Overview of the Itinerary:
– Day 1: Arco da Rua Augusta, Elevator de Santa Justa, Lunch at ‘De Prata 52’, Ride on Tram 28
– Day 2: A Beach Day! (In Cascais/Estoril), Sunset in the Evening
– Day 3: Castelo de Sao Jorge, Parque Eduardo VII, Alfama District (Cathedral, Shopping), ‘Fado’ performance, Ferry to Cacilhas
- Extras to squeeze in: Praca do Comercio, ‘The World’s Oldest Bookshop’, The Green Street, Time Out Market, Belem Tower
I have had the pleasure of living in Lisbon for year and visiting endless times since! Lisbon is undoubtedly famous for being the city of hills – whilst a weekend break here may exhaust your legs, it will feed your soul. Portugal is a country that you can easily travel on a budget – and where better to start than the capital? It has so many free/cheap activities that will stay in your memories forever without damaging your bank account too much. Enjoy!
DAY ONE:
Arco Da Rua Augusta:
You have to visit the iconic ‘Arco Da Rua Augusta’ on your first day in Lisbon. This iconic historical building was built to celebrate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake and is a must-see!
There are so many nice bars and restaurants just next door, enjoy a glass of wine or beer whilst overlooking the beautiful city.
Elevator de Santa Justa
This is one of the funnest and most unique tourist attractions in Lisbon. Whilst you may occasionally experince a bit of a queue, the amazing view of Rossi Sqaure and Castdelo de Sao Jorge means it’s worth the wait. Tickets to ride the elevator are 5.30 Euros, but tickets to the observation deck are only 1.50 (this gives you the same beautiful view)!
For Lunch: ‘Da Prata 52’
This tapas restaurant offers delicious food with great value for money. Prices are around 20 Euros for 2-3 tapas dishes per person, which is a great deal. The setting has an authentic vibe, with barrels as tables and stools to sit on, it’s a great option for an affordable lunch in Lisbon.
Alternatively… ‘Rhodo Bagels’
Rhodo Bagels is relatively new on the Lisbon food scene, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t already made its mark. You can get a filling and really aesthetically pleasing bagel for around 8-12 Euros, which will give you the energy to spend the rest of the day exploring!
Ride on Tram 28:
These cheap yellow trams are when of the best ways to see the Portuguese capital without the price tag attached to open-top bus tours or tuktuks. You can use a metro card or pay the driver two euros in cash to get on board. The tram visits all of Lisbon’s most beautiful neighbourhoods and iconic places.
DAY TWO:
CASCAIS – A BEACH DAY
I always try to make the mid point of my itinerary’s really relaxing. Trying to fit everything into just three days can be a challenge and honestly often really exhausting so you need some time to de-compress and reflect on what a great time you’re having.
Cascais is a quaint beach town about 20-30 minutes drive from Lisbon. Ubers are pretty cheap (typically less than 20 euros), but the train from Lisbon to Cascais only 40 minutes and costs around 2 euros for a single ticket.
When you’re there, the beach is directly opposite the train station. Take a walk down the long stretch of sand and find a nice spot on the beach. If you carry on walking for about 15 minutes, you will reach the next town over, Estoril. This has some great tapas and pizza restaurants for you to enjoy, as well as the iconic Portuguese ‘Sardine Shop’, where you can get a fun novelty tin of iconic sardines with you birth year on (they have every year!).
For Lunch: ‘Paulinha’
Paulinha is a small, local restaurant offering authentic, wonderful food at cheap prices. Sit outside and take in the sun whilst eating a ‘Bachlhau’ (the iconic Portuguese Cod dish)!
Later in the evening: Watch the Sunset
Once you’re back in Lisbon, heading to a rooftop bar and watching the sun set is a truly unforgettable experience. These are some great spots:
– Miradoura de Santa Caterina
– Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara
– Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
DAY THREE:
Castelo de Sao Jorge:
After your rejuvenating day yesterday, your final day in Lisbon is your opportunity to really make the most of everything the city has to offer. The castle is a great viewpoint spot and also a really informative educational/cultural activity for people of all ages. When I was there, there was an incredibly long, daunting queue to buy tickets, but we just bought them online and walked straight through! Tickets costs 15 Euros for standard adult entry, but only 7.50 for young people aged 13-25 (admission for those under 13 is free). The ticket includes free guides tours every hour and a museum with Portuguese artefacts to browse.
Parque Eduardo VII:
This park looks like a unique maze – walking through the grounds of this cultural site is a fantastic mid-day activity (and very romantic!). The park is situated just next to the road where all of Lisbon’s designer shops are – it’s fun to look!
Explore Alfama district:
The Alfama neighbourhood is one of Lisbon’s oldest areas. It is absolutely packed full of character and you can take some beautiful pictures here to remember your time in Lisbon. It contains many of Lisbons most iconic attractions: including Santo Antonioni Church, Lisbon Cathedral and the Roman Theatre ruins. There are lots of gorgeous shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to break up your journey around all the key attractions.
Some of the best are:
– Restaurant at the Miradouro da Graca. If you go to this viewpoint, you will find a fantastic restraunt with outdoor seating where you can grab a bit to eat or drink.
– ‘Windy Arbour’ is a very small but delightful breakfast and lunch spot. You have to get a ‘Pastel de Nata’ and an espresso if you want to live like a local.
-‘Antu’ is a café, brunch spot, gallery and vintage shop all rolled into one. Enjoy a fruity Sangria, pick up some new clothes or have a great dessert – they have everything you need.
Pick up some souvenirs or postcards and make sure to write down everything you have done to remember your time!
How to spend your evening: ‘Fama De Alfama’:
‘Fama de Alfama’ a hidden gem known for their enchanting ‘Fado’ performances – head here in the evening for a fantastic dinner and entertainment. Performances begin around 8pm.
Alternatively…. ‘Restaurante Ponto Final’:
This is the perfect unique experince for your final evening in Lisbon. To get to this restaurant, you need to catch the ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas which takes just 7 minutes and costs only 3 Euros. Here, you can find some fantastic local food for good prices.
Looking for somewhere to stay? – I can highly recommend Sant Jordi Hostel. It’s in a great location, offers breakfast included in the price and hosts fantastic social events to meet new people!