š 3 Day Guide to Lisbon From Someone That Lives There
Legend has it that Lisbon was founded by Ulysses himself, after he got lost trying to find his way home from the Trojan War. Fortunately, he didn't encounter any Sirens on his way to Lisbon, but he did discover a city with a rich history and a great port for ships to dock.
From then on, Lisbon became a hub for trade and exploration during the Age of Discovery, with Portuguese sailors setting sail to find new lands and spices.
Later on, Lisbon was rocked by a devastating earthquake, but the city bounced back with the help of some savvy urban planning and a few tons of cement. Today, Lisbon is a thriving city with something for everyone, from historic landmarks to trendy bars and restaurants.
And if you're ever lost in Lisbon, just remember: Ulysses did it too.
š¬ Language
Most people speak Portuguese as their first language, although many locals also speak English, especially in tourist areas.
šø Currency
Euro (EUR)
āļø Main Airport
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
šļø Best time to visit
April-June or September-November
ā° Recommended stay
3-4+ days
š° Tipping
Portugal doesn't have a standard tipping culture as in the US. You will find many people leaving a few euros at the end of their meal. (For example, if your bill is 37 Euros, you would round up to 40 when paying).Ā
However, for professions more exposed to tourism (drivers and guides) I would recommend to tip 5-20 Euros.Ā
š Recommended transportation
Take the metro, bus, the tram, or walk. Lisbon has a modern and efficient metro and bus system that connects the city's main areas.Ā Ā
š¦ŗ Safety
Lisbon is generally safe for tourists, but it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure safety, such as keeping valuables secure, using licensed transportation, avoiding poorly lit areas and alleyways, and staying informed about the current safety situation.
Day 1
Half Day Food Tour and Wandering around the CityĀ
Start the day by exploring some of my favorite parts of the city on your own. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes because the city is incredibly hilly!Ā
You can also get familiar with Lisbon through a food tour. Here are some of my favorite options!
Day 2
Day Trip to SintraĀ
Sintra is like a fairytale land come to life, with its whimsical palaces and enchanting gardens. It's no wonder that even the Portuguese royal family chose to spend their summers here.
It's located further inland, 45 minutes from Lisbon. You can either go there by yourself or by taking the train from the Rossio Station (you can buy tickets onsite and there's a train every 30-45 min).
However, be mindful that you will still be doing a lot of walking once in Sintra.Ā
I would recommend to pick 2-3 palaces and explore. For many of the palaces, you can buy tickets online to avoid waiting in the long lines.Ā
My go to's are Biester Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour. Here are some of my favorites!Ā Ā
Day 3
BelemĀ
BelĆ©m is the land of pastries and monuments right next door to Lisbon.Ā
I would recommend to start today by visiting the Quake Experience where you can learn about the 1755 earthquake that changed the city forever.
Afterwards, I would continue exploring around Belem. Here are some of my favorite places to visit.Ā
**TIP: Try not to visit Belem on a Monday as you will find many of the locations are closed.Ā
For your last evening in Lisbon, I would recommend to experience some Fado.Ā Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics often expressing a sense of longing, nostalgia, or sadness.
Here are two of my favorite spots.
I would also consider some other fun activities like taking the ferry to Cacilhas and watching the sunset there, going to Mercado do Campo de Ourique or even trying a home cooked meal in a Portuguese home.Ā
Hotel RecommendationsĀ
Restaurant and Bar RecommendationsĀ
Have fun!
You're going to have a wonderful time in Lisbon! Make sure to follow me at @mazepa.travel on Instagram or @mazepatravel on TikTok. I would love to see pictures of your travels!
**Disclosure: this guide may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link at no cost to you.Ā
Other Guides
Feeling like you want to explore more?
Perhaps you're reading this guide and thinking to yourself:
š This is nice to see, but it doesn't quite fit what I need for my trip.
šĀ I also want to see other cities.Ā
š This was helpful but I don't want the headache of booking all the guides, drivers, hotels, train tickets, etc.
I got you! I've been working in the luxury travel industry for 10 years and have been a Morocco, Spain and Portugal expert for 5 of them.Ā
Check out my other services!Ā
The home for unique & authentic travel
