24 hours in Lisbon just isn’t loads of time. But if it’s all you may have, you higher take advantage of it!
You don’t need to go far to take in Lisbon’s allure, irrespective of the place you’re staying within the metropolis. Every nook has a narrative to inform and one thing tasty to attempt. Plus, breathtaking views of town are by no means too far-off. Just be ready to climb a couple of steep hills alongside the way in which.
With solely someday in Lisbon, you should plan your time fastidiously. So, maintain studying for an entire information to taking advantage of 24 hours in Lisbon.
Looking for a spot to remain? Check out: Best Boutique Hotels in Lisbon
Here’s a breakdown of the itinerary:
Make the Most of Your 24 Hours in Lisbon: Join a Walking Tour
Joining a strolling tour, just like the Best of Lisbon Walking Tour with River Cruise, Jeronimos Monastery, & Alfama by Take Walks, is the right approach to dive deep into the guts of Lisbon.
Get prepared for breathtaking views, fascinating historical past, awe-inspiring structure, and even a scrumptious native deal with.
From Belém to Alfama, this tour takes you on a journey to discover Lisbon’s high sights with a neighborhood professional who brings town’s tales to life.
Price: From €74
Duration: 6.5 hours
Meeting Point: Meet your information in entrance of the principle door of the Cais do Sodre practice station (Cais do Sodre, 1).
Here’s a breakdown of how you can spend your day in Lisbon, beginning with this tour.
One Day in Lisbon Itinerary
We hope you bought a superb evening’s sleep and packed your strolling footwear since you’ve obtained a busy day lined up!
Wear your most snug and Instagrammable outfit—simply so that you’re prepared for these photograph alternatives! If you’re visiting Lisbon in Summer, be ready for the warmth. It will get scorching, so put on breathable clothes. Pack a backpack with all the things you want for the day, together with sunscreen, sun shades, hat and water.
Morning: The Historic Heart of Lisbon
Once you’re prepared, head to town middle and meet your information in entrance of the principle door of the Cais do Sodre practice station (Cais do Sodre, 1).
For info on how you can get there, try: How to Get Around Lisbon.
8:45 AM – Starting the Adventure
Your day begins in Lisbon’s vibrant metropolis middle. Here, you’ll meet your information and a small group of fellow vacationers, able to discover. A fast practice journey takes you to Belém, the maritime district testomony to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.
9:30 AM – Jeronimos Monastery
The first cease is the Jeronimos Monastery, the place the grandeur of Manueline structure awaits. As you wander via the cloisters, you’ll stroll the identical halls as Vasco da Gama and different explorers who prayed right here for secure voyages.
10:15 AM – A Sweet Treat
Next, bask in Portugal’s well-known custard tarts on the authentic bakery. Enjoy this candy second as your information shares tales of explorers and the Age of Discoveries, setting the stage for what’s subsequent.
11:00 AM – Belém’s Monuments
Discover Belém’s iconic monuments, together with the Monument of the Discoveries and Belém Tower. Learn about Portugal’s navigational triumphs and the empire that spanned continents.
If you’re planning your 24 hours in Lisbon by yourself (with out becoming a member of a tour), try: How to Buy Tickets to the Tower of Belém in Lisbon.
Midday: Scenic Views and Hidden Gems
Now that you simply’ve coated some historic sights, it’s time to discover some scenic views and contact on the tradition and delicacies of Lisbon.
12:00 PM – River Cruise Relaxation
After exploring on foot, a scenic boat journey gives a unique perspective of Lisbon. Glide beneath the twenty fifth of April Bridge and previous the Cristo Rei statue, having fun with unparalleled metropolis views of Lisbon.
1:00 PM – Lunch Break
Back in Lisbon’s metropolis middle, lunch awaits! This is your alternative to immerse your self in Portugal’s wealthy culinary scene.
Here’s how you can make it unforgettable:
- Get native suggestions: Skip the vacationer spots. Ask locals—your tour information, a shopkeeper—for his or her go-to locations.
- Explore aspect streets: Authentic eateries are sometimes hidden away from fundamental roads. These spots are the place you’ll discover real Lisbon flavors.
- Seek out seasonal specialties: Go for menus that showcase recent, seasonal produce. It’s the essence of Portuguese delicacies.
- Use on-line critiques neatly: A fast scan of critiques can information you to noteworthy spots, specializing in ambiance and standout dishes.
- Opt for family-run eating places: These institutions promise a homely vibe and conventional cooking, enriching your eating expertise.
- Try conventional dishes: Don’t go away with out tasting classics like bacalhau, cozido à portuguesa, or a bifana. It’s a style of true Portugal.
For foodies, try: How To Eat Like a Local in Lisbon
Afternoon: Alfama’s Labyrinth
Time to get misplaced in Alfama!
2:00 PM – Alfama’s Secrets
As your tour continues, you’ll step into Alfama, the soul of Lisbon and its oldest surviving district. This space is a dwelling museum, a canvas painted with the wealthy hues of historical past, tradition, and custom.
