5-Day Lisbon Itinerary: Exactly What I Did + Planning Tips

My mom and I spent five days in Lisbon in early December for our annual girls’ trip, and we really enjoyed our time there. The city is super walkable, has tons of beautiful viewpoints, amazing food everywhere, and is a perfect base for day trips along the coast or into the hills.

We used Lisbon as our home base to explore the city and nearby spots like Cascais, Cabo da Roca, and Sintra. We saw a lot in five days without feeling rushed and each day was well-balanced with sightseeing, eating, and just walking around.

This 5-day Lisbon itinerary breaks down exactly what we did each day, plus tips I learned along the way. If it’s your first trip to Lisbon, or you want a realistic plan with day trips included, this guide will help you plan your own trip to Lisbon.

5-Day Lisbon Itinerary

Here is how we spent five days in Lisbon, including the city’s main sights, viewpoints, and neighborhoods, plus day trips to Cascais, Cabo da Roca, and Sintra.

Each day is well-balanced so you get a mix of sightseeing, food, and time to just explore.

Here is a Google Maps you can download with all the sights pinned from this 5-day Lisbon itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival + Exploring Alfama and Baixa

Arriving in Lisbon

We landed in Lisbon at 9:05 AM, which gave us most of the day to explore.

If you’re arriving from the U.S. or have a passport with the electronic “camera” symbol on the bottom of the front cover, head straight to the Electronic Passport line at immigration. It was noticeably faster than the All Passports line and saved us a lot of time.

I would estimate that it only took an hour to deplane and go through immigration. The electronic passport line wasn’t long at all and moved quickly.

We didn’t check any baggage so keep that in mind in terms of timing.

Getting to Your Hotel

We took an Uber from the airport to our hotel, which was easy and affordable. The pickup area is just a short walk from baggage claim on Level 2, the ground level of the P2 parking garage, with signs pointing you in the right direction.

You can also take public transportation using Google Maps for directions, but it will likely take longer and can be tricky if you have large luggage.

Uber is very inexpensive compared to the United States, so it usually isn’t much more than public transit, especially if you’re traveling as a group and can split the cost.

Our official check-in time was 3:00 PM, but the hotel let us store our luggage beforehand and we were able to check in a little early around 2:00 PM, which was really convenient.

Where We Stayed: The Lisboans (Historic Center)

We stayed at The Lisboans, right in the historic center, and absolutely loved it.

We booked a two-bedroom apartment, which was spacious, comfortable, and perfect for spreading out after long days of sightseeing. The staff was incredibly friendly, and having a balcony was a nice bonus for morning coffee or just enjoying the views.

The location couldn’t have been better. It’s walkable to most of the main sights, with Uber or public transit making it easy to get around if we were heading somewhere a bit farther.

Breakfast was included and simple but really good. We usually had pastries from a local bakery, a roll or croissant, or pasteis de nata, along with freshly squeezed orange juice, yogurt, fruit, and a selection of cheeses. My mom and I LOVED the orange juice!

💡 If you decide to stay here too, I have one tip if you will be using Uber. Uber can have trouble finding the building since it’s on a narrow one-way street. We usually set our pickup and drop-off points nearby, like at The Potato Project, which made things much easier.

The warm light casting from the overhead lamp hanging over the dining table with the balcony door in the background at our 1-bedroom apartment stay at The Lisboans hotel.

Cozy living room with a red sofa, white and plaid cushions, a patterned rug, and a warm table lamp in our 2-bedroom apartment at The Lisboans.

The free breakfast I got from The Lisboans hotel featuring a croissant on a white plate and a glass of orange juice that is sitting on our balcony overlooking a street with historic buildings under a morning sky. — **Free Breakfast I Enjoyed on the Balcony at Our Hotel (The Lisboans)**

The view from our balcony at our 2-bedroom apartment in Lisbon at The Lisboans overlooking a street lined with beautiful buildings. — **View from Our Balcony at The Lisboans**

Exploring Alfama

After settling in, we headed to Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. The streets are narrow and steep, with tiled buildings and viewpoints around every corner.

