How To Spend 3 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect First-Timer Itinerary

There’s so much to do in Lisbon that it can be tricky trying to fit all the best parts of the city into 3 days. Alfama, Belém, Chiado, fado, viewpoints, seafood dinners, pastel de nata stops, and even a Sintra day trip are all the things we looked forward to in Lisbon, and we were determined to optimize our itinerary for it.

We had planned our time Lisbon as part of a longer Portugal trip, and I think three full days is a great amount of time for a first visit, especially if you just want to explore at your own pace. Lisbon is colorful, lively, easy to get around (with some hilly walks), and full of good food.

This itinerary is based on how I’d plan 3 days in Lisbon after learning from the highs and lows of my own trip. It gives you a mix of the classic sights with the special places that made Lisbon especially memorable.

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Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary Summary

This itinerary assumes you’re arriving on Day 1, and spending 2 additional full days in and around Lisbon. If you have more time, I’ve also suggested add-ons to make your trip more comprehensive.

Is 3 Days Enough for Lisbon?

Three days is enough for a first trip to Lisbon, especially if you want to see the main neighborhoods, spend one day in Sintra, and still enjoy a few slow meals. It will not be enough to see every museum, viewpoint, and nearby town, but I don’t think that’s the goal for a first-timer anyway.

Lisbon is best enjoyed through a relaxing atmosphere than by checking attractions off a list. While it can be tempting to try seeing/doing everything, our experience is that you need to take it easy especially in summer when it’s hot outside.

Some of my favorite moments were not from seeing the impressive cathedrals, but the golden-hour walk along the waterfront, and sitting down for seafood after a full day out.

Where to Stay in Lisbon for 3 Days

In my opinion, for a short Lisbon trip, being in a central location matters more than a hotel in a “hidden gem” neighborhood. You’d ideally want to be close enough to the water, restaurants, transit, and main neighborhoods that you are not wasting time and energy getting in and out of the city center.

Our stay in Andaz Lisbon

We stayed at Andaz Lisbon, near Rua Augusta Arch and Praça do Comércio, and the location was excellent for a first visit. Despite a chaotic arrival with missing luggage, it was honestly a relief to be somewhere with good service, central, and walkable. We even had the chance to take an afternoon nap in the middle of a scorching hot day.

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Baixa or Chiado

Overall, Baixa or Chiado are probably the easiest areas to stay for a first Lisbon trip. You are close to Praça do Comércio, the waterfront, Rua Augusta Arch, shops, restaurants, and lots of transit options.

Alfama

Alfama could also be a good choice if you don’t mind narrow lanes, and want easy access to fado shows, viewpoints, and a more historic atmosphere. It’s charming but is also quite hilly, crowded near the viewpoints, and much less convenient with a luggage.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Explore Praça do Comércio

When you arrive in Lisbon, you have the option of taking the train or ride share to the city center. Since we had a really long travel day and had some missing baggage issues, we were really tired and decided to just go with ride share. Your main options for ride sharing in Portugal would be Uber or Bolt, and it takes just 20 minutes to get to the city center, though traffic can add a little bit to that.

Checking in at Andaz Lisbon

Checking in at Andaz Lisbon felt like a breeze, and we even got a birthday cake in the hotel room since we were celebrating our birthday with this Portugal trip. We rested for just a little while, before heading out again to explore the city.

Praça do Comércio

My first impression of Lisbon was that the atmosphere felt lively, with the city’s rich history reflected in the architecture. We walked down to Praça do Comércio as it’s a short walk away from the Andaz. The square opens right onto the Tagus River, with Rua Augusta Arch behind it, so in that moment it felt like “okay, I’m in really Lisbon”. Looking back towards the hills, you can also see the Sao Jorge castle in the background.

Alfama (if you have time)

If you have extra time or energy, you could also go to Alfama to see the various viewpoints overlooking the river, maybe even to watch the sunset there. Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a popular spot but it can get pretty crowded there. As you walk down the hill, you’ll also pass by the Lisbon Cathedral, and that area tends to feel touristy.

Dinner at Taberna – Bairro do Avillez

For dinner, I recommend making reservations for the restaurant you want to dine at. Even though we had a huge list of amazing restaurants to try, we quickly learned that the good places are incredibly popular and a walk-in would take too long.

