If you’re asking what number of days in Lisbon you want, you’re in the appropriate place. The capital of Portugal is one in all Europe’s most pleasing locations, however sizing it up earlier than you’ve been there isn’t essentially simple.
The excellent news, relying upon the way you construction your Portugal itinerary, is that you simply’ll in all probability swing by Lisbon twice throughout your journey. As a outcome, if you find yourself deciding to spend 3 days in Lisbon—for instance—you can begin with 2 days after you land, then finish with one other earlier than you fly again residence.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Before I dig into the points of interest and experiences that can aid you resolve what number of days to spend in Lisbon, let’s speak about lodging. Generally talking, I like to remain in Lisbon’s quick core: Either in hilltop Alfama, which gives among the metropolis’s greatest views, or in Baixa-Chiado, which is both excessive or low (relying on which “lobe” you keep in) and is the very best space in Lisbon for eating and nightlife.
In Alfama, I’m of two minds by way of the place to sleep. On the upper finish, Solar do Castelo is ready in a literal 18th-century mansion, with sweeping views of São Jorge Castle. Hotel Convento do Salvador, in the meantime, is an easier (however nonetheless stylish) property. In Baixa-Chiado, I swear by the Lisboa Pessoa Hotel, though there are actually dozens of wonderful choices right here.
What to Do in Lisbon
See the highs and lows of Alfama
I normally like to start out my exploration of Lisbon on the waterfront in Praça do Comercio, then stroll (or take a yellow americano avenue automobile) up the hill into Alfama. Alfama is as filled with “big” points of interest like Castelo de São Jorge as it’s small streets to get misplaced strolling down. It’s as a lot about digging into deep tradition like Fado performances as it’s about taking in a few of Lisbon’s most sweeping views (my favourite is from Portas do Sol).
Explore Baixa and Chiado
Next, no matter what number of days in Lisbon you find yourself spending, stroll down into Chiado…or up into Baixa. This multi-level a part of Lisbon can be multi-pronged by way of the pursuits you may serve right here. There’s one thing for cultural vacationers (Elevador da Santa Justa, constructed by Gustave Eiffel) in addition to foodies and drinkers (TimeOut Market Lisboa or numerous native bars).
In Belem, say a prayer
If you’re nonetheless in your first day in Lisbon, at this level, head again all the way down to Praça do Comercio—or, if it’s a brand new day, begin there. Ride a avenue automobile down the river to Belem, the place you may tick a pair gadgets off your Lisbon bucket record. I usually advocate beginning on the storied Belem Tower, which stands waterfront with the beautiful Ponte 25 de April bridge looming within the background, earlier than saying a prayer at Jeronimos Monastery.
Eat an egg tart
Another motive to spend a while in Belem, no what number of days you keep in Lisbon general? The Pastéis de Belem store, whose egg tarts are an establishment unto themselves. Note that should you occur to make it all the way down to Belem within the early morning (say, round 8), you may head right here earlier than you do your sightseeing to keep away from the strains which are positive to kind later.
Take a day journey to Sintra
It could be tough to go away central Lisbon behind, however medieval Sintra is pretty much as good a motive as any to take action. While most vacationers make a beeline for surreal Pena National Palace, the regal Quinta da Regaleira can be price seeing whenever you make your day tour right here, as is the hilltop Castelo dos Mouros. Want to take a beachier day journey from Lisbon? Cascais could also be calling your title.
Is Lisbon Worth Visiting?
Let me be clear: Lisbon is completely price visiting. It lives as much as each little bit of the hype that’s been constructed up round it, even preserving in thoughts that mentioned hype has been extraordinarily substantial over the previous decade. It’s in all probability in my high 3 favourite capitals in Europe, and is among the solely European capitals that simply holds its personal towards each different vacation spot within the nation.
In some methods, the subject of what number of days in Lisbon is superfluous to the town’s worthiness as a vacation spot, and positively as to whether or not you’ll take pleasure in it. Really, it serves principally to make sure you don’t miss one thing. Because regardless of the truth that few vacationers go to Lisbon simply as soon as of their lives, it’s not all the time as simple to get again the second or third time.
Other FAQ About Your Trip to Lisbon
Is 5 days in Lisbon an excessive amount of?
5 days in Lisbon isn’t an excessive amount of should you’ve right-sized what you propose to do there. For instance, whereas 5 days of wall-to-wall museums and castles within the metropolis middle might be extreme, you may break up your exploration of Lisbon’s core with day journeys to Sintra or Cascais. Likewise, 5 days in Lisbon affords you no less than a full day of wandering, which may additional diversify your itinerary.
Is 2 days sufficient to see Lisbon?
Whether 2 days in Lisbon is sufficient relies upon upon the scope of your sightseeing. If you propose to spend each days in Lisbon’s metropolis middle—one in Alfama and Baixa-Chiado, and one other down the river in Belem—this needs to be enough. If, alternatively, you additionally need to take a day journey to Sintra, this can require severely condensing your exploration of central Lisbon.
Is 7 days too lengthy in Lisbon?
For a standard sightseeing journey, I’d argue that 7 days in Lisbon might be too lengthy. There’s loads to see and do in and across the metropolis; it additionally begins to mix collectively after a couple of days, for everybody besides essentially the most detail-obsessed explorers. If you do plan to remain in Lisbon for 7 days, I’d in all probability advise renting an Airbnb and “living” there, as oppose to approaching your journey like a vacationer.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications comparable to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.