Lisbon Surrounds Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in Lisbon reveals one of the most extraordinary capital cities in Europe, its remarkable seven hills of azulejo-tiled facades, yellow trams, Moorish castle and extraordinary fado music giving the most atmospheric and human-scaled capital on the Atlantic coast. The remarkable Belem district with its extraordinary Manueline monuments and the hidden miradores of the Alfama give an unforgettable introduction to Portugal. This route covers the essential Lisbon experience: the extraordinary Alfama and São Jorge Castle, the remarkable Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, the finest fado experience in the Mouraria, the extraordinary LX Factory market and the remarkable day trip to the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra, the finest royal heritage in Portugal.
Best Time To Visit
March to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Lisbon Airport (LIS). Metro to city centre in 20 minutes.
Getting Around
Metro, tram, walking. Tram 28 for Alfama. Car for Sintra day trip.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 180 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , mostly walking, some steep hills
DAY 1
ALFAMA AND BAIRRO ALTO
MORNING
SÃO JORGE CASTLE AND THE ALFAMA
São Jorge Castle is the most extraordinary Moorish fortification in Portugal, its remarkable hilltop position above the Alfama district giving the finest panoramic view over Lisbon, the Tagus estuary and the 25 de Abril Bridge. The extraordinary Alfama district below the castle, the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon and the only area to survive the 1755 earthquake, gives the finest traditional Portuguese streetscape in the capital. Entry approx 15 euros. Drive: Walk down through Alfama
MIDDAY
ALFAMA AND THE MIRADOUROS
The Alfama district contains the finest collection of miradouros in Lisbon, the extraordinary viewpoint terraces of Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol giving the most celebrated views over the red-tiled rooftops of the oldest quarter and the Tagus estuary below. The remarkable Se Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon dating from 1147, is the finest Romanesque building in Portugal. Cathedral entry free. Drive: Tram 28 to Bica
AFTERNOON
BAIRRO ALTO AND CHIADO
Bairro Alto is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Lisbon for the authentic evening atmosphere, its remarkable grid of 16th-century streets filling with fado bars, tasca restaurants and wine bars as the afternoon progresses. The extraordinary Chiado district with its remarkable 19th-century bookshops, the Brasileira cafe where Fernando Pessoa sat, and the finest azulejo tile shops in Lisbon give the finest cultural afternoon in the capital. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Miradouro da Graca above the Alfama is the finest hidden viewpoint in Lisbon, its remarkable position above São Jorge Castle giving even better views than the castle itself with almost no tourists. The extraordinary cafe on the terrace serves the finest sunset drinks in the capital. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pastelaria near São Jorge Castle Outstanding Portuguese coffee and the finest pastel de nata in Lisbon before climbing to the castle. | Lunch: Tasca in the Alfama Outstanding Portuguese lunch in the finest traditional neighbourhood. Bacalhau, caldo verde and local wine. | Dinner: Fado restaurant in Mouraria Outstanding fado dinner in the birthplace of fado. Live music, local wine and extraordinary Portuguese food.
DAY 2
BELEM
MORNING
JERONIMOS MONASTERY
The Jeronimos Monastery is the most extraordinary building in Portugal, its remarkable late Gothic Manueline architecture of extraordinary complexity and beauty representing the pinnacle of Portuguese artistic achievement at the height of the Age of Discovery. The extraordinary South Portal, the finest carved doorway in Portugal, and the remarkable two-storey cloister with its extraordinary twisted columns give the finest medieval building in Iberia. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
BELEM TOWER AND THE DISCOVERIES MONUMENT
The Belem Tower is the most extraordinary Manueline fortification in Portugal, its remarkable position in the Tagus estuary giving the finest maritime heritage monument in Europe at the point from which Vasco da Gama departed for India. The extraordinary Monument to the Discoveries across the road, with its remarkable carved figures of Portugal's great explorers, gives the finest historical panorama in Lisbon. Tower entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk to LX Factory
AFTERNOON
LX FACTORY AND ALCANTARA
The LX Factory is the most extraordinary creative market in Lisbon, its remarkable repurposed 19th-century industrial complex beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge hosting the finest independent shops, restaurants and cultural spaces in the capital. The extraordinary Sunday market is the finest in Portugal. The remarkable views of the bridge from the complex give the finest industrial heritage atmosphere in Lisbon. Free to enter.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Palacio Nacional de Queluz between Lisbon and Sintra is the finest Rococo palace in Portugal, its remarkable pink facade and extraordinary French-inspired gardens giving the most elegant royal heritage in the country. Almost entirely overlooked by tourists heading directly to Sintra. Entry approx 10 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belem The original pastel de nata bakery since 1837. Queue outside but it moves fast. The finest custard tart in the world. | Lunch: Tasca in Belem Outstanding Portuguese lunch near the Jeronimos. Fresh fish, local wine and the finest river views in Lisbon. | Dinner: Restaurant in Chiado or Bairro Alto Outstanding modern Portuguese dinner in the finest neighbourhood in Lisbon.
