Lisbon Surrounds Portugal
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days in Lisbon and surrounds gives you the complete experience of one of the most extraordinary capital cities in Europe and its remarkable surroundings, from the extraordinary Alfama and Belem to the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra, the remarkable Atlantic beaches of Cascais and Estoril, the extraordinary azulejo tradition and the finest fado in Portugal. This route covers the full Lisbon experience: the extraordinary Alfama district and São Jorge Castle, the remarkable Manueline monuments of Belem, the extraordinary Sintra UNESCO palaces, the remarkable Cascais and Estoril coastline, the fine food markets of Mouraria and Time Out, and the hidden miradores of the most beautiful capital in southern Europe.
Best Time To Visit
March to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Lisbon Airport (LIS). Metro line to city centre in 20 minutes.
Getting Around
Metro and tram for city. Train to Sintra and Cascais. Car optional.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 180 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , walking, trams and trains. Some steep hills in Alfama.
DAY 1
ALFAMA AND CHIADO
MORNING
SÃO JORGE CASTLE AND THE ALFAMA
São Jorge Castle is the most extraordinary Moorish fortification in Portugal, its remarkable hilltop position giving the finest panoramic view over Lisbon, the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge. The extraordinary Alfama district below, the oldest neighbourhood 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
MIDDAY
SE CATHEDRAL AND ALFAMA MIRADOUROS
The Se Cathedral is the oldest church in Lisbon dating from 1147 and the finest Romanesque building in Portugal. The extraordinary miradouros of Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol give the most celebrated views over the red-tiled Alfama rooftops. The remarkable tram 28 route through the Alfama gives the finest heritage transport experience in the capital. Cathedral free. Drive: Tram to Chiado
AFTERNOON
CHIADO AND FADO IN MOURARIA
Chiado contains the finest bookshops, cafes and azulejo tile shops in Lisbon. The extraordinary A Brasileira cafe where Fernando Pessoa sat, the remarkable Livraria Bertrand, oldest bookshop in the world still in operation, and the extraordinary Museu do Chiado give the finest cultural afternoon in the capital. The Mouraria is the birthplace of fado. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Miradouro da Graca above the Alfama is the finest hidden viewpoint in Lisbon, its remarkable position 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 the castle Outstanding Portuguese coffee and pastel de nata before climbing to São Jorge Castle. | Lunch: Tasca in the Alfama Outstanding Portuguese lunch in the finest traditional neighbourhood. Bacalhau and local wine. | Dinner: Fado restaurant in Mouraria Outstanding fado dinner in the birthplace of fado. Live music and extraordinary Portuguese cuisine.
DAY 2
BELEM
MORNING
JERONIMOS MONASTERY
The Jeronimos Monastery is the most extraordinary building in Portugal, its remarkable Manueline architecture representing the pinnacle of Portuguese artistic achievement at the height of the Age of Discovery. The extraordinary South Portal and the remarkable cloister with twisted columns give the finest medieval building in Iberia. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
BELEM TOWER AND DISCOVERIES MONUMENT
The Belem Tower is the most extraordinary Manueline fortification in Portugal, its remarkable position in the Tagus at the point from which Vasco da Gama departed for India giving the finest maritime heritage monument in Europe. The Monument to the Discoveries with its carved figures of Portugal's explorers gives the finest historical panorama in Lisbon. Tower entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
LX FACTORY AND MAAT MUSEUM
LX Factory is the most extraordinary creative market in Lisbon, its remarkable repurposed industrial complex hosting the finest independent shops and restaurants beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge. The MAAT Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology beside the Tagus gives the finest contemporary art experience in Lisbon with extraordinary river views. MAAT entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Palacio de Queluz between Lisbon and Sintra is the finest Rococo palace in Portugal, its remarkable pink facade and French-inspired gardens giving the most elegant royal heritage in the country. Almost entirely overlooked by tourists heading to Sintra. Entry approx 10 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belem The original pastel de nata bakery since 1837. The finest custard tart in the world. Queue is worth it. | Lunch: Tasca in Belem Outstanding Portuguese lunch near the Jeronimos. Fresh fish and finest river views in Lisbon. | Dinner: Restaurant in Chiado 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 and multicoloured facades on the highest Sintra peak giving the most theatrical royal building in Europe. The extraordinary preserved royal apartments and the remarkable views over the Atlantic coast give the finest palace experience in Iberia. Entry approx 14 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
MOORISH CASTLE AND SINTRA VILLAGE
The Moorish Castle is the most extraordinary medieval fortification in the Sintra hills, its remarkable 9th-century walls giving the finest views over the UNESCO landscape. The extraordinary Sintra National Palace in the village below, the finest medieval royal palace in Portugal, and the remarkable travesseiros pastry shops give the finest heritage village in Portugal. Castle 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 site in the UNESCO landscape, its 16th-century Franciscan convent of tiny cork-lined cells cut 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 Coffee and travesseiros pastry in the finest heritage village in Portugal. | Lunch: Restaurant in Sintra Outstanding Portuguese lunch in the extraordinary UNESCO village. Local queijadas are unmissable. | Dinner: Dinner in Lisbon Outstanding Portuguese dinner after returning from Sintra. Train takes 40 minutes.
