The city of hills! Nestled amongst seven prominent hills, Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and a city I absolutely fell in love with. A city of cobbled streets, countless miradouros overlooking copper-coloured roofs, white-capped churches and the ocean, Lisbon is a fantastic city to get your steps in as you traverse the hills, and to gorge on delicious cured meat sandwiches and soft cheeses. As with any destination, ideally you’d have unlimited time to explore and discover, but if you only have a weekend in this pretty capital, we’ve got you sorted. This is, in our opinion, a perfect itinerary for a weekend in the picturesque city of Lisbon!
If you want to see the best spots in the city to take really gorgeous photos, check out our post on the most picturesque Instagrammable spots in Lisbon!
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Contents:
- Lisbon Cathedral
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia
- Castelo de S. Jorge
- Arco da Rua Augusta
- National Pantheon
- Mosteiro de Sรฃo Vicente de Fora
Day 2 – Exploring Belรฉm and other places!
- Mosteiro dos Jerรณnimos
- Empire Square Park
- Monument of the Discoveries
- Belรฉm Tower
- Carmo Convent
- Santa Justa Lift
Transport options from the airport into the city centre:
There are multiple options here. Obviously you can get a taxi to wherever you are staying, and cost around 15 euros, as the airport is pretty close to the city centre. There is also an airport shuttle bus, though it does have a baggage limit so beware of that.
By far the easiest is the metro system. From inside the airport you can go down to the subway, and you can either purchase a travel card on one of the machines, or go to a desk and ask for help – this is what we did and the gentleman spoke English, explained how the cards work, and which lines to get to where. Easy peasy! The Viva Viagem card is electronic and needs topping up. We initially put on enough for the one journey, which cost 1.45 euros per card. Once you have done this, using the metro could not be easier. Check out the website for information on fares and a map of the metro system – we loved it and used it every day! We stayed super close to the Santa Apolonia station, so for us it was the perfect way to get from Alfama to other regions of Lisbon. This card can also be used on the bus, and the bus system is super easy to navigate too!
Stay:
Obviously Lisbon is flush with options of places to stay, but we enjoyed our stay in this Air BnB apartment (see link here). Nestled amongst the cobbled streets, up a steep hill, it was a few minutes walk to lots of restaurant options, the train station and other transport links, convenience stores, bakeries, and the National Pantheon. We had a lush view overlooking the street, and you could just see the globed dome of the Pantheon roof too which I loved! It was quiet at night, but the street itself was lively and full of music, with countless places to see live musicians playing and singing. It had a cute fake balcony (i.e. a door that opens out onto railings!), a little kitchenette, a cosy bed, and a good bathroom. Decently priced too!
Day 1: Exploring Alfama!
Alfama is a historic district within Lisbon, and its here that the famous sites such as the cathedral and S. Jorgeโs castle, as well as multiple miradouros (viewpoints) with stunning views across the city. If you look at the map of the city, it looks quite sprawled out – in reality, if youโre willing to walk up and down cobbled hills, the main sites are pretty close together!
1. Take a peek into Lisbon Cathedral
Opening times:
9.30am – 7pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
10.00 – 6pm Wednesday & Saturday
Cost:
The cathedral is free, but the cloisters are โฌ5.
We literally wandered around, simply making our way uphill until we reached the cathedral, which is worth an explore, especially if youโre religious. Built with a romanesque style architecture, it has a history stretching back 800 years, and is the place where Saint Anthony (an important figure in Lisbon) was baptised.
2. Admire the perfect view from Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Opening times:
Anytime
Cost:
Free
Just beyond the cathedral, is this stunning miradouro. These viewpoints are all over the city, and this is one of the most popular and easily accessible, given its central location and proximity to other key sites of interest. This observation deck is surrounded by flowers and blue and white painted tiles, and is the perfect place to stand gaze out over Alfama!
3. Explore the impressive Castelo de Sฤo Jorge
Opening times: Daily, 9am till 9pm or 6pm depending on the time of year
Cost: โฌ15 per person
Uphill to the west of the miradouro sits the Castelo de S. Jorge, which is well worth a visit for the viewpoints alone. It gives stunning views over the red rooftops of Alfama. Right across the river is the city’s own version of the Golden Gate Bridge next to the huge statue of Christ that sits atop a hill. The castle itself is great to explore, and you can go up on the ramparts and walk along the top! I took one look at the steep steps and opted out – maternal instinct perhaps?! The oldest parts date from the 2nd century, and has been a royal palace, an important military barracks, and changed hands multiple times. Now it is a museum and an important archeological site, and an interesting place to visit.
4. Shop in the eclectic souvenir shops
Down the windy, cobbly streets around the castle and cathedral are countless cafes and pastry shops for lunch. We went to Tram 28 for a Portuguese sandwich and it was lush, so I highly recommend this cafe! Along these streets are lots of souvenir shops to pick up something special to mark your trip, and shop for gifts!
5. Gawp at the Arco da Rua Augusta
Opening times:
Anytime from below, but if you want to go up it it’s open 10am till 7pm
Cost:
About โฌ4-5
A clock on an archway that opens out to a huge square lined with bright yellow buildings with rich burgundy roofs, that housed shops and cafes. It was so lively with locals and tourists, children running around with bubble wands, people flying kites, and roller blading across the concourseโฆ I loved it! The archway represents newness and the rebuilding of Lisbon after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 1755 that destroyed a lot of the city. You can take a trip up to see the view over Baixa District and the Tagus River and enjoy the liveliness of the square from above!
