3 days in Lisbon: what to see? GUIDE + TIPS
The time has come for a magical experience in the city of Alfacinhas. What to expect. Lisbon for the past few years has been [...]
The time has come for a magical experience in the city of the Alfacinhas. What to expect? Lisbon for the past few years has become a truly favorable destination for those who want to have an interesting experience full of knowledge and fun.
In this article:
If you are looking for a guide to spend 3 days in Lisbon, you are in the right place; one of the most visited cities in southern Europe awaits you. You will appreciate every moment of it, between modern and traditional with a touch of extravagance.
This is a vacation that can be made for free, taking advantage of the stopover offered by TAP Portugal To all its passengers.
3 days in Lisbon, is that a short time?
Travel is a way of losing oneself and then finding oneself within a pastel de nata Between climbs: you will set out to discover the city of explorers. Three days in Lisbon might be few but it will serve you well to understand its qualities, history and taste of a people connected to traditions, but at the same time modern.
You are looking at one of Europe's most spatially interesting capitals: old narrow streets intersecting to give way to a distinctive waterfront where the sky meets the ocean.
Among the relaxed and friendly people, you'll experience how pleasant it is to be in the westernmost part of Europe and feel a little bit at home after all.
How to get around for 3 days in Lisbon?
We have experienced for you who read us, the joys of experiencing walking. Discovering the city's alleys through the uphill and downhill streets on foot, in our opinion, is the best way to appreciate its charm!
To explore Lisbon's pearls, you'll need to arm yourself with comfortable shoes. You will have a location with many attractions that are far apart, but in viable and walkable roads.
Don't love walking? Don't worry. The attractions we will discuss, you can reach them easily and conveniently using the public transport network. Yes to walking, but also to the use of efficient and inexpensive public transportation!
Lisbon's subway is reliable and inexpensive; stations are marked with a red M. The service runs from 6:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. You can also use buses and streetcars.
The streetcar is one of the cheapest and most wonderful ways to visit Lisbon, and some of them are historic.
Our recommendations regarding public transportation in Lisbon:
To take advantage of additional discounts, you can purchase the Viva Viagem Card: is refillable and can be used on all vehicles.
If you want something practical and hurried, we recommend a Daily circular ticket at a cost of 6.40 euros. For a short ride or back to the hotel, don't worry if you want to use Uber or a cab, it is very cheap. Cab fares start at 3.25 euros by law and the meter is 0.50 cents per km.
NB: in case you want something more comprehensive, you can purchase the Lisbon Card, for 3 days costs 42 euros, included are: all means and some tours, museums!
Are you looking for a perfect place to stay for 3 nights in Lisbon? We have already visited both the Moxy Lisbon of the Marriott chain that the Doubletree of Hilton, both facilities are bookable using points.
A 3-day itinerary in Lisbon, what to see?
For a well-thought-out Lisbon itinerary in 3 days, you will need to organize everything in detail, so you can visit the city together with whomever you wish or even on your own.
With this itinerary, you will have the opportunity for a multifaceted view of the city in just 3 days.
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Day 1 in Lisbon: discovering the most authentic city
Your first day in Lisbon, will be unforgettable, you will discover one of the most fascinating places in the city: the district of Belém. A very nice and green suburb with many museums, parks and many gardens to visit.
Breakfast with the Pastéis de Belém
When you start your journey, we recommend that you do it with a pastry product; head to the local Pastéis de Belém. It is a place famous for inventing the tastiest pastry in Portugal: pasteis de nata.
It is is a short pastry with custard and a sprinkling of cinnamon. It has a very special history; it was created by the monks of the nearby Monastery dos Jerònimos, and in 1877 the bakery began production using the recipe you can still enjoy today.
So, what you will taste is the inimitable and original version, we suggest you pair it with a good coffee in the old Lisbon tradition.
Council: you should know that there is always a big line, so wear something comfortable, and if you go in the summer, don't wear black, because you will be waiting for the moment to enjoy the delicacy, right under the sun!
Monastery dos Jerònimos
After a nice treat, there is something important to visit, namely: the Monastery of the Hieronymites. It is not only a beautiful place to see, but it is also UNESCO Heritage, built in the early 1500s.
It is an example of Manueline art, it was built in honor of Vasco da Gama's journey to India. The Monastery was cared for by the Order of St. Jerome until 1834, you can enjoy its beauty, just by visiting it. Inside the Monastery, there is also the tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Admission costs 10 euros, you can visit from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in winter and until 6:30 p.m. in summer.
Council: It is a mystical, important place, but also very Instagrammable, so take a picture of the cloister. In our opinion it is wonderful with a light that is difficult to find in other places in the world. If you like azulejos, also visit the refectory, you will find it stunning! To visit the Monastery, buy the skip-the-line ticket, you will avoid the queues.
Monument to the Discoveries
One of the most important points of interest in the city is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. It is a 52-meter-high monument that is truly outstanding.
Council: It is worth paying 5 euros, to take the elevator up to the roof for a crazy view of the Tagus River.
Tasteful lunch
You can have lunch in one of the many small restaurants with seafood offerings. We advise you not to head immediately to the touristy places. Evaluate well and find something that can really give you an excellent and light dining experience.
