We have put together this brief itinerary with our favorite places to visit and classic tourist attractions that you should not miss.
This plan is designed to discover Lisbon by foot as most of the points of interest are concentrated in the hills surrounding the Baixa Pombalina, really close to Casa Moniz, with the exception of Belém.
Day 1
Mouraria Neighborhood
One of Lisbon's most authentic neighborhoods, the birthplace of Fado, has had its sad days, but today it is a must-see for those who want to get a glimpse of the real Lisbon.
Climb the São Cristóvão stairs or the Escadas da Saúde (electric escalators) and let yourself get lost in the narrow streets of the Mouraria neighborhood. Be prepared and go in good shoes because you will face a long climb!
São Jorge Castle
From Mouraria walk to São Jorge castle, located on top of one of the seven hills of the city. Here's a tip: take the elevator (Elevador do Castelo) and avoid the fatigue of the long, steep climb up to the castle.
It is a famous attraction, so usually there are long lines. We recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid headaches.
Graça Neighborhood
Leaving the Castle, walk to Graça, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Lisbon. There, you will find two of Lisbon's many viewpoints: Miradouro Graça, also called Miradouro Amália Rodrigues, and Nossa Senhora do Monte, our favorite for the view it offers, is the highest viewpoint in Lisbon. It may also become your favorite viewpoint.
Tip: in Nossa Senhora do Monte you will find Secret Garden, a perfect place to have a beer after a long walk.
Alfama Neighborhood
After resting in Graça, walk or take a Tuk Tuk to Alfama (it's a nice walk). Alfama is a medieval neighborhood, the oldest in Lisbon, but it requires dexterity to know it, as it requires going up and down the Portuguese cobblestone steps. There, you can see the beautiful scene of watching the trams go by, there's something magical about it.
Tip: Don't miss the viewpoints of Portas do Sol (hello Instagramers!) and Santa Luzia (with its beautiful tiles and bougainvilleas), side by side with the beautiful views of the neighborhood's rooftops and the Tagus River in the background.
If you are in the mood for something more cultural, the Fado Museum is located at the foot of Alfama and is a must-see for those who want to learn more about its history.
Sé Cathedral
End your day with a visit to the Sé Cathedral, the starting point of the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela. It was seriously damaged in the 1755 earthquake but is now restored and magnificently beautiful. The reconstruction was mainly based on a Baroque style, but in the early 20th century, a new intervention sought to restore its exterior decorative elements to the medieval Romanesque layout.
Tip: Take an iconic photo with the Cathedral and cable cars in the background and avoid paying for a postcard with the same scenery.
Day 2
We start the second day with a tour of the Baixa Lisboeta in the city center, very close to Casa Moniz, surrounded by stores, monuments, and people from all over the world.
Praça do Comércio
We arrived at Terreiro do Paço or Praça do Comércio, as you prefer to call it, one of the most majestic squares in Europe, Lisbon's postcard, with its arms open to the Tagus River.
There, you will find the magnificent Augusta street arch (Arco da Rua Augusta), which is really easy to recognize. The oldest café in the city is here, Martinho da Arcada. Walk around and check the staircase of Cais das Colunas, kissing the Tagus River.
Cais do Sodré
From Praça do Comércio, walk along the Ribeira das Naus towards Cais do Sodré. Enjoy the views as you walk along the Tagus River, take a bike, or, if you are more adventurous, an electric scooter and explore the long bike path along the river.
Tip: almost every day of the week, starting at 20h there is a Jam Session at Palheta bar, where everyone is welcome, the beer is cheap and there is a cool atmosphere. But be aware that it is not a place to sit, as there are hardly any tables and chairs.
Pink Street
If you are in Cais, you cannot miss Pink Street (Rua Rosa), the most famous street in the city. Pink Street gets its name not just because the floor is painted with that colour, but also because it used to be the street of nightlife pleasures. Today, it has many charming bars, live music, and loads of lively people.
Tip: If you feel like having a drink, be sure to go to Pensão do Amor, which for us is one of the most authentic places on Pink Street (not for children).
Chiado Neighborhood
Leave Pink Street and go up to Chiado, a neighbourhood that once was the bastion of the Lisbon bourgeoisie and a meeting place for artists, poets, journalists, and thinkers.
Today it is an open-air shopping mall, ideal for those who want to do some shopping during their trip, but the architecture remains, allowing for good photos and a trip back in time.
In addition to a wide variety of stores, the neighbourhood has one of the most famous cafes in the city, A Brasileira; stop by and see if you can find Fernandinho (Pessoa, of course); he's always up for a chat.
Tip: walk to the Miradouro de Santa Catarina or Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for more impressive views of the city.
Carmo Convent Ruins
If you visit Lisbon in May, you will see the intense colour of the jacarandas in Largo do Carmo. Around the Chafariz do Carmo (fountain supplied by the water of the Águas Livres aqueduct), there is an area of terraces that invites you to rest and spend some time there.
Just behind the convent is the Santa Justa Elevator ( Elevador da Santa Justa), an icon of Lisbon. In our opinion, it is better to see it from Carmo and enjoy the views with a good flake than to go up and down it.
You can stroll along Calçada da Glória, lined with street art, or take the Ascensor da Glória directly to Praça dos Restauradores, where you will find the famous Rossio Station on one side, the Dona Maria II Theater on the other, and the beginning of Avenida da Liberdade (where the big fashion houses and luxury hotels are located).
