How to Spend 4 Days in Lisbon: Incredible Things to Do, Eat, and See (2025)

As a European city with a Californian and Hawaiian flair, you can enjoy Lisbon almost 365 days a year. In fact, this capital of Portugal was recently nominated as the best city break destination according to Star Awards, and Europe’s best city culinary destination according to World Culinary Awards.

I recently spent 4 days in Lisbon, and I can’t say I’m surprised with the nominations at all! From year-round sunshine (even in November, I was still sweating) and beachy day trips to mouth-watering cuisine to a thriving arts scene, Lisbon is a spectacular big city with a laid-back vibe and rich culture. 

Unlike major cities like London or Paris (both of which are intimidating), it’s possible to spend 4 days in Lisbon and experience its culture fully. Just be sure to wear comfy shoes, and get in shape before you visit, because the steep hills will SLAY you! Lisbon’s hills are much steeper than San Francisco’s. I had to pause a lot because I was fighting for my life walking uphill, getting out of breath with every step.

Make sure to save and bookmark this guide to help your perfect 4-day Lisbon itinerary with ease!

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Your 4-Day Lisbon Itinerary

Day 1

Breakfast at a pastelaria

The most well-known food in Portugal is the creamy egg tart with a flaky crust, the pastel de nata. Get acquainted with them, because they are so delicious and you’re bound to eat 3-5 a day! Plus, they are cheap at €1.30 a pop. That’s why sometimes I’d other two at a time (I figured I was burning them all off by walking uphill 5-10 miles a day). They taste best with cinnamon sprinkled on them and a side of espresso.

Where should you go first for your first pastel de nata? It depends on where you’re staying. If you’re staying in the Rossio/Baxia areas, I recommend popping by Fabrica de Nata or Pastelaria Suica. 

If you’re residing in Chiado, check out A Brasileira, a popular restaurant/cafe that Rick Steves visited in his Lisbon episode. They have delicious pastel de natas, but also offer petiscos (Portuguese tapas) and entrees. 

Bypass Santa Justa Lift and climb up the steps for sweeping views 

The Santa Justa Lift is a popular attraction in the Rossio area, as it’s a large elevator that takes you 148 feet above ground to get a panoramic view of the city. But there lies the problem: it’s popular, and there’s always a super long line. Also, it costs €5 to ride (you can get like, 4 pastel de natas for that price). 

If you want to take in Lisbon’s views full of steep hills and colorful houses, there’s a way to do so without riding the Santa Justa Lift.

Get your Google Maps out and look for Muji on Rua do Carmo. But you won’t look for Muji; I just want you to find this particular street. Look for the luggage sign (and you should see H&M across the street). Turn right on the steps next to the luggage store, and keep turning right until you’re at the peak. You’ll still see hordes of crowds coming from Santa Justa, and you’ll probably be out of breath, but it beats waiting in line and spending €5. 

Also, the peak has a restaurant, Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau. where you can relax with some cod and a glass of wine while you take in these views!!

Order a shot (or two) of ginjinha 

Port wine isn’t the only signature drink in Portugal. You’ve got to try ginjinha, a shot of cherry liqueur. While you can order them at any restaurant or pastelaria, the best place to get these shots is in A Ginjinha, where you order at the counter. They only take cash though, so be prepared to have some at hand! The shots are only €1.30 per glass. Right next to A Ginjinha, there is also a pastelaria where you can order even more classic pastel de natas!

Attend a fado show with dinner 

Don’t leave Lisbon without attending a fado show at least once! 

Fado is a genre of Portuguese music that expresses the sorrows of life’s daily hardships and heartbreaks. The shows involve two singers and a guitarist performing at a restaurant or fado house, most of which are in the Bairro Alto area (Lisbon’s nightlife hub). The singers don’t sing together; they take turns while the guitarist strums.

There is also an intermission between the performances. Depending on which restaurant you go to or what tour you’re on, your guide may translate the lyrics from Portuguese to English. I went on a tour to watch fado while having dinner, and our guide translated the lyrics for us during the intermission.

Most fado performances include dinner. The one I went to included petiscos to share (such as bread, green olives, and cod cakes), and a drink and dinner of your choice. I ordered the codfish with cream, known as bacalhau com natas, and wow it was fantastic! It tasted like a creamy seafood hash brown 😋 And it went perfectly with my white wine. We also ended the performance with a shot of ginjinha.

The performance was so moving; you could feel the depths of emotion in each singer’s voice, since the themes they sang about resonate with anyone and everyone. Since we all have our own burdens to carry in life, the music transcends beyond the language spoken.

