A First-Timer’s Lisbon Itinerary in 7 Days (Updated 2024)
Last Updated on November 26, 2024 by Erin Donahue
Looking for a Western European destination where you get the ultimate bang for your buck? Look no further than this Lisbon itinerary! This trip was part of a series of trips I went on right after I quit my job. The other destinations I went to were The Balkans, Savannah, and Miami. When I first traveled to Lisbon in 2021, I went because it’s budget-friendly, has easy public transportation, direct flights from the US, and it’s a foodie haven. Not only that, but it’s also a city with a ton of history mixed with a modern flair. Lisbon is the 2nd oldest city in Europe after Athens!
Those reasons I listed have made it a very popular spot, so I returned during shoulder season and brought someone special – my mom! There’s a lot to see and do, but if you’re on a tight schedule, you can experience most of Lisbon within 3 or 4 days. This guide will help you whether you travel solo or with family because all the tips apply.
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Traveling to Lisbon
Flight point redemption opportunities typically influence my destination choices, but my first Lisbon trip in 2021 proved different. The cash fares were so remarkably low that using points would have been counterproductive, especially for basic economy. After a quick cost-benefit analysis, I opted to pay $392 for a round-trip basic economy seat on Delta – an incredibly reasonable price for summer travel to Europe.
Fast forward to 2024, when I flew with TAP Air Portugal, the country’s flagship carrier. Settling into my “premium economy” seat on an Airbus A330-200, I couldn’t help but notice how the product fell short of the luxurious standards I’ve come to expect from Asian carriers. The seat, despite its premium cabin designation, felt decidedly economy-class in its firmness, and while it offered decent recline and legroom, anyone familiar with genuine premium economy products would immediately notice the disparity. Given the price point, TAP Air Portugal’s premium product currently fails to meet the benchmarks set by other international carriers I’ve experienced. However, despite these shortcomings, I do appreciate the airline’s value in providing direct connectivity to Lisbon.
Getting Around Lisbon
Public transportation in Lisbon is incredibly easy and accessible! Whenever I visit a city with a good public transportation infrastructure I opt for that instead of rideshares, shuttles, or taxis. The first time I went to Lisbon, I couldn’t use my phone for most of the trip because the locked phone prevented me from using a SIM card. I had an offline map, but it helped little, so I navigated the city the old-fashioned way: wandering around.
There are a few options for what kind of metro card fare to purchase. Locals and tourists use the “Viva Viagem” card for all buses, metro, and trams. To buy a card is €0.50 in addition to the ride fare. Most locations fall under Zone 1 which is 1.50€. The most economical way to travel around town though is by zapping. It’s based on pay-as-you-go rather than a time horizon.
If you’re planning on visiting a lot of attractions though then get a Lisbon Card instead because it comes with unlimited public transportation in addition to discounted or even free entry. Prices are 20€ for 24 hours, 34€ for 48-hours, and 42€ for 72-hours
Where To Stay In Lisbon
The first time I visited Lisbon, the hotel I stayed at was Hotel Mundial, which has an amazing rooftop with a 360 view of Lisbon. Staying here was surprisingly budget-friendly (the overall theme of Lisbon). Their website claims they are 4 stars, but from my evaluation, I would say it’s more than 3 stars. At least they included free breakfast every day! They’re very popular and coincidentally, my friend who I traveled with in 2021 realized she had previously been at Hotel Mundial for her cousin’s wedding. Small world!
When I went back to Lisbon with my mom, I experienced two dramatically different properties. For the majority of the week, I stayed at Casa Amora Studios, followed by a partnership with the Four Seasons Ritz which I’ve recapped here.
Best Photolocations in Lisbon
For photographers and sunset enthusiasts alike, Lisbon offers spectacular golden hour views. While popular spots like Cais das Colunas draw big crowds, they’ll thin out during shoulder season, allowing you to appreciate the light across the city. Here’s an insider tip: rather than enduring the lengthy queues at the Santa Justa elevator, make your way to the Carmo Convent in the Chiado district. You’ll find equally breathtaking views without paying an entrance fee or waiting tediously. I discovered this hidden gem during my first visit, and it has remained my favorite spot ever since. However, for the ultimate sunset experience, head to any of the city’s Miradouros (lookout points). While reaching these vantage points requires some uphill effort, the panoramic vistas of Lisbon’s terracotta rooftops bathed in golden light make every step worthwhile.
- Tram 28 at its route stops
- Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol
- Miradouro da Graça
- Botanical Garden of Lisbon
Things To Do In Lisbon
Take a free walking tour
This is the fastest way to learn more about the culture, architecture, and history. Expect to walk around for 2-3 hours soaking up everything, and make sure to bring water! Even though it’s free, don’t forget to tip the tour guide!
Listen to live fado
Fado is a popular genre of Portuguese music with historical context, and melancholy theme, and accompanied by mandolins or guitars.
Spend a half day on the Belém side of town
- See the Belém Tower, but no need to go inside. I overheard a conversation of a local explaining to a tourist that there was a dispute over the management (not sure how accurate that is).
- Eat a Pasteis de Belém (the OG pasteis de nata)
- Check out Jerónimos Monastery
- Pass by Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Luxury Shopping
Like many travelers to Europe from outside the EU, Lisbon proves to be a destination for luxury shopping. The reason is because of the VAT refund. Here’s how it works: when shopping in Europe, you’re paying a Value Added Tax (VAT), which can reach up to 23% in Portugal, but non-EU residents can claim this tax back when departing the EU. During my recent trip, I took advantage of this opportunity and treated myself to something I’d been eyeing – a pair of Gucci Jordaan loafers in a stunning Rosso Ancora red. This marked my first luxury item purchase, a milestone that felt particularly meaningful as it represented three years of freelancing finally culminating in a moment where I felt secure enough to indulge in a bit of splurging.