The Tower of Belém
After you've had lunch and visited most of the district's attractions, you'll want to check out the beautiful Belém Tower, located one kilometer from the Monument to the Discoveries. Built in 1515 as a fortress to protect Lisbon's port, it was starting point of the many navigators and conquerors. Remember that it is UNESCO Heritage.
Council: if you are not tired of visiting historical places, the entrance inside the Tower, costs only 6 euros.
End the day on a high note: LX Factory
Just so we don't miss anything, we suggest, a visit to LX Factory, a place transformed by time from a textile factory to the city's creative center.
You'll find lots of young creatives, trendy bars, clubs, and lots of art galleries and design stores. On the rooftop of the former factory, you'll find Rio Maravilha, a really crazy pub; inside there is also a statue of a woman depicting (imitating) Cristo Rei (you'll be able to see the original Cristo Rei across the river).
Tips: if you are a lover of bookstores, you must visit on this first day. Ler Devagar. It is really distinctive, with walls full of books up to the ceiling and bicycles suspended: a WOW place!
If you happen to go on a Sunday, you can also visit the antique market, which is really splendid.
For dinner, you can stop for dinner at one of the local places and then return to your hotel!
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Day 2: A mix of beautiful and unique neighborhoods
Today you will undoubtedly visit the most touristy part of all of Lisbon and it will be a very long day.
Breakfast at one of the city's scenic spots
Miradouro Sophia is one of the city's viewpoints along with Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte. You can admire beautiful streets from above, St. George's Castle, and of course the Tagus River.
We recommend: a delicious breakfast with a pasteis de nata at one of these scenic spots, it will be fun!
The Santa Justa Elevator
A fantastic neo-Gothic elevator, a peculiar and eccentric monument, built in the early 20th century by Mesnier du Ponsard. It is a coal-fueled elevator and will take you to another scenic square. The cost is 5 euros and if you are thinking it is just an elevator you are wrong: it is an outstanding vantage point.
Plaza del Rossio/Don Pedro IV
What to say. After the viewpoints, you will find this beautiful square, hub of major events in Lisbon until the 18th century. You may meet locals, the undulating mosaic floor will invite you to dance in fascinating light-dark vertigo.
There are also two beautiful Baroque fountains and a monument to Don Pedro IV, King of Portugal and first Emperor of Brazil.
A tasteful lunch, which you can enjoy at one of the area's fantastic cafes while watching people in the square.
Council: if you want to taste a typical liquor, namely the ginja, we recommend To Ginjiha a traditional venue where you can have a shot of this black cherry drink.
An Afternoon of Shopping
A beautiful afternoon of Shopping, awaits you as you stroll through theAvenida da Liberdade with lots of exclusive stores. After you've seen some luxury, stop by instead at Rua Augusta, one of the city's most important shopping streets, skirting it you will come to Commerce Square.
Commerce Square, really worth a visit, you will recognize it by the triumphal arch built in memory of the earthquake in 1755.
Council: we recommend that if you are in the mood for coffee, you should try the Café Martinho da Arcada, the oldest in Lisbon, popular for being the haunt of literati. Just nearby you will also find the Conserveira of Lisboa, a wonderful store opened in the 1930s, specializing in canned fish and preserves.
Lisbon Cathedral
At sunset, it is really beautiful, we recommend a visit to the Cathedral, Sé Catedral founded in 1150. It is a mixture of different architectural styles including: gothic, neoclassical, rococo. Admission is free daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Time Out Market for a delicious dinner
For an exceptional dinner, we recommend the world's first market where a jury chose the dishes! More than 40 are the stations to taste something good and tasty for your palate!
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3rd and final day in Lisbon
For your last day in Lisbon, you will have a touristy and super recommended itinerary to have a unique experience in the city. Even if it's your last day, don't worry, you can come back.
We will recommend easy places for you to visit by public transportation.
Ride with Tram 28
Start your last day, after a simple breakfast at one of the trusted coffee shops you may have found, we recommend a ride on the iconic Streetcar 28. It is a truly historic tramway, dating back to some time before World War 1. You will pass through the city's oldest streets and truly fascinating places, such as: Baixa, Chiado, Graca and the Alfama.
Council: the streetcar is always very full, we recommend that you get on from Campo de Ourique, as you will find fewer people than at the Martim Moniz stop.
Tourist walk
After you finish your streetcar ride, we recommend that you lose yourself in the oldest streets of the city. Let your curiosity carry you, you will not regret it.
Lunch: Bacalhau!
If you haven't tried it yet, we absolutely recommend you try it. Just think that there are far more than 300 ways to cook cod. One of the best places to try it is Laurentina, you can choose the variant you prefer most.
The Fado show
You cannot leave Lisbon without attending a Fado performance. Born in the early 1800s, it is an inexplicably inimitable musical genre, guitars and mandolins accompany tragic and melancholy melodies.
There are as many as 40 places where you can attend one of these performances, many take place in restaurants! We recommend that you do so in the neighborhood Barrio Alto: Mascote de Atalaia.
Visit to Barrio Alto and Chiado
If you enjoyed Fado and want to have a drink, however, we suggest you take a walk in Barrio Alto and Chiado, among the many stores; you will also find many pubs where you can have a drink.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope your vacation will be exceptional and that you will be able to try all the experiences we have recommended. After 3 days in Lisbon, you will surely have tried something original and authentic, tell us how it went in the comments!
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