Day 2: Day trips to Sintra and Cascais

When you’re spending 4 days in Lisbon, you’ve got to take a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra and spend the afternoon in Cascais, a sleepy beach town. Both are easily accessible by train or bus, but it is fairly difficult to get to some of Sintra’s major attractions like Peña Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, so I highly recommend booking a tour with a guide so you don’t get lost.

Peña Palace

Peña Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestled in the Sintra Mountains, 1,736 feet above sea level. On a sunny day, you can see the Lisbon skyline on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. While Peña Palace is the quintessential Romanticist piece of architecture, the castle was built around the Middle Ages but was destroyed by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

In 1838, King Ferdinand acquired the remains of the old castle and created a plan to restore it for the Portuguese royal family. The castle was completed in 1854, and its bright-colored exterior and opulent detailing attract around 20 million visitors per year.

Even in November when I went, it was still pretty crowded!

If you take the train or rent a car to Sintra, you can purchase tickets in advance so you don’t need to wait in line. Or you can go on a guided tour which includes entrance to the castle.

Explore the town of Sintra

After wandering through Peña Palace, head over to the charming little town of Sintra. You can walk through the wine bars, eateries, gift shops, art galleries, and cafes. While the town of Sintra isn’t as high up as Peña Palace, it’s still hilly enough to see Lisbon and the ocean at a distance.

If you have little time for one activity, I recommend stopping by Casa Piriquita to try the travesseiro, the pillowy pastry made exclusively from Sintra (travesseiro means pillow in Portuguese). The travesseiro is a puff pastry with an egg and almond cream filling, and coated with powdered sugar. You can also get it in a tart form. I will say it’s pretty sweet, sweeter than the pastel de natas. You have to try it at least once!

Casa Piriquita gets especially crowded during lunchtime, so come as early as possible!

Quinta da Regaleira

You’ll feel like you’re in a total fairytale in Quinta de Regaleira. Like Peña Palace, Quinta de Regaleira is also a Romanticist UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are grottoes, lush gardens, fountains, and the famous 27-meter (88.5 foot) initiation well that you can walk through. The wells were never used as a water source; rather, they were used for ceremonial purposes.

Originally, Quinta de Regaleira was owned by the Viscountess of Regaleira, a wealthy family from Porto. She sold the property to Carvalho Monteiro, a Brazilian-Portuguese businessman who developed the site into what it is today with the help of Italian architect Luigi Manini.

The day tour I took did not include Quinta de Regaleira, because the itinerary only had Peña Palace, the town of Sintra, Cascais, and Belem.

Looking back, I would’ve booked a tour that took me to Peña Palace, Sintra, Quinta de Regaleira, and Cascais. Then I would’ve gone to Belem on a separate day. I do recommend the tour I took if you are spending less than 4 days in Lisbon so you can see as many attractions as you can with limited time.

Lunch at Cascais

If you somehow end up not visiting Sintra (because honestly, Sintra is kind of an all-day affair), at least spend a few hours in Cascais as a part of your 4-day Lisbon itinerary. Cascais is more accessible than Sintra by train or Uber.

Cascais is a small, laid-back beach town situated on the Portuguese Riviera with turquoise water, creamy, golden sand, and the freshest seafood to melt in your mouth. Historically, Cascais was where the Portuguese royal families lived and vacationed.

While there are a lot of eateries by the sea in Cascais, I ventured a little further uphill and had lunch at Sr. Manuel. In this sit-down restaurant, I had the best seafood pasta in my life: the macaroni simmered with shrimp, clams, mussels, octopus, and squid, and was topped with green onions. Talk about fresh and umami!

After lunch, spend a moment at the beach for some sunbathing. Even in November when I went, it was still warm and there were a few people swimming! I would love to return during spring or summer to take a refreshing dip on a hot day.

Day 3

Pink Street

Get up as early as you can to take an Instagram-worthy photo of the iconic Pink Street (also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho), which was once a seedy area with bars, brothels, and gambling spots for sailors.

In 2011, urban projects wanted to attract more patronizers and give the area a better reputation, so they repainted the whole street pink.

Today, Rua Nova do Carvalho is still known as one of Lisbon’s biggest nightlife spots with tourists and locals partying until the wee hours of the morning.

Do be aware that when you get “the shot” in the morning, while there won’t be anyone else photobombing, there is some trash littered throughout the street from the night before. The restaurant, nightclub, and bar owners along the street clean it up right before they open up shop, so you can either wait until they clean it up or learn to edit your travel photos like a pro with Adobe Lightroom.

