Lisbon itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: The Baixa, Chiado & Bairro Alto
Praça do Comércio and Rossio, up to Chiado by the Santa Justa Lift, sunset at Santa Catarina and an evening in Bairro Alto.
- 1
Morning
Praça do Comércio & the Rua Augusta Arch
Lisbon's grand riverside square, open to the Tagus on one side, with the triumphal Rua Augusta Arch leading into the Baixa's straight streets.
- Praça do Comércio
- Rua Augusta Arch
- Cais das Colunas
Walk up Rua Augusta through the Baixa, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
Rossio & the Santa Justa Lift
The city's busiest square, with its wave-patterned paving and fountains, and the iron Santa Justa Lift a few steps away, which carries you up to Chiado.
- Rossio
- Santa Justa Lift
- Baixa streets
The queue for the lift can be long; you can also walk up the Rua do Carmo to the same top platform.
Take the Santa Justa Lift or walk up Rua do Carmo, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Chiado & the Bica funicular
The elegant hilltop district of old cafés and bookshops, next to the roofless Carmo Convent, and the little yellow Bica funicular that drops down one of the city's steepest streets.
- Carmo Convent
- Chiado
- Bica funicular
Walk west through Chiado, about 10 min.
- 4
Sunset
Santa Catarina viewpoint
A relaxed terrace above the river with a wide view of the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge, a favourite place to watch the sun go down.
- Santa Catarina viewpoint
- 25 de Abril Bridge
- Tagus
Walk up into Bairro Alto, about 10 min.
- 5
Evening
Bairro Alto by night
By day a quiet grid of narrow streets; after dark the lanes fill with people drinking outside the tiny bars, and the evening flows on down to Largo Luís de Camões and Chiado.
- Bairro Alto lanes
- Largo Luís de Camões
- Chiado at night
Day 2: Alfama, the castle & the viewpoints
Alfama and the Santa Luzia viewpoint, São Jorge Castle, the Graça viewpoint, Tram 28 at Martim Moniz and an evening at Cais do Sodré.
- 1
Morning
Alfama & the Santa Luzia viewpoint
The oldest quarter, which survived the earthquake: stairways, laundry lines and tiny squares climbing past the cathedral to the tiled terrace of Santa Luzia, with the rooftops falling away to the river.
- Lisbon Cathedral
- Santa Luzia viewpoint
- Portas do Sol
Walk uphill through the castle gate, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
São Jorge Castle
The Moorish castle on the highest hill of the old town, with walls and towers to walk along and the widest view over Lisbon.
- Castle walls
- View over the Baixa
- Old cannons
Go early or late in the day; the castle is one of the busiest sights in the city.
Walk north through the lanes to Graça, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Graça viewpoint
A higher, quieter viewpoint beside a church in the Graça neighbourhood, looking back across the castle to the Baixa and the river.
- Graça viewpoint
- Graça church
- View of the castle
Walk downhill through Mouraria or ride Tram 28, about 15 min.
- 4
Late afternoon
Martim Moniz, Tram 28 & Mouraria
The square where the famous Tram 28 starts its climb, and the lanes of Mouraria above it, one of the city's most mixed and lived-in old quarters.
- Martim Moniz
- Tram 28
- Mouraria lanes
Tram 28 is packed by mid-morning; ride it early, or simply walk the route.
Take the metro or walk through the Baixa to Cais do Sodré, about 20 min.
- 5
Evening
Pink Street & Cais do Sodré
The old sailors' quarter by the river, with the street painted pink that has become a nightlife strip, and the food hall of the Ribeira market close by.
- Pink Street
- Cais do Sodré
- Ribeira market
Day 3: Belém & Parque das Nações
The Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower in the morning, then across the city to the Expo 98 riverside and the Oceanarium.
- 1
Morning
Jerónimos Monastery
A UNESCO-listed monastery in Belém, built with the riches of the age of discoveries, covered in the carved stone ropes, shells and sea creatures of the Manueline style.
- Jerónimos Monastery
- Manueline cloister
- Belém gardens
Belém is also where the original custard tarts come from; expect a queue at the famous bakery near the monastery.
Walk along the gardens and the river, about 15 min.
- 2
Late morning
Belém Tower
The small, ornate fortress at the river's edge that once guarded the entrance to Lisbon's harbour, a short walk along the water from the monastery.
- Belém Tower
- Riverside promenade
- Monument to the Discoveries
Take tram 15 to Cais do Sodré, then the metro to Oriente, about 50 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Parque das Nações & the Oceanarium
The modern riverside district built for Expo 98, with long waterfront promenades, a cable car along the river and one of Europe's largest aquariums.
- Oceanarium
- Vasco da Gama Tower
- Riverside cable car
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Lisbon plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Lisbon
How many days?
Three days covers the Baixa and Chiado, Alfama and the castle, and Belém with the modern riverside. Two days is enough for the highlights if you keep moving.
Where to stay
Baixa and Chiado are central and flat; Alfama is atmospheric but hilly; Bairro Alto is for nightlife; Príncipe Real is calm and stylish; Avenida da Liberdade suits a classic hotel stay. Compare areas →
Getting around
Walk in the centre, but expect steep hills and slippery cobbles. Trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift help with the climbs; the metro and trains cover longer hops.
Lisbon is built on seven hills above the Tagus, and the best of it is packed into a small area. The flat Baixa, rebuilt in a grid after the 1755 earthquake, runs from the river at Praça do Comércio up to Rossio. To the east, Alfama climbs in a tangle of lanes to São Jorge Castle; to the west, Chiado and Bairro Alto sit on the opposite hill. Belém, with its monastery and tower, is a short ride along the river.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the steep lanes, the viewpoints and the funiculars before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Lisbon itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three days is a good first visit: one for the Baixa, Chiado and Bairro Alto, one for Alfama and the castle, and one for Belém and the modern riverside. Two days covers the old centre at a faster pace.
Is Lisbon a walkable city?
Yes, but it is hilly. Distances in the centre are short, while the climbs are steep and the stone paving can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip and use the trams, funiculars and lifts for the steepest stretches.
Is Tram 28 worth riding?
It is a lovely route through Graça, Alfama and the Baixa in an old wooden tram, but it gets very crowded. Ride it early in the morning, or walk the same streets, which are the real attraction.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant for walking the hills. Summer is hot and busy, with street festivals in June; winter is mild but wetter.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Lisbon
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Keep exploring Lisbon
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Lisbon city guide →