Lisbon in 4 Days: everything you need to know

If you are thinking about the number of days you should travel to Lisbon to know it in depth and without leaving anything behind, in my opinion, the answer is 4 days. In that time you will be able to visit its most important neighborhoods and monuments without stress and, in addition, you will have time to visit some of the interesting surrounding cities such as Sintra or Cascais.

The best thing to do when you arrive in Lisbon is to start visiting its most central neighborhoods: Alfama, Baixa and Chiado are the historic center of the Portuguese capital and in its streets you have a lot to see and do. If you get up early you can visit all of them calmly and see what they have to offer on the first day of your trip to the capital of Portugal.

Walk around the Alfama district

The best starting point to get to know Lisbon is to book a guided tour of Alfama. This historic area is located on one of the hills of the city under the watchful eye of St. George's Castle and captures the essence of Lisbon's culture. The most interesting points to visit in the Alfama neighborhood are, besides the castle of St. George:

• Lisbon Cathedral.
• The viewpoints of Portas do Sol.
• Santa Lucia.
• The National Pantheon.

All this you will know in depth in this three-hour tour of Alfama and St. George with a professional guide in which you will visit the Cathedral of Lisbon and will show you the history and architecture of this neighborhood.

And if you go on your own to Alfama, keep in mind that you can go on foot or taking the famous streetcar 28 that passes through much of the neighborhood and will save you from having to climb several of its many steep streets. I recommend that you spend some time just walking around and enjoying the atmosphere, street musicians and gastronomy.

Descend to Baixa and Chiado neighborhoods

After visiting Alfama, it's time to go down to the Baixa and Chiado neighborhoods. To visit them you can book the tourist streetcar through Lisbon or if you prefer to walk, go to Pedro IV. square as a starting point and, from there, go down Rua Augusta in the direction of Comercio square.

Before reaching this point, take a detour to go up to the Santