Planning to spend 2 days in Lisbon? Lisbon is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal, a place you will never forget. With its alluring Gothic architecture, red-roofed buildings and bright yellow trams, it is a vibrant city with its own unique buzz and charm.
With so much to see, do and experience within the city center as well as the outskirts, a trip to Lisbon is always going to be jam-packed, and this 2-day itinerary will help you to visit all the best sights, in order to make the most out of your visit.
Table of Contents
Two Days in Lisbon: Where to Stay?
Dare Lisbon House: This renovated 18th-century apart-hotel is located in the historic center, just a 5-minute walk from the Santa Justa Lift and right next to a metro station. Elegantly decorated, with many original features, the rooms feature works of local artists. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Solar do Castelo: Located within the grounds of St. Jorge’s Castle in the heart of the historic Alfama district, this is a beautiful eco-hotel quite like no other! After a day of sightseeing, enjoy the cake, tea, and coffee on offer in the lounge, enjoy a drink on the terrace, or watch a movie in your room thanks to the DVD player. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Hotel da Baixa: Located near to the river, within walking distance of everything, this stylish high-end hotel oozes sophistication. A 4K TV, Nespresso coffee machine, and Bluetooth sound system in each room ensure a comfortable home-away-from-home stay. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
How to spend 2 days in Lisbon: A Perfect Itinerary
2 Days in Lisbon: Day One
8:30 am Breakfast
Begin your trip to Lisbon in style, by visiting Audrey’s Café for breakfast; nestled in the heart of the Medieval quarter of the city, this stylish restaurant offers irresistible cooked breakfasts, that almost look too good to eat.
9 am Praça do Comercio
Perhaps one of Lisbon’s most recognizable and iconic sights is Praça do Comercio, a boldly colored square with views of the coast. It is a vibrant area that always feels full of life, with trams going by and visitors coming to the square from all directions. Make sure you spend some time walking the entire square and admiring the beautiful architecture and sense of life here.
10 am Santa Justa Lift
Completed in 1902 and designed in the Neo-Gothic style is the Santa Justa Lift, located in the heart of Lisbon. From the top of the lift, you are able to experience panoramic views of the city, as well as a wonderful view of the sea!
11:30 am Rossio Square
After a visit to the Santa Justa Lift, head towards Rossio Square, one of the most buzzing in Lisbon. People visit this square to relax, meet with friends and do a spot of people-watching; there are also lots of great cafes and bars in the surrounding area. Spend some time admiring the gorgeous architecture and patterned cobblestones.
12:30 pm Lunch
Just a stone’s throw away from Rossio Square lies El Rei D’frango, a simple but stunning restaurant that serves authentic Portuguese and Mediterranean food. El Rei D’frango holds a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, and rightly so, as its dishes are truly unforgettable, and reasonably priced as well.
1:30 pm São Jorge Castle
Located on the São Jorge Hill is the São Jorge Castle, a fortress with its heritage rooted in the fifth century. The Castle has gone under massive architectural changes over the centuries and now stands as a symbol of Lisbon. The atmosphere at the Castle is vibrant and buzzing, and the views of the city below are absolutely stunning.
3:30 pm Carmo Convent
In 1755, an immense earthquake hit Lisbon, and the ruins of the Gothic Carmo Convent still stand. Today, you can visit the remains of the convent, which is now roofless, as well as a series of artifacts, such as mummies, coins and ancient tombstones. Make sure you spend lots of time appreciating the history of the convent, as well as its beautiful architecture.
You might also be interested in Street art in Lisbon.
5 pm Pastel de nata
This Portuguese specialty is essentially an egg tart dusted with sugar and cinnamon and is delicious. You will notice a plethora of cafes selling them across the city, as they are so popular. Make sure you spend some time visiting these cafes and sampling an array of Pastel de nata.
5:30 pm Rua Agusta
The main shopping center in Lisbon and a hub for fabulous restaurants, bars, and cafes is Rua Agusta. This is the perfect place to take an evening stroll and to watch the abundance of street performers and visitors taking in the city’s atmosphere.