I think it is best explored by just walking around without a strict plan. With that said, we did go to a couple beautiful viewpoints which I will list below.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia – One of the prettiest viewpoints in Lisbon!
Miradouro das Portas do Sol – Right next to the viewpoint above and offers another great overlook with views over Alfama and the river.

We spent the rest of the time wandering the streets, checking out small shops, and enjoying the neighborhood’s laid-back vibe. Make sure to check out The Coffee which was my favorite spot for coffee in Lisbon! There are multiple locations throughout Lisbon.

My mom and I smiling for a selfie at Miradouro de Santa Luzia with a bright blue sky, historic buildings and red rooftops. — **Miradouro de Santa Luzia**

A scenic view of Lisbon from Miradouro das Portas do Sol with tightly packed terracotta-roofed buildings under a clear blue sky. The ocean is visible in the background, — **Miradouro das Portas do Sol**

The views from Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama featuring a palm tree, terracotta-colored roofs, and the ocean in the distance. — **Miradouro de Santa Luzia**

Narrow cobblestone street in Lisbon, lined with historic buildings and balconies.

A quaint cobblestone street with a white stucco building adorned with colorful pots and green plants in the Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon.

A white sign that says the coffee on a yellow building which was our favorite coffee shop in Lisbon.

My hand holding an iced vanilla latte from The Coffee in the Alfama neighborhood. — **Iced Vanilla Latte from The Coffee**

Praça do Comércio

From Alfama, we made our way to Praça do Comércio, the large waterfront square near the Tagus River.

It’s one of the most iconic spots in Lisbon and a nice place to walk around, especially if it’s your first day. Since we visited in early December, there was also a Christmas tree set up, which made the square feel extra festive.

Nearby is Martinho da Arcada, the oldest café in Lisbon (dating back to 1782).

The Praca do Comercio in Lisbon on a sunny day in early December decorated for Christmas with a large tree.

Large yellow letters spell "LISBOA" in Praca do Comercio with people walking, a historical archway, and a statue of a rider on horseback, against a clear blue sky.

The view of the tagus river from Praca da Comercio in Lisbon with the iconic bridge in the background.

Shopping in Baixa and Chiado

We spent some time browsing shops nearby, including:

Livraria Bertrand – The world’s oldest bookstore! You can buy a book and have it stamped. This is a must-visit for any book lover! They have an English section.
Cerâmicas na Linha – Very unique and stunning ceramics. I bought a cute coaster here! My dream is for all my dishware to be from this store. 😍
A Vida Portuguesa – Great for Portuguese home goods and souvenirs

The inside of the world's oldest bookstore Livraria Bertrand featuring wooden shelves filled with colorful fiction and non-fiction books. — **Livraria Bertrand (World’s Oldest Bookstore!)**

The outside of A Vida Portuguesa" home goods store in Lisbon with pedestrians passing by. — **A Vida Portuguesa (Home Goods Store)**

Dinner at Pharmacia

We ended the day with dinner at Pharmacia, which has a really nice outdoor seating area.

The pork cheeks were good, and we were able to get a table without a reservation. A great low-stress option for your first night in Lisbon.

The hummus platter served at Pharmacia Restaurant in a black bowl on a marble table with yellow hummus topped with herbs and chickpeas, surrounded by lettuce leaves, carrot and cucumber sticks, and slices of toasted bread. — **Hummus Platter**

The delicious Pork Cheeks served at the Pharmacia Restaurant in Lisbon topped with a sauce and mashed sweet potatoes. — **Pork Cheeks**

Day 2: Day Trip to Cascais and Cabo da Roca

We spent our second day doing a day trip from Lisbon to Cascais and Cabo da Roca, and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable days of the trip.

This day felt much more relaxed compared to sightseeing in Lisbon, with lots of ocean views and coastal walks.