For us, we tried getting into Pinoquio first, then saw it was too crowded and went to Pateo – Bairro do Avillez, but even that was full, which led us to settling on Taberna – Bairro do Avillez which worked well for a casual first-night dinner with tapas. After that, we planned out our subsequent dinner spots to get the restaurants we wanted.

Day 2: Sintra and Cascais Day Trip

If you have at least two or three days in Lisbon, I think it’s worth using one full day for a Sintra day trip. It was the most memorable cultural and history sightseeing day of our Lisbon stay, and having a guide made the palaces feel much more meaningful than if we were just walking around taking photos.

Sintra and Cascais small group tour

We did a small-group tour (~8 people) to Sintra and Cascais, and I would recommend that format if you want to see multiple stops without dealing with parking, buses, timed entries, and transfers. It’s probably the best way to optimize your trip without requiring too much effort planning, and I’d recommend this to anyone who just wants to see the main attractions in Sintra.

Pena Palace

The first stop was Pena Palace – a colorful hilltop palace that most people picture when they think of Sintra. We had clear weather, so the yellow and red walls really popped in the sun, and the views stretched all the way toward the ocean. I also loved the guide’s explanations on the Manueline architecture and Moorish influence, and the fact that this is a UNESCO heritage site.

Downtown Sintra

We then had about an hour of free time to have lunch in downtown Sintra, and we made sure to also get Travesseiro – a classic dessert that’s a must-try here. It’s sugary, custardy, and flaky, and I love it as a snack. We got ours from Casa Piriquita but several other shops also sell it.

Quinta da Regaleira

The next stop was Quinta da Regaleira which feels completely different from Pena Palace. While Pena Palace felt colorful and exposed, Regaleira felt greener, and more mysterious, with gardens, tunnels, grottoes, towers, and symbolic details worked throughout the estate.

The Initiation Well is definitely the must-see stop that makes Regaleira memorable even if you have already seen a few palaces. We got to descend a spiral staircase into the ground, continuing on to several underground tunnels that lead you out to the palace grounds. It felt really unique, and seemed to be a reflection of the cultural importance the Knight’s Templars had back in the day.

Cascais

By the end of our Sintra activities, I was exhausted, but we had just one more stop to make as part of the small group tour. Our guide drove us to Cascais on the way back to Lisbon. It’s a relaxing coastal town that’s also a popular day-trip and resort-stay destination.

We had an hour to spend here so we got coffee, walked around the bay, and checked out the beach area. It was pleasant for a coastal stop, but I don’t think I would’ve gone out of my way to come here for a day trip if it weren’t part of the Sintra tour.

Sintra Day Trip Tips

Bring water, good walking shoes, a layer, sunglasses, and a portable charger. Sintra weather can be unpredictable, so even if Lisbon feels warm, I would still bring something light to throw on.

Back to Lisbon, dinner at Páteo – Bairro do Avillez

For dinner, we went back to Páteo – Bairro do Avillez, and I loved that we got to sit on the upper floor overlooking the dining floor below us. The restaurant was beautiful and the staff were very attentive. I particularly enjoyed the tuna tartare and the cod and shrimp rice dish.

Day 3: Belém Day Trip, and a Fado show

After a big Sintra day trip, we decided to make our final full day in Lisbon more flexible. We mostly focused on a half-day trip to Belém, eating good food, and booked a fado show for the night.

Getting from Lisbon to Belém

My friend who grew up in Lisbon said she always recommends people to visit Belém as a side trip from Lisbon, as it’s easy to visit by Uber/Bolt, and there’s plenty of tourist attractions there. You get Jerónimos Monastery, Pastéis de Belém, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and a riverside path that you can cycle or walk.

Belém Tower

Our first stop for the day was the historic Belém Tower, which sits on a small river island, connected by a wooden boardwalk. It’s a famous medieval tower landmark that we thought was cool to look at, but didn’t feel the need to buy tickets to enter.

Jerónimos Monastery

Another stop that people say is a must-see (also very photogenic) is the Jerónimos Monastery. However, it’s also notorious for having long lines in the morning even if you’ve bought tickets beforehand. If this is a priority for you, make sure to book your tickets way in advance to avoid disappointment.