DAY 3
SINTRA
MORNING
PENA PALACE
Pena Palace is the most extraordinary royal palace in Portugal, its remarkable Romanticist fantasy of turrets, domes and multicoloured facades perched on the highest peak of the Serra de Sintra giving the most theatrical royal building in Europe. The extraordinary painted walls, the remarkable royal apartments preserved exactly as the royal family left them and the extraordinary views over the Atlantic coast give the finest palace experience in Iberia. Entry approx 14 euros. Drive: 20 min walk through park
MIDDAY
MOORISH CASTLE AND SINTRA VILLAGE
The Moorish Castle above Sintra is the most extraordinary medieval fortification in the Sintra hills, its remarkable 9th-century walls following the granite ridge giving the finest views over the Sintra UNESCO landscape of palaces and forests. The extraordinary Sintra village below with its remarkable National Palace, the finest medieval royal palace in Portugal, and the extraordinary travesseiros pastry shops give the finest heritage village in Portugal. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
QUINTA DA REGALEIRA
Quinta da Regaleira is the most extraordinary estate in Portugal, its remarkable neo-Manueline palace and extraordinary subterranean initiation wells descending 30 metres through spiral staircases giving the most mysterious heritage in the country. The esoteric symbolism inspired by Freemasonry and the Knights Templar makes this unlike any other site in Portugal. Entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Convento dos Capuchos in the Sintra hills is the most unusual heritage site in the UNESCO landscape, its remarkable 16th-century Franciscan convent of tiny cork-lined cells cut directly into the rock giving the most extraordinary monastic experience in Portugal. Almost entirely unvisited. Entry approx 7 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Sintra village before Pena Coffee and travesseiros pastry in the finest heritage village in Portugal. Buy early before the queues form. | Lunch: Restaurant in Sintra village Outstanding Portuguese lunch in the extraordinary UNESCO village. Local queijadas cheese cakes are unmissable. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Lisbon Outstanding final dinner in Lisbon. Return by train from Sintra takes 40 minutes.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Alfama or Chiado, Nights 1 to 2 The finest bases for atmosphere. Boutique hotels from 100 to 250 euros. Book well ahead for weekends. Bairro Alto, alternative The finest neighbourhood for nightlife and fado. Hotels from 90 to 200 euros. Central for everything. Budget option Hostels and guesthouses in Mouraria from 40 euros per person. Walking distance from all main sites.
Top Tips
1. Tram 28 is the most extraordinary heritage tram route in Europe but fills completely with tourists. Take it eastbound from Martim Moniz early morning for empty seats.
2. Pasteis de Belem: the original bakery at Rua de Belem 84 has been making the recipe since
1837. Queue outside then eat in the extraordinary tiled interior.
3. Sintra: book Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira online in advance. Both sell out completely in July and August. Arrive at Sintra station before 9am.
4. Fado in Mouraria: avoid tourist restaurants with fixed fado shows. Ask at your hotel for the finest traditional tascas where fado happens spontaneously.
5. Lisbon hills: the extraordinary Elevador da Gloria and Elevador da Bica funiculars are the finest way to ascend. Included in the Viva Viagem card.
6. Azulejos are everywhere but the finest collection is in the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. The 36-metre pre-earthquake Lisbon panel alone justifies the entry fee.
Total Budget
90 to 180 euros/day