Exactly How to Spend One Day in Lisbon

By the time we eventually arrived in Lisbon, Portugal had long been on our list of places to explore. After saving for many years to take a year traveling (and some difficult years in 2020 and 2021), we found ourselves planning a three month trip around Europe, flying into and out of Lisbon. All together, we spent 10 days experiencing the city, and we loved every moment of it.

To put it frankly, we didn`t entirely foresee what to anticipate from Lisbon. It had undoubtedly garnered mention on various “emerging travel hotspots” for approximately the past half decade. What we discovered was a city that simultaneously seemed familiar to a place we`ve called home – San Francisco (abundance of hills and a large red bridge), yet entirely unique from anyplace we`d visited prior.

Lisbon is a charming city with numerous scenic viewpoints from its several hills providing sweeping panoramas of the city and the Tagus River.

Combine that beauty with a rich history and culture (the age of exploration was part of Portugal’s golden age), an eclectic food scene thanks to a bounty of fresh ingredients (including seafood), and warm and friendly people, and we’re pretty sure you’re going to love Lisbon, just like we did.

Is 24 hours adequate time to truly see everything there is to see in Lisbon? No. But with this guide, our intention is to assist you make the most of the time you do have.”

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through our version of how to see the best of Lisbon in one day and make the most of your limited time in this amazing city. We’ll utilize our experience exploring the city – we’ve spent 10 days there spread over two trips now – to provide you the things we think you should focus on (and what you shouldn’t).

We’ll also walk you through some important logistics that will be helpful for planning your trip, such as how to get around over the course of a day.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Is One Day in Lisbon Enough?

Regrettably not. As Portugal’s thrilling capital and largest city, Lisbon certainly deserves more time than just a single day.

In an ideal scenario, 3 days would be the suitable amount of time to explore Lisbon fully. Three days will allow you to see the best attractions and even take a day trip out to Sintra.

If you have not done so already, check out our 3 day itinerary for Lisbon which outlines how we scheduled a 3 day trip to the city

But if you have only one day in Lisbon, it remains worth seeing. Lisbon is a fairly compact city, allowing exploration of some main attractions in a day. However, you must strategically use the limited time and acknowledge the need to reserve other destinations for a future trip.

With only one day to explore Lisbon, we`d focus our time in three key regions; Belem, Chiado, and Alfama. Be sure also to sample tinned fish and Pastel de Nata pastry, taking in scenic views from numerous miradouros (viewing areas) along the way.

In this condensed itinerary for Lisbon, we`ll help cover all suggested sights and more within a day.

One Day in Lisbon: The Best of Portugal’s Capital in 24 Hours

The guide we have provided below will offer you an excellent overview of Portugal`s fascinating capital and help you make the most of your time when you visit Lisbon.

For the purposes of this guide, we will assume your arrival in the evening prior and late afternoon departure, affording a full day to experience all the area has to offer.

Get Caffeinated at Fábrica Coffee Roasters

If you want to see the best of Lisbon in a single day it will inevitably be a busy one. We firmly believe that getting your caffeine boost in the morning is crucial before starting your activities.

Lisbon has a thriving specialty coffee scene – something that really took us by surprise. There are plenty of fantastic coffee roasters and coffee shops all across the city, which can make it difficult to know which to pick with only a day.

Fábrica Coffee Roasters was a top pick for myself and my two brothers. It is an excellent choice for consistently great coffee. Highly recommended is getting the AeroPress brew, which uses the winning recipe from the AeroPress World Championships.

Fábrica has five places across the city, so you should be able to find one near your living space. There is also a place right by the tram to Belém, so if mornings are not your thing and you find yourself in a rush to get to the station you can always grab a coffee and snack to take with you and enjoy them onboard.

For more recommendations of coffee venues, check our full guide to the finest coffee establishments in Lisbon.

Praça do Comércio and The Tram out to Belém

Once you’re caffeinated and ready to go, start your day at Praça do Comércio; Lisbon’s central plaza and one of the largest public squares in all of Europe.

