Itineraries for Your Trip to Lisbon
1 Day in Lisbon for First Timers
Editor’s note: The Belém Tower is currently closed for renovations.
For me, Lisbon’s color palette is one of Europe’s most beautiful—and one of the reasons I love this city so fervently. Yolk-yellow buildings are adorned with duck-egg-blue tiles, and cream-colored cobbles sit beneath pastel-pink buildings that appear to tumble down from miradouros (lookout points) into the Tagus River below.
But Lisbon isn’t just a pretty face; its museums, food, and fado scene are just some of the reasons I take an inconvenient detour via the capital every time I visit my mum in the Algarve. Because who could possibly say no to a city founded on culture and custard tarts? If you’re visiting for the first time, here’s how to get acquainted with the best of Portugal’s pinnacle.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Belém, where hundreds of years of history are packed into such a small space.
The breeze that blows up from the Atlantic Ocean means that Lisbon temperatures plummet at night, even in summer, so take a jacket.
Kick off your Lisbon adventure in Belém, a district served by the famous yellow Tram 15, which takes you along Lisbon’s gorgeous waterfront. Delve deeper into the rich history of the UNESCO–listed Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), a medieval monolith, and the 16th-century Monastery of St. Jerome (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). Then, head to Pastéis de Belém, where the city’s best pasteis de nata (custard tarts) are made according to a secret recipe that dates back to the 1800s.
Lisbon is nicknamed the City of Seven Hills, and while its steep streets result in some stunning views, it can make sightseeing a real workout. Save time (and your legs) by covering central highlights on an eco-friendly electric tuk-tuk tour that zips you between highlights such as cobblestone Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood; the grandiose Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), whose centerpiece is an equestrian statue of King Jose I; and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte), the city’s top sunset spot.
Tonight, escape the crowds on land and set sail on the Tagus River at sunset. Cruise past landmarks such as the 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle), and Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) while sipping free-flowing wine on a traditional wooden vessel. Back on dry land, head to the Time Out Market in Cais de Sodré, just a 15-minute walk along the waterfront from where you’ll disembark, for a selection of vendors selling traditional Portuguese treats.