Around the corner, have some breakfast and coffee at Copenhagen Coffee Lab, for an iced latte and a cardamom (or cinnamon cream) bun 🙂

Chill Out at Jardim Dom Luis

Before lunch at Time Out Maket around the corner, I suggest having a slow, easy morning at Jardim Dom Luis. You can people-watch, read a book, or walk around the park and scour through the little markets small business owners host. You’ll see booths of locals selling vintage clothes, art, jewelry, and other goods. Make sure you have cash, because most of them do not have card readers.

I bought a small cup of sangria for €4 (thanks to withdrawing cash from an ATM), and it was so refreshing on a warm day, even in November!

Lunch at Time Out Market

While it’s not the most peaceful place, you’ve got to have lunch Time Out Market at least once during your 4 days in Lisbon. Time Out Market is Lisbon’s biggest food hall with over 50 eateries, dessert shops, cafes, and minimarts.

There are even a few bars throughout the hall. You can sample some port wine at Taylor’s (one of the oldest port wine houses) or Licor Beirão for another classic Portuguese cocktail, the Beirão, made with herbs such as cinnamon, cardamom, mint, and lavender.

While you’ll mostly find Portuguese fare, there are also different kinds of food, such as pasta, burgers, sushi, donuts, and pizza.

I was not going to eat anything I could have back home, so I ordered roasted octopus with garlic and olive oil on roasted potatoes, with a side of bread and olives from Monte Mar (which also has sitdown restaurants by the Tagus River and Cascais).

My food tasted fantastic and surely hit the spot, but it got a little cold because I was walking around in circles for 10 minutes before I could find somewhere to sit. It was especially crowded because there were conference attendees from Websummit, which takes place in Lisbon every year in November.

My suggestion is to start lining up for lunch at around 11-11:30 before the noon rush.

Don’t forget to grab some pastel de natas at Manteigaria; they are only €1 and my favorite pastelaria (I actually like them more then Pastéis de Belem!).

Ride (or watch) the funicular

Try riding one of Lisbon’s three funiculars, as a fun, novelty way to get around without battling the steep hills. The closest funicular to Time Out Market is Bica Funicular, which is only a 7-minute walk.

Bica Funicular connects the Cais do Sodre neighborhood to Bairro Alto. It runs from 7 am–9 pm, every 15 minutes. If you don’t want to ride it, you can go on the sidewalks to watch it ascend.

If you do decide to walk up the hill instead of riding it, I can’t stress enough how steep it is and how you’re probably going to need to pause a few times. It has an incline of 11.8%!

The higher up you are, the more you can catch views of the Tagus River.

The other two funiculars you can check out are Gloria and Lavra (Gloria Funicular is the most popular one to ride, since it connects Baxia to Bairro Alto).

Rides in the funiculars are €3.80, but they are included if you purchase a Lisboa Card, the rides are included (along with rides in the metro, buses, and free and discounted attractions).

Explore Belem

If you have more than 4 days in Lisbon, I would recommend dedicating a whole day to Belem. That way you can actually visit the insides of Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery. But since this is a 4-day itinerary, we are going to squeeze as much activities as possible!

Constructed in the 16th century on the Tagus River, Belem Tower served as a fortress to protect Lisbon from raids and enemies. It was also the point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and traders during the Age of Discovery.

Jeronimos Monastery was also a 16th-century landmark designed in the Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) architectural style, and it took over 100 years to complete this beauty. It is also where Vasco de Gama, Portugal’s most famous explorer (and the first European to discover India), was laid to rest.

At a distance, you can see the 25 de Abril Bridge, the long-lost twin of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. They even have the same International Orange paint! The 25 de Abril Bridge was also built by American Bridge Company, which constructed the Bay Bridge (San Francisco’s other famous bridge).

On the other side of the bridge lies the town of Almada, where you can see a replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (but the replica is called Christ the King).

Don’t forget to wait in line to get even more pastel de natas at Pastéis de Belem, Lisbon’s most famous pastelaria. Pastéis de Belem has been running since 1837.

Since there was a sugar refinery near Jeronimos Monastery, the monks started making and selling pastel de nata to bring in revenue after Portugal’s Liberal Revolution in 1820, when all monasteries and convents shut down.

As a result, Pastéis de Belem started in the buildings attached to the sugar refinery, and grew in popularity, especially with how close it is to Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery. Today, the pastelaria sells about 20,000 pastries per day. Be prepared to wait in line!