7 pm Dinner
One of the best things about Lisbon is its abundance of amazing restaurants and delicious food; for dinner, head to Ha Tapas no Mercado. Here, you can taste beautiful Portuguese dishes in a cozy and atmospheric setting, and all for a very fair and reasonable price. It is the perfect restaurant to end your city night in Lisbon
2 Days in Lisbon: Day Two
8:30 am Breakfast
The best way to start your second and final day in Lisbon is by having breakfast at The Mill. This café is super friendly and does amazing breakfast food, such as pancakes and fresh fruit. Also, the coffee is amazing here, so make sure you spend some time enjoying the fresh morning aromas and vibrant atmosphere!
9 am Vasco da Gama and Padrão dos Descobrimentos
To start your second day in Lisbon, head towards the iconic Vasco da Gama bridge, which is a massive 7.671 miles long, and was named after the Portuguese discoverer, Vasco da Gama. After admiring this incredible bridge, visit Padrão dos Descobrimentos, an iconic monument overlooking the River Tagus. The reason for the monument is to celebrate and honor Portuguese discovers from the 14th century that made Portugal a global power.
10 am Belém Tower
Built in the early 16th century, this fortress protects the entrance to the harbor of Lisbon. Belém Tower’s character is so unique, with its architectural style being a combination of Medieval and Gothic. You can actually go inside the Tower, which is very interesting, and a must-see when visiting. Also, the surrounding area to the Tower is worth exploring.
Click here to book your skip the line tickets to Belem Tower.
11 am Jerónimos Monastery
Nearby Belém Tower is Jerónimos Monastery, a 15th-century monastery that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in the Manueline style, this Monastery is truly breathtaking and stands as a symbol of Portuguese power. On your visit, make sure you visit the Cloister gardens; their architectural brilliance makes you feel as though you have been transported to another world.
Click here to book your skip-the-line tickets to Jeronimos Monastery.
12:30 am Lunch
One of the most highly recommended eateries in the whole of Lisbon is Augusto Lisboa. The super cozy café has a very laid-back vibe and offers delicious traditional Portuguese food, as well as numerous vegan and vegetarian options. It is also a great wine bar as well, so if you fancy some beautiful Portuguese wine with your food, this is the perfect café!
There is an alternative option if you get to see the above on day 1 to go on a full-day trip to Sintra, Cabo de Roca, and Cascais. check here for more information.
2 pm Sintra
After lunch, head back to Lisbon’s city center, specifically Rossio Station. Here, you will hop on the 39-minute train to the town of Sintra. Set in the luscious green hills of the Serra de Sintra, this beautiful town boasts a plethora of hidden gems and magnificent sites. In the town itself, there are so many beautiful cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as an abundance of shops selling crafts and souvenirs.
3 pm Quinta da Regaleira
After arriving at Sintra Station, head towards Quinta da Regaleira, a 20th-century house built in the Gothic style. This jaw-dropping mansion is open for exploration, and there are so many little quirks and unique elements to its exterior architecture and interior design. Make sure you spend a significant amount of time devouring its charm. Afterwards, visit the Initiation Well, which is on the grounds of Quinta da Regaleira; this 88-foot-deep well was built for secret ceremonies and has a very mysterious feel to it.
4:30 pm Pena Palace
Pena Palace is a 19th-century castle built in the style of Romanticism. Its bright and beautifully contrasting colors, combined with its hilltop location, create a mythological and surreal impression. Tourists can visit the inside of the Palace, which is bursting with hidden gems and gorgeous interiors. As well as the Palace itself, the views from it are incredible; you can see for miles!
Click here to buy your skip the line tickets to Pena Palace.
6:30 pm Back to Lisbon
After exploring the wonders of Sintra, head back to the station and get the train to Lisbon Rossio station.
7:30 pm Dinner
Once you have returned to the city, head towards Floresta Das Escadinhas. This restaurant serves up some of the best traditional Portuguese dishes in the whole of Lisbon; expect to find lots of grilled fish, sausages and cheeses, as well as a friendly atmosphere, outstanding service, and reasonable pricing.
