TL;DR — Four days is the sweet spot for Lisbon: two on foot in Alfama and Baixa, one for Belém and the river, one for Sintra. Walk slowly, eat often, and don’t try to “see everything.”
Why four days?
Lisbon is small enough to walk, but its hills and 28 °C summers punish over-scheduling. Four days lets you cover the historic core, ride tram 28 once (early), do a proper Sintra day trip, and still leave a sunset free.
| You have | Best use |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Alfama + Baixa-Chiado, one viewpoint sunset |
| 3 days | Add Belém or Sintra |
| 4 days | Add both Belém and Sintra, plus a slow LX Factory afternoon |
| 5+ days | Add Cascais, Setúbal wine country, or Évora |
Day 1 — Baixa, Chiado, and your first miradouro
Land in the morning, drop bags, and start at Praça do Comércio. Walk up Rua Augusta, peek into A Brasileira for a bica (espresso), and let the afternoon climb take you to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara for sunset.
- Lunch: tasca near Largo do Carmo, around €12–15.
- Don’t miss: the Carmo Convent ruins (€7), open to the sky.
- Walk total: ~7 km — slower than it looks because of the inclines.
Day 2 — Alfama on foot, fado at night
Go early. Tram 28 is a tourist conveyor belt by 10 a.m. — ride it before 8:30 or skip it.
- Sé Cathedral at opening.
- Coffee at Castelo de São Jorge (the view, not the entry queue — buy timed tickets online).
- Wander down through Alfama’s tiled alleys to Miradouro de Santa Luzia.
- Dinner: a small fado house in Mouraria, not the Bairro Alto tourist circuit.
Tip: book one anchor per day and let the rest breathe. Lisbon punishes back-to-back reservations.
Day 3 — Belém and the river
Take tram 15E (45 min) to Belém before 10 a.m. to beat the Pastéis de Belém line. Order two — you’ll regret one.
- Jerónimos Monastery (€12, free first Sunday)
- MAAT for contemporary art and a roof walk
- Walk back along the river to LX Factory; coffee and an early dinner under the bridge
Day 4 — Sintra day trip
Take the train from Rossio (~40 min, €4.60 round-trip). Buy Pena Palace tickets online for a 9:30 entry; the 11 a.m. crowds are no joke.
- 9:30 — Pena Palace (start at the top, walk down)
- 12:30 — Quinta da Regaleira (the initiation well is the photo)
- 15:00 — Lunch in Sintra village, then the train back
- Sunset back in Lisbon at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Costs (real, 2026)
| Item | Per person |
|---|---|
| Metro/tram day pass | €6.80 |
| Castelo de São Jorge | €15 |
| Pena Palace + park | €20 |
| Sit-down dinner with wine | €18–28 |
| Coffee + pastel de nata | €2.50 |
FAQ
Is 4 days in Lisbon enough?
Yes — for the city plus one major day trip (Sintra or Cascais). For both day trips, give yourself five.
When should I visit Lisbon?
April–May and late September–October for warm days without August’s heat. Avoid the second half of June if you dislike crowds — the Santo António festivals are loud and packed.
Do I need to rent a car?
No. The metro, trams, and trains cover everything in this plan. Save the rental for an Algarve extension.
What’s worth skipping?
Long lines at Pastéis de Belém if you can’t go before 10 a.m. — Manteigaria in Chiado is excellent and rarely waits more than 5 minutes.
Published at: Apr 20, 2026 · Modified at: Apr 27, 2026
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