are also some excellent handmade gift stalls.
Afternoon:
Sao Jorge Castle
Looking for the best views of Lisbon? Head to the hilltop castle of São Jorge for an insight into the fort’s rich history, and some excellent vantage points of the city centre below. Built in the 11th century, this Moorish castle and royal residence is well worth paying the entrance fee for. It features several ruins, terraces and a museum. You can also explore the many castle walls and turrets. We’ve been to a lot of castles and São Jorge stands out as one of our favourites!
The queues for the castle can get quite long if you pay on the day. Therefore, we recommend booking tickets online in advance. You’ll skip the queues!
Graça Neighbourhood
After exploring São Jorge Castle venture down the winding, colourful streets of Alfama to the trendy Graça district. Known as a great place to stay for second time visitors and longer stays, Graça is full of street art, cool cafes, markets and unique architecture. It’s colourful, quaint and scenic. Graça is a great place to grab lunch on day 2 of your itinerary.
Wander around the neighbourhood, take a break in a café, and be sure to check out the areas top-rated viewpoints, Miradouro da Graça (view on Google Maps) and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (view on Google Maps).
Day 3:
We’re now on day 3 of our 7 days in Lisbon itinerary! You would have experienced some excellent sites so far and now have a good feel to the city. Day 3 of our itinerary is a daytrip to the must-see town of Sintra, which is located a short train ride from Lisbon.
Sintra
Although it’s not exactly in Lisbon, Sintra is one of the top-visited places on any trip to Lisbon. We loved it so much; it was the highlight of our holiday! There’s a lot to see and do here, so we recommend allocating a full day and setting off early. The best way to get to Sintra is by taking a train from Rossio Station in Lisbon city centre (View Google Maps directions).
The train ride takes you around 40-minutes and it’s easy to return to Lisbon after a day exploring Sintra. The town has several attractions that are worth visiting and you’ll need multiple days to see it properly. For a daytrip, we recommend visiting the following three sites.
The Moorish Castle
The hilltop Moorish Castle was our favourite attractions in Sintra. Often missed off people’s itineraries in shadow of Pena Palace, the castle is a medieval fortress that has been built on the peak of a hilltop. Created by the Moors in the 10th century, the castle provides stunning scenery, and walls that seem to ‘snake’ along the hilltop. Not only does it have some of the best views of Sintra – it provides scenery that’ll stay in your memory for a lifetime!
The Moorish Castle is best reached by taxi or an Uber/Bolt. Taxis in Sintra are very affordable, so we recommend taking advantage of the low prices and saving your legs for the rest of the day. You’ll do a lot of walking and the alternative hike up to the castle is challenging.
National Palace of Pena
Pena Place is the fairy-tale-like castle you probably notice from postcards and Instagram posts. Built by São Pedro de Penaferrim in a Romanticist design, it’s the number one site to see in Sintra. It sits on top of a hill and is surrounded by the dense forests of the national park. From the outside, you’ll see colourful turrets, a grand drawbridge and fortified walls. Inside, the castle boasts grand hallways and preserved 12-century rooms.
To beat the queues, save money and guarantee your space, we recommend booking tickets online at least 2 days before you plan on visiting. Tickets sell out fast!
Pena Palace Gardens
Your ticket to the National Palace of Pena entitles you to access the second attraction in the area, the palace gardens. Often missed by tourists who head straight to the castle, the gardens are well worth visiting. They’re vast and are full of winding trails, all shaded under the forest canopy.
Grab a map, some snacks and a few bottles of water and proceed to explore the park on foot. It’s full of unique sites, including castle viewpoints, monuments, woodland trails, and even a colourful chateau.
Day 4:
Morning
Ferry to Almada
Start day 4 of your 7-day Lisbon itinerary with a ferry ride across the River Tagus to the Almada district. A passenger ferry is a fun, affordable way to see Lisbon’s riverside away from the shore. Ferries depart from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre ferry port to Almada multiple times per hour, taking you on a quick and scenic journey south.
Cacilhas
Cacilhas is the town you’ll arrive into when you get the ferry to Almada. It’s a small, local town with very few tourists, giving you an alternative perspective of the Lisbon area. It’s has many local cafes, restaurants and shops, and some scenic views of Lisbon City Centre from the south. Spend an hour or so exploring the town on foot.
