Lisbon, Portugal
Plan a trip to Lisbon
Seven hills, tiled facades, and the best food value in Western Europe. Wear shoes with grip; the pavement is polished limestone.
- Couples
- Food trips
- Weekend getaways
- Beaches
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Lisbon at a glance
Most trips run 3 to 5 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Lisbon itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 3–5 days
- When to go
- March to June and September to October. Summer is hot and Sintra gets very busy. Winter stays mild, around 60°F, with more rain.
- Getting around
- The metro, trams, and funiculars cover the hills, and a Viva Viagem card works across all of them. Trains to Sintra and Cascais leave from Rossio and Cais do Sodré.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Alfama
The oldest quarter, a maze below the castle. Take Tram 28 up and walk down.
- 2
Belém
The monastery, the tower, and the original pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém. Half a day west of center.
- 3
Time Out Market
A food hall of the city's better chefs in one room. Busy at one and at eight.
- 4
Sintra
Forty minutes by train for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. Both need timed tickets now.
Where to stay in Lisbon
- Baixa / Chiado
- Flat, central, best transport links, walk to most of the city.
- Alfama
- Most atmospheric and the steepest. Bring a small suitcase.
- Príncipe Real
- Uphill from Chiado, best restaurants and shops, quieter at night.
A ready-made Lisbon itinerary
Tile-lined streets, sunset miradouros, and pastéis de nata.
Lisbon Couples Getaway: 3-Day Itinerary11 mapped places across 3 days, free to read and copy.Lisbon planning questions
- How many days do you need in Lisbon?
- 3 to 5 days. Three days covers Alfama, Belém, and the center. Five makes room for Sintra and a Cascais beach afternoon.
- What is the best time to visit Lisbon?
- March to June and September to October. Summer is hot and Sintra gets very busy. Winter stays mild, around 60°F, with more rain.
- Where should I stay in Lisbon?
- Three areas cover most trips — Baixa / Chiado (flat, central, best transport links, walk to most of the city); Alfama (most atmospheric and the steepest. bring a small suitcase); Príncipe Real (uphill from chiado, best restaurants and shops, quieter at night). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Lisbon?
- The metro, trams, and funiculars cover the hills, and a Viva Viagem card works across all of them. Trains to Sintra and Cascais leave from Rossio and Cais do Sodré.
- What should I see first in Lisbon?
- Start with Alfama, Belém, Time Out Market. Alfama is the one to schedule first: the oldest quarter, a maze below the castle. Take Tram 28 up and walk down.
- Is there a free Lisbon itinerary I can copy?
- Yes. Arriv has a curated Lisbon itinerary with every stop mapped and a suggested day-by-day order. Reading it is free, and you can duplicate it into your own trip to change dates, swap places, and share it with whoever you're going with.