Lisbon in 2 days: the old town, the river and Belém

Two days in Lisbon is enough for a satisfying first taste of the city: one day for the old hilltop quarters around the castle, and one for the riverside monuments of Belém. The centre is compact but steep, so the order matters. This plan starts high and works downhill on day one, and keeps day two mostly flat. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip; this city is built on hills.

If you have a third day, our Lisbon in 3 days itinerary follows the same first two days more slowly and adds Chiado, Príncipe Real and more of the viewpoints. This two-day version is the compressed plan: the unmissable sights, in an order that saves your legs.

Day 1 morning: São Jorge Castle

Start at the Castelo de São Jorge, on the hilltop above the old town. Its walls go back to the Moorish period and were extensively restored in the 20th century, and walking the ramparts gives you views over red rooftops to the Tagus. Go early, before the tour groups arrive. The climb is steep, so if you'd rather save your energy, take a taxi or a tram up and walk everything else downhill.

Day 1 midday: the Alfama

Then wander down through the Alfama, Lisbon's oldest quarter and one of the few areas to survive the 1755 earthquake largely intact. It's a maze of steep lanes, stairways and tiny squares, and getting a little lost is part of the point. Pause at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the neighbouring Portas do Sol, where the view spreads over the rooftops to the river, and watch the yellow trams squeeze past. Lower down, the fortress-like Sé, Lisbon's cathedral, is worth a quick look.

Day 1 afternoon: Baixa and Praça do Comércio

Continue down to the Baixa, the flat district rebuilt on a neat grid after the great earthquake of 1755. Walk along its main pedestrian street, Rua Augusta, and under the Rua Augusta Arch onto the Praça do Comércio. This vast square opens directly onto the river, and the arch has a viewing terrace at the top if you want one more view. From here, Rossio square and the Santa Justa lift are a few minutes' walk north.

Day 1 evening: Bairro Alto or fado

In the evening, head up to the Bairro Alto for dinner. Its grid of narrow streets fills with bars and people as the night goes on. Alternatively, go back to the Alfama to hear fado, Portugal's soulful traditional song, in one of the small restaurants that host performances. Expect the room to go quiet while the singer performs.

Day 2 morning: the Jerónimos Monastery

On day two, take tram 15 or a train from Cais do Sodré west to Belém. Start at the Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of the ornate Manueline style, begun in the early 16th century. Its church holds the tomb of the navigator Vasco da Gama, and the two-storey cloister is one of the finest in Europe. Queues build by mid-morning, so arrive when it opens.

Afterwards, try a pastel de nata, the custard tart said to come from the monastery's monks. A long-established bakery a short walk away still makes them to its own recipe, and you'll find them all over the city.

Day 2 afternoon: the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower

Walk along the river to the Monument to the Discoveries, a tall stone prow carved with figures from Portugal's age of exploration. Continue to Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortress that once guarded the entrance to Lisbon's harbour. The monastery and the tower are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower is small inside, so seeing it from the waterfront is enough for many visitors. On your way back, the MAAT museum and the LX Factory are easy stops.

Day 2 evening: sunset at a miradouro

Back in the centre, end with sunset at a miradouro, one of the viewpoints on Lisbon's hills. The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Graça is one of the highest and best, looking west over the castle and the whole city. The nearby Miradouro da Graça is a good alternative, with a small café terrace.

What to book ahead

• Mondays: the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower close on Mondays, so don't make Monday your Belém day.
• Castle and Jerónimos tickets: both sell tickets online, which can save some queuing in busy months. Check the official sites for current hours and closures.
• Fado evenings: the best-known venues fill up on summer weekends, so reserve a table if you have a place in mind.
• Sintra: if you're adding a third day there, book palace tickets ahead. Our guide to day trips from Lisbon covers Sintra, Cascais and more.

Adapting the plan

• Rain: swap the viewpoints for the National Tile Museum or the Gulbenkian Museum, both easy to reach by bus, taxi or metro.
• With children: the riverside at Belém has plenty of room to run around, and the Oceanário in Parque das Nações makes a good half-day swap.
• Limited mobility: use trams, taxis or ride-hailing for the climbs, and spend more time in the flat Baixa and along the river.

Getting around and where to stay

The metro covers the airport and the centre, while trams, buses, funiculars and ferries fill in the gaps. A rechargeable transport card works on all of them. Keep bags closed on crowded trams, especially tram 28, which is a favourite of pickpockets.

For two days, Baixa or Chiado puts both days within easy reach, with trams and trains to Belém close by. Our guide to where to stay in Lisbon compares the neighbourhoods. Lisbon also charges a per-person, per-night tourist tax, usually paid at your accommodation; check the current rate when you book.

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Cover photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons