Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Lisbon Day Trips

Lisbon is a city that is best explored over 3 days and this suggested 3 day itinerary of Lisbon details the very best of what Lisbon can offer. Within 3 days the major tourist sights can be visited and an appreciation of Lisbon and it’s people can be gained.

 

A holiday to the Lisbon area can be extended to 6 days by including the towns of Sintra and Cascais, both of which are only a short train journey from Lisbon. These excursions from Lisbon are detailed in the "Lisbon Day Trips" section.

Morning - Alfama and East Baixa

The two distinct districts of Baixa and Alfama are rich with history and traditions and provide a great location for a visitor to begin their Lisbon experience. Baixa is uniformed, grand and imposing with wide squares contained magnificent statues connected by the earliest example of a grid street plan. Alfama is as much an opposite as possible with narrow streets climbing the steep hills of Lisbon lined with ancient crumbling buildings that have not altered in over 400 years. Sights of the morning include:. For an image tour of Baixa / Rossio please click here, for a walking tour of the area for the morning please click here. Sights of the area include:

 

1) The Castelo Sao Jorge the ancient birth place of the city and central to all historical conflicts.

2) The cathedral of Lisbon, the Se Cathedral with its Neo-gothic towers.

3) Saint Anthony's Church the patron saint of Lisbon, lovers and lost causes.

4) The narrow streets of Alfama and the Saint Luzia View Point.

5) The old commercial centre of Lisbon, Praca do Comercio.

6) The heart of Baixa - Praca de Dom Pedro IV and a drink of sweet Ginjinha.

Afternoon - Bairro Alto, Chiado and West Baixa

The districts of Bairro Alto (High Area) and Chiado (Squeak) are to the west of central Baixa and make for a fascinating afternoon of discovering. Chiado is the theatre district of Lisbon and the traditional meeting ground for Portugal's intellectuals and artists. Barrio Alto named due its high elevation is the home of the haunting Fado music and provides great views of the river Tejo and Baixa. Sights include:

 

1) A ride up the Elevador Santa Justa. Lisbon's answer to the Eiffel tower.

2) A coffee and taste of history at the Cafe Brasileira.

3) The ruins of the Igreja do Carmo, a lasting monument to the 1755 earthquake.

4) The view points over Baixa and the river Tejo

5) The specialist shops, the theatres and churches of Chiado

6) The sound of Fado coming from the small bars.

Evening and Night Baixa and Rossio

Eat fresh fish at the excellent open air restaurants or eat cheaper at the noise but friendly cafes. The fish will be fresh from the morning or savour on of the other unique dishes of Lisbon, including Bachalau (salted cod fish) with supposedly over 365 different ways of preparation.

 

For the remainder of the night relax in the outside bars and restaurants behind Teatro Nacional D. Maria II (north Baixa) with a glass of local wine and watch the busy streets full of tourists and locals.

Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Lisbon Excursion