Here’s what makes Alfama actually particular and what it is best to maintain an eye fixed out for:
- Rich historical past: Walking via Alfama is like traversing centuries, with its medieval allure and layers of historical past seen in its structure and streets.
- Architectural gems: From viewpoints to Gothic church buildings and azulejos-covered homes, Alfama showcases the essence of Portuguese design and custom.
- Fado music: Experience the soul of Portugal with a go to to a Fado home in Alfama, the place the standard music style fills the air with melancholic tunes.
- Authentic native life: Witness the real day by day lifetime of Lisbon’s residents, a dwelling instance of group and custom.
- Breathtaking viewpoints: Don’t miss the panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River from spots like Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
- Historic websites: Explore landmarks like São Jorge Castle and the Sé Cathedral to delve deeper into Lisbon’s wealthy non secular and historic heritage.
When visiting Alfama, let curiosity be your information. Engage with the locals, savor the small particulars, and permit the rhythm of the neighborhood to steer you. Alfama is not only a spot to go to; it’s an expertise to be lived, providing a profound connection to the soul of Lisbon.
Related learn: A Guide to Lisbon Neighborhoods
3:15 PM – Ending within the Castle’s Shadow
The Take Walks tour wraps up close to Lisbon’s imposing fortress. While admission isn’t included, you’re inspired to discover the fortress’s wealthy historical past and beautiful views at your leisure.
Visiting São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) is like stepping again right into a pivotal chapter of Lisbon’s historical past. Perched atop certainly one of Lisbon’s highest hills, this iconic fortress gives a journey via the previous and among the most beautiful views of town and the Tagus River.
The fortress’s origins hint again to the eleventh century when it was a Moorish royal residence. As you wander via its sturdy partitions and towers, you’ll stroll via centuries of historical past, from the Islamic interval to the age of Portuguese exploration and past.
The fortress’s vantage level supplies breathtaking panoramic views. You can see throughout Lisbon’s rooftops, the winding Tagus River, and past from its ramparts. It’s an ideal spot for photographers and anybody trying to seize town’s essence from above.
The fortress’s gardens are a serene retreat from the bustling metropolis beneath. Here, you possibly can benefit from the shade of olive and cork timber, accompanied by the resident peacocks that roam freely, including an unique contact to the fortress’s ambiance.
It’s a beautiful spot to chill out after a busy day in your toes and within the solar!
Evening: Explore Lisbon on Your Own
After a day of taking within the historical past, meals and tradition, it’s time to get pleasure from a enjoyable (or enjoyable) night in Lisbon.
Depending in your journey type, power ranges and preferences, listed below are a couple of choices to spend your solely night in Lisbon:
Sunset at Miradouro de Santa Catarina
Make your approach to Miradouro de Santa Catarina, a beloved native spot identified for its beautiful sundown views. This picturesque terrace overlooks the Lisbon skyline, the Tagus River, and the twenty fifth of April Bridge, providing a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples because the solar dips beneath the horizon.
It’s a second of pure magic, shared with locals and vacationers alike, typically accompanied by avenue musicians’ mild strumming of a guitar. Bring a small picnic or seize a drink from the close by kiosk, discover a spot, and let the panoramic views and ambient sounds present an ideal finish to the afternoon.
Dinner in Bairro Alto
As evening falls, Bairro Alto comes alive. This historic neighborhood, with its slender cobbled streets and conventional buildings, transforms into certainly one of Lisbon’s most vibrant eating and nightlife areas.
From conventional Portuguese eating places serving classics like Bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with potatoes and eggs) and grilled sardines, to fashionable eateries providing fusion delicacies, Bairro Alto caters to all tastes.
Wander the streets and select a spot that catches your eye—the realm is understood for its welcoming ambiance, the place the scrumptious cooking smells fill the air, and the sound of energetic conversations creates a buzz.
Fado Experience
To immerse your self in Portuguese tradition, finish your night with a stay Fado efficiency. Fado, a UNESCO-listed music style, is characterised by its melancholic tunes and lyrics that specific the Portuguese idea of “saudade,” a deep sense of longing.
Alfama is residence to many intimate Fado homes the place you possibly can expertise these emotional performances up shut. Venues like Clube de Fado, A Baiuca, or Sr. Fado de Alfama supply dinner and present combos, permitting you to get pleasure from conventional dishes whereas being serenaded by Fado singers and guitarists.
It’s a soul-stirring expertise that connects you to the guts of Portuguese custom, making for an unforgettable conclusion to your day in Lisbon.
We’ve coated a couple of of the highest spots right here: Top Cafes, Restaurants and Fado Bars in Lisbon
The Best of Lisbon in One Day
Spending 24 hours in Lisbon is an exhilarating journey via time, tastes, and tales. From the historic depths of the Jeronimos Monastery to the charming alleys of Alfama, and concluding with the rhythm of Fado, Lisbon gives a day you’ll always remember.
We hope you handle to squeeze in as a lot Portuguese taste, spirit, historical past and tradition into your 24 hours in Lisbon. No matter what you find yourself doing, one factor is for positive: you’ll go away planning your subsequent go to to this thrilling metropolis.
If you may have an additional day to spare, try: Exploring Lisbon in 2 Days