Once home to a Royal Palace before it was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, the expansive plaza faces the Tagus estuary and is surrounded by exquisitely crafted 18th-century arcaded buildings.

Having been rebuilt, the square has become a symbol of Lisbon and is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Portuguese city. There you will find landmarks such as the Arco da Rua Augusta archway and an equestrian statue of King José I.

More importantly for your purposes, Praça do Comércio is also a key transportation hub for traveling within Lisbon. North of the square is where you will find Tram 15E to take you to Belém, your first real stop of the day.

The tram journey to Belém takes about 25 minutes.

Currently, the entire location of Belém is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can easily spend a full day exploring the historic treasures of Belém. But with only 24 hours in the city, we’d suggest restricting your visit to just a morning.

With a couple hours allotted to Belém, you can take in Torre de Belém, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Pastéis de Belém.

Here is a brief overview of these three major sites in Belém.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is another top Belém site. However, we`d suggest skipping it now to dedicate time to other city center attractions instead. The former monastery excellently displays Maritime elements and cloisters, but visiting easily consumes over an hour.

When finished in Belém, take the Tram 15E back to the Praça do Comércio.

Pastéis de Belém

Pastéis de Belém is the alleged birthplace of the pastel de nata and a pilgrimage site for pastry fanatics from all across the world.

Legend has it that monks from Jerónimos Monastery created the tasty egg custard tart in the 19th century using leftover egg yolks – the egg whites were used for stiffening robes.

They then sold their recipe to this nearby bakery. The shop still uses the same original recipe to this day and is the sole place in the world where the pastries can be called authentic “Pastéis de Belém”.

We discuss “alleged” because there is no consensus on whether the account is accurate, but it’s an engaging tale anyway.

Devour More Pastéis de Nata

Once you arrive back in Praça do Comércio, disembark the tram and start heading uphill to the Chiado district to feast on some more delectable pastéis de nata – because you can never consume too many pastéis in Portugal, right!?

You can arrive at Chiado on foot or through the Bica Elevator (the lower station is here). The Bica Elevator is one of Lisbon’s unique public lifts. You can utilize your Viva Viagem Travel Card to ride the elevators.

Manteigaria and Pasteleria Aloma rank among our favorite destinations for Lisbon`s most delectable pastéis de nata, situated just blocks apart in the Chiado district

Take a right at the top of the elevator and Aloma will be directly on the right. A few blocks down is Manteigaria.

We tried both spots – as well as the authentic Pastéis de Belém – to see which version of the traditional Lisbon pastry we preferred. Manteigaria was the CLEAR winner.”

Manteigaria has truly mastered the crispy, flaky pastry and the warm, creamy filling to achieve that perfect textural contrast. Their pastries are best enjoyed freshly made and dusted with cinnamon.

But don`t just take our word for it. All three were delicious. So try them all and let us know which one you found most appealing!

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Next, use the energy boost from all those creamy pastries by climbing up to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for awe-inspiring Lisbon views.

The walk only requires approximately 10 minutes. However, we`ll provide forewarning in advance since it is rather steeply inclined.

If walking uphill does not appeal, take the Elevador Da Glória funicular that runs up and down the hill (the lower station is located here) to the viewpoint.

The viewpoint itself consists of a large landscaped terrace with a fountain in the center. It offers stunning panoramic views over the city skyline.

Learn About the Earthquake at Museu Arqueológico do Carmo

From the hilltop view, take a 10 minute walk back down towards Museu Arqueológico do Carmo, which sits within the Convento do Carmo ruins.

Gothic Convento do Carmo was constructed in the 14th century and was once one of the most impressive churches in Lisbon. However, the historic building was nearly entirely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.

Reconstruction of the church was started but never completed. It was finally decided to leave the roofless chapel as a hauntingly lovely reminder of the extensive devastation caused by the natural disaster.

The church ruins are open for the public to visit and see firsthand the impact the earthquake had on the city.

Convento do Carmo is now also the headquarters of the Portuguese Archaeological Association and houses an interesting archaeological museum.

The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts relating to the history of Lisbon from prehistoric times through to the Middle Ages, which includes an unusual collection of tombs and mummies.