Here is a brief overview of everything we did in Cascais and Cabo da Roca:

Train from Cais do Sodré in Lisbon to Cascais – took about 45 minutes
Breakfast in Cascais – We loved Nicolau for breakfast which has a location in Cascais and also Lisbon! Then, we took some time to walk around the town, browse shops, and see the marina.
Walk along the coast to Boca da Inferno – one of the most scenic spots in Cascais
Cabo da Roca – the westernmost point of mainland Europe
Hike toward Ursa Beach – for dramatic cliff and ocean views

Cascais was very easy to explore on foot, and Cabo da Roca ended up having some of our favorite views from the entire Portugal trip. This day was a great balance of relaxation, walking, and scenery.

📌 I go into much more detail on transportation, timing, and what we did at each stop in my full guide here: 👉 Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon

The concrete benches surrounding the beach in Cascais where you can sit and enjoy views of the ocean. — **Cascais**

The view of the ocean from the benches next to the beach in Cascais which is a quick day trip from Lisbon. — **Cascais**

Panoramic view from a cliff at Cabo da Roca, featuring the vast ocean and steep cliffs under bright sunlight. — **Cabo da Roca**

➡️If you have extra time, a Lisbon to Porto day trip is very doable by train and makes a great addition to your itinerary. I break down exactly how to do it in my Porto day trip from Lisbon guide.

Day 3: Markets, Viewpoints, and Historical Sights

Breakfast at The Neighborhood Café

The Neighborhood Café is a great breakfast spot to start your day.

The Benedict breakfast burrito comes highly recommended!

Feira da Ladra (Flea Market)

Next, we visited Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s famous flea market.

Open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Large, spread-out market with antiques, clothes, books, and random finds

It was a fun place to walk around and browse the unique items. There is also an indoor market where I got water-color postcards and a freshly squeezed juice!

The Feira da Ladra flea market with vendor stalls under canopies lining a road beside historic buildings adorned with tiles. — **Feira da Ladra (Flea Market)**

My hand holding a creamy pineapple juice with a yellow-striped straw and pineapple garnish. — **Freshly Squeezed Pineapple Juice**

Miradouro da Graça

From the market, we walked to Miradouro da Graça, one of my favorite viewpoints in Lisbon.

It’s less crowded than some of the more famous miradouros and offers great city views. Definitely worth the uphill walk!

Lunch at Time Out Market

We grabbed lunch at Time Out Market, which is much nicer than most food halls I have been to!

There are tons of options, and everything we tried was delicious. I had a quesadilla from Duro de Matar and followed it up with gelato from Gelato Davvero.

Time Out Market in Lisbon full of different food vendors making it a great spot for lunch or dinner while sightseeing.

A steak quesadilla served with salsa verde and lime wedges from a food vendor at Time Out Market in Lisbon.

A small cup of cookies and cream gelato with a plastic spoon, that sits on a wooden table at Time Out Market.

➡️ If you’re trying to decide whether Porto is worth visiting from Lisbon, check out my full Lisbon vs Porto guide where I compare both cities based on my experience.

Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)

Next, we visited Lisbon Cathedral, the city’s oldest cathedral.

Construction began in 1147
Closed on Sundays
You can walk inside a small portion for free

The €7 ticket includes access to:

The High Choir
A balcony between the bell towers
The Cathedral Treasure Museum
The naves and ambulatory

We didn’t have much time, so we just popped into the inside to see the limited area that is free without having to buy a ticket.

This is also where the Central Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago begins which is cool to know.

Interior of Lisbon Cathedral with high, arched ceilings glowing in warm golden light.

Castelo de São Jorge

From the cathedral, we continued to Castelo de São Jorge.

Open 7 days a week
Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on-site (We just purchased them on-site and didn’t have to wait in line. This was on a weekday in early December)
Guided tours are typically offered around 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM (check day of visit)

The views from the castle are some of the best in Lisbon and worth the effort to get there.

The view of Lisbon from Castelo de Sao Jorge featuring terracotta-colored roofs and the water.

Castelo de Sao Jorge offering a view of a historic stone wall with umbrellas and people, overlooking a cityscape under a cloudy sky.

In the inside of Castelo de Sao Jorge in Lisbon featuring stone castle walls and a narrow bridge with tourists leads to the entrance.

