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Portugal

Lisbon

Spend three days: Belém one morning, Alfama and the castle another, plus a day trip to Sintra. We have mapped 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Lisbon with friendsBrowse 10 places
Lisbon, Portugal
Places
10

4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Portugal by Rail

Best season
Apr – Jun

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

23°C / 73°F avg high

Coolest month
January

14°C / 58°F avg high

Wettest month
November

about 92 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Lisbon

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

4 sights worth building a day around across Belém, Alfama and Sintra.

  • Jerónimos Monastery in LisbonPhoto: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Jerónimos Monastery

    Manueline monastery with a carved cloister and Vasco da Gama's tomb.

    Tip Book online; closed Mondays.

    • Belém
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Belém Tower in LisbonPhoto: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Belém Tower

    16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus, built to guard the harbor.

    • Belém
    • $$
    • 45 min
  • Castelo de São Jorge in LisbonPhoto: Angela Del Sarto · Google
    See

    Castelo de São Jorge

    Moorish castle walls above Alfama with the widest views of the city.

    • Alfama
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Late afternoon
  • Pena Palace in LisbonPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Pena Palace

    Romantic hilltop palace in bright colors above Sintra, 40 minutes by train.

    Tip Book timed tickets and arrive at opening.

    • Sintra
    • $$$
    • 3 hr
    • Morning

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Graça.

  • Tram 28 in LisbonPhoto: Václav Pavlík · Google
    Do

    Tram 28

    Vintage yellow tram climbing through Graça, Alfama and Baixa.

    Tip Board at Martim Moniz early to get a seat.

    • Graça
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Early morning

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Graça.

  • Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in LisbonPhoto: Jorge Ferreira Cardoso · Google
    Outdoors

    Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

    The city's highest viewpoint, looking over the castle and river.

    • Graça
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Sunset

Eat

Where we would book a table in Lisbon across Belém, Cais do Sodré and Intendente.

  • Pastéis de Belém in LisbonPhoto: Dagmar Pokorná · Google
    Eat

    Pastéis de Belém

    Bakery making custard tarts since 1837.

    Tip Eat in the back rooms to skip the takeaway line.

    • Belém
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Time Out Market Lisboa in LisbonPhoto: Paul Arps from The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0
    Eat

    Time Out Market Lisboa

    Food hall with stalls from well-known Lisbon chefs.

    • Cais do Sodré
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Lunch
  • Cervejaria Ramiro in LisbonPhoto: Miguel Angel Gomez Rueda · Google
    Eat

    Cervejaria Ramiro

    Bustling seafood beer hall famous for garlic prawns and a steak sandwich to finish.

    Tip No reservations; go before 7 p.m.

    • Intendente
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Lisbon in Rossio.

  • A Ginjinha in LisbonPhoto: 김한결 · Google
    Drink

    A Ginjinha

    Tiny bar pouring cherry liqueur since 1840.

    • Rossio
    • $
    • 15 min
    • Evening

How to fit Lisbon into a trip

Lisbon is stop 1 of 3 on our Portugal by Rail route. Follow it as-is or lift Lisbon into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Lisbon month by month

Average daily highs run from 14°C / 58°F in January to 23°C / 73°F in August. November is the wettest month, with about 92 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Lisbon weather and the best time to visit →

Near Lisbon

4 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Lisbon questions, answered

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

Our route notes suggest 3 days in Lisbon. On our Portugal by Rail route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Lisbon best known for?

Spend three days: Belém one morning, Alfama and the castle another, plus a day trip to Sintra. Standouts on our list: Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline monastery with a carved cloister and Vasco da Gama's tomb); Belém Tower (16th-century fortified tower on the Tagus, built to guard the harbor); Castelo de São Jorge (Moorish castle walls above Alfama with the widest views of the city).

When is the best time to visit Lisbon?

Our Portugal by Rail route is best Apr – Jun. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (23°C / 73°F), the coolest in January (14°C / 58°F) and the most rain in November (about 92 mm).

What are the best things to do in Lisbon?

Start with Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Castelo de São Jorge, Tram 28 and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Lisbon?

Our picks: Pastéis de Belém; Time Out Market Lisboa (Cais do Sodré); Cervejaria Ramiro (Intendente). Eat in the back rooms to skip the takeaway line (Pastéis de Belém).

What is near Lisbon?

The closest destinations in our guides are Coimbra (about 176 km / 109 mi), Porto (about 274 km / 170 mi) and Seville (about 313 km / 195 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Lisbon with your crew

Open the Portugal by Rail route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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