Entry to the church and museum is a mere €5 per adult. If time allows and you enjoy museums, we feel this one is worth a visit.

Rossio Square and Ginginha do Carmo

Head to De Italiaan for a relaxing Italian meal on one of Amsterdam’s prettiest outdoor seating areas. Try their gluten-free pizza (the finest in the city!).

The lively plaza is one of the most popular places for both locals and visitors to gather in Lisbon. There are many charming cafes and traditional shops surrounding the plaza where one can grab a drink or sample some typical Portuguese delicacies.

One of our favorite places to stop in the square is an unsuspecting little bar called Ginginha do Carmo. Dating back to the 1930s, the tiny bar is one of the best spots in the city to sample local ginjinha.

Ginjinha is a traditional Portuguese liqueur produced from sour cherries. It’s served in either a small shot glass or an edible chocolate cup – get the dark chocolate cup for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.

It’s also worth allocating a brief visit to Igreja de São Domingos while in Rossio. The old 13th-century church is complimentary to enter and you can see the damage from two earthquakes and a sizable fire that emerged in the building.

Wander up to Alfama

Finally, round off your day in Lisbon by exploring up through the Alfama district. Alfama sits on a hilltop above the city center and is one of Lisbon’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods.

The historic district contains narrow cobblestone streets and endless stunning views over the city. It’s also home to several important historic sites such as the cathedral and castle.

Note: The below route through Alfama essentially traces the path of Tram 28 – the one that’s popular with visitors – on foot. We think walking is preferable to taking the tram (when possible), which is a valid form of public transportation for locals that has recently been appropriated by tourists.

If you seek a more daring undertaking on Fuerteventura, look at this quad excursion, which takes you along the coastline to view the old lime kilns and admire the panoramic perspectives of the surrounding beaches.

• Visit Miradouro de Santa Luzia ( here on Google Maps), another of our favorite viewpoints over Lisbon. Be sure to see the large mural depicting the storming of the fortress.
• Make a brief detour uphill to Miss Can to sample some local canned fish and wine. The family-run business has produced delicious homemade canned seafood using wild-caught fresh fish and seafood from Portugal’s waters since 1911. Remember to pick up a few containers from the on-site shop to take home – we gifted some which were enormously popular with friends and family!
• Grab a drink on the terrace at Miradouro das Portas do Sol. This viewpoint in Alfama has a number of small kiosks selling drinks so you can sit for a while and enjoy the stunning perspectives.
• Travel downstairs a few flights to examine the mural depicting Lisbon`s history. Situated in a compact underpass, this hidden gem is a mural by Nuno Saraiva that portrays Lisbon`s chronicles in comic strip form. It delivers a brief, entertaining, and informative way to learn more about Portugal`s capital city.
• Completing the day with a trip to Castelo de São Jorge. Positioned at one of the highest points in the Alfama district, Lisbon’s impressive eleventh-century Moorish fortress is among the best spots to watch the sunset from. For €10, individuals can enter the castle and take a peaceful stroll along its defensive walls while enjoying the stunning views over the city.

Here’s a detailed route on walking excursion.

And here are some pictures along the way.

If you’re leaving Lisbon this evening, you can finish this one day itinerary here. But if you aren’t leaving the city until the following morning, end your day with some well-deserved drinks in the Graça district.

Dinner and Drinks in Graça

Graça is another of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, situated on the highest hill in the capital, just a few blocks from Alfama and the Castelo de São Jorge.

In addition to being home to some of the city`s best viewpoints – such as Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, which is another great spot for sunset if you don`t wish to pay entry to the castle – the neighborhood has many charming and authentic pubs and restaurants that are much less busy than those of nearby Alfama.

Check out Graça do Vinho for an extensive selection of Portuguese wines and some light snacks (think bread and cheese). Or if you’re not a huge wine drinker, head to 8a Graça for some of the best craft beer in Lisbon (find it here on Google Maps).

What to Do with More Than a Day in Lisbon

If you have more than one day in Lisbon, there’s plenty you can do to expand this itinerary.

