What to do in Lisbon in 3 days? The top 10 not to miss

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What to do in Lisbon in 3 days? Top 10 and itinerary

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is one of our favourite cities in Europe for its historic centre, its monuments and its great atmosphere. Here is the perfect programme for visiting Lisbon in 3 days with the main iconic sites not to be missed. 

Our top 10 must-sees in Lisbon

1. Capture a photo on the Praça do Comércio 
2. Visit the Baixa district and take the Santa Justa lift to admire the view over Lisbon 
3. Visit the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery
4. Admire the Cristo Rei statue with the 25 de Abril Bridge
5. Go to the Alfama district and visit the cathedral
6. Take tram 28
7. See the Lisbon Oceanarium (2nd largest aquarium in Europe)
8. Taste the famous pastéis de nata
9. See a fado show 
10. Visit Sintra with the Pena Palace or the Moorish Castle

Itinerary for visiting Lisbon in 3 days

Lisbon is a city rich in history, culture and gastronomy, and it is possible to discover a lot in three days. Here is a suggested itinerary to make the most of your time and enjoy everything the city has to offer. 

Day 1: Historic centre, Tram 28 and the Alfama district

For this first day, meet at this iconic square on the banks of the Tagus, the Praça do Comércio. This place is lively day and night, ideal for sitting down for a coffee at Martinho da Arcada, with a view of the triumphal arch and the statue of King Joseph I. 

Not far away is the Lisboa Story Centre, a museum on the history of the city whose admission is included in the Lisboa Card. But also the Avenida Ribeiras das Naus (former shipyard) and the famous shopping street, Rua Augusta. 

A good address to note for a lunch break: Time Out Market 

Continue your walk through the lively streets of the Baixa district, the historic heart of Lisbon. You'll find many shops and restaurants, and this is also where you can take the neo-Gothic Elevador de Santa Justa (45 metres high). At the top, you'll admire a magnificent view of the city.

Other places for the best viewpoints of Lisbon just in case: 

• the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte viewpoint (the highest viewpoint in Lisbon)
• the Portas do Sol with a view of the São Vicente de Fora monastery
• the Graça viewpoint in the Alfama district
• the 25 de Abril Bridge with the Christ the King statue in the background (access to take a photo from the statue is paid). 
• the Pilar 7, a place to look out over the Tagus and Lisbon.

After lunch, set off to explore the old Alfama district, the oldest in Lisbon, and don't miss visiting Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). In this legendary district, you'll see the famous yellow tram (line 28) go by. 

As this district is on a hill, it's the chance to climb up to the Castelo de São Jorge. With its fortified ramparts, this magnificent castle overlooking Lisbon offers sublime panoramic views. 

In the evening, have dinner in a Fado restaurant to listen to the melancholy music so typical of Lisbon. A chance to combine culinary pleasures with local traditions. 

Day 2: Discovering Belém and the surroundings 

For this second day, we recommend visiting the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). It's a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, but above all a MUST if you're wondering "What to do in Lisbon in 3 days?"  Allow for a queue of about 2 hours to visit this iconic monument, which is why we advise you to book your tickets in advance (free cancellation). 

Not far away is the famous Belém Tower: another icon of Lisbon that served as a defence to protect the city from invasions. This  16th-century fort on the riverbank is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Finally, it's time to taste Pastéis de Nata. For this gourmet break, head to this must-visit local pastry shop, Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém, whose recipe hasn't changed in 150 years. The best pastéis de nata you can eat in Lisbon! You can't miss it, there's always a queue outside! But rest assured, it moves quickly! 

Other specialities to discover in Lisbon : bacalhau, a typical Portuguese dish made with salted cod.

In the afternoon, depending on your preferences, we leave you the choice between: 

• visiting the Lisbon Oceanarium. (2nd largest aquarium in Europe with reproductions of environments from the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific and Indian oceans)
• visiting the Estádio da Luz and a ticket for the SL Benfica museum
• one of the 3 museums in our TOP 3 (see paragraph below)

For this evening, go on a cruise to admire the sunset on the Tagus! You'll see the famous Cristo Rei statue on the other side of the Tagus with the 25 de Abril Bridge. A magical souvenir that you'll treasure from Lisbon. 

Day 3: Sintra, the must-see 

Coming to Lisbon without seeing Sintra would be a bit of a shame! So for this third day, go and visit a few must-see places such as: 

Visit the Pena Palace 

What can we say about this Palace, other than that it's breathtaking! If the exterior intrigues you, wait until you see the interior… Every year, more than a million visitors come to discover it, in fact it is the most visited palace in the country. Allow about 2h30 for a full visit, then you can stroll in the park before heading to Sintra for a lunch break. 

