Do you have limited time to see Lisbon? Get the most out of your visit to the Portuguese capital with this handy daily schedule for 1 day in Lisbon!
Why you want to see Lisbon
Lisbon, the city of seven hills, has a special appeal to travelers from all over the world. There is something magical about this Portuguese capital that captures your heart. Perhaps it is the unique combination of history and modernity, the colorful houses in the steep streets, the music in Alfama, or the delicious smell of fresh pastel de nata you can taste on almost every street corner.
Lisbon is a city where you will quickly feel at home. You can wander around the narrow (and sometimes steep!) streets, enjoy the sunshine on one of the many squares, or grab a bite to eat in one of the many traditional restaurants. I have visited Lisbon no less than four times (and am going again soon), so I know the city well by now.
If you have only one day to spend in Lisbon, you have to make choices. It is impossible to see and do everything in such a short time, but you can get a good impression of the city’s fine atmosphere and see some of the most beautiful sights. In this blog post, I share my personal favorites and give you tips to make the most of your time in Lisbon.
1 day in Lisbon: daily schedule
Only have 1 day in Lisbon and want to make the most of your visit? Make sure to follow this itinerary for a great day in Lisbon.
Morning in Alfama
Breakfast with a view. Start your day with a delicious breakfast on one of the many terraces overlooking the city. There are several nice spots to be found in the Alfama neighborhood.
Explore Alfama. As far as I’m concerned, getting lost in Alfama for a few hours is truly a must do when in Lisbon. This is the oldest neighborhood in the city and you will find countless narrow streets, staircases, hidden squares and beautiful viewpoints, such as Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
In the neighborhood, you will find old colorful houses, and some even still have beautiful tile panels on the facade. Occasionally you can hear snatches of fado music coming from the restaurants, which adds to the amazing atmosphere.
Seen enough? Climb further up and visit Castelo de São Jorge for a panoramic view of the city. This castle ruin is located on the city’s highest hill and in addition to the beautiful view, there are several museums to admire.
Afternoon in Baixa & Bélem
When you have had enough of Alfama, you descend to the Baixa district, which you can think of as the center of Lisbon. You will find large and impressive squares like Rossio and Praça do Comércio. It’s also a great place to go shopping and of course, it is filled with amazing restaurants. This makes Baixa a perfect place to have lunch.
Try a typical Portuguese meal like “bifana” (a pork sandwich), “sardinha assada” (grilled sardines), or “bacalhau à brás” (fish with potato, olive, and onion, this is definitely one of my favorite dishes in Portugal).
From Praça do Comércio, you then travel in about 30 minutes by bus 15E to the Bélem neighborhood (check Google Maps for the timetable). This is known for the Torre de Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). Both impressive monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and if you have enough time to spare, you can visit them.
Evening in Bairro Alto & Chiado
As it slowly gets dark, travel back to the center and you can wander around the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado. In both neighborhoods, you will find many restaurants where you can eat delicious food.
And if you’re not tired of Lisbon by then, you can always attend a beautiful fado show somewhere or find a nice bar in the narrow streets of Bairro Alto. Especially the area around Rua da Rosa (the pink street) is always fun to check out.
This was the end of your day in Lisbon. Although you didn’t get to see everything in the city, you still got a glimpse of all the beauty Lisbon has to offer. It leaves you wanting more, doesn’t it?
Other beautiful sights in Lisbon
As I mentioned earlier, with only 1 day in Lisbon, you have to make choices. The daily schedule above is just an example that will allow you to get a lot out of your day. Besides the aforementioned sights, you can also take a look at one of these places:
- Take a ride on Tram 28. Hop aboard the historic Tram 28 and be taken around the city. This streetcar line will take you past many beautiful sights. This streetcar is mega-popular, so it is always busy. Go early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Discover Lisbon from the water on a cruise on the Tagus River.
- Visit the hip LX Factory. This is a former factory site now transformed into an area full of fun pop up shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
- Find the artworks of Bordalo II. All throughout the city, you will find unusual and colorful artworks by this Portuguese artist.
- Visit the Carmo Monastery. This is one of the most impressive ruins in the city that is a very interesting reminder of the devastating 1755 earthquake.
Read more: Top things to do in Lisbon
Practical tips for your visit to Lisbon
What’s handy to know before visiting Lisbon? A few practical tips.
- Lisbon is built on hills and some streets are quite steep. Wear good shoes in which you can walk all day without problems.
- Public transportation in Lisbon is well organized, use it! Buses, subways, and streetcars run regularly and it is not expensive at all. If you only have 1 day in Lisbon, it is most convenient to purchase a day pass. For €6.80 you have a card that is valid for 24 hours on the bus, streetcar, and subway. More information.
- Bring a water bottle. It can get pretty hot on the streets of Lisbon (and you’ll sweat extra when you have to climb yet another hill).
- In the tourist areas, almost everyone speaks English, but it doesn’t hurt to learn a few words of Portuguese. For example, “Bom dia” (good morning) and “Obrigado” (thank you when you’re a man) or “Obrigada” (thank you when you’re a woman). The Portuguese will certainly appreciate this.
Book your trip to Lisbon
These were all my tips for Lisbon in 1 day! Do you feel like visiting Lisbon? Use the websites below to book an unforgettable trip.
✈️ Plane tickets – Lisbon has a large international airport and has connections with cities all over the world. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🛏️ Accommodation – Lisbon is filled with many great accommodations, such as lively hostels, cute apartments, and luxury hotels. Check Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Lisbon.
🎡 Tours and activities – There are many fun things to do in Lisbon. For example, take a boat trip on the river, enjoy an evening full of Fado music, and visit the nearby city of Sintra on a day trip. Check Get Your Guide for all the fun tours and activities.
Read more about Lisbon and Portugal
You now know what you can see and do in 1 day in Lisbon. And yes, 1 day is not enough, but still great to get a first impression of this beautiful city. Looking for more Lisbon tips? Make sure to check out these travel guides.
In addition, you can find many Portugal tips on this website, as I travel there every year for a few months. Read these articles as well.
- Porto vs Lisbon: my honest take on Portugal’s two most popular cities
- 15 Best things to do in Setúbal: discover this hidden gem in Portugal now
- 5 Easy ways to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve
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