Day 3
For the third day, we have selected some neighbourhoods that are a bit off the beaten tourist track but give a real taste of what it is like to live in Lisbon.
Eduardo VII Park
It is a beautiful park with a large garden that offers an incredible view of the city, with the Tagus River in the background. Lisbon's Book Fair and Christmas Fair are held here every year. It is an ideal place to go with the little ones, as there are no cars and there is plenty of space to run around. Walking through the park, you will find a cosy cafe in the Espelho D'água and the beautiful Estufa Fria (greenhouse).
Marquês de Pombal
Walking through the park towards Avenida da Liberdade, you will come face to face with the gigantic Marquês de Pombal square, Lisbon's financial center. Step on it and continue exploring Avenida da Liberdade.
Avenida da Liberdade
Some say it is reminiscent of Paris for its designer stores, exquisite old cinemas, concert halls, and luxury hotels.
Tip: every Sunday in front of the Quiosque da Avenida starting at 4 pm, there is a small forró dance, a musical genre from the northeast of Brazil that is worth listening to and watching people dance it.
Principe Real Neighborhood
One of the most charming neighborhoods in Lisbon, with hundreds of restaurants of renowned chefs and trendy boutiques. But you can also find the Botanical Garden and the Natural History and Science Museum (Museu de História Natural e da Ciência). We highly recommend it; it is ideal for the little ones.
Estrela Neighborhood
Right next door you will find the beautiful Basilica da Estrela (cathedral) and the Jardim da Estrela (park), where locals gather to picnic, celebrate birthdays, exercise, walk their dogs, and burn off the kids' energy.
Tip: Jardim da Estrela is a perfect place for a midday picnic; just bring a bottle of wine and some snacks, and you're ready to go! Don't forget to take out the trash before you leave.
Bairro Alto Neighborhood
As we are about to end the day, there is no better way to do it than by visiting the Bairro Alto. As its name suggests, the neighborhood is located on one of the seven hills of Lisbon. As it is a very old neighborhood, cars are not welcome, so stroll around and let yourself get lost in its narrow streets.
The neighborhood has dining options for all tastes and pockets, not to mention dozens of small bars, perfect for warming up (if you're a night owl). Each bar is more interesting (or suspicious!) and different than the next because Bairro Alto was the bohemian area of the 80s and 90s.
Most of the emblematic bars have passed into history, but there are still a few, such as Páginas Tantas, which still offers jazz or live music, and Portas Largas. All the bars are very small, so it is common for people to drink in the street with a glass in their hand.
Tip: We like the Tasca do Chico, where you can listen to fado and have a bite to eat. The Irish Pub for a good Guinness, rock and roll, and karaoke, or the Acarajé da Carol for a taste of traditional Brazilian food.
Day 4
We couldn't leave out the monuments that symbolize Lisbon and Portugal, could we? That's why we have organized a day full of art, history, and culture.
Belém Neighborhood
One of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Lisbon, but a bit far from the city center. Although it is easy to get there if you take the train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais, you will be in Belém in less than 20 minutes.
Upon arrival, you will find yourself in front of the huge garden that connects the various historical monuments of the neighborhood. On one side is the gigantic Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), on the other the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), and further on the Marco dos Descobrimentos.
Tip: Don't leave Belém without tasting the famous and delicious Pasteis de Belém. If you are in Lisbon for the first time, it is worth standing in line and sitting inside the factory, as it is a beautiful space, and there is a small museum of the factory, where you can see a bit of the history of the place and the famous pastries. There is also the option to take food to go and eat it in the garden while sunbathing and admiring the scenery. We guarantee that whatever you choose, you will not regret it.
Jerónimos Monastery
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, the Jeronimos Monastery is the “jewel” of the Manueline style (Portuguese Gothic), evoking the grandeur of 16th-century Portugal.
Being one of the most visited monuments in the country, there is always a line, so we recommend buying tickets online if you are interested. We can say that it is worth the visit inside; it is impressive.
Belém Tower
You may not know anything about Lisbon, but we are sure you've seen a picture of the Belém Tower at some point. It's the postcard of the city: a medieval defense tower in the Manueline style on the banks of the Tagus.
Tip: As we know that many people are interested in the historical part of Lisbon, there are some very affordable tours that you can do. Here are some suggestions, like the Take a Free Tour or the African Lisbon Tour, but there are many others; you just have to do some research and find out which one is the best.
Museums
In this area of the city, there are two big museums for lovers of culture and history. The Cars Museum (Museu dos Coches) and the MAAT (Art, Architecture and Technology Museum), which you will notice right away because of the modern facade that kisses the Tagus River.
For those who prefer a more alternative scene, it's worth visiting the LX Factory, a former abandoned industrial complex that has been converted into a creative and trendy place. Filled with design stores, world food restaurants, Instagrammable corners, a craft fair, and a really cool bookstore.
The Tagus River
A good option to complete the day is to take a boat ride on the Tagus River. You will not regret it. The crew of Sardinha do Tejo knows how to give you the best experience.
Tip: If you pass through the Docas area, visit Rui dos Pregos for a “preguinho” (snack) and an “imperial” (beer) during sunset. One of our favorite places at the end of the day.