4 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect Itinerary

Four days is a great amount of time for Lisbon: enough to explore the main neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace, plus day trips to Sintra and the coast. Here’s a day-by-day 4-day Lisbon itinerary.

Quick answer: Day 1: Baixa, Alfama and the castle. Day 2: Belém and LX Factory. Day 3: Sintra. Day 4: Chiado, Príncipe Real and a sunset cruise, or Cascais. Stay in the Baixa or Chiado for easy access to everything.

Why four days works

With two or three days you rush between sights. Four days lets you see the old town and Belém properly, give Sintra a full day, and still have a slower final day for shopping, food or the beach. Plan around opening days: many Lisbon museums and monuments, including the Jerónimos Monastery, close on Mondays, so don’t put Belém on a Monday. Sintra’s main palaces usually open every day.

Day 1: The old town

• Morning: Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta and Rossio. The Baixa was rebuilt in a neat grid after the 1755 earthquake, so it’s flat and easy to walk.
• Midday: tram 28 or walk up through Alfama to the Portas do Sol viewpoint. See Alfama.
• Afternoon: São Jorge Castle. Allow about two hours for the walls, gardens and views. See the castle guide.
• Evening: dinner and fado in Alfama or Mouraria. See fado in Lisbon.

Day 2: Belém

• Morning: the Jerónimos Monastery (book ahead) and pastel de nata. Go early to beat the queues. See Jerónimos.
• Afternoon: the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and MAAT. Walk along the river between them. See Belém.
• Evening: LX Factory for dinner. It sits on the way back into town, under the 25 de Abril Bridge. See LX Factory.

Getting there: tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira and Praça do Comércio to Belém, or take the train from Cais do Sodré, which is often less crowded.

Day 3: Sintra

• All day: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and the Moorish Castle. See visiting Sintra and Sintra tours.
• Evening: dinner in Bairro Alto.

Getting there: CP trains run from Rossio station to Sintra, taking about 40 minutes. Book a timed slot for Pena Palace and start with it, as it gets very busy by late morning. Three sights is plenty for one day, and the paths between them are steep. Try the travesseiros (almond pastries) and queijadas (small cheese tarts) in the old town. See Lisbon to Sintra.

Day 4: Chiado and Príncipe Real, or Cascais

• Option A: Chiado’s cafés and shops, Príncipe Real, the Time Out Market and a sunset cruise. See Chiado, Time Out Market and sunset cruises.
• Option B: the train to Cascais for beaches and the coast. See Cascais.

Option A suits a slow last day of shopping, garden squares and food. Option B suits warm weather: trains leave Cais do Sodré frequently and take about 40 minutes, running right along the coast. In Cascais, walk the seafront to the Boca do Inferno cliffs, swim at a town beach and eat grilled fish by the harbour. Back in Lisbon, end with a drink at a viewpoint.

What to eat over four days

• Pastel de nata: the custard tart, best warm. See the best pastel de nata in Lisbon.
• Bacalhau: salt cod, cooked in dozens of ways.
• Grilled sardines: a summer favourite, especially in June.
• Bifana: a garlicky pork sandwich for a cheap lunch.
• Ginjinha: cherry liqueur, sold by the shot near Rossio.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are the most comfortable months for walking. Summer is hot and busy, but good for adding Cascais. June brings the Santo António street parties. Winter is mild and quieter, though some days are rainy.

Tips

• Book Sintra and Jerónimos tickets ahead.
• Transport: use contactless payment or a Navegante card. See Lisbon public transport.
• Shoes: Lisbon is hilly and the cobbles are slippery, so wear comfortable shoes with grip.
• Lisboa Card: it covers transport and some sights, and can be worth it if you visit several. See is the Lisboa Card worth it?
• Where to stay: see where to stay in Lisbon.

More: 3 days in Lisbon, 5 days in Lisbon and the best time to visit Lisbon.

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