Thinking about visiting Portugal? Whether you’re thinking of planning a longer trip to Portugal, or fancy an unforgettable weekend break, Lisbon is likely to sit near the top of your wish-list. To help you decide how many days in Lisbon is enough for you to see and do everything you have in mind, here we share 2, 3 and 4-day itineraries covering Portugal’s captivating capital.
While Lisbon invites longer trips, with planning, a 2-day trip can be long enough for first-time visitors to see Lisbon’s historic and cultural highlights, with three days allowing for a day trip to scenic Sintra, which, by the way, comes personally highly recommended, and happens to be one of the best things to do in Portugal.
Meanwhile, four days offers opportunities to either further explore the city, or else venture further afield to Cascais or a nearby nature reserve and beaches.
While it’s clear why a whole lot of fuss is being made about Lisbon as a weekend break destination, you might be wondering: Porto or Lisbon: which should I visit first? If that question is on your mind, consider taking a longer vacation.
Wondering how many days in Lisbon is enough? You can cover plenty in just 2-4 days © Shutterstock
If you’re visiting Lisbon on a short city break, the following 2-day itinerary is designed to cover top attractions in slick and rewarding style.
Also make sure to read all about our detailed Portugal itinerary to get the best out of your trip.
With day one mainly focused on historic highlights, and day two devoted to delivering a mix of history and modern sights, here’s how to live your best Lisbon life in just two days.
Start out early at Praça do Comércio — the city’s main square and one of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks. Think grand yellow arcaded buildings, scenically located along the Tagus River.
Must-see sights here include the equestrian statue of King José I — a tribute to the king who led Portugal’s recovery after its 1755 earthquake — and the Rua Augusta Arch, which denotes the entrance to the square from the Baixa barrio.
After climbing to the top of the arch for breath-taking views, head through it to explore Baixa district. It’s a wonderful place to shop and find someplace pretty for lunch.
Come the afternoon, head to the atmospheric Alfama district. As Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, it’s loaded with historic attractions, including Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), with the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint serving (you guessed it!) stunning views.
The same is true of São Jorge Castle, which arguably offers the best panoramic views of Lisbon.
You could also ride tram 28 to take in stacks of historic sights.
When dusk falls, dine in a local restaurant (don’t miss the change to try Bacalhau à Brás, a local codfish dish), or enjoy traditional fado music in Alfama.
Rise early on day two to take a tram or bus to Belém — a district that’s also home to tons of Lisbon’s top landmarks, among them the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, an iconic fortress loced right by the river.
This is also the ideal place to stop off for a Pastéis de Belém — the original (and best) custard tart.
Modern culture awaits in the afternoon, if you follow our itinerary suggestion to explore the LX Factory, an industrial-chic area packed with cool cafes and street art.
Be sure to visit the MAAT Museum for contemporary art and architecture before taking a late-afternoon stroll along the Tagus River to see Lisbon’s iconic Ponte 25 de Abril bridge.
Round off your stay in Lisbon with drinks in one of Bairro Alto’s lively rooftop bars.
Torre de Belém, Lisbon @ Shutterstock
If you have three days in Lisbon, follow the two-day plan outlined above, and then devote the whole of day three to Sintra — we can’t recommend this enchanting town more highly.
Our top tip is the get up early to take an early train from Lisbon to Sintra.
In just 40 minutes, you’ll have arrived, ready for a full day of culture, glorious gardens and unexpected magic…
Make Pena Palace your first stop. Perched atop a hill, resplendent in red and yellow paint, this really is the stuff fairy tales are made of.
The same is true of another Sintra must-visit. Namely Quinta da Regaleira — a beautiful, quirky estate that’s esteemed for its gardens, secret tunnels and mysterious Initiation Well.
In the afternoon, visit Sintra National Palace, with its distinctive twin chimneys and mix of Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline architecture.
Lastly, dine in the old town before taking the train back to Lisbon.
Palácio da Pena, Sintra © Shutterstock
With four days in Lisbon, you could enjoy another rewarding day trip. So, here we share a couple of options — take your pick according to your interests.