Practical Information for your 2-day Lisbon Itinerary
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
March-May or September-October are the best times to visit Lisbon to avoid the intensity of the heat as well as the crowds, Winter is another option if you don’t seek beach time and want to enjoy Lisbon as the locals do, the downside being the rain.
Spring is a mild time of year in Lisbon compared with other European destinations (expect temperatures of around 14c in March, climbing to 18c in May) with good prices on hotels and far fewer crowds than Summer, the exception being Easter week.
How to get to and from the airport
Metro: There is not a direct service between the airport (terminal 1) and city center so you will have to change lines at either Alameda (green line) or São Sebastião (blue line) to reach Baixa-Chiado station in the center. Trains run every 6-9 minutes between 06.30-01.00. Price: €1.45 + 0.50 for reloadable card. Duration: 35minutes
Bus: An express bus, Aerobus Line 1 runs from the airport through the city centre to connecting Estação de Entrecampos, Campo Pequeno, Saldanha, Picoas, Marques de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade, Restauradores and Rossio every 20 minutes.
Alternatively, there’s a 2nd express line (Aerobus Line 2) that goes to the financial centre calling at Cais do Sodre via Areeiro, Alameda D. A. Henriques, Plaça do Chile, Rua de Angola, Igreja dos Anjos, Martim Moniz, Rossio / Plaça da Fiqueira, Praça do Comercio and Cais do Sodre.
These buses operate from 07:30-23:00 outside of terminal 1 and have large luggage racks and free wifi.
A regular city bus (number 783) follows the same route as Aerobus 1 but, though cheaper, takes longer and you cannot travel on it if you have more than 1 piece of hand luggage. The night bus (no. 208) runs from 23.30-04.30 and goes to to the stations Cais do Sodré and Oriente. Price: €1.80-€4.00 Duration: 35-45minutes
Taxi: Lisbon taxis do not have a flat-rate fee for airport journeys so you’ll be charged based on distance and journey time calculated by the meter. Surcharges for luggage and late-night journeys (midnight-5 am) apply. Price: Approximately €20 Duration: 20minutes
Private Transfer: Book online with Welcome Pickups, a company following covid safety measures, and you’ll be met at arrivals by a friendly English-speaking driver who will be only too happy to recommend where to eat and what to see in Lisbon. You can also order child seats and travel extras at the time of booking. Price: €21 Duration: 20 minutes.
Click here for more information and to book your private transfer.
How to get around Lisbon
If you’re ok walking up hills and along cobblestone streets Lisbon is a walkable city, depending on where you stay… Stay in Baixa, Rossio, or Chiado to be closest to the city’s attractions, bearing in mind that Bairro Alto and Alfama are two neighborhoods atop steep hills so will usually require the use of public transport as well far-away neighborhoods like Belém.
The easiest way to get around Lisbon is by metro or tram, and of course, there are the 4 famous elevators but you’ll also find numerous buses and taxis plus hop-on-hop-off buses covering 2 routes too with the commuter train ideal for day trips.
The metro has 4 lines and 55 stations but you’ll most likely only use the green line which covers the touristic areas around Baixa. You’ll need to get a rechargeable travel card (Viva Viagem) to use the metro, this can also be used on the buses, trams, and elevators for reduced fairs.
Tram number 28 is the iconic vintage tram line in the city and a tourist attraction in its own right as is the Santa Justa lift. To reach Sintra and Cascais, use the commuter train –
For Sinta, get the train from Rossio and for Cascais get the train from Cais do Sodré station which stops at Santos, Belém, Alcântara-Mar, Oeiras, and Monte do Estoril before arriving at Cascais.
A visit to Lisbon will take you from the gorgeous cobbled streets of the historic center, the bright lights of the main shopping district, all the way to the mysterious and fairy-tail-like Sintra. The city is perfect for walking, and there are so many hidden gems tucked in street corners, as well as more demanding sights that are equally as mesmerizing.
A trip to Lisbon is an experience; after seeing so many beautiful sights, meeting an array of friendly locals, as well as consuming a lot of incredible food, you will undoubtedly return home with a huge grin, and be planning your next visit.