Things NOT to do in Lisbon
- Taking Tram 28. It attracts long lines and crowds at all times and has become burdensome for the locals who use it for their commute. You get the same route and experience with Tram 12.
What To Eat In Lisbon
Speaking of perfect, let’s dive into what’s the best part of Lisbon: the food scene. You can literally walk around any corner and the food will be delicious, but these are some honorable mentions:
Uma Marisqueira
This famous masqueria in Lisbon serves only one dish: seafood rice – showcasing their unwavering confidence in its quality. While they have always drawn crowds, during my last visit, I observed an interesting demographic shift: Asian diners filled the entire restaurant, marking the highest concentration of foreign Asian people I had ever seen in a single location in Europe. The restaurant operates from two adjacent storefronts, each with its own peculiar payment system – one accepts only cash, while the other takes card payments. I believe the cash-only side is the original location, but they’re quite accommodating; if you find yourself without euros, they’ll happily direct you next door to pay by card. Because it’s so popular be sure to make a reservation online or show up right when they open.
Pasteis de Nata
Now, we need to talk about pasteis de nata. While everyone directs visitors to Belém, home of the original recipe, I firmly believe Manteigaria crafts the finest versions in the city (though I welcome any locals to challenge this claim and suggest their preferred spots – I’m always eager to conduct more “research”). Each pastry is a religious experience: the crispy, flaky shell gives way to a perfectly caramelized top, and that custard, still warm from the oven, becomes truly transcendent with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I must confess to indulging in one every single day during my Lisbon visits, despite how filling they can be. Just remember my tried-and-true advice: don’t skip the cinnamon, and pair it with an espresso or coffee for the full experience!
Ginjinha Sem Rival
Ginjinha (or simply Ginja) is one of Lisbon’s most cherished liquid traditions. Made by infusing ginja berries (not cherries as I later found out) in alcohol for over a year, along with sugar and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, this ruby-colored drink is a must-try experience. While the drink itself is delightfully sweet and complex, here’s an insider tip: the marinated cherries pack quite an alcoholic punch and can be overwhelmingly strong. You’ll find this liqueur served in tiny hole-in-the-wall bars throughout Lisbon, with A Ginjinha (Ginjinha Sem Rival) in Rossio being the most famous spot. Don’t throw this shot back. Savor and sip it, preferably while you stand at one of their historic counters.
Rei Dos Frangos: known for their grilled chicken with piri-piri chili oil. Caution: the sauce is spicy!
Day Trips From Lisbon
If you’ve got an extra day or two in your Lisbon itinerary, do yourself a favor and take some of the popular day trips to these nearby cities.
Sintra
A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is a popular excursion since it’s only about a 40-minute commute. Take the train (Comboios de Portugal) from either the Rossio or Oriente station. The Rossio-Sintra train departs from the historic center of Lisbon, aim to go before 9 am! During the peak times (10 am-12 am) Rossio station can get very busy, and there can be long lines to buy train tickets.
I recommend taking the 434 bus once you arrive in Sintra because of the long, steep climb up to Park and the National Palace of Pena. Since everyone goes to the historic center first, start at the Palace of Pena to avoid the lines for the bus and then make your way down. There is also a walking route carved out on the side of the road for hikers.
While in Sintra, be sure to also check out:
- Sintra National Palace
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)
Cascais
A secondary day trip in your Lisbon itinerary is to visit Cascais. Portuguese royals once chose this coastal town as their summer destination. I came here specifically to eat at Furnas do Guincho, and WOW their food is amazing, and their bathroom is so pretty!
Lisbon Airport Experience
As this long post comes to a close, I have to say that coming into and out of Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) was probably my worst experience to date. During my first trip in 2021, there was a strike going on and when I arrived, so I had to wait in the customs line for 4 hours. Departing from LIS was only slightly better. I didn’t realize the customs gate came after the lounge area, so I ended up waiting in another line and almost missed our flight. Thankfully, other people on our flight were in the same situation and they brought in additional staff to move the lines quickly.
Between this or six-hour delays on JetBlue in Puerto Rico, I’m not sure which is worse. Whoever designed the flow of LIS should rethink it. There’s no point in relaxing in their nice lounge if there are still more obstacles to go to get to your gate.
Things to know
While Lisbon is generally safe, like many major European cities such as Rome and Barcelona, pickpockets operate actively, especially in tourist areas. These opportunistic thieves have unfortunately become a common concern across Europe’s most visited cities. My mom encountered two women (they’re never alone) firsthand in the Bairro Alto district, 24 hours after we landed. Thankfully, she’s pretty alert, took proper precautions, and caught them red-handed trying to steal from her.
So, keep your guard up. Though this shouldn’t deter you from exploring these beautiful cities, it’s simply part of being a smart traveler in any major European destination.
- Hello: Olá
- Thank you: Obrigada
- Bread is not free at restaurants
- The emergency number in Lisbon is 112
Whatever it is, this city has a way of making you feel like you’ve discovered something precious. If you’ve been to Lisbon, drop a comment below with your favorite memory. And if you haven’t been yet… well, what are you waiting for?
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