Lisbon’s rooftops at sunset with the bridge over the Tagus behind

Lisbon and Sintra · Portugal

A long weekend in Lisbon

Castle views and old trams in Alfama, a day among Sintra’s palaces and gardens, and custard tarts in Belém. Three days of hills, tiles and viewpoints.

3 days
Couples
Solo
Friends
City
Food
Culture

Copy this trip into Andamos See the plan

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

Day 1
Alfama and Baixa
1. 09:30
  São Jorge Castle
  Activity
  Hilltop walls with the best views of the city and the river.
2. 11:30
  Miradouro de Santa Luzia
  Activity
  A tiled terrace looking down over Alfama’s rooftops to the water.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: petiscos in Alfama
  Food & drink
  Small Portuguese plates to share in the old quarter’s lanes.
4. 15:00
  Ride tram 28
  Getting around
  The classic yellow tram rattles through the old neighborhoods; ride early or late to skip the lines.
5. 20:30
  Dinner with fado
  Food & drink
  Hear Lisbon’s own music over dinner in Alfama or Mouraria.
Day 2
Day trip to Sintra
1. 08:30
  Train from Rossio to Sintra
  Getting around
  About 40 minutes from the city center, with trains through the day.
2. 09:30
  Pena Palace
  Activity
  A colorful hilltop palace in a romantic park; book a timed ticket ahead.
3. 12:30
  Lunch in Sintra and travesseiros
  Food & drink
  Save room for Sintra’s puff pastries filled with almond cream.
4. 14:00
  Quinta da Regaleira
  Activity
  Mysterious gardens, grottoes and a spiral well you can walk down.
5. 17:30
  Train back to Lisbon
  Getting around
  Back in time for a late dinner in town.
Day 3
Belém and the river
1. 09:30
  Jerónimos Monastery
  Activity
  Lisbon’s great Manueline monument, with an extraordinary cloister.
2. 11:30
  Pastéis de nata in Belém
  Food & drink
  The custard tart was born here; eat one warm with cinnamon on top.
3. 12:30
  Belém Tower
  Activity
  A 16th-century fortress at the river’s edge, built in the age of the explorers.
4. 15:00
  LX Factory
  Activity
  Old factory buildings turned into shops, studios and cafés under the bridge.
5. 18:30
  Sunset at Senhora do Monte
  Activity
  One of the city’s highest viewpoints, facing the castle as the lights come on.

Good to know

Tips

Wear good shoes

Lisbon is built on hills and paved with smooth stone that gets slippery when wet. Flat, grippy shoes make every day easier.

Getting around

A rechargeable transit card from any metro station works on the metro, trams, buses and the train to Sintra. Most of the center is walkable.

Sintra tips

Sintra is often cooler and mistier than Lisbon, so bring a layer. Go early, especially in summer, and use the local buses or walk between sites.

Seasons

Summers are hot and dry, winters mild and wetter. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable for walking.

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