This 3 day itinerary to Lisbon will show you how to explore all of what Lisbon offers for first-time visitors. 
Welcome to Portugal’s capital!
Lisbon is one of Portugal’s most visited cities. It is a beautiful port city with narrow steep streets offering great views of the Tagus River and buildings with multi-colored tiles.
I visited Lisbon in just under 3 days and felt that it was the perfect amount of time to explore and see just about everything Lisbon offers.
If you are short on time or visiting for the weekend, this 3 day itinerary to Lisbon will show you all the things to see, do, and eat to make the most of your 3 day trip!
What To Know Before You Go
Language – Portuguese is the official language in Portugal. A good amount of people speak English. Still, it may be helpful to know some basic Portuguese phrases to get by.
- Hello – Oi/Olá
- Goodbye- Adeus
- Thank you – Obrigada/o
- Please- Por favor
- Excuse me- Com licença
- How much is it?- Quanto custa?
- Do you speak English? -Você fala inglês
Currency – Portugal’s currency is the Euro (EUR).
1USD= 1EUR
Climate- Lisbon has a moderate climate. In the summer months, it is normally warm and dry. From June to September Lisbon has an average high of 83ºF and a low of 63ºF. For the winter months Lisbon is windy, cool, and rainy. From November to March Lisbon has an average high of 65ºF and a low of 47ºF.
Safety- Lisbon is a relatively safe city, the only thing to look out for is pickpocketing. Like any other major city in Europe, it is best to be aware of your belongings, especially your phone and wallet. That being said I would recommend Lisbon for solo female travelers!
In case of any emergency, the number to dial is 112.
Daily Budget- Lisbon is inexpensive and easy enough to budget. I even think it is one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe. I would suggest 30-45 euros a day including food and drinks and excursions. With accommodations add another 20-100 euros depending on if you choose to stay in a hostel, Airbnb, or hotel.
The Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary to Lisbon
Day 1
Alfama District
Alfama District is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, its narrow cobblestone streets makes it the perfect labyrinth to get lost in. There are many popular sites to visit here like the Castelo de São Jorge, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and Lisbon Cathedral to name a few. I stayed in an Airbnb here within the walls of the Castelo de São Jorge and let me tell you it was incredible to have views of the castle from my room’s balcony. 
I highly suggest starting your Lisbon trip in the Alfama district and spending a few hours walking around and visiting some of the popular sites here!
- Castelo de São Jorge – visit the castle to learn a bit more about Lisbon’s history. Tickets are 10€ for adults and 5€ for youth (ages 13-25).
- Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora – entry to the church is free and if you want to enter the monastery tickets are 5€ and 2.5€ for students.
- Lisbon Cathedral – the oldest and most iconic church in Lisbon
PRO TIP: If you start your trip here, I happened to find an amazing brunch spot wandering around. Quase Cafe, truly a hole-in-the-wall gem, offers amazing breakfast food and a great ambiance. A great start to exploring Alfama District
Ride Tram 28
If you are looking to avoid walking up those steep hills, enjoy a ride on an old streetcar on Tram 28 which takes you up to the Alfama District. A great way to see some of Lisbon’s most popular sites while also experiencing a ride on the tram.
Praca do Comercio (Arco da Rua Augusta)
Lisbon’s most popular tourist attraction is a waterfront plaza offering views of the Tagus river enclosed with large yellow historical buildings and restaurants.
Eat and drink in the Bairro Alto & Pink Street in the Cais de sodre district
If you’re looking for a fun night out Bairro Alto is the place to go! There are several restaurants, bars, and clubs that will make it an unforgettable night.
Pink street, yes an actual street painted in pink, is a great place to get some cocktails or go bar hopping.
I recommend Bar Gelato, it has cocktails that perfectly mix gelato and alcohol to make a heavenly concoction!
Day 2
People watch at Rossio Square
Another popular plaza encircled by cafes and restaurants makes for the perfect place to people-watch on a lazy afternoon. 
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Miradouro de Santa Luzia (lookout spot) offers spectacular views of Lisbon! This is a can’t miss spot! Although it is often crowded with people (especially during sunset), you may want to watch the sunrise or come early in the morning instead and avoid crowds.