Explore the Moorish Castle 

This former 8th-century fortress built by the Moors from the Maghreb dominates Sintra. After a restoration by King Ferdinand II, the castle was recognised in 1910  as a national monument and then listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

During this visit, you can admire magnificent panoramas and walk along the ramparts. Allow about 1 hour for the visit, and if you don't want to waste time queuing on arrival, we advise you to buy your tickets online directly. Simple, easy with free cancellation just in case 🙂

Another very nice visit, the Quinta da Regaleira

A magnificent place in lush vegetation, really recommended if you're coming with children. Architecture, caves, fountains, secret passages… Change of scenery guaranteed, one of our best memories of Sintra!

If you have a little more time to spend there, go and see our article with a suggestion of the best activities on site: Visiting Sintra in 1 day

Our top 3 museums to visit in Lisbon 

Want to visit a few museums during these 3 days in Lisbon?

• Banksy Museum: don't miss the permanent exhibition dedicated to the work of the famous street artist Banksy.

• National Tile Museum: for those who love azulejos, this museum traces the history and evolution of this decorative art typical of Portugal through an impressive collection of tiles, from the 15th century to the present day.

• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: it houses the private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, a wealthy Armenian philanthropist, with highly valuable works of art covering more than 4,000 years of history. You'll see pieces from ancient Egypt, European paintings, as well as Oriental decorative arts.

Where to stay to visit Lisbon in 3 days? The best neighbourhoods 

If you're planning to visit Lisbon in 3 days, here are the neighbourhoods to favour with a suggestion of the best accommodation. 

Sleeping in the Baixa/Chiado district

The pluses: 

• You're in the historic heart of Lisbon
• Elegant squares, shops, theatres and many restaurants
• Nearby: the Elevador de Santa Justa, the Praça do Comércio, etc.
• Very well served by public transport

Best accommodation for a 3-day, 2-night stay in Lisbon: 

• Portugal Boutique Hotel, rated 9.3 Fabulous on Booking.com and 9.7 for its location
• Ikonik Lisboa, rated 8.7 on Booking.com 
• Chalet d'Avila Guest, rated 8.9 Superb on Booking.com 

Sleeping near the Avenida da Liberdade

The pluses: 

• This wide avenue is lined with very beautiful hotels and refined restaurants.
• You opt for safety, calm and proximity to the historic centre while being away from the tourist bustle.
• Note: a more modern district (so less charm too)

Best accommodation: 

• Browns Avenue Hotel, rated 9.0 Fabulous on Booking.com 
• Altis Avenida Hotel, rated 9.2 Fabulous on Booking.com 
• Turim Boulevard Hotel, rated 8.5 Very Good on Booking.com 

Sleeping in the Alfama district

The pluses: 

• You'll sleep in the oldest district of Lisbon, famous for its little lanes and colourful houses. This is where Fado was born
• We love this district for its authenticity and its proximity to São Jorge castle and the Sé cathedral. 
• Perfect for culture and history lovers

Best accommodation: 

• Convento do Salvador, rated 8.8 Superb on Booking.com and 9.4 for its staff
• São Vicente Alfama Hotel by TRIUS Hotels, rated 9.5 Exceptional on Booking.com and 9.6 for its staff

FAQ: Lisbon in 3 days 

Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions for coming to the Lisbon region.

How long to visit Lisbon?

For a first time, we advise you to visit Lisbon in 4 days or 3 days. 

If you're planning a road trip in Portugal, 3 days is perfect. All you have to do is follow our "What to do in Lisbon in 3 days" itinerary and you'll have seen the essentials of Portugal's capital. 

What is the best time to go to Lisbon?

There isn't really an ideal time because Lisbon is a lively city that can be visited all year round. However, if we had to choose, we'd go for the period from spring to autumn (October).

How to visit Lisbon well?

Good question! There are a thousand and one ways to visit Lisbon, but if you want to see as many iconic places as possible, follow our "visit Lisbon in 3 days" itinerary to make the most of your stay. 

What budget for eating in Lisbon?

Hard to say, as it will all depend on the restaurants you choose. Allow about €15 to €20 per person in an inexpensive restaurant.

What souvenirs or food to bring back from Portugal?

We advise you to bring back tins of sardines as souvenirs of your trip to Portugal. Easy and compact, and often vintage, you can put them in your suitcase without them taking up too much space. Other souvenirs: azulejos, Port wine

Our article on what to do in Lisbon in 3 days ends here. We hope all these addresses and activities will help you plan your trip to Portugal. All that's left is to wish you a great stay and plenty of good vibes 😎

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