Having lived in and advised visitors to Lisbon for over 26 years, one of the common questions I’m asked is “how many days should I spend in the city?”

There is a range of answers, as there is simply so much to do both in the city and the surrounding region. The city is compact enough for a short weekend break but also serves as a fantastic base for a longer holiday; equally, I have shown friends around in a rushed 6-hour tour while visiting as cruise ship passengers.

My recommended answer is that Lisbon needs 3 days of sightseeing to fully explore the city; this provides a perfect length of stay to explore the main historic districts and see all of the main sights without feeling rushed. Often for friends’ weekend trips I suggest swapping the Sunday plans with a day trip to either Sintra (or Cascais in the summer) and condense Lisbon into the remaining 2 days. So for you as a first-time visitor I would suggest 3 days for the city and an extra day for a day trip to Sintra, Cascais or the beaches.

Lisbon also makes for a wonderful extended holiday of a week or even longer. This provides time for further day trips such as the port city of Setúbal, the medieval gem of Évora, and Sesimbra for its outdoor activities (kayaking/coasteering) and stunning coastline. I wrote this guide to provide ideas and suggestions, to help visitors like yourself get the most from Lisbon.
Related article: Where to go after Lisbon?

Sunsets are one of the best times of the day and a drink at Miradouro de Santa Catarina is always a personal favourite

If you are new to Lisbon and are in the early stages of planning your trip, I recommend allocating three days to exploring the city. This gives you time to see all the main attractions, enjoy the vibrant nightlife, and go beyond the common tourist areas (which are worth it!)

My suggested three-day itinerary for visitors new to Lisbon is:

• Day 1: Alfama and Baixa districts: The grand centre of Lisbon (Baixa) and the maze of narrow streets (Alfama) that wind up to the castle. A wonderful introduction to the city that sees many highlights, including the Castelo de São Jorge, the Praça do Comércio, the Sé Cathedral and provides the option to ride the 28 tram (but expect it to be crowded during peak season).

• Day 2: Belém district: My favourite tourist area of the city, with peaceful parks stretching along the banks of the River Tejo; it is home to the magnificent Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the quaint Torre de Belém, and the home of the Pastel de Nata. For the remaining part of the day, visit Lisbon’s creative district in Alcântara and browse the shops and stalls in LX Factory - My Belém guide

• Day 3: Príncipe Real, Graça and Parque das Nações: This third day goes beyond the tourist areas to see the real city. Options include the affluent Príncipe Real district, the working-class but characterful Graça neighbourhood, or the ultra-modern Parque das Nações with its impressive architecture and waterfront views.

For nightlife, I suggest spending Friday or Saturday night in the lively Bairro Alto district with its many trendy bars and traditional Fado music venues. For a more riotous night, head further down the hill to Pink Street in Cais do Sodré. (nightlife guide)

An interactive map for your three days in Lisbon is shown below. Day one is highlighted in green, day two in yellow and day three in blue. (Note: zoom in or out to see all of the points)

Day one: 1) Praça do Comércio 2) Rua Augusta 3) Elevador de Santa Justa 4) Rossio 5) Praça dos Restauradores 6) Igreja de Santo António 7) Sé Cathedral 8) Castelo de São Jorge 9) Portas do Sol viewpoint 10) Panteão Nacional
Day two: 11) Mosteiro dos Jerónimos 12) Padrão dos Descobrimentos 13) Torre de Belém 14) Pastéis de Belém 15) LxFactory
Day three: 16) Praça Luís de Camões 17) Convento do Carmo 18) Igreja de São Roque 19) Jardim do Príncipe Real 20) Avenida da Liberdade 21) Praça Marquês de Pombal 22) Parque das Nações 23) Oceanário de Lisboa 24) Torre Vasco da Gama
Nightlife areas 25) Pink Street (Cais do Sodré district) 26) Bairro Alto
Related articles: Lisbon in 3 days

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém

The Parque das Nações is the modern side to historic Lisbon

I feel nowadays Sintra is almost intertwined with the Lisbon experience. Visitors frequently say they want to go to Lisbon, and the first image they show is the Pena Palace (which is as beautiful as it looks). Sintra lies 30km to the west and requires a full day, both due to the amount of sights and transport logistics.

To accommodate Sintra, your time spent in Lisbon could be reduced to 48 hours, simply by removing “Day 3” from the above itinerary. This alteration would mean missing out on discovering the real side of Lisbon, but for many visitors, Sintra is more important. If you are fortunate enough to be touring Portugal, I would advise allocating an extra day to the Lisbon region to allow for a trip to Sintra.

A day trip to Sintra is worth it and the town is beautiful. Sintra lies within the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra, and is home to the enchanting Pena Palace, the historic Moorish Castle, and the picturesque Quinta da Regaleira. Lisbon and Sintra are close together and have excellent public transport links, so the town can easily be visited as a day trip without the need to stay overnight. There is so much to see in Sintra that you could easily fill two days of sightseeing. To read why you want to explore Sintra please see our Sintra guide here.