Inside of Castelo de Sao Jorge with tall trees in a courtyard surrounded by ancient stone walls.

A large tree with dense branches and peacocks extends over an old stone building with small windows at Castelo de Sao Jorge. — **Peacocks in the Trees at Castelo de Sao Jorge**

A view through a stone arched window which shows the courtyard with cobblestones and lush green trees at Castelo de Sao Jorge in Lisbon.

Dinner at Pizzico Pizzeria

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Pizzico Pizzeria which was the best pizza I had in Lisbon! We liked it so much we came here twice during our 5 days in Lisbon. 😂

Wood-fired Margherita pizza with charred crust, melted cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil leaves served at Pizzico Pizzeria restaurant in Lisbon. — **Margherita Pizza**

Day 4: Day Trip to Sintra

Sintra was our most full sightseeing day and definitely the one that required the most planning. The main sights are spread out and sit on hills, so having a plan ahead of time made a big difference.

We focused on a few key highlights rather than trying to see everything:

Visiting Pena Palace and exploring the gardens
Walking the walls at the Moorish Castle
Exploring Quinta da Regaleira and the Initiation Well

We used a mix of walking and tuk tuks to get around, which helped us move efficiently between sights. Even with just one day, we were able to see the main highlights without feeling completely exhausted.

📌 If you’re planning your own day trip, I break down exactly how to get to Sintra, how to get around once you arrive, ticket tips, and what order to visit everything in my full post here: 👉 Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon

Pena Palace, a stunning yellow castle in Sintra, features intricate designs and towers, surrounded by beautiful gardens. — **Pena Palace**

Moorish Castle in Sintra, surrounded by stone walls, features a flagpole against a clear blue sky. — **Moorish Castle**

Scenic view of Quinta da Regaleira's gardens with stunning mountains, highlighting Sintra's natural beauty. — **Quinta da Regaleira**

Spiral staircase inside the Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, showcasing intricate stonework and historical architecture. — **Initiation Well**

📌Sintra is definitely doable to do on your own without a group tour, but if you’re interested in joining a group tour to take away your planning stress, I recommend this highly reviewed Sintra Day Trip Tour with Get Your Guide! You can book here or below.

Day 5: Belém, LX Factory, and a Riverside Dinner

We saved Belém for our last full day in Lisbon, which I think worked really well.

This area is more spread out than the others, but it’s still walkable, and we had great weather, which made walking around really enjoyable.

Breakfast at Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia

Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia is a great spot for breakfast before heading out toward Belém.

Jerónimos Monastery

After breakfast, I recommend heading to Jerónimos Monastery, one of the most famous landmarks in Lisbon. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is stunning.

Lines can get long here, so arriving earlier in the day is helpful if you plan to go inside. Even if you don’t tour the entire monastery, the exterior alone is impressive, and the cloisters are worth seeing if you have the time.

Pastéis de Belém

No day in Belém is complete without a stop at Pastéis de Belém, the original bakery serving Portugal’s famous custard tarts. This is the most traditional place to try them, and while the line can look long, it usually moves quickly.

Even if you’ve already had pastel de nata elsewhere in Lisbon, these are still worth trying here.

Manteigaria is another great spot to try pastel de nata nearby!

A charming street with Pasteis de Belem which serves delicious pastel de nata and is the oldest place to do so. — **Pasteis de Belem**

Belém Tower

Belém Tower sits right along the Tagus River.

You don’t need to go inside to enjoy this stop. Walking around the outside, taking photos, and spending a bit of time along the river was enough for us and still felt worthwhile.

It was under construction when we visited, so part of it was covered by scaffolding, but it was still worth seeing.

Belem Tower which is a historic stone tower, covered in scaffolding, standing at the edge of water under a cloudy sky.

LX Factory

In the afternoon, we made our way to LX Factory. It is a former industrial area that has been turned into a cool space filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and street art.

It’s a great place to walk around. A few highlights:

Landeau Chocolate – The chocolate cake lived up to the hype!
Ler Devagar – One of the coolest bookstores I’ve ever been to.