Quiosque das Portas do Sol
If Miradouro de Santa Luzia is too crowded, walk about 5 minutes and you’ll reach another amazing lookout spot where you will find a kiosk offering drinks, pastries, and tapas. Grab yourself a drink and a seat and watch the sunset with a beautiful backdrop.
Try Pastéis de nata
A traditional Portuguese pastry consisting of a creamy yellow custard encompassed in a thick flaky pastry. Seriously go crazy with these! A delicacy that will have you getting one (or 4) after every meal. You can find these delicious pastries just about anywhere you go. I recommend the ones from Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém but you can’t go wrong wherever you get them!
Caramelized on the top gives it black or brown spots, making the pasteis de nata look unique.
The Torre de Belem
Another of Portugal’s main tourist attractions and a UNESCO site! Belem is about 3 miles west of Lisbon’s downtown area. You can get there by taking the E15 tram for a short 15-minute ride with a fare of 3€. You can catch the tram at Praça da Figueira and Praça do Comércio stop and get off at the Belem-Jeronimos stop.
You can also check out the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos to make the most of your trip to Belem.
Time out Market
Craving a snack or a meal? Time Out Market, a giant food court really, offers an array of authentic Portuguese food from Michelin-star restaurants that won’t damage your wallet. Walk around and indulge in different tapas, drinks, and/or meals. 
Day 3
Day trip to Sintra
One of the best day trips from Lisbon is to Sintra, located 15 and a half miles away from the center of Lisbon. With its many castles, palaces, and villas Sintra is reminiscent of a fairytale town rich in history making it a popular tourist attraction. The views of Sintra are impeccable and worth seeing for yourself!
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon
There are two easy ways to get to Sintra. The first one is by train and the second is on a private guided tour.
1. Getting to Sintra by train
Taking the train from Lisbon is by far the easiest and cheapest way to get to Sintra. To take the train you would need to go to the Lisboa Rossio station located right in the historic center of Lisbon, near Barrio Alto. Trains to Sintra depart every 30 minutes to an hour, and the train ride is 40 minutes long. Train tickets can be bought at the train station, a one-way ticket costs 2.30€ for a total of 4.60€ round trip. Once in Sintra you will be mostly walking so bringing comfortable shoes is a must!
2. Getting to Sintra on a guided tour
The second best option to get to Sintra is by choosing a guided tour where a private car will pick you up directly from your accommodations, saving you the trouble of figuring out your way to Sintra. The nice thing about going on a guided tour is that you easily have a way to and from Sintra and a guide to show you around and give you a history lesson about Sintra. You can find a guided tour here.
Restaurant Recommendations
- Quase Cafe– as mentioned earlier in the post, this place offers great breakfast options in the Alfama District
- Ameilia – great healthy brunch options with a trendy ambiance
- Taberna Da Baixa – delicious authentic Portuguese cuisine
- Restavrante O Conqvistador – My favorite dinner I had in all of Lisbon, authentic Portuguese seafood
- Solar Dos Mouros Hotel – I had the best charcuterie board with Portugal’s finest cold cuts with an exceptional view here
- Skybar rooftop– if you’re looking for amazing views and drinks, this is the place to go
- Topo Chiado rooftop– a bit hard to find the entrance, but it is located next to the Igreja do Carmo (also a cool place to check out). Great views and food
- Ponto Final – Only a short ferry ride from Lisbon, Ponto Final offers great seafood right on the edge of the water, recommend coming here during sunset
Final Thoughts
I loved Lisbon, it is one of my top three favorite cities I visited throughout Europe. Its steep hills are not the only thing that will leave you breathless, Lisbon has amazing views and food! A 3 day trip to Lisbon is perfect to explore much of what Lisbon is known for.
If you are short on time or have 3 days or less to visit Lisbon, I hope my 3 day itinerary to Lisbon will be helpful to pinpoint the main attractions and make the most of your trip.
Hope you enjoyed this 3 day itinerary to Lisbon and found it useful to plan your short getaway.