Lisbon in 3 days - What to see in Lisbon in 3 days

1. Tips for studying abroad in Lisbon - Study abroad in Lisbon
2. How to get to Lisbon - Getting to Lisbon by plane, train, bus or car
3. Public transport in Lisbon - Getting around Lisbon
4. Cost of Living in Lisbon
5. Accommodation for students in Lisbon - Top tips and advice
6. Save money in Lisbon - Tips for living on a student budget in Lisbon
7. Lisbon neighborhoods - The most important districts of Lisbon
8. Nightlife in Lisbon - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Lisbon
9. Portuguese cuisine - The gastronomy of Portugal and traditional dishes
10. Where to eat in Lisbon - Gastronomy in Lisbon
11. What to see in Lisbon - Top 10 Places to see in Lisbon
12. What to do in Lisbon - The best things to do in Lisbon
13. Festivals in Lisbon - Festivals and events in Lisbon
14. Day trips from Lisbon - Places to visit and excursions around Lisbon
15. Lisbon in 3 days - What to see in Lisbon in 3 days

Lisbon is a city where you can see the most important places in 3 days, but if you want to really know the city and visit all the monuments and museums, you will need more time. During this part of “Lisbon in 3 days”, you will see the main historical places of Lisbon city center (during the day) and during the night you can go out to one of the most typical neighbourhoods of Lisbon (Alfama).

During the second you will also visit Lisbon city centre, but in a more relaxed way, because you will see some museums, and also one of the most iconic monuments, the Pantheon.

Your last day will be spent in the amazing neighbourhood called Belém, a place that is full of heritage, good food and great places. This place is perfect for you to end your Lisbon’s trip, because we guarantee you that you will fall in love with Belém.

Day 1 in Lisbon

During the first day you will visit the typical neighbourhoods of Lisbon, and also some of the most iconic monuments in the city, like the Monumental Arch of Augusta Street; Rossio Train Station, some of the most iconic Viewpoints, the trams and also the Castle. Don’t worry because you will have time to see all of this, but prepare yourself to walk a lot, and don’t worry about the transports you will not need. And every time that you feel tired you can stop for a while and eat or drink something traditional. You will enjoy this first day, it’s an amazing journey, and you will see the typical neighbourhoods, the typical food, and you will fall in love with this city.

Morning

You will start to visit the Baixa neighbourhood, where you will see the Square called Terreiro do Paço, with the D. José I Statue and the Monumental Arch of Augusta Street.

Then you can walk through Augusta Street, where you can find a lot of shops and restaurants. In this street you will see a bakery called “Pastelaria Paul”, go there to have your breakfast, and try the amazing cakes and pastry of Portugal, also don’t forget to drink it with a coffee, it’s so Portuguese. The prices for a person having breakfast are around 3 euros.

After eating If you keep walking you will arrive at the D. Pedro IV Square and then after the Square on the left side you will see the Rossio Train Station(a really iconic building).

After this you still have time to go to visit the Carmo Convent, it’s really close to the Train Station. After visiting the Convent, you can go walking to the first Viewpoint that you will see, called S. Pedro de Alcântara. On the way to the Viewpoint you will pass through the S. Roque Church(if you have time, go and visit it).

Go have lunch in the restaurant called “Rosa da Rua”, it’s less than 5 minutes walking from the Viewpoint.

Afternoon

After eating you will see on the right side, next to Viewpoint of S. Pedro de Alcântara a typical Lisbon Tram, this one is call “Ascensor da Glória” and you should take it, it’s a traditional thing, so you can’t skip it. Taking this Tram is like going back in time, they are exactly like they used to be in the past century, and this is an amazing experience.

Now prepare yourself to walk a little, more or less 25/30 minutes, because you’re about to go to visit Lisbon's Castle.

S. Jorge Castle, this is one of the most iconic monuments in Lisbon, and it’s a great place, you will feel like you are walking through the past centuries, and you have to enjoy the amazing view from the Castle. To have the best view go to the Castle’s Viewpoint. If you have time, and if you’re into Lisbon’s history, go to see the Obscure Camera that you have inside of the Castle. It's a great way for you to learn more about the capital.

Lisbon’s Cathedral, in Portuguese called Sé de Lisboa, is one of the most historical places in the capital. Is open until 7 pm., and during Sundays it’s open until 8 pm., so don’t worry you will have time to see the Cathedral. Don’t see only from outside, go inside, because the Gothic architecture style is worth to visit, and it will remind you of the muslim architecture style. This Cathedral dates back to the XII century.

After the Cathedral if you want you can go to your Hostel or Hotel, to get some rest, because you still have to experience the night in Lisbon.