To be honest, I’ve never been a history buff, so the day trip to Sintra had already satiated my curiosity about Lisbon’s history. So we were fine to give the Jerónimos Monastery a miss and just enjoy the architecture from outside. Besides, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to book last-minute tickets as they had already sold out on that morning.

Try Pastel de Nata at Pastéis de Belém

Aside from the historical sites, I was actually the most excited for Pastéis de Belém – a classic Lisbon experience that’s more than just a bakery stop. My initial reaction upon seeing the crowds is thinking that this is a tourist trap – but I trusted my friend’s recommendation for this place, so we waited for our turn to be seated.

Unlike how the shop looks like from the outside, there’s actually plenty of seating inside, including table service, so you can take your time trying all kinds of pastries and even enjoying a coffee. I’d also add that there’s a reason why the line is always so long, and that’s because their Pastel de Nata is incredible. It’s perfectly crispy and flaky in the base, and custardy in the middle. I wish I could have it every day!

Monument to the Discoveries

After this breakfast break, we continued walking at the Empire Square Garden and along the Belem waterfront towards the Monument to the Discoveries. There’s also a great lunch spot nearby called Portugália Cervejaria Belém that overlooks the water and the monument, and has pretty decent prices given the amazing view you get.

Sao Jorges Castle (if you have time)

After lunch, we got a ride back to Lisbon and took a break at the hotel. If you’re still up for more activities, I would recommend spending the afternoon at Sao Jorges Castle, or even taking a coffee break at Chapitô à Mesa which overlooks Alfama.

Do note that not your Uber/Bolt drivers might not be able to drive you all the way to the castle or even the various restaurants/cafes nearby because of the narrow streets, and you might need to walk a little to your destination.

Dinner at Sea Me Peixaria Moderna

For dinner, we had reservations at Sea Me Peixaria Moderna, a fish market concept restaurant that prides itself in its variety of fish and fresh seafood. After a day of sightseeing, and we ordered grilled tiger prawns, oysters, and chef’s selection sushi, and everything tasted very fresh.

Book a Fado show in advance

Before you leave Lisbon, it’s worth going to a Fado show to experience the melancholic traditional music that Portugal is known for. We had booked tickets to Lisboa em Fado via GetYourGuide, which is an easy way to understand fado without committing to a long three- or four-hour dinner performance. Since it cost just $18 per person, it was a decent price for a post-dinner activity, and it even came with a glass of port wine or juice.

What I’d Skip With Only 3 Days in Lisbon

• Buying tickets to every historic attraction — if you are already visiting Sintra’s palaces, you shouldn’t feel the need to visit every attraction in Lisbon or Belem if you don’t have the energy to.
• Going out of your way to ride Tram 28 — ride it if the timing works, and skip it if it becomes a hassle
• Paying for Castelo de São Jorge just for the view — the free viewpoints nearby are enough
• Overloading your final day — keep it easy if you are flying home the next morning

Practical Tips for Visiting Lisbon

• Make restaurant reservations if there are specific places you care about
• Bring layers for wind — even when the temperature looks mild, it can feel chilly near the water
• Use Uber or Bolt when it saves your energy — the Bolt from the airport to the hotel was about €11
• Wear comfortable shoes — Lisbon has cobblestones, hills, stairs, and uneven sidewalks
• Avoid overpacking the afternoon — plan the most active sightseeing for morning or golden hour when it’s cooler

Final Thoughts on Spending 3 Days in Lisbon

Three days in Lisbon is a great first visit if you leave room for spontaneity, and decide on activities based on your energy level, rather than on checking all the tourist attraction boxes. For a first trip, I’d spend one day getting oriented in Lisbon, one day in Sintra, and one day enjoying Belém, food, and a relaxed evening.

There’s honestly so much to see, but Lisbon feels like the place where you’ll find the magic in the slow moments, especially if you’re traveling with your loved ones. Just make sure to book anything that’s a must-see for you, and for the rest of the time, take it easy and enjoy the atmosphere.

If you’re building out a longer Portugal trip, here’s how we spent 4 days in Madeira.