Christ the King Statue and 21st April Bridge viewpoint
The highlight of any visit to Almada is a chance to get close to the famous Christ the King Statue. The statue was built in 1940 as a plea to God to release Portugal from entering World War II. It has become an icon of the city and was inspired by the ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The statue overlooks the magnificent ’25 April’ bridge from the Almada side of the river, and whilst you can see if from Lisbon’s riverside, it’s well worth venturing south to get up close.
From the town of Cacilhas, catch the tram or walk 40-minutes to the base of Christ the King. There’s a breathtaking viewpoint of the statue and bridge, which you can visit for free. Alternatively, pay a small fee and you can ascend to the very top of the statue platform.
Afternoon
Tram to LX Factory
The next attraction on our 7 days in Lisbon itinerary is relatively new ‘LX Factory’. To get there, hop into a taxi or Uber and cross ‘April 25th’ Bridge back to the Lisbon side of the river. It’ll likely be approaching lunchtime, so you’ll want to grab a bite to eat. LX Factory is the perfect place to do so.
A modern art project, it’s a series of old warehouses and factories that have been transformed into a series of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. It also has countless art murals and exhibits. Spend a couple of hours exploring LX Factory and end your visit with a trip to the rooftop bar. It provides more stunning views of the neighbouring bridge and river.
Carmo Convent
Later that afternoon or evening, pay a visit to Carmo Convent, another must-see attraction on your 7-day Lisbon itinerary. The monastery was founded in 1389 and damaged by the infamous 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It was then repaired and damaged again by another earthquake in 1969. Today, the convent stands as a historic open-air archaeological museum.
The roof of the structure is destroyed, leaving exposed columns that give it a rugged ‘ruins’ appearance. Visit the convent museum during the day to see and learn about the former convent. Alternatively, visit on an evening to see an interesting light show, which features projections on the ruins walls and an open view of the night sky.
Bairro Alto
Our final recommendation for day 4 is to visit the lively neighbourhood of Bairro Alto. It’s the go-to place for eating out and nightlife, featuring countless wine bars, dance bars and pub crawls. It also has nightlife scenes to suit everyone. Enjoy a glass of Port in a quiet wine bar, join a lively pub crawl or order a drink outside and party under the night sky.
Day 5:
We’ve reserved day 5 of our Lisbon 7-day itinerary for another daytrip. This time, it’s to the scenic beach town of Cascais. Lisbon’s coastal location is quite unique for a European city break. Board a train and within 30-minutes you can be at a beautiful white-sand beach. Cascais is the beach town the most appeal, offering plenty to see and do for a full day trip.
Daytrip to Cascais
To get to Cascais, take a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon Cais Do Sodre station. It takes you right into town. Cascais is a complete contrast to life in the city, feeling much like a beach resort in Portugal’s Algarve region. It boasts several sandy beaches, a large marina and a plethora of excellent bars, shops and restaurants. Top things to see and do on your daytrip include:
Relax on Cascais’ main beach
Lay down some towels or hire a sun lounger and relax for a couple of hours. Praia da Duquesa has fewer crowds and more space to unwind.
5th of October Square
Pay a visit to Cascais’ main square to see some excellent architecture, sea views from the promenade and a bustling holiday atmosphere.
Browse the shops
Cascais town is larger than it first seems. It’s full of hidden streets and squares, many of which have some excellent independent shops. Browse to your hearts’ desire and find everything from fashion boutiques and beach wear to handmade ornaments.
Explore Cascais Marina
The recently renovated marina is the place to go for high-end restaurants, cocktail bars and shopping. It’s in pristine condition and is the perfect place to enjoy the view on a sunny day.
Walk through the fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz
Free to visit and now an exhibition centre and hotel, the historic Cascais fortress dates back to 1594. It’s an iconic site to see on the way to the marina.
Grab a drink on Rua Amarela
Rua Amarela, or ‘Yellow Street’, is a narrow alley that has been painted yellow. In one small area there are 8+ bars and restaurants, creating a fun atmosphere to enjoy a snack or drink.
Day 6:
Morning
Belem
We’re nearing the end of our 7 days in Lisbon itinerary, but there are still some must-see attractions on our list. The Belem area is one of them! Reachable by tram, train or taxi from the city centre, Belem is one of Lisbon’s oldest and history rich locations, with many sites all in one place. Top things to see and do here include:
Belem Tower
Arguably Lisbon’s most iconic attraction, Belem Tower is a 16th-century fortress that was built on top of the seashore. It features a classic Portuguese Renaissance style, along with other architectural styles, including Moorish minaret turrets. Stop by to take some photos. You can also see the inside of the tower for an extra fee.