Advice: The sights of Sintra are amazing, but its worldwide popularity has led to over-tourism. Go there with realistic expectations: be prepared for long queues, to stand for the entire 434 bus ride (which connects the station to the Pena Palace), and struggle to find somewhere for lunch. If the tourist masses get to be too much, head to Monserrate, the hidden gem of Sintra, which is equally as beautiful as the Pena Palace.

Another popular day trip, which I recommend during the summer months is to Cascais. This is a charming coastal town known for its beautiful beaches, pretty historic centre and scenic promenades. Cascais offers a mix of sites, such as the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, and natural beauty, including the Boca do Inferno cliffs.

The beautiful Pena Palace stands high above the Sintra region.

You may be at the very early stages of organising your holiday, but you should be aware that there is always high demand for accommodation during the peak season.

The smaller, characterful hotels sell out, while the larger chains increase prices. To secure both the best prices and rooms, you should book as soon as possible. Fortunately, many hotels do not require a deposit, allowing you to change your mind later risk-free.

The map below shows the best hotels in the Lisbon region and, by selecting your dates, it will display current prices and availability.

Many of Lisbon’s highlights can be experienced in a very short visit (5 to 8 hours), making it ideal if you have a long connection between flights. The airport is only 7km from the city centre and is conveniently connected to the metro. For your short visit, catch the metro to Rossio station (green line), which is located in the Baixa district.

From here, explore the main plazas such as Praça do Comércio and Rossio Square, then head to the historic São Jorge Castle, passing through the charming Alfama district. This quick tour allows you to capture the essence of Lisbon, even with limited time.

Note: There is an automated left-luggage storage in front of the departures building at Lisbon Airport, so there is no need to carry heavy luggage for a brief stopover.

Another reason you may have a very short stay in Lisbon is if you are visiting the city as a cruise ship passenger. The cruise terminal is conveniently located close to the Alfama district, and the city is very easy to explore on foot. A dedicated guide to Lisbon for cruise ship passengers can be read here.

The Elevador de Santa Justa

The Lisbon region offers a diverse array of sights, activities, and beautiful beaches, making it an ideal destination for a longer holiday, such as a 7- or 10-day stay. The next section provides suggestions for day trips, each with links to further in-depth guides, ensuring you make the most of your extended stay in this region.

Beaches
During the summer months, a popular extension to a trip is to spend a couple of days on the beautiful sandy beaches of the coastlines surrounding Lisbon.

To the west of Lisbon is the Portuguese Riveria, a region of glorious sandy beaches and charming towns. This region is popular with both tourists and Lisbon’s residents, as it is easily accessible by train. To the southwest of Lisbon is the Costa da Caparica coastline, which is popular for surfing.

The best beach for a day trip from Lisbon is the Praia de Carcavelos, which is 17km from the centre of Lisbon. This is very easy to reach, as it is connected to an urban train service that departs from Cais do Sodré train station. Cascais and Estoril are also popular beach destinations for families, with pretty and sheltered sandy beaches.
Note: The weather is suitable for spending time on the beach from May until the end of September.
Related articles: Lisbon’s beaches

The Praia de Carcavelos on a busy summer’s day

Day trips
There are many fantastic day trips from Lisbon in addition to Sintra. The best day trips include:

Cascais: A charming resort town, with a mix of stunning beaches and elegant 19th-century architecture. Spend a full day exploring its scenic coastline and charming streets. Our guide to Cascais

Setúbal: A bustling dock city and major fishing port, with a gritty and non-touristy atmosphere – a great place to experience ‘real’ Portugal. Our guide to Setubal

Évora: A historic gem in the Alentejo region, boasts well-preserved medieval architecture. Explore its ancient streets, Roman temple, and the impressive medieval cathedral. Évora is a great destination, but there is a long (2-hour) train journey.

Óbidos: The classic Portuguese walled town and one of the prettiest destinations in Portugal. Óbidos is small and can be seen within 2 hours, and is often combined with Peniche. Our guide to Óbidos

Obidos is the classic Portuguese walled town

Sesimbra: A delightful coastal town, is renowned for its pristine beaches and excellent seafood. Our guide to Sesimbra.

Mafra: A historic town, which is home to the magnificent Mafra National Palace, a Baroque masterpiece with a vast library and beautiful gardens. A day trip to Mafra is often combined with Ericeira.

Ericeira: A charming fishing town and surfer's paradise, offering stunning beaches and a picturesque old town.

Serra da Arrábida: A breathtaking nature park with rugged mountains and stunning coastline. Perfect for hiking or enjoy the magnificent views from the Miradouro do Portinho viewpoint.

Many first-time visitors to Portugal believe that the Algarve is the only region with great beaches. However, the Lisbon area boasts equally stunning beaches, eliminating the need to venture south. In summer, the Algarve often becomes crowded with package tourists and families on school holidays.

In our view, the Lisbon region offers much more than the Algarve. While the Algarve's highlights include the charming fishing town of Tavira and the historic port of Lagos, the Lisbon area provides a richer and more diverse experience.

Discover more of Lisbon with our most popular guides