A rich, chocolate cake slice dusted with cocoa sits on branded paper on a white plate served at Landeau Chocolate in the LX Factory. — **Landeau Chocolate**

A pink glowing neon sign against the yellow tiled wall inside the women's bathroom at the LX Factory reading "well behaved women don't make history." — **Women’s Bathroom at LX Factory**

The vast bookstore interior of Ler Devagar in LX Factory with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a bicycle sculpture suspended in mid-air, and a colorful array of books throughout. — **Ler Devagar Bookstore in LX Factory**

The view of the plethora of books from the second level of Ler Devagar Bookstore in the LX Factory. — **Ler Devagar Bookstore**

Dinner at La Fiorentina

La Fiorentina was my mom and I’s favorite restaurant during our five days in Lisbon.

The food was delicious and felt really fresh, and our server prepared part of the meal right at the table, which was fun!

The delicious truffle pasta served at La Fiorentina Restaurant in Lisbon which was my favorite meal out of this entire 5-day Lisbon itinerary. — **Truffle Pasta**

The tiramisu dusted with cocoa powder served for dessert at La Fiorentina Italian restaurant in Lisbon. — **Tiramisu**

How to Get Around Lisbon

Lisbon is a very walkable city, and we walked a lot during our trip. That said, Lisbon is also very hilly, so the walking distances and time estimates on Google Maps usually took a little longer than expected because of the steep streets and stairs.

It definitely isn’t ideal for people with mobility issues, but you can easily get Ubers at a pretty affordable price.

For longer distances or steeper hills, Uber was super easy to use and pretty affordable. We relied on Uber quite a bit, especially when moving between neighborhoods or heading back to our hotel at night. It ended up being more convenient than trying to navigate public transportation after a full day of sightseeing.

Public transportation is reliable if you want to use it. Trams, buses, and the metro all connect well across the city. The iconic Tram 28 runs through several historic neighborhoods, but it’s usually very crowded, so I wouldn’t rely on it as your main form of transportation.

For day trips like Cascais or Sintra, trains from the central stations are straightforward and easy to use.

Overall, a mix of walking and Uber worked best for us. It made getting around easy!

Beautiful pastel pink and yellow colored buildings lining a cobblestone street in Lisbon.

Narrow cobblestone street featuring white buildings with green shutters, laundry hanging, and view of the ocean.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

If it’s your first trip to Lisbon, I highly recommend staying in or near the Baixa or Chiado areas. These neighborhoods are central, walkable, and make it easy to follow an itinerary like this without spending too much time in transit.

Baixa is flatter than other areas of the city and very convenient for getting around, while Chiado has great restaurants, cafes, and shopping nearby. Both areas have easy access to public transportation and are well-connected for day trips.

We stayed at The Lisboans (slightly outside those areas but not by much), and it was a great base for exploring the city. The location made it easy to walk to many of the main sights, and having more space and a balcony was a nice bonus after long days out.

Here are some other recommendations on places to stay in Lisbon:

Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel – Modern, comfortable, central location.
Lisboa Pessoa Hotel – Boutique hotel, close to Chiado and Baixa.
Hotel Avenida Palace – Classic hotel near the main squares.
Hotel Da Baixa – Simple, comfortable, right in the historic center.

Check out this interactive map below for more options on where to stay in Lisbon!

➡️If you’re still deciding on accommodations, I break down the best neighborhoods and hotels in my Where to Stay in Lisbon guide to help you choose the right area for your trip.

Lisbon Packing List

Between the hills, cobblestone streets, and long days on your feet, supportive and comfortable shoes are a must.

Trust me, I learned the hard way. I stepped down a stair while it was raining and my foot went sideways. Luckily, I was fine 😂 and I credit most of that to my good shoes!

I wore my Hoka Clifton 9s, and I absolutely love them. They kept my feet comfortable all day and were perfect for walking around Lisbon.