Sail on a sunset cruise down the Tagus River

Get a different viewpoint by taking a sunset cruise down the Tagus River! Lisbon is a coastal city after all (and one of the most beautiful European capital cities at that!), and there’s nothing like wrapping up the evening with wind in your hair and a glass of wine in one hand, enjoying the Golden Hour light reflecting on the water.

Some of the river cruises sail out of Belem, making it convenient if you were already in the area (based on this itinerary). However, most of them sail out of the center of Lisbon.

If you’re coming from Belem, consider sailing these cruises:

• Lisbon Sunset Sailing with Portuguese Wine & History
• Lisbon Sunset Sailing Tour on Luxury Sailing Yacht with 2 Drinks
• Sunset Sailing Tour On The Tagus River
• Lisbon Private Luxury Boat Tour with Welcome Drink

Day 4

Watch the sunrise at Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Want the Instagram photo of your dreams? Look no further than Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a stunning viewpoint that overlooks the Tagus River and Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district. The steps and balcony are adorned with azulejos, Portuguese ceramic blue and white tiles.

Although I’ve never been to Greece (yet!), Miradouro de Santa Luzia reminds me of Santorini, based on the many photos I’ve seen.

No matter what time of day you visit Miradouro de Santa Luzia, you have to absolutely be careful and watch your stuff. This place is a hotbed full of pickpocketers! I arrived at 8 am to watch the sunrise and get the photos I wanted without the crowds.

I still got pickpocketed by a mom-and-daughter duo who pretended to help me take my photos while I was using the tripod and didn’t need help.

It was a whole ordeal that ruined my whole day, mostly because I left my passport. Thankfully, a store owner nearby found my purse, and while my passport and driver’s license were still there, all my cash and cards were gone. If I hadn’t left my passport in my purse, I wouldn’t have wasted hours trying to get an emergency passport from the US Embassy in Portugal (which I ended up not needing).

While I don’t regret the photos I took, I do regret letting my guard down trusting those two ladies with my stuff, and leaving important documents in my hostel.

And while I still love Miradouro de Santa Luzia, my memories of the place are tainted and burned by that incident.

Wander through Castelo de São Gorge

Don’t end your 4-day Lisbon itinerary without a stop at Castelo de São Gorge, one of the oldest landmarks in the city situated on one of the highest hills.

While the oldest fortification in this area dates as far as the 2nd century BC, the castle itself was built in the 11th century. Previously, there may have been Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Moors occupying the space.

Castelo de São Gorge eventually became captured by the first King of Portugal, King Alfonso Henriques.

Heading to the castle isn’t for the faint of heart, as it requires walking uphill to one of the city’s highest points (I mean, all of Lisbon is pretty hilly). But the gorgeous views of the city and the Tagus River make it worthwhile, stepping into a piece of history where the Portuguese royals lived.

If you have less time in Lisbon, unless you’re a huge history buff, it’s best to skip Castelo de São Gorge as it can take all day to explore every nook and cranny, since it’s almost 6,000 meters (17,700 feet). But if you have more than 4 days, you could dedicate a whole day there; they have a restaurant, after all!

To save yourself from the hassle of getting tickets in person, it’s best to purchase them in advance and skip the line. It’s also free to enter if you have the Lisboa Card.

National Tile Museum

If you’re fascinated with the tiles (also known as azulejos) decorated and cemented all over Portuguese architecture, you’ve got to visit the National Tile Museum.

The museum is located inside Convento de Madre Deus, founded by Queen Eleanor of Viseu in 1509. It features tiles from the 15th century and beyond.

Because of how much of the convent has been preserved (despite some reconstruction after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake), you feel like you’re stepping inside an opulent cathedral instead of an art museum. You’ll even find a row of pews!

If you don’t get a chance to visit the Tile Museum (I didn’t, because my pickpocketing fiasco took all day), you can take a “virtual” tour thanks to Google Arts & Culture.

General entrance to the Tile Museum is only €8, but you can also get in for free with the Lisboa Card.

Take a tile-making class

Channel your inner artist by making your own Portuguese tile to take home as a souvenir!

No, you don’t need to be Michelangelo to be able to do an azulejo workshop. Your host will guide you every step of the way!

I booked a tile making class on my last day in Lisbon with Agathe, an expat from Paris. She hosts tile classes in her apartment, which she also converted into a stunning art studio.

