Lisbon

Lisbon: x4 days, x4 nights – (this page is travel ready and printable below!)

Fly in and out: Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)

Train: There are trains and buses that you can take from the airport to the central of Lisbon but the timetables can be rather unreliable and slow. The most convenient method to get to the city centre is by catching an Uber or a Lisbon airport taxi. The journey is approx. 45 minutes to the city centre of Lisbon.

Hotel: 7 Hotel Lisbon, Rua Area, 133-143 Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon, 1100-060

Lisbon is a city that can easily be explored in 3 days, though I recommend spending 4 days, if you can, so that you can also add in a day trip to the beautiful city of Sintra.

Day 1: Check into hotel. Then head straight to the Time Out Market located in the Mercado da Ribeira. The first day is all about exploring the Baixa and Rossio area, and the Time Out Market is the perfect spot to enjoy budget-friendly food samples from some of the country’s top chefs. Once your belly is full and you’re feeling sprightly, head towards Rossio square to visit Café Nicola. A place full of history, tradition and culture, serving a good selection of afternoon apéritifs and the perfect spot for people watching. Treat yourself to a floral inspired gelato at Amorino. Admire the riverside views along the Praça do Comércio, as you make your way to the Cacilhas ferry port to travel to Ponto Final (you’ll need to book in advance). The most authentic restaurant across the Tejo river to watch the sunset and dine in a picturesque setting across the Lisbon skyline.

Day 2: Lisbon is all about its trams and what better way to get your bearings than riding through the streets of Lisbon via a tramcar, winding down the narrow streets and admiring the scenic routes. The iconic tram 28 can get very packed, especially with the locals. So, as an alternative The Yellow Bus tours offer a ‘hop-on-hop-off tram’ car, which provides a useful orientation of the city. Catch the tram to the Alfama district to visit Castelo de Sao Jorge and enjoy unparalleled views of the city. It’s the chance to admire the various mid-11th century castle towers. Head to the terrace at Memmo Alfama for a light afternoon snack and apéritif. Santo Estêvão Square is one of the Alfama’s hidden treasures where you can relax while enjoying a panoramic view of Lisbon style houses and cruise ships lining the Tejo River. Sample traditional Portuguese cuisine with interludes of authentic fado at A Baiuca for dinner at a local fado house.

Day 3: Take a 20 min ride by bus or train to Belém to explore the beauty, history and culture of Lisbon. Pastéis de Belém is home to Lisbon’s most infamous custard tart and  a place you can’t miss upon arriving in Belem. Visit the UNESCO world heritage site, Jeronimnos Monastery, a vast and breathtaking architectural structure of limestone. Tickets costs around €7 to visit, it’s definitely worth going inside. A short walk from there and you’ll reach Belém’s tropical garden, where you can admire the floral and explore the home of peacock, ducks, chickens and a resident cat. Catch a bus or taxi back to the Príncipe Real district to enjoy a gin and tonic inside the Embaixada Concept Store at Gin Lovers bar. Followed by an authentic, no frills, tapas meal at Cantinho Lusitano.

Day 4: With the luxury of spending a fourth day in Lisbon, take a short 40 min train ride to colourful Sintra to arrive amongst lush hills to experience how Portuguese royalty used to spend their summers. On arrival in Sintra, catch the 434 bus from the train station to start by exploring the colourful Pena Palace. If you walk to the rear of the palace you can look out onto the Castle of the Moors and the town square below. It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the palace, but be sure to leave enough time to explore Sintra’s old town centre. Stop off for a traditional sweet cheese cake “queijada” or an almond cream desert “travesseiro” at Case Piriquita. Tour the old town’s winding streets, full of quirky shops, boutiques and cafes, and a chance to sample a shot of a Ginjinha (cherry liquor). Sample white sangria at Cantinho Gourmet, a hidden place to escape from the tourist crowds, with an intimate outdoor seating area to soak up the sun.