6. National Pantheon
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am till 5pm
Cost: โฌ8 per adult
Next we journey back into the Alfama, where the Pantheon stands tall on a hill, nestled in the cobbled streets. Originally the Church of Santa Engrรกcia, it is a 16th century Baroque-style building that remained unfinished until the 20th century. Then it was converted into the National Pantheon, and houses the tombs and remains of many of Portugal’s most important people in history. It’s a really interesting and beautiful place, and you can go up onto the roof terrace and look out over Alfama and the Tagus River. It is a bit further out, really in the heart of the old district, but it is well worth a visit.
7. Feel cultured in the cloisters of Mosteiro de Sรฃo Vicente de Fora
Opening times:
Every day, 10am till 6pm
Cost:
โฌ4 per adult
This was an unexpectedly fantastic find for us, and, along with the Pantheon, one of the most enjoyable visits of our trip. The monastery is just uphill from the Pantheon, and is a gorgeous and impressive church dedicated to St Vincent. It was built around 1582, outside the city walls, because the king at the time vowed to build churches where European crusaders were buried. It’s a beautiful place, with rooms of Baroque style tiles (the largest collection in the world) and cloisters to weave and wander in. Again, you can climb up to the roof to enjoy a view over the Alfama. Definitely worth a visit!
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Day 2: Exploring Belรฉm and other places!
Belem is a little outside of the main city of Lisbon, but has some places that are must-sees! It is easy enough to reach, using public transport. The trams go there, but we found the bus easy to navigate, and you can use the Viva Viagem card onboard! We took number 728 – to Restelo, and jumped off at Belรฉm.
1. Awe at the gothic wonder of Mosteiro dos Jerรณnimos
Opening times:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am till 5.30pm or 6pm depending on time of year
Cost:
The Church of Santa Maria is free to enter. โฌ10 per adult for the monastery and cloisters. You can get combined tickets with Belรฉm Tower too.
Okay, so this monastery is STUNNING. One of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen for sure. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was completed in the 17th century, and is one of the most visited landmarks in Portugal. What makes it unique are the decorated two-storey cloisters, and the stunning Church of Santa Maria that is held up by six huge columns. Truly a wonderful place to explore! I would advise getting here SUPER early as queues for the monastery are enormous. We were there well in advance of opening and queued for absolutely ages.
2. Take a breather in Empire Square Park
Opening times:
Anytime
Cost:
Free
This is just a pretty parkland area directly opposite Jerรณnimos Monastery, where you can sit by a big fountain and take in the entire building. When you’re stood queuing outside it’s hard to take in the scale of it, yet from the park you really can see how majestic it is! We also found it a nice way to escape the sun and wind for a little bit, and there are benches beneath trees to take a break for a while.
3. Feel tiny next to the Monument of the Discoveries
Opening times:
Anytime
Cost:
Free
An enormous statue with 33 important figures lining it from the ‘Age of Discovery’ in Portugal, the Monument of the Discoveries was erected to celebrate the Portuguese ‘Age of Discovery’ in the 15th and 16th centuries. It sits right on the bank of the Tagus River, and is impressive to stand and stare up at.
4. Admire the architecture of Belรฉm Tower and enjoy the sea breeze
Opening times:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am till 5.30pm
Cost:
Free to wander outside, or โฌ6 to go inside. You can get combined tickets with the Monastery too.
Follow the river bank from the Monument of the Discoveries to the east, and you will eventually arrive at the famous Belem Tower. Once the “Gateway” to Lisbon, the tower symbolised the colonial power of Portugal at the time. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built in the 16th century with white limestone. It is an impressive tower, and I can imagine it looked quite imposing back in the day! It was very busy there, and they only allow a certain number of people across the little walkway bridge to the tower, so arrive early if you want to explore the tower. It’s supposedly really lovely inside, but it gets crowded quickly. We were content enough to find a wall and enjoy the view instead. It’s recommended to get there an hour before opening in order to enjoy it without the crowds. Nevertheless, I would say to visit the Monastery first, so arrive at Belรฉm Tower whenever you can.
5. Learn about the earthquake of 1755 at Carmo Convent
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10am till 6pm depending on time of year
Cost: โฌ7
This is in the Baixa District and really close to the Santa Justa Elevator. Carmo Convent is a monastery ruin that I highly recommend visiting. It dates back to the 1300’s but was mostly destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Now the ruins can be admired, but it is also an important archeological museum, with finds from Lisbon and also things that have been donated from around the world. There are even Peruvian mummies, which I can assure you I was not expecting! Whilst they’re interesting, they’re also a little eerie! Despite this little oddity, the museum was fascinating, and small enough to wander around in an hour or so, with lots of archaeological finds to admire and read about. There was even a video showing the history of the monastery, and it was easily one of the most interesting places we went to.
6. See the city from above in the Santa Justa Lift
Opening times:
7am till 10pm depending on time of year
Cost:
โฌ5.30 return ticket, plus โฌ1.50 for the viewpoint
Opened in 1902, this elevator was built in the same style as the Eiffel Tower, as a means for people to get from lower Lisbon to upper Lisbon (being an extremely hilly city!). Now it is a popular tourist destination, and somewhere to watch the sunset over this beautiful city. It’s quite imposing from below, and a really cool sight to see at night when all the city lights come on!
And there you have it!
Our perfect, fun-filled, busy weekend itinerary for Lisbon, Portugal! It is tweakable depending on arrival and departure times, but this worked for us. Even whilst ten weeks pregnant, Ben and I had the best time. This trip, short though it may have been, was busy in a way that I love. It was Benโs and my first trip abroad together, and we had the best time! If weโd had an extra day, we 100% would have taken the train out to Sintra, where there is something akin to a fairytale castle! Alas, our trip was short, but we saw lots of Lisbon and loved everything!
Chat with me!
Do you think you’ll be visiting Lisbon? If you have been to Lisbon, what did you enjoy the most? Let me know in the comments!
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