Our first recommendation would be to dedicate some extra time to fully appreciate the above attractions at a slightly slower pace.

For instance, you could spend a couple additional hours in Belém and incorporate a visit to the Jerónimos Monastery. Or simply enjoy a leisurely drink in a terraced cafe on Rossio Square while observing the people on the grand piazza, before exploring the area`s many beautiful shops for a while.

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We would strongly advise adding a guided walking tour (we participated in this private tour with a group of four people including Matt’s two brothers and truly enjoyed it) if you’re interested in culture and history or a food tour if you enjoy cuisine.

And if you have three or more days in Lisbon, a day trip to the historic hilltop town of Sintra is a must-see.

Take a Day Trip to Sintra

Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon and a must-do if you have some extra time in the city.

Located 30 km northeast of the capital city, Sintra is a picturesque hilltop town that once served as a popular summer retreat for Portuguese royalty. The town is home to numerous historically significant sites constructed in unique architectural fashions not found elsewhere in Portugal.

The most popular places to visit in Sintra include:

• Pena Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena) is one of Portugal’s most recognizable landmarks due to its brightly colored outer walls and Romantic fairy tale-like architectural design. The palace was constructed as a summer home for King Ferdinand II during the early 1800s. Today, it’s a private museum where visitors can tour the lavish interiors and wander around the extensive gardens and grounds.
• The Moorish Castle is a renovated 8th century Moorish fortress situated atop the highest hill in Sintra. While the castle itself isn`t especially notable, the magnificent panoramic views over the area from its defensive walls are well worth visiting.
• Quinta da Regaleira is a sizable rural estate in Sintra, comprised of a grand residence, a small chapel, and gardens. The beautiful home was designed in a neo-Gothic and Romantic revivalist style by Italian creator Luigi Manini. The primary attraction of the estate is its numerous unusual mythical components inspired by its original owner António Carvalho Monteiro’s (aka “Monteiro the Millionaire”) obsession with secret societies.

Sintra is easily accessible from central Lisbon within 40 minutes by train from Rossio Station in Baixa. Check out our guide on how to visit Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon for more details.

Take a Walking Tour

We love going on a walking tour on our first day in a new city. It helps us get our bearings, discover many main sites and neighborhoods, and chat with a knowledgeable local guide.

During a walking tour, we always ask our local guide for their recommendations and favored things to do, see, eat, and drink. Doing this is how we’ve discovered some of the best hidden gems on our travels.

Here are a few of the top Lisbon tours we’d advocate:

• Highlights & Hidden Gems of Lisbon. We undertook this excursion on our initial day in Lisbon and enjoyed it immensely. It`s a privately guided tour – our group comprised four individuals, so the cost worked out well – taking visitors from one end of the city to the opposite on foot, with ample background and anecdotes throughout. It provides a nice blend of key attractions and some more off-the-beaten-track locales. The tour is run by With Locals, a Dutch travel company whose guidance we`ve embraced in numerous European cities and virtually utilized in each place their options are accessible.
• We Hate Tourism’s Walk in the Real City. We additionally did this outing on our latest trip to Lisbon. It’s an intriguing travel that takes you to parts of the area you’d generally never see by yourself as a visitor and educates you a lot of captivating information about the capital. We love this travel organization as they center around leading responsible and practical visits and minimizing the effect that mass travel has on Portugal (particularly in Lisbon).
• LisboaLove Walk.An additional interesting ramble for uncovering Lisbon’s hidden gems and spots removed from the standard course is this alternative Lisbon strolling visit with passionate local guide Humberto .

LX Factory

LX Factory is an former industrial complex transformed into a creative hub in Lisbon’s trendy Alcântara neighborhood.

The expansive outdoor courtyard features an eclectic mix of eateries, bars, boutiques, and offices – bringing together numerous local inventors, self-employed craftspeople, and small companies. This is a superb place to obtain some quirky souvenirs and cool gifts. There`s also a flea market at the complex every Sunday.

