Lisbon is one of those cities that is simply incredible to visit. With a year-round mild climate, lots of sunshine (it’s one of the sunniest cities in Europe!), beautiful views, and plenty of laid-back sightseeing options, spending 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal is bound to be a delight!
If you’re hoping to spend 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal then here’s what you MUST do:
Here’s my Perfect Travel Itinerary to spending 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal!
The Ultimate 2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: Day 1
Check out Praça do Comércio
Start your own personalized walking tour in the city square of Praça do Comércio. Set right on the Tagus River, the Praça do Comércio is beautiful and well worth checking out during your 2 days in Lisbon.
If you’d like to get fantastic views of the Praça do Comércio from above, head up to the Arco da Rua Augusta platform for fabulous views.
Walk around the Alfama District
After you have finished marveling at the view, walk around the winding cobblestone streets of the most picturesque labyrinth you’ve ever seen. Welcome to the Alfama district! Make your way through the small laneways while exploring the city’s shops, bars and restaurants.
You will soon start to see the pattern of the colourful tiles that make up the buildings walls and the shiny (and slippery) cobblestone paths.
While you’re walking around try and snap some photos of Lisbon,s Pink Street- only a quick walk from Praça do Comércio and is on your way to Time Out Market.
The oldest area in Lisbon and also the only one that survived the great earthquake, Alfama is best enjoyed early in the morning when the alleys are empty of tourists, and you can fully appreciate the typical Portugal architecture you are surrounded with (so many azulejo tiles!).
Grab yourself a cup of strong Portuguese coffee, a few pastéis de natas and try to figure your way to our next stop (this time it really is a stop).
See the incredible views from São Jorge Castelo
We continue our 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal with a castle. For 10 € (per person) you HAVE to go and see the views of Lisbon from this amazing Castle! Conveniently located smack bang in the middle of the city, you literally have 360° views starting from the Tagus river where you can just make out the statue of Christ The King in the distance. After you finally pull yourself away from the views you can take a leisurely stroll along, up and throughout the Castle.
While exploring the castle and its small museum, you’d also find out that the hill you’re standing on was used for defensive purposes long before the castle was built. Indigenous Celtic tribes, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians had a defensible outpost there that was later expropriated by Roman, Suebic, Visigothic, and Moorish peoples. Wow! A lot of blood had been spilled at that place!
Today the castle is most renowned for its views over Lisbon and is the perfect way to end your journey in Alfama and go to the slightly more modern part of the city.
Opening hours:
– November – February: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
– March – October: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Website: castelodesaojorge.pt/en/
Price:
– Regular: 10 EUR
– 13 – 25 years old: 5 EUR
– Seniors (65+) and disabled visitors: 8.50 EUR
Have a mystery dinner at Mini Bar
A perfect end to day 1 of your 2 days in Lisbon is a mystery dinner at Mini Bar; José Avillez’s first gourmet bar. José Avillez offers a Drink’s Menu with Special Cocktails, Wines, Craft Beers and more, and also small and varied gastronomic experiences full of flavour, wonder and fun that can be savored in the bar area or in the tables reserved for dinner.
This is not a traditional restaurant. Here, not everything is what it seems.
One of the greatest food experiences I’ve had was at this restaurant. Lucky for Pete it was his birthday while we were in Lisbon so I surprised him with a reservation at this restaurant for dinner. Their tasting menu is like a degustation of all their best dishes however you have no prior knowledge of what you ordered until they serve it at your table. It’s a mystery tasting menu!
The Ultimate 2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary: Day 2
Day trip to Belém
The second day on our itinerary for 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal will be spent in another iconic area of Lisbon. Home to many of Portugal’s distinctive buildings and landmarks, the Belém district has been one of the most popular Lisbon neighborhoods since the middle ages. It’s quite far from the city center though, so prepare to spend the whole day in that part of town.
How to get to Belem? Get tram Nº15 from Praça do Comércio. Or about a 30 min drive out of Lisbon.
Breakfast at Pastéis De Belém
Depending on your time of arrival, the pastries could be the first or the last stop on the itinerary (or why not both?). If you’re there early enough and the line is manageable, go for it. There is no better breakfast you can find. If the queue is too big and you don’t feel like waiting, save it for last. It’s way less crowded at the end of the day.
Pastéis de Belém has been following an ancient recipe and making these heavenly little egg tarts since 1837 — meaning, they’ve got this down! Anytime you hear about pasteis de nata, it will almost always be followed by a name drop of this historic shop.
Opening times:
– Every day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Website: pasteisdebelem.pt/en/
Price:
1.15 EUR per pastel
Marvel at Jeronimos Monastery
One of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the monastery is one of the biggest landmarks of Portugal.
To get inside, however, you need to wait on a 30-40 minutes line and buy a 10€ ticket. If the line was shorter or the ticket cheaper, I would say “Go for it,” but right now, I can’t honestly say it’s worth it. (Unless you want to, of course!) You can still admire the beautiful design from the outside and visit the church right next to the entrance.
Opening times:
– October – March: 10:00 AM – 5: 30 PM
– April – September: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
– Closed Mondays
Website: www.mosteirojeronimos.gov.pt/en/
Price:
– Regular: 10 EUR
– Visitors aged 65 and older (proof of age must be shown): 50% discount
– Family ticket: 1 adult + a minimum of 2 children under 18 years old: 50% discount
Check out Belém Tower
The last stop on our itinerary is the most famous building in Portugal. I’m pretty sure you’ve already seen a lot of postcards and fridge magnets with it, but it’s time to see the real deal.
Being part of the defense system at the mouth of the Tagus river and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon, the Belém Tower is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries.
While getting inside (6 EUR) is one of the biggest tourist traps in the city (unless you have a profound interest in military architecture), it is also one of the best places in Lisbon you can catch the sunset. Sit in one of the cafes nearby or just get yourself a box of Pastel de Belém and enjoy the nature’s light show relaxing on a bench.
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