Agathe greeted me and two other women with coffee and water, while giving us paper and stencils to practice designing our tile, Then she gave us thicker cardstock paper to create our design, which we outlined with a pen and filled in the shapes with watercolor.

She then scanned our design, created a seamless pattern in Photoshop, printed it out, and transferred it onto a ceramic tile with cork backing.

The tiles make the perfect decoration for your home as a reminder of how much fun you had during your trip, or as a coaster for your drinks!

Dinner at A Brasileira

Wrap up your Lisbon itinerary by dining at A Brasileira, a 120-year-old restaurant in the Chiado area with a Parisian ambiance. It’s one of Lisbon’s oldest restaurants!

A Brasileira started off as a shirt shop, which eventually transitioned to a cafe after the owner, Adriano Telles do Valle, married the daughter of one of the largest coffee producers in Minas Gerais, Brazil. He brought coffee over to Portugal after living and traveling around Brazil, which initially wasn’t popular with locals.

Throughout its history, A Brasileira was the hot spot for artists, writers, and intellectuals to gather and sponge off each others’ ideas.

Fast forward to the 21st century, A Brasileira is one of Lisbon’s most popular cafes/restaurants lauded by Rick Steves.

They serve some of the freshest pastel de natas, perfect with a shot of espresso. But don’t forget that they have a solid dinner menu as well!

I ordered roasted octopus with sweet potatoes, coated in garlic and olive oil. The dish was balanced in flavor, marrying savory and sweet while still giving your taste buds a succulent party.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

• Budget: We Love F Tourists Hostel
• Mid-range: Be Poet Baxia Hotel
• Luxury: Hotel Valverde Lisboa – Relais & Chateaux

How to Get Around

Lisbon Metro

The Metro is the easiest (and cheapest) way to get around Lisbon, especially when trying to avoid those hills. There are four lines in the Metro, serving 56 stations and spans 44.5 km (27.7 miles). The Metro is also available in the airport, making it a seamless process to get to your accommodation.

You can also use the Metro to go on day trips to Belem, Sintra, and Cascais.

A single ticket costs only €1.80, but you can also get an unlimited 24-hour pass €6.80 in any station. The Lisboa Card also includes free entrance to the Metro and other forms of public transportation (buses, trams, and funiculars).

Rideshares

Uber and Bolt are the two main rideshare services in Portugal. They are also pretty affordable!

I booked A LOT of Uber rides on my last 2 days between my pickpocketing fiasco and going to the airport to pick up my carry-on I left in the plane cabin, and they averaged around €4–€11.

Tram 28

The famous Tram 28 cable car is also another fun way to get around Lisbon. It’s not as efficient as the Metro and it’s more for the novelty for tourists, and it can get packed inside.

But if you have a chance to ride it on a quiet morning and get acquainted with the city, I highly suggest it!

Funiculars

Like Tram 28, the funiculars are a fun way for tourists to explore the city. But some locals also use them as a way to go from one area to another without walking through the steep, steep, hills.

There are three funiculars in Lisbon:

• Lavra: Lisbon’s first funicular which was inaugurated in 1884, and connects Câmara Pestana to Largo da Anunciada.
• Gloria: The most popular funicular that connects Restauradores to Bairro Alto.
• Bica: This funicular is around the corner from Time Out Market, connecting Cais do Sodre to Bairro Alto. It’s also the steepest one!

Tuk tuks

If you have extra money to spare and want a private, customized tour of Lisbon (especially if you’re a first timer trying to navigate the city or you have less than 4 days), then tuk tuks are the way to go!

Since tuk tuks are electrically operated, this is an eco-friendly way to get around.

Looking for a tuk tuk tour for sightseeing around Lisbon? Here are some of the top-rated

• 4-Hour/Half Day Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon
• Private 3-Hour City Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon with Hotel Pickup
• Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping up your 4 days in Lisbon itinerary

After my first time visiting Lisbon (despite my 2 major fiascos), I can absolutely see why it’s becoming one of the most raved-about destinations in Europe, and why so many Americans are moving to Portugal in droves.

Fantastic weather, affordability, mouthwatering food, and easy access to the beach…what’s not to love?!

Lisbon is one of those cities that keep calling people (like myself) back.

If you have one activity you cannot miss during your Lisbon 4-day itinerary, let that be the fado show with dinner. The music will move you to tears, and you get to interact and get to know other travelers in the tour.

And of course, don’t forget to eat your weight in pastel de nata; you’ll burn it off anyway with all the walking you’ll be doing uphill!

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Hannah Padilla

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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.