Lisbon rewards a slow pace, so this plan mixes historic neighbourhoods, riverfront walks, museums, food and a few easy day trips. Stops are grouped by area each day; travel times are approximate, and costs are per person in euros.
Budget
About €2,000–€3,200 per person for 20 days, excluding flights and accommodation; includes sightseeing, local transport, meals and modest day-trip costs.
Best time to visit
March–May or September–October for comfortable sightseeing weather and generally fewer summer crowds. Summer is lively but hot; winter can be mild and rainy.
Baixa and Chiado
Get your bearings among central squares, grand streets and a classic Lisbon viewpoint.
Morning
See
Start by the river in Lisbon’s grand central square. Walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeMorning
Climb
Take in the rooftops and river from the arch’s terrace. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the next stop.
About €4.50Afternoon
Wander Chiado
Browse the elegant streets and bookshops around . Allow about 10 minutes on foot to reach the Carmo ruins.
FreeAfternoon
Visit Convento do Carmo
Explore the striking roofless church and its small archaeological museum. It is about 8 minutes on foot to Praça Luís de Camões.
About €7Evening
Dinner at
Choose from a lively selection of Portuguese and international food stalls; it is roughly 15 minutes on foot from Praça Luís de Camões.
About €15–€30
Alfama and the castle
Spend the day among Alfama’s lanes, historic churches and sweeping castle views.
Morning
Explore
Arrive early for the ramparts, gardens and views across the old city. Walk about 15 minutes downhill to the cathedral.
About €15Morning
Visit Lisbon Cathedral
Step inside the city’s oldest church and see its cloister. It is around 10 minutes on foot to .
About €5Afternoon
Pause at
Enjoy the tiled terrace and Alfama rooftops. Walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeAfternoon
Take in Portas do Sol
This nearby lookout gives another lovely angle over the river and lanes. Allow 10 minutes on foot to reach .
FreeEvening
Discover the story of fado
Explore the instruments, performers and history behind Portugal’s best-known musical tradition. The museum is right in Alfama, with nearby restaurants for dinner.
About €5
Belém’s monuments
Follow the river through Belém’s landmark monastery, tower and gardens.
Morning
Visit Jerónimos Monastery
Give the church and cloisters plenty of time, and check current admission arrangements before you go. Walk about 15 minutes along the river to the tower area.
About €18Morning
See Belém Tower
Admire this riverside fortress from outside or visit inside if open. It is about 20 minutes on foot to .
About €15Afternoon
Visit the Discoveries Monument
Take in the monument and river views from the waterfront. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €10Afternoon
Try the original custard tarts
Take a break for the bakery’s famous pastéis de nata. It is about 10 minutes on foot to .
About €2–€8Evening
Unwind in
Enjoy the formal gardens and a quieter end to a busy sightseeing day. The garden is just across the road from the monastery.
Free
Belém’s museums and waterfront
Stay in Belém for contemporary art, a riverside museum and an easy garden stroll.
Morning
Explore MAAT
See the contemporary exhibitions and distinctive riverside architecture. Walk about 15 minutes along the waterfront to the Berardo collection.
About €11Morning
Visit
Browse modern and contemporary art in the cultural complex by the monastery. It is around 10 minutes on foot to the gardens.
About €5Afternoon
Walk through
Enjoy the leafy paths and historic garden setting. Allow about 15 minutes on foot to the riverside promenade.
About €5Afternoon
Take a waterfront stroll
Follow the broad promenade at an unhurried pace, with views across the Tagus. Walk about 10 minutes to the Belém Cultural Centre.
FreeEvening
See what is on at CCB
Check the programme for a concert, performance or exhibition at the cultural centre. It is a short walk from the waterfront.
About €0–€30
Graça and São Vicente
Pair two celebrated viewpoints with the quiet courtyards and tiles of São Vicente.
Morning
Enjoy
Start with one of Lisbon’s broadest city panoramas. Walk about 15 minutes to .
FreeMorning
Stop at
Relax at the terrace and look across the castle and central rooftops. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the monastery.
FreeAfternoon
Visit São Vicente de Fora
See the church, cloisters and rooftop views. Allow about 15 minutes on foot to reach the National Pantheon.
About €8Afternoon
Explore the National Pantheon
Visit the monumental church and climb to its terrace if you have the energy. It is about 8 minutes on foot to , whose market days are Tuesday and Saturday.
