Lisbon, the capital and the largest city of Portugal is full of wonders just waiting to be explored. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Lisbon to sightsee and experience its charm. But with so many attractions, where to go and what to see can become a rather confusing question. Surely all of the city cannot be enjoyed in 2 days but if you know where to go, even 2 days in Lisbon are enough.
So, to help you get the most out of your trip to Lisbon, we have compiled the ultimate 2 days in Lisbon itinerary consisting of top attractions that just cannot be missed.
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2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: Day 1
Rossio Square
On your day 1 of your 2 days in Lisbon itinerary, head to the famous Rossio Square which is an excellent starting point for exploring the Lisbon city, with many attractions, shops, and restaurants within walking distance. It’s a fantastic place to relax, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, or simply take a stroll while appreciating the historical and cultural significance of this central square in Lisbon.
As you enter the square, you will be welcomed with a rather groovy yet beautiful wave-patterned pavement, adding to the charm of the square. Walk a little more towards the middle, and you will meet with a large bronze statue of Dom Pedro IV, the former Portuguese king and emperor of Brazil.
Santa Justa Lift
While you are at Rossio Square, you cannot miss the iconic Santa Justa Lift. Built in the 20th century and still standing strong under the weight of thousands of visitors from all across the world, Santa Justa, or the Carmo Lift is a functional architectural masterpiece. Serving as both a means of transportation and an incredible vantage point, its standout feature is its viewing platform, which offers visitors breathtaking views of Lisbon’s iconic rooftops and the serene Tagus River.
While the Santa Justa Lift is a popular tourist attraction and can get quite crowded, it remains an essential stop during your visit to Lisbon. Beyond its aesthetic appeal and panoramic views, it also serves as a convenient way to bridge the gap between the lower Baixa district and the elevated Bairro Alto neighborhood.
Carmo Convent
Just a few streets away from Santa Justa Lift, you’ll find Carmo Convent, which stands as the ruins of a once-grand Gothic church dating back to the 14th century. The church was damaged in 1755 due to an earthquake that nearly destroyed the city off the face of the earth. Along with the church, almost 5000 books were destroyed.
Today, the site stands as stunning as ever, even as a ruin. If your agenda is to explore Lisbon’s historic architecture, then Carmo Convent definitely deserves a visit.
Rua Augusta
Next, you can visit the Rua Augusta which is primarily a pedestrian street, but there is more to it than just a street tourists and locals walk on. Firstly, the street is paved with black and white mosaic cobblestone. Secondly, Rua Augusta harbors a plethora of historic buildings, cafes, and balconies.
Another highlight is the Arch of Rua Augusta, which features historic sculptures. Visitors can climb to the top for an eagle’s eye view of the street and the Tagus River in the backdrop.
Praça do Comércio
From Rua Augusta, you can next head towards Praça do Comércio, which is only 5 minutes walk away. Praça do Comércio is a grand public square situated along the Tagus River that should not be missed when visiting Lisbon. Its panoramic views and stunning architecture add to the charm of the city. It’s also home to the Arco da Rua Augusta, a historic memorial carved with stone figures depicting Glory, Valor, and Genius at the top.
When exploring the plaza, check out the statue of King José I, dine at cafes and shops under the arcades, or snap photos in front of the 18th-century architecture. As a vibrant gathering place full of sights straight out of a postcard, Praça do Comércio beautifully showcases Lisbon’s rich culture and architecture for both tourists and locals alike.
Time Out Market for lunch
By now, you must be exhausted and searching for a good place to eat. Well, why stop at one place when you can stop at many? Head to the Time Out Market next to enjoy Lisbon’s best foods and restaurants all in one place. Whether you are into local Portuguese cuisine or continental cuisine, savory or sweet, you can find it all here. Time Out Market is about 15 minutes of walk away from the Carmo Convent.
Take tram 28 to Alfama
After enjoying a hearty Portuguese lunch, be prepared for the next and the most interesting highlight of Lisbon: Alfama neighborhood through the Tram 28. Believe it or not, the iconic Tram 28 is a major attraction in Lisbon. Painted in yellow, these trams travel along the narrow streets of the Alfama district up to the Sao Jorge Castle. On your ride, you will come across beautiful architecture and pastel-colored buildings. Alternatively, if you are in the mood to stroll, you can walk to the starting point of the Alfama, which will take around 20 minutes.
Explore Alfama
Alfama is the city’s oldest neighborhood, whose origins stretch back to medieval Moorish settlements. Today, it remains an impressive oldest part of the capital to explore. Stroll along the cobblestone lanes and discover hidden gems like the Sé Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Lisbon. Next, you can visit the Fado Museum and immerse yourself in the soulful traditional Portuguese music. If you are visiting Alfama on Tuesday or Saturday, don’t miss out on the Feira da Ladra, a flea market where you can find many unique antique pieces.