Two of our favorite shops to visit at LX Factory are:

• Ler Devagar. A novel bookstore situated in a previous printing plant (the printing machines remain present on the top floor).
• Beyond Wines. An exclusive selection of Portuguese wines and tasty regional treats, like preserves and olive oils. Perfect for bringing back as gifts.

You can visit LX during the day for undisturbed shopping, or in the evening when the complex truly comes alive with locals and tourists alike filling its many multi-level restaurants and lively bars.

Alcântara is situated near Belém in the west of the city, so LX Factory is a great way to wrap up a day exploring the historical sites of Belém.

Take a Food Tour

Lisbon boasts a fantastic food scene, ranging from tasty traditional Portuguese dishes dating back centuries to modern international restaurants.

The problem is, there’s so much great food to try that it can be difficult to fit it all into one trip. Especially if you only have limited time in the city.

Therefore, the best way to truly experience Lisbon`s food scene is through a guided food tour.

On a food tour, you can sample various local delicacies and dishes at some of the city’s most authentic cafes and restaurants in just a few hours.

You’ll also get to learn more about the history of Lisbon’s cuisine and each dish from a knowledgeable guide and the restaurant owners themselves.

Here are three Lisbon food tours that we`d recommend (we love Airbnb Experiences, as you might have already noticed):

• A culinary adventure through Lisbon’s historic Alfama district. Uncover genuine Portuguese cuisine while sampling dishes from numerous family-operated eateries on this superb small team excursion (12 persons maximum per group) in Lisbon. The experience maintains a 4.95 star rating across 5000 reviews on Airbnb Experiences, together with 1 from Brian Chesky, the founding father and CEO of Airbnb himself, which ought to inform you of its great quality. It can also be the primary food tour in town to fully eliminate plastic, so you`ll be helping sustainable tourism too.
• Portuguese Cuisine Sampling Tour. This sightseeing tour of Lisbon features 17 food tastings – paired with local beverages – in several authentic Lisbon eateries and shops run by local families. On the tour, you’ll also get to learn about the tastes, flavors, cultural influences, and cooking techniques of Lisbon’s culinary scene.
• The 10 Tastings of Lisbon Private Tour.This half-day tour for a small group led by a local guide provides the experience of sampling numerous classic Portuguese dishes and beverages. One benefit of a privately-guided food journey is customizing details to suit dietary preferences like being vegetarian or avoiding dairy.

Getting Around in Lisbon

Despite Lisbon`s hilly terrain, the city is still quite walkable. However, with only 24 hours in Lisbon, you may also want to utilize the comprehensive public transportation system to help navigate the city.

Walking

Like many European cities, Lisbon is a great place to discover on foot. The city center is fairly compact and many of the top attractions can easily be walked between one another.

Plus, by navigating your way around on foot, you’ll get to see far more of the city and discover plenty of hidden gems and fun spots along the wa.

However, the one big downside of walking in Lisbon is the city’s infamous hills. Away from the central Baixa district and the river, Lisbon is a notoriously hilly city.

The walk from Chiado to Alfama in this itinerary is straight uphill and fairly steep at times. So if you do plan on walking (which we would recommend), make sure to wear sensible walking shoes, carry water, and take things at your own pace.

Belém is located around 9km west of central Lisbon. You can walk from the historic city center to Belém along the Tagus River. However, we wouldn’t recommend making the two-hour round trip walk if time in the city is limited. It’s best to use public transport for this portion of the itinerary.

Public Transportation 

Lisbon has a fantastic public transport network, which is a quick and convenient way to navigate the city when you have only 24 hours to explore.

The city has an underground metro system, numerous historic and modern trams, an extensive bus network, and a few funiculars and elevators to assist travelers in reaching the higher areas due to the numerous hills.

You’ll need to use the Tram 15E to travel from Baixa to Belém according to the below itinerary. And it may prove useful to use Tram 28 to reach Alfama if you`re not up for the uphill walk.

How to Use Lisbon’s Public Transportation Network

To utilize Lisbon’s public transportation framework, travelers will want to purchase a Viva Viagem Card. The transit card costs only €0.50 and can be loaded (and reloaded) with the necessary funds for rides.