Here is everything I packed for Lisbon in early December (5 days/6 nights):

Clothing

Travel Day Outfit – Old Navy Long Sleeve & Lululemon Softstreme Pants & Compression Socks (can’t forget these for those long flights!)
2 H&M Long-Sleeve Sweaters
2 Old Navy Jeans
2 Old Navy Long-Sleeves
1 Pair of Pajamas
Socks
Undergarments
Hoka Clifton 9s (only shoes I brought to pack light)
1 Rain Jacket (I like this one because it folds up into a bag, making it easier to pack)
1 Normal Jacket (I packed a relatively light jacket since temperatures were in the 40s°F for the lows and around the 60s°F for the highs in early December)

Tech

Portable Phone Charger
Voltage Converter for a straightner, curling iron, blow dryer, etc.
Plug Adapter
Kindle – I love using the Libby App (just need a library card to use) to download ebooks to my Kindle before my trip. Saves a lot more space than packing physical books!

Accessories

Uniqlo Crossbody Bag – I got this bag during my 2.5 weeks in Japan, and I love it! It is my go-to travel bag since it is crossbody and fits a lot on the inside.
Passport Cover – This is cheap and nice to have to protect your passport while inside your bag.
Toiletry Bag – I love this bag to fit all my non-liquid items. It keeps everything organized and in one bag. It also can hang on the back of a door (if there is a hook) or anywhere else in the bathroom, saving counter space!
Liquids Bag (TSA Approved) – I really like these for my liquids and they are TSA size approved. They are sturdy and fit a good amount of liquids.

➡️ See exactly what I packed and wore in Lisbon in December: What to Wear in Lisbon in December.

Travel Tips for Lisbon

Plan day trips ahead of time: Cascais and Sintra are both easy day trips from Lisbon, but it really helps to know which train station you will be using and roughly how long you want to spend in each place and what you want to do. Having a loose plan made our days feel much smoother.
Always choose euros at payment machines: When you’re prompted, make sure to select the local currency instead of your home currency. Your bank will give you a better conversion rate. Sometimes the machine will ask you to accept or decline the conversion more than once, so just keep declining.
You probably won’t need much cash: We barely used cash the entire trip. The only time we needed it was when a restaurant’s credit card machine stopped working, and we had to pay in cash. My mom went to find an ATM while I stayed behind, thank you Mom 😊. You’ll likely be fine without cash, but it’s still nice to have a small amount just in case like in our instance!
Use the electronic passport line if you can: If you’re from the U.S. or your passport has a small camera symbol on the front, use the electronic passport line at immigration. It saved us a lot of time.
Bring a card with no foreign transaction fees: Those fees add up quickly, so make sure your credit card has zero foreign transaction fees. I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred and love it.
Expect later mornings: Most coffee shops and breakfast spots don’t open until around 8:00 or 9:00 AM, so there’s no need to start your days super early unless you’re trying to beat the crowds at popular sights.
Pack a rain jacket: Rain showers popped up randomly and without much warning, especially in early December, and having a rain jacket with us came in handy more than once.
Learn a few basic Portuguese phrases: Most people in Portugal do speak English, which was really nice for us, but making a small effort to speak Portuguese is always appreciated and respectful. Obrigado means thank you. Side note, I am always so impressed by people who can speak multiple languages. It’s seriously so impressive!
Use Google Maps for Public Transit Directions: I noticed that Google Maps works better for public transit directions than Apple Maps.
Have Google Translate ready: Download it ahead of time and save it as a widget on your phone. It’s helpful for translating menus by taking a photo.

Final Thoughts on 5-Day Lisbon Itinerary

Lisbon was such a great city to visit in early December. My mom and I really loved it for our annual girls trip. It’s easy to get around, the food is great, and there’s a nice balance between historic sights, charming streets, and coastal views.

This 5-day Lisbon itinerary worked really well for us and never felt rushed, even with a couple of day trips built in. If it’s your first time visiting Portugal, Lisbon is a great home base and an easy city to settle into. I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own trip and that you enjoy Lisbon as much as we did.

Check out my other Portugal blog posts to help you plan your itinerary!