Lisbon: Your 7-Day Travel Guide
View of the Alfama district from the National Pantheon.
It’s no surprise that Lisbon has become a travel hotspot over the past few years—it’s truly a gem! With its rich history, tiled walls, seafood, and fado, there’s so much to see and do in this beautiful city. Peter and I visited Lisbon in 2023 and had the most relaxing and wonderful time. We were looking for a destination neither of us had visited before, and that was an easy flight from New York City. Lisbon was the spot! We set off to the hilly city for seven days, which may seem like a long time in one place, but we wanted to explore at a leisurely pace and really absorb everything. This may not work for everyone, so there is plenty of room to adjust this guide accordingly! I recommend booking most items in advance, but I’ve highlighted only the ones you absolutely need to in bold.
If you know me, you know that I had to do some research beforehand (shoutout to friends, YouTube, and Instagram!) to find the best dining and sightseeing locations while putting together our (flexible) itinerary. We also intended to keep it budget-friendly, which Lisbon is great for!
Let’s dive in! Here is your ultimate guide for the perfect 7 days in Lisbon:
Best Time to Visit Lisbon
First and foremost, we had to figure out when to go. Since Peter is a teacher, we went during his Spring Break at the end of March, which was perfect for fewer crowds and lower prices! This marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, known for its cooler temperatures (low 50°F - high 75°F). However, pack enough layers and a light coat, and you are good to go! If you’re looking into warmer months, July/August is peak summer, so expect higher prices and larger crowds then.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
We opted to use Airbnb, since we found more affordable options there. We stayed in the Cais do Sodré neighborhood, a cool and vibrant area located near the river and the historical center. Our Airbnb was a charming, open-space loft with a beautiful view of the city and ample sunlight. The only downside was that the bathroom was pretty compact, and it got a bit cold at night. Other than that, it was an excellent option for two people to share, and the host was great! Baixa-Chiado, Barrio Alto, and Alfama are also excellent neighborhoods to stay in.
How to Get Around Lisbon?
Lisbon is a highly walkable city; however, be mindful of the cobblestones and hills! Make sure you bring good walking shoes and are aware of the steep inclines in neighborhoods like Alfama and Bairro Alto. Uber is also extremely affordable there. Our Uber from Humberto Delgado Airport to the Airbnb was roughly $11 (converted to dollars)! Compared to New York City prices, that is a steal. Overall, we mostly used Uber or walked, since we were lucky with the weather and had plenty of time to get around. There are also buses and the famous Lisbon trams, which are fun and affordable!
Waiting for the tram on a sunny day!
Must-Visit Neighborhoods
Alfama - one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods—offers a nice glimpse into local life.
Bairro Alto - one of the most popular residential neighborhoods filled with restaurants, cafés, and fado.
Baixa-Chiado - Baixa is Lisbon’s downtown and only neighborhood not on a hill; Chiado is the neighboring area with a more trendy and bohemian atmosphere.
Bélem - a laid-back area on the Tagus River, this neighborhood is far from the city center, but easily accessible.
Cais Do Sodré - a lively and dynamic neighborhood, known for its dining, nightlife, and art scene.
Where to Eat in Lisbon
Note: I’ll list our favorite dining spots from this trip here, but I plan to write a separate blog post solely about the food. Everything was incredible, so I think it deserves its own post!
Breakfast/Coffee Shops:
Lunch/Dinner:
Pastéis de Nata:
Must-See Places in Lisbon
Museums & Sites:
MAAT: Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)
Castelo de São Jorge (Castle) Book in Advance
Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) Book in Advance
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery) Book in Advance
Things to Do in Lisbon
Tile Workshop: Our most significant takeaway from the trip was that you can’t leave Portugal without painting your own tiles! This tile workshop, offered through Airbnb, was one of the highlights of our trip. We highly recommend adding this, or a similar class, to your itinerary as a fun afternoon or morning activity. Not only was the host an incredible storyteller and teacher, but we also had the chance to meet other travelers from around the world in the class. Book in advance and be sure to account for the extra weight of the tiles when traveling back! Overall, a 10/10 experience.
Fado: Another highlight of the trip was experiencing fado, a genre of Portuguese music that typically expresses mourning, love, and loss, often performed by a solo singer accompanied by a guitar or viola. We visited two places: one on Pink Street, which attracted a younger crowd, and Casa de Linhares, which offered a more upscale experience with an older crowd (I think we were the youngest ones there, but we loved it). Casa de Linhares was a truly beautiful experience! The singing and traditional food were incredible, and the vibes were impeccable. Although it was a more upscale spot, it remained affordable. Book way in advance!
Day Trip from Lisbon:
Although we spent the entire trip in Lisbon, we did take a day trip outside the city to Cascais and Sintra, both about an hour away from Lisbon by car. Cascais is a beautiful coastal town renowned for its sandy beaches and resorts, as well as for preserving its traditional character. We stopped by for the morning and saw the coast and grabbed coffee—a great way to start the day! Then we headed to Sintra, a charming town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its palaces, historical sites, and lush forests. We had the chance to see its prominent Palácio da Pena, the National Palace of Sintra, and the Moorish Castle (from a distance). Even though it was the low season, the crowds here were slightly larger than expected, making the guided tour a fantastic idea. I highly recommend this excursion if you’re looking to explore outside the city but don’t want to travel too far! Here are some photos from our day:
We found this trip on Airbnb Experiences, which was perfect! I don’t see this one in particular listed anymore, but there are plenty of other options available. Make sure they include transportation, offer food options, and that the tour guide has good reviews. Our guide’s storytelling truly made the experience! Book in advance
Is Lisbon worth visiting?
Absolutely! We had an incredible time in Lisbon and are eager to explore more of Portugal in the future. If you’re looking for a vibrant yet trendy and relaxing destination, Lisbon is the place for you. Have you visited this charming city? Are you planning a trip there soon? Let me know in the comments!
BONUS: I have a curated Google Map with all the spots listed above and a few more that we may not have covered, but wanted to bookmark for another time, so it’s all easy to track on the go!