From exploring the coast, to walking on the wilder side in a national park, it won’t be easy to decide what to do with your fourth day in Lisbon.
If you’re keen on coastal scenery, take a scenic 40-minute train to Cascais to stroll Cascais Bay and relax on the beach.
Don’t miss visiting the dramatic Boca do Inferno cliffs, and be sure to make a stop at Estoril, a lively resort area with a lovely beach and enormous casino. Its palm-lined Parque do Estoril is lined with bars and restaurants.
A second option is to take a trip Arrábida Natural Park. Located just an hour south of Lisbon, it serves sublime landscapes of cliffs and beaches speckled with hiking trails and historic sites.
If it’s beaches you’re after, some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches can be found around these parts, with Portinho da Arrábida boasting crystal-clear waters, and Praia da Figueirinha serving family-friendly shallow waters and scenic views.
Cascais, Portugal © Shutterstock
When you’re short on time, deciding where to stay in Lisbon is all the more important. Most likely, you’ll want to cut down traveling between your must-see attractions, while also finding somewhere that aligns with your tastes and budget.
With that in mind, here are some areas to focus on.
First settled by the Moors in 7AD, Alfama is Lisbon's oldest district and close to ancient castles, a very pretty cathedral, Fado restaurants, and tourist shops.
As such, accommodation in Alfama is ideal for atmosphere and convenience, whether you have the budget for a luxury stay in the likes of Palacete Chafariz Del Rei, or need something that suits young families, like Little duplex in Alfama.
Though quiet by day, bohemian Bairro Alto comes into its own after dark, when its bars and clubs are busy until the small hours.
As such, accommodation in Bairro Alto will suit night owls who are looking to enjoy Lisbon after dark.
Once known as a somewhat seedy area, Cais do Sodré has shrugged off that rep and is now home to a hip crowd, with its riverfront promenade packed with cool warehouse conversions.
Befitting this shift in its status, accommodation in Cais do Sodré is often of the boutique variety, among them LX Boutique Hotel, which has its own chic restaurant and themed floors named after Portuguese poets and fado singers.
It’s also a district to consider if you’re on a budget with, for example, Hotel Borges punching well above its 3-star rating.
Lisbon tram © Shutterstock
To further help you decide how many how many days in Lisbon might be long enough, read on for detail on a few practical matters, including what kind of daily budget you’re looking at, and how to get around.
Good news — whether you can afford an all-out luxury stay, or need to keep a close eye on your budget, you can still have a great time in Lisbon.
It’s generally an affordable European city, especially compared with the likes of Paris and London. Public transport is cheap and efficient, making it easy to save on taxis, and there are plenty of fun free things to do in Lisbon.
To give you an idea of numbers, here are some estimated daily costs.
Performing fado music © Shutterstock
Lisbon has a well-connected and affordable transport system — take your pick from the Metro (buy a 24-hour pass if you’re doing a lot of traveling around), buses and trams, with the cool Tram 28 ideal for sightseeing, and included in the pass.
We also recommend riding the city’s Funiculars and Elevators (€3.80 per ride, and also included in 24-hour pass), with Elevador de Santa Justa, Glória, Bica and Lavra being the most popular.
While Lisbon is hilly, it’s great for exploring on foot, and we don’t recommend renting a car if you’re largely based in the city on a short trip.
You can also use public transport (Metro and Areobus) to reach the city center from the airport, with taxis also plentiful.
As revealed in our guide covering how to get to Portugal, Lisbon is well-connected.
From the US, major cities like New York (JFK/EWR), Boston, Miami, Washington and San Francisco offer direct flights to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), with an East Coast flight time of 6-8 hours.
Economy tickets range from $400–$800 per round-trip ticket, depending on the season.
From the UK, multiple daily flights operate from London (LHR, LGW, STN), Manchester Edinburgh and Bristol.
With a flight time of 2.5–3 hours, budget airline fares can be as low as £30–£100 one-way.
Lisbon tram © Shutterstock
Ready to head to Lisbon? Get a copy of the Pocket Rough Guide to Lisbon to help you plan your Portugal trip, and for on-the-ground support.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 12.08.2025
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Portugal