Night

Alfama. I will give you options to have dinner. The first one is a cheap place with good food, and the second one is a little more expensive, but you can listen to Fado. First option - Restaurant call “Ti Natérica”, and I would advise you to eat Bitoque (steak) or Bacalhau (Codfish), but if you prefer something lighter Arroz de Pato (Duck Rice) it’s not that heavy and it’s style is really Portuguese. Second option - Restaurant call “Parreirinha de Alfama, Fado & Tradução”, you can eat fish or meat, and the prices will range between 15 to 30 euros, but you can eat really typical Portuguese food and listen to Fado, so the price will make up.

Day 2 in Lisbon

Morning

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. To arrive at this place you can take the subway (blue line) and stop in São Sebastião, and then it is just a 5 minute walk until you arrive at this museum. This is a great place for you to have a more relaxing day, on your second day in Lisbon. Gulbenkian is really known in Lisbon, because it’s a space full of culture and outstanding exhibitions. Sometimes, depending each day you are going, you can find some choir people singing, classic music or some completely unexpected.

After visiting this you can go walking until the Estufa Fria, which is a greenhouse. We advise you this place because it’s really good to escape from crowded places, and also, here you can breathe good air, and have a more relaxing experience.

When you leave the greenhouse, go to visit Eduardo VII Park, and it’s Viewpoint. It's so worth it, this space is so amazing, and you will not believe that it’s in the middle of the city centre.

To have a different meal, but still traditional, you can visit the most traditional bakery in Portugal, called “Padaria Portuguesa”, you have one really close to the Viewpoint, in the Avenue António Augusto de Aguiar. Besides being a bakery they have a lot of different lunch menus for you to try, and this is something that you will only find in Portugal.

Afternoon

The second part of your day will be spent in one of the most important monuments in Portugal, the National Pantheon. If you don’t want to walk, because it’s a little far and it’s a steep path, you can take the Subway (blue line) until the stop called Santa Apolónia, which is one of the main train stations in Lisbon. From here you will need to walk a little, the distance is not that far, but prepare yourself to climb a lot. Enjoy this place as much as you can, because it’s the monument where you can find the tombs of the most important people in Portugal.

After visiting this monument you can take some rest in your hostel, because we know that you will need it. But if you want you can also have dinner in one place close to your hostel, or close to the place where you are going out, Bairro Alto. What we advise you is to go to “Hamburgueria do Bairro”, and try the typical hamburger.

Night

Enjoying your last night you have to go to Bairro Alto, one of the most important neighbourhoods in Lisbon, and for sure the one to go, if you want to start your party night. Here you will find a lot of people in the streets, drinking beer, so you should also go and take on beer, and then stay in the street, or in some bar, as you prefer. Enjoy the Portuguese typical nightlife and the cheap drinks.

Day 3 in Lisbon

On your third day you need to visit Belém, because you cannot come to Lisbon without visiting this iconic, historical and important neighbourhood. I guarantee you that it will be worth it, and you will stay amazed with everything that you can see here, and how much you can learn about Portugal. To go to Belém you have to take the train in Cais do Sodré Station and then go until the station is called “Belém”, if you have the pass card, you don’t need to pay for this trip. Otherwise it will cost you 1,30 euro for a one way ticket.

Morning

Start your morning in Jerónimos Monastery, since this is a big monument and you don’t want to waste time, I would advise to buy the ticket previously, because otherwise you will take a lot of time just to get in. If you are not able to buy it, try to go as early as you can, so you have time to see everything. This place is so beautiful. On the way to Monastery pass through the gardens, and take a lot of pictures. It's amazing because you have a huge garden in the middle of the city, and it’s really peaceful and great for a walk.

National Coach Museum, this Museum is unique in all Europe, because it has the biggest coach collection, so you need to visit. When you get in you will see a lot of different coach types, and you will feel like you’re walking through the past centuries. It’s a really rich collection, and I guarantee you that you will not regret it. Usually on day trips, people don’t go to this place, but I think it’s really important and nice to see, and besides that it’s really close to all other monuments.

To have lunch I will recommend a place that is really cheap and you eat good food with high quality. The Restaurant is called “Os Jerónimos” and you can have a meal for around 13 euros, with everything. Here you have to try the grilled sardines with mixed salad, it’s the best.

Afternoon

Discoveries Monument, after lunch you will need to go for a walk, so I would advise to go and visit one of the most iconic monuments in Belém. This monument characterises the Discoveries Period in Portugal, and it’s a tribute to all of the brave people that went to the “New World”.

Belém Tower, stay where until the sunset, it will be worth so much, because the sun will set in the sea, and it’s perfect to take pictures. Just imagine the Belém Tower and the sunset next to it, what a great moment.

TIP: Go to the coffee called “Pastel de Belém” and go to eat the typical Lisbon sweet. There is always a queue, but the employees work really fast, and the waiting will be worth it in the end. Then you can come back next to Belém Tower to see the sunset while you’re eating your Pastel de Belém. What a perfect way to finish your visit to Lisbon!

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