About €8Evening
Browse
Look through the flea-market stalls when the market is operating, or enjoy the surrounding streets on other days. Check the weekly schedule before planning around it.
Free
Mouraria and Martim Moniz
Discover a multicultural side of central Lisbon through street art, local history and food.
Morning
Walk the Mouraria streets
Wander the old lanes around and look for the neighbourhood’s portraits and murals. Walk about 10 minutes to Casa da Achada.
FreeMorning
Visit Casa da Achada
Explore this small cultural centre and its exhibitions, checking opening hours in advance. It is roughly 10 minutes on foot to Martim Moniz.
FreeAfternoon
Explore Martim Moniz
Take in the square’s mix of cultures and tram views. Walk around 12 minutes to .
FreeAfternoon
Step into
See the remarkable interior, marked by fire and restoration. It is about 5 minutes on foot to .
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Enjoy a much-loved seafood meal; booking or an early arrival can help with waits. It is around 15 minutes on foot from .
About €30–€60
Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto
Browse gardens and design shops by day, then enjoy ’s lively evening streets.
Morning
Relax in
Start under the garden’s famous cedar and browse the small kiosk area. Walk about 5 minutes to the building.
FreeMorning
Browse
Look around the concept stores inside this ornate former palace. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the Natural History and Science Museum.
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Explore its collections and botanical setting; allow extra time if a temporary exhibition appeals. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €8Afternoon
Take in the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint
Enjoy a broad view toward the castle and Baixa. Walk about 8 minutes into the heart of .
FreeEvening
Have dinner in
Choose a small restaurant along the neighbourhood’s traditional lanes, then linger for the lively atmosphere.
About €20–€40
Estrela and Campo de Ourique
Enjoy a calm garden morning before exploring a neighbourhood market and food hall.
Morning
Visit
See the impressive dome and interior of this 18th-century basilica. Walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeMorning
Stroll through
Take a slow loop through the shaded paths and pond-side garden. It is about 20 minutes on foot to .
FreeAfternoon
Browse
Explore the neighbourhood market and pick up a light lunch. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €10–€25Afternoon
Visit
Discover the life and work of Portugal’s celebrated poet in his former home. It is around 15 minutes on foot back to the market area.
About €5Evening
Settle in for dinner in
Stay local for a relaxed meal among the neighbourhood’s independent restaurants and cafés.
About €20–€40
Parque das Nações
Spend an easy day on the modern riverfront, with an aquarium visit and cable-car views.
Morning
Explore
Visit the large aquarium and its ocean habitats; booking ahead is sensible at busy times. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €25Morning
Ride
Take the cable car above the waterfront for a fresh view of the district. Walk about 10 minutes to the gardens by the river.
About €9Afternoon
Stroll through
Enjoy the water features and landscaped paths near the river. Allow about 15 minutes on foot to the science museum.
FreeAfternoon
Explore Pavilhão do Conhecimento
Try the interactive science exhibits, especially if you enjoy hands-on museums. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the Vasco da Gama shopping centre.
About €11Evening
Dinner at
Pick from the centre’s restaurants, or take food outdoors for a riverfront sunset.
About €15–€35
Avenidas Novas and Campo Pequeno
Explore a grand city park, an art collection and one of Lisbon’s distinctive historic buildings.
Morning
Walk
Follow the central lawns toward the viewpoint at the top of the park. Walk about 10 minutes to Amoreiras Shopping Center.
FreeMorning
See the Amoreiras viewpoint
Head up to the terrace for panoramic city views when it is open. It is about 20 minutes by public transport to the Gulbenkian gardens.
About €5Afternoon
Visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Explore the museum’s exceptional collection, then step into the surrounding gardens. The gardens are on site.
About €14Afternoon
Relax in
Take a peaceful garden walk after the galleries. Travel about 15 minutes by public transport to .
FreeEvening
See
Admire the Moorish-inspired arena and check for a concert or event. Stay nearby for dinner in Avenidas Novas.
About €0–€40
Cais do Sodré and Santos
Pair a traditional market lunch with riverside walking and a visit to Lisbon’s famous puppet museum.
Morning
Browse
Explore the traditional market stalls before the food hall becomes busy. Walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeMorning
Walk
Follow the riverfront promenade and pause on its steps by the water. It is about 15 minutes on foot to .
FreeAfternoon
Visit
See puppet traditions from Portugal and around the world inside a former convent. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €5Afternoon
Rest at
Take a quiet break in this small neighbourhood garden. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the waterfront.