Monument to the Discoveries
Walk along the sea promenade from Belem Tower and you’ll reach the Monument to the Discoveries. The monument overlooks Lisbon’s ‘25th of April’ bridge right next to the shoreline. See the detail of the Portuguese explorer statue from the outside. You can then climb to the top of the monument for more impressive views of the nearby bridge.
Jerónimos Monastery
The next stop on day 6 of our itinerary is the architecturally impressive Jerónimos Monastery. Once the monastery of the Order of St Jerome, the building is now a preserved museum for tourists to explore. It’s one of the best examples of Portuguese Gothic design in Lisbon and is an intriguing place to explore for a few hours. The neatly manicured gardens and exterior are free to visit, but to venture inside, you’ll need to book tickets and reserve a timeslot in advance. Visit the official website here for more information.
Pastéis de Belém
Our final recommendation for the Belem area of Lisbon is the world-famous bakery, Pastéis de Belém. Regarded as being the birthplace of the Pastel de Nata, also known as a Portuguese Custard Tart, you can’t leave Lisbon without trying one of the bakes. The once small bakery has been expanded to cater for the crowds of tourists that visit at all hours of the day. Grab a seat, order a coffee and sweet treat, and take a well-earned break.
Afternoon
Monsato Park / Tropical Botanical Garden and Palace
For the rest of the day, we recommend one of two attractions. The first is the hillside Monsato Park. Located just north of Belem, Monsato is a vast park area with some excellent trails, viewpoints and cafes. It also features some of the best views of Lisbon.
An alternative to Monsato Park is to stay in the Belem area and visit one of the other nearby attractions. The Tropical Botanical Gardens and National Palace of Belem are both excellent attractions to check out, though they’ll come with an extra fee.
Day 7:
Morning
We’ve reached the final day of our Lisbon 7-day itinerary! We’ve packed a lot into the first 6 days. Therefore, the last day is the perfect opportunity to wind down and see anything you’ve missed. You could also re-visit one of your favourite areas. We recommend the following:
Avenida da Liberdade
Take a stroll down Lisbon’s high-end shopping street to see some grand 19th-century architecture, a market and lots of designer shopping stores. Avenida da Liberdade is where you’ll find 5-star hotels, Gucci and Luis Vuitton stores and sportscars. It’s an excellent place for a morning walk.
Marquis of Pombal Square and Eduardo VII Park
At the top of Avenida da Liberdade, you’ll find the grand Marquis of Pombal Square monument and Eduardo VII Park. It’s one of the most pristinely maintained areas of the city, featuring nice views of the boulevard from the top of a shallow hill. It also gives you a good vantage point for plane spotting, with dozens of aircraft landing in the nearby airport every hour.
Explore Eduardo VII Park on foot, relax on a park bench with an ice cream or visit the in-park museum. It’s one of the most tranquil areas of the city – a great place to reflect on your trip.
Botanical Garden
Inside Eduardo VII Park you’ll find a hidden botanical garden named Estufa Fria. Unknown to many tourists, we stumbled upon the garden whilst walking around the park and were amazed at what we found. For an entrance fee of less than 4 euros per person, you can explore the many greenhouses and gardens of Estufa Fria. The place is vast, with rows of tropical trees, flowers and plants, a lake area and scenic walkways.
It was a highlight of our visit, providing excellent value for money.
Afternoon
Free time / Baixa and Chiado
We’ve left the final day of our 7-day Lisbon itinerary free for whatever else you want to see or do. You may wish to relax and enjoy your last afternoon in your favourite bar or restaurant. Maybe you’d like to take another walk along the scenic seaside promenade? Personally, we allocated more time to the ‘Chiado’ and ‘Baixa’ areas. Shopping, bakeries and the colourful streets of the city centre are a great way to spend your final hours.
Thanks for reading our 7 days in Lisbon itinerary. We hope we inspired you with plenty of attraction ideas for a one-week visit. Feel free to re-arrange days and attractions to suit your interests and let us know if you have any questions. We’ll happily help you plan your own Lisbon adventure.
BY Ricky Marshall
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.
A must see is the Coach Museum in Belém. In Cascais, the fruit/vegetable and fish imarket is spectacular, and close by is the lovely Trilho das vinjas hiking trail. Back in Lisbon, the Gulbenkian Museum is world class. Free on Sun afternoons.
Thank you!