Last Updated: October 2026
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I think Lisbon is the perfect size for a city - not too big and not too small. It's big enough to explore for days but small enough that you'll be able to grasp the entirety of the city in a few days.
Below you will find a list of things to do and see in Lisbon if you find yourself there for three to five days. Whenever I'm exploring a new city, I like to do a mix of touristic and local things, so that I see a bit of everything.
However, Lisbon is one of those cities which is best to explore just walking around, finding hidden streets and just going with the flow.
In this blog post, I've compiled a list of things to do for each neighborhood in Lisbon and also on which day you should visit which neighbourhood:
Itinerary
Day 1: Alfama + Castelo de S. Jorge + Tram 28 + Graca
Day 2: Baixa-Chiado + Praça do Comércio + Cais do Sodré (Time Out market for dinner)
Day 3: Bairro Alto (day) + Príncipe Real + Alcântara (LX Factory)
Day 4: Sintra day trip
Day 5: Belém (morning) + Almada (afternoon)
Alfama
Alfama is the touristic center of Lisbon, but despite the crowds, it is fun to stroll around the little streets and marvel at the buildings, discover street art, and work on your cardio by climbing the steep hills.
Don’t forget to check out these sights on your stroll:
Miradouro da Graca - beautiful viewpoint in the Graca neighbourhood
Lisbon Cathedral - Unique church in Lisbon that has been rebuilt a few times because of Earthquakes
Castelo de S. Jorge
Even though it's quite a touristic attraction, I still recommend going, because you have some amazing views on Lisbon from this castle which makes for some cool Instagrammable shots.
It's also fun to explore some of the castle ground and have a look at the ruins. Entrance fee is €17.00 for a standard ticket, but I think the view is definitely worth it.
Tram 28
The famous vintage tram 28 of Lisbon, takes you through the main neighborhoods, and it's great to do in the winter. In the summer however, there are loads of sweaty tourists, and pickpockets. I was fine with just looking at the beautiful vintage trams, but if you're into these kinds of things, then I guess it's a nice thing to do.
💡 Check out this walking tour that takes your through Alfama, Tram 28 and even includes a Custard Tart tasting!
Baixa - Chiado
Do some shopping
Chiado is one of the main shopping districts, and you can shop your heart out in the streets like Rua do Carmo and Rua Garrett. This is where all the mainstream brands are located, though you can find some other more interesting brands as well. If you like stuff for your home, then a visit to one of the A Vida Portuguesa stores is a must for you. For more upscale shopping, stroll along the Av, da Liberdade.
Praça do Comércio
This famous square is indeed not to be missed on a visit to Lisbon. Stroll across and around the square on a sunny day, then take in the river view on the 25 de Abril bridge.
At Praça do Comércio, you can also have a seat and drink a cup of coffee at the oldest cafe of Lisbon, called O Martinho da Arcada e Lisboa.
Do a foodie walking tour around the centre
There’s a plethora of Portuguese food options and sometimes it’s hard to find out where to go for the best food. Therefore, it’s never a bad idea to join a food tour, like this one, which also features wine tasting!
Cais do Sodré
Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)
This lovely indoor market is a foodies' heaven and definitely a must-see when you're in Lisbon, even if you're not a foodie. Some of Lisbon's top chefs have a stall in this market and offer special menu's at really reasonable prices. There is loads to try, so come with an empty stomach!
Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is the famous nightlife district; the little streets full of bars and nightlife entertainment. During the day, this part of the city is very quiet, and almost seems like a residential area, but at night it turns into a lively and fun neighborhood.
Principe Real
This is a hip neighborhood where you can find some really good restaurants as well as little boutiques. It's a really nice area to take a stroll around, though keep in mind that it's located on one of Lisbon's 7 hills, so to get there it will be a bit of a climb!
Jardim do Principe Real
This small park is really lovely, especially at sunset. You can walk around and then grab a coffee at the cafe that is located within the park, Esplanada cafe.
Botanical gardens
In Principe Real, you can also find the botanical gardens. I haven't been but I've heard it's quite nice to stroll around.
Alcantara
LXFactory
This hipster establishment is a really cool collection of cute boutique stores and hipster eateries. Every Sunday, there is also a market where you can find all sorts of things, including vintage fashion and local foods.
Outside the main neighbourhoods
Almada
Almada is a neighborhood just across from Lisbon, easily reached by taking the ferry to Cacilhas from Cais do Sodre (about a 7-minute ride).
Even though the town itself is nothing special, it's nice to stroll along the coast, perhaps even having a bite at Ponto Final or Atira-te ao rio , which are excellent restaurants at the coast with a marvelous view on Lisbon. If you're up for it, you can visit the Christ statue, which is about a 40-minute walk from the ferry station.
Sintra (Day trip)
Sintra is a famous and picturesque town just 40 minutes by train from Lisbon.
Here are the main things to see in Sintra:
Pena Palace - An almost Disney-like palace that is the main attraction of Sintra. Make sure to book your ticket early as it gets pretty busy.
Quinta da Regalaira - Here you’ll find hidden tunnels, grottoes and the famous spiral Initiation Well
Moorish Castle - Another beautiful castle close to the Pena Palace with impeccable views.
By the way: the easiest way to see Sintra and all the top points of interest is by joining a half-day tour like this one.
Belem
In Belem, you can find two things: The Torre de Belem (the Belem Tower) and the famous Pasteis de Belem (Custard tarts). The tower is pretty touristy, but it's probably nice to see it from a distance - no need to queue and go inside.
Where to Stay
There are loads of accommodation options in Lisbon, so I’m just going to name a few.
ibis Styles Lisboa Marquês De Pombal - An extremely decent budget hotel option, located near the Eduardo VII park.
Casa Solayme Garrett - a boutique, mid-budget apart-hotel located inside a traditional Portiguese building and right in the city centre.
Heritage Solar do Castelo Inn - a luxury boutique hotel right in the middle of Alfama (Old town), and set in an 18th century mansion
I hope that this sightseeing guide has been useful for you!
As mentioned earlier, Lisbon is more of a city that you need to explore by roaming around and taking in the city's atmosphere.
In case you have any questions or comments about this blog post, let me know in the comment section below! Obrigada :)