FreeEvening
Watch the sunset at
Head to the marina for river views and a choice of restaurants under the bridge; allow around 20 minutes by public transport from .
Free
Ajuda and Alcântara
See a royal residence in Ajuda, then switch to the creative shops and cafés of .
Morning
Tour
Explore the richly furnished royal rooms and state halls. Walk about 15 minutes to .
About €8Morning
Stroll
Wander the formal terraces and enjoy views toward the river. Travel about 20 minutes by public transport to .
About €5Afternoon
Browse
Explore the former industrial complex’s independent shops, studios and striking street art. Walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Browse this memorable bookshop in a former printing space. It is inside , so allow just a few minutes for the next stop.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Stay in the complex for a relaxed meal; restaurants and opening hours vary by day.
About €20–€40
Sintra day trip
Make a full day of Sintra’s hilltop palaces and romantic gardens, returning to Lisbon for a restful evening.
Morning
Visit
Take an early train from to Sintra, then the local bus or a pre-booked ride uphill; allow roughly 90 minutes from central Lisbon to the palace. Reserve a timed entry in advance.
About €20–€22Morning
Explore the Pena Park
Follow the winding paths and viewpoints around the palace; give yourself time for the steep terrain. Walk about 15 minutes to .
About €10–€12Afternoon
Walk the walls at
Enjoy the hilltop ramparts and wide views over Sintra. Travel around 20 minutes by local bus or taxi to the historic centre.
About €12Afternoon
Try a sweet in Sintra’s old town
Pause for a queijada or travesseiro and wander the central lanes before returning by train. Allow about 10 minutes on foot between the main squares and cafés.
About €3–€10Evening
Take an easy evening in Lisbon
Return from Sintra by train, usually about 40 minutes to , and keep dinner close to your accommodation.
About €5–€25
Cascais and the coast
Trade the city for a seaside train ride, an old-town wander and the dramatic Atlantic coast.
Morning
Take the train to Cascais
Ride from Cais do Sodré to Cascais in about 40 minutes. Begin with a walk around the historic centre.
About €5–€7Morning
Visit
Explore the seaside mansion and its art collection. Walk about 10 minutes to .
About €5Afternoon
See
Watch waves surge through the coastal rock formation, taking care on exposed paths. Walk about 25 minutes or take a short taxi ride to the beach.
FreeAfternoon
Relax at
Return toward the centre for a small sheltered beach and a swim when conditions are safe. It is about 5 minutes on foot to Cascais station.
FreeEvening
Have dinner by Cascais marina
Choose a seafood restaurant near the harbour before catching the train back to Lisbon.
About €25–€50
Setúbal and Arrábida
Spend a nature-focused day outside Lisbon, with a seafood lunch and the landscapes of Arrábida.
Morning
Travel to
Take a train or bus from Lisbon; the journey generally takes around an hour, depending on your route. Start at .
About €8–€12Morning
Browse
See the colourful tile panels and browse the produce and fish counters. Walk about 10 minutes to the waterfront.
FreeAfternoon
Explore
Use a seasonal local bus, organised tour or taxi to reach accessible viewpoints; allow around 30–45 minutes from . Check service and beach-access restrictions before setting out.
About €0–€40Afternoon
Take a short coastal walk
Choose a route suited to the weather and your footwear; summer access rules can change. Return to by local transport or a booked ride.
FreeEvening
Try choco frito in
Enjoy the city’s classic fried cuttlefish before heading back to Lisbon, typically about an hour away by train or bus.
About €15–€30
Restorative day in Baixa
Keep things gentle with central landmarks, a museum visit and a long, relaxed dinner.
Morning
Walk through
Take in the wave-pattern paving and historic façades. Walk about 5 minutes to Igreja de São Roque.
FreeMorning
Visit
See the church’s ornate interior and the adjoining museum. It is about 10 minutes on foot to the lower Baixa streets.
About €5Afternoon
Browse
Enjoy an easy, mostly pedestrian stroll between the central squares. Walk about 10 minutes to the riverside.
FreeAfternoon
Relax at
Find a place by the water for a restorative break. Walk about 10 minutes to Café in Chiado.
FreeEvening
Have dinner at
Enjoy a historic café setting for a light meal or a drink; for a full dinner, choose one of the nearby Chiado restaurants.