In the evening, if time allows, you can even dine in one of the many charming restaurants for authentic Portuguese cuisine. With so much culture and natural beauty, Alfama’s charm is truly a one-of-a-kind attraction to visit.
Bairro Alto & Chiado
Just 20 minutes away from the Alfama district, end your day 1 of your 2 days in Lisbon itinerary with a visit to Bairro Alto. During the daytime, Bairro Alto offers tourists a comfortable shopping experience with luxury shops and chic cafes. But come night-time, and the whole vibe changes. Bairro Alto is best experienced at night when Lisbon’s nightlife comes alive. This area is known for its vibrant nightlife, picturesque streets, and rich culture.
2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: Day 2
Castelo de S. Jorge
Start your second day of the 2 days in Lisbon itinerary by visiting the historical Castelo de S. Jorge. Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful city of Lisbon, the Castelo de S. Jorge is a significant part of Portugal’s history. Dating back to the Moorish occupation in the 11th century, this castle offers a deep insight into the capital’s past. Visitors can explore the well-preserved towers and courtyards of the castle, each offering a unique view of the city. It also houses a small museum featuring many artifacts, including the Umayyad ceramics.
The main highlight of the Castelo de S. Jorge is the Ulysses Tower, which offers a 360-degree view of Lisbon via periscope. After spending some time at the Castelo de S. Jorge, you can walk down back to town and catch public transport to Belém.
Belém Tower
The first attraction that you should visit in Belém is the Belem Tower, an iconic symbol of Lisbon’s maritime heritage located near the Tagus River. This 16th-century fortress is, in very simple words, a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture. Upon arriving, you will be immediately taken aback by the attention to detail. From design elements to the stone carvings, every aspect of the tower is just perfect.
The tower served as both a defensive fortress and a ceremonial gateway to the city during the Age of Exploration. Moreover, the tower is conveniently located near other notable attractions, such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries, making it a perfect starting point for a historical and cultural journey through Belém.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Just a 20-minute walk away from the Belem Tower, you’ll find Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or English translation for Monument of Discoveries, a beautiful symbol of Portuguese history. Located near the banks of the Tagus River, Padrão dos Descobrimentos was established in 1940 in recognition of the “Portuguese Age of Discovery” during the 15th and 16th centuries. The monument is adorned with sculptures of Portugal’s most influential explorers and is free to enter.
Jerónimos Monastery
Next up on your 2 days in Lisbon itinerary, head to the iconic Jeronimas Monastery, which is around 9-minute walk from the monument. Upon arrival, you will be awed by the fine architecture and the deep-rooted history. The monastery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in 1604 – almost a century later than the start of its construction. Entrance to the chapel is free, but you may need to pay a fee if you wish to experience the monastery up close. After spending around 1 to 2 hours at the Monastery, walk to the Pastéis de Belém.
Pastéis de Belém
The food scene in Lisbon is quite tantalizing, one particular item is the famous Pastel de Nata that you will find in almost every bakery in Lisbon. It all started from none other than Pasties de Belem, an iconic bakery only 3 minutes away from the monastery. Here, the recipe for the famous Portuguese custard tarts was originally made and perfected.
MAAT
Up next is MAAT, which is short for Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology. It was opened in 2016 with the goal of blending three areas: art, architecture, and technology. From the outside, the building itself is designed to stand out, but on the inside, things get even better. Designed by the famous British architect Amanda Levete, the museum building itself is a work of art.
For a small entry free, you get to experience contemporary art, sculptures, rotating exhibitions, and much more. The location of MAAT, which is in the historic district of Belém, further enhances its importance in the country’s history, linking Lisbon’s rich past with its innovative future.
LX Factory
Your last stop on the second day of this 2 days in Lisbon itinerary is the LX Factory, which is about 2.5 km away from the MAAT. You can either take a taxi from there or walk to the LX Factory, which will take you about 25 minutes.
With aesthetics and art waiting for you at every corner, LX Factory is the perfect mood-setter if you’re in Lisbon for two days. It’s a fascinating place that combines creativity and culture. What used to be an industrial complex formerly is now an artistic haven. As you wander the cobbled streets, you’ll discover galleries, boutiques, and restaurants within the renovated industrial buildings. LX Factory is the perfect place to shop for handcrafted goods and enjoy contemporary art exhibitions. And when you get tired, sit back and relax at one of the many trendy cafés nearby.
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Travel Resources for 2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary:
To make planning this 2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transfers, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do during your trip here.
Flights:
CheapOAir : You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars and vacation packages all in one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money. This Spain and Portugal itinerary might just be a great one to give it a try since you will be arriving in Barcelona and leaving from Lisbon to come home.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & daytrips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links, MultiCityTrips may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
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