DAY 4
CHIADO AND BAIRRO ALTO
MORNING
MUSEU NACIONAL DO AZULEJO
The National Tile Museum is the most extraordinary decorative arts museum in Portugal, its remarkable collection of azulejo tile panels from the 15th century to the present giving the finest insight into the most distinctive art form in Portuguese culture. The extraordinary 36-metre panoramic tile panel depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake is the finest single heritage artwork in the capital. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: Metro to Chiado
MIDDAY
TIME OUT MARKET AND CAIS DO SODRE
The Time Out Market is the most extraordinary food hall in Portugal, its remarkable riverside location giving access to the finest food from the best restaurants in Lisbon under one roof. The extraordinary Cais do Sodre neighbourhood with its remarkable pink street of bars, the finest nightlife district in Lisbon, and the extraordinary 19th-century market building give the finest food and culture afternoon in the capital. Free to enter. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
BAIRRO ALTO AND THE MIRADORES
Bairro Alto is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Lisbon for the authentic late afternoon atmosphere, its remarkable 16th-century grid of streets filling with fado bars and wine tastes. The extraordinary Miradouro de Santa Catarina with its remarkable river views and the remarkable Elevador da Bica funicular give the finest neighbourhood experience in Lisbon at sunset. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Livraria Bertrand in Chiado is the oldest bookshop in the world still in operation, opened in 1732 and certified by the Guinness World Records. The remarkable interior with its extraordinary wooden shelving and the fine Portuguese literature section give the finest bookshop experience in Europe. Free to browse.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Alfama or Mouraria Outstanding Portuguese coffee in the finest historic neighbourhood. Galao and pastel de nata. | Lunch: Time Out Market, Cais do Sodre Outstanding Portuguese lunch from the finest food hall in Europe. Order from multiple stalls. | Dinner: Tasca in Bairro Alto Outstanding traditional Portuguese dinner in the most atmospheric neighbourhood in Lisbon.
DAY 5
CASCAIS AND ESTORIL
MORNING
ESTORIL AND CASCAIS BY TRAIN
The train along the Estoril coast from Lisbon to Cascais is the most extraordinary commuter railway in Europe, its remarkable route along the Tagus estuary and then the Atlantic coast giving the finest coastal train journey in Portugal. Estoril with its extraordinary casino, the largest in Europe, and the remarkable gardens give the finest Belle Epoque resort atmosphere on the Estoril Line. Train from Cais do Sodre approx 2 euros. Drive: 20 min train to Cascais
MIDDAY
CASCAIS OLD TOWN AND BOCA DO INFERNO
Cascais is the most extraordinary coastal town near Lisbon, its remarkable historic old town of whitewashed houses, excellent fish restaurants and the fine sandy beach giving the finest day trip destination from the capital. The extraordinary Boca do Inferno, where the Atlantic waves crash into a remarkable sea arch creating a thunderous roar, is the finest natural spectacle near Lisbon. Both free. Drive: 30 min drive or bus
AFTERNOON
GUINCHO BEACH AND CABO DA ROCA
Guincho is the most extraordinary wild beach near Lisbon, its remarkable Atlantic-facing position with extraordinary waves and the Sintra hills above giving the finest dramatic beach landscape near the capital. Cabo da Roca nearby is the most westerly point in continental Europe, its extraordinary cliffs above the Atlantic giving the finest land's end experience in Portugal. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Azenhas do Mar north of Sintra is the finest hidden coastal village near Lisbon, its remarkable white houses cascading down the cliff face to a natural sea pool carved from the Atlantic rock giving the most dramatic village landscape near the capital. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at Cais do Sodre station Outstanding Portuguese coffee before boarding the extraordinary Estoril Line coastal train. | Lunch: Fish restaurant in Cascais Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish lunch in the finest coastal town near Lisbon. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Lisbon Outstanding final dinner in Lisbon. Return by train from Cascais takes 40 minutes.
Where To Stay
Alfama or Chiado, Nights 1 to 4 The finest bases. Boutique hotels from 100 to 250 euros. Book well ahead especially for spring and autumn. Cascais, Night 5 For the coastal final night. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. 40 minutes by train from Lisbon. Budget option Hostels in Mouraria or Intendente from 40 euros per person. Well connected by metro to all sites.
Top Tips
1. Tram 28 through the Alfama is the finest heritage tram route in Europe. Ride it eastbound from Martim Moniz before 8am for an almost empty experience.
2. Pasteis de Belem: the original recipe has been made at Rua de Belem 84 since
1837. Queue outside, eat inside in the extraordinary blue-tiled interior.
3. Sintra: book Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira online weeks ahead in summer. Arrive before 9am at the station to beat the queues up to Pena.
4. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is the finest decorative arts museum in Portugal. The pre-earthquake Lisbon panel is the most extraordinary artwork in the capital.
5. Cascais fish restaurants on the old town waterfront serve the finest grilled fish near Lisbon. Order peixe grelhado with local white wine.
6. Guincho beach has the finest Atlantic surf near Lisbon. Even non-surfers will find the extraordinary wild landscape and waves remarkable.
Total Budget
90 to 180 euros/day