About €10–€30
Benfica and Monsanto
Combine a stadium tour with a leafy escape into Lisbon’s largest woodland park.
Morning
Tour
Visit the stadium and SL Benfica museum; check tour availability and book ahead. Travel about 20 minutes by public transport to Monsanto.
About €20Morning
Visit
Discover the club’s history and trophies beside the stadium. The museum is on the stadium grounds.
About €10Afternoon
Walk in
Choose a short, shaded trail and bring water; a taxi or pre-planned bus connection from the stadium can take around 20–30 minutes. Paths and transport links vary by entrance.
FreeAfternoon
Enjoy the view from
Visit this former restaurant building for a striking outlook over the city. Allow about 15 minutes by car or taxi from a nearby park entrance.
FreeEvening
Return to central Lisbon for dinner
Travel about 20–30 minutes by taxi or public transport, then choose a neighbourhood restaurant near your stay.
About €20–€40
Mafra and Ericeira
Take a longer northern day trip for a grand palace, then get a taste of the Atlantic coast.
Morning
Tour
Travel by bus from Lisbon, usually around 60–75 minutes, and explore the palace, basilica and library. Confirm ticket options and opening hours in advance.
About €8Morning
See the Basilica of Mafra
Admire the monumental church within the palace complex. It is only a few minutes on foot from the palace rooms.
FreeAfternoon
Travel to
Take a local bus or taxi from Mafra, allowing around 20–30 minutes. Begin with a walk around the old centre.
About €3–€10Afternoon
Relax at
Enjoy the beach near the village centre or simply watch the Atlantic from the promenade. It is about 5 minutes on foot from the old-town lanes.
FreeEvening
Have an early seafood dinner
Dine in before taking a bus back toward Lisbon; the return journey can take around 75–90 minutes.
About €20–€40
Almada and the south bank
Cross the Tagus for big Lisbon views, a riverside walk and relaxed dining in .
Morning
Ferry across to
Take the ferry from Cais do Sodré; the crossing is about 10 minutes. Walk roughly 15 minutes along the riverside to the Cristo Rei lift area.
About €1.50–€3Morning
Visit the Cristo Rei Sanctuary
Take a taxi or local bus uphill from , typically about 15 minutes, for far-reaching views across Lisbon and the river.
About €8Afternoon
Walk along
Return toward and follow the waterfront path for views of the old port buildings and Lisbon skyline. Allow about 20 minutes from the ferry terminal to reach the path.
FreeAfternoon
Explore
Wander the lanes around the ferry terminal and look out for the old ship and waterfront restaurants. It is about 10 minutes on foot from the promenade.
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Book ahead for this well-known waterfront restaurant, then take the ferry back to Lisbon in about 10 minutes.
About €30–€60
A gentle farewell in Alfama
Finish with a tile museum, a peaceful church and a final evening of fado in the old city.
Morning
Visit
Explore Portugal’s tile-making history in a former convent; check opening days and admission before setting out. Allow around 20 minutes by taxi or public transport to reach Alfama.
About €10Morning
Stop at
Visit the small church associated with Lisbon’s patron saint. Walk about 5 minutes to the cathedral.
FreeAfternoon
Return to Lisbon Cathedral
Take another look at the cathedral or explore the surrounding lanes at a relaxed pace. Walk about 10 minutes to Largo das Portas do Sol.
About €5Afternoon
Rest at
Choose a café terrace and take in the rooftops one last time. It is about 10 minutes on foot to a nearby fado venue.
FreeEvening
Enjoy a fado dinner
End your stay with live fado in Alfama; reserve in advance and check whether the venue charges a minimum spend.
About €50–€90
Good to know
Getting around
Lisbon’s hills and cobbled pavements make comfortable shoes essential. Use the metro, trams, buses and trains for longer hops, and check current fares and service updates.
Tickets and opening times
Reserve popular timed entries and restaurants in advance, especially for Belém, Sintra and weekend evenings. Museums, monuments and transport schedules can change, so verify details shortly before your visit.
Day trips
Sintra, Cascais and are best planned around current train or bus schedules. Arrábida access can be seasonal and restricted; check local conditions before travelling.
Food and fado
Lunch is often a good-value way to try traditional Portuguese dishes. For fado, book ahead and confirm whether the quoted price includes dinner, drinks or a minimum spend.
Pacing
This is a generous, slow-paced itinerary with several rest-friendly days. If a hill feels like too much, use a taxi or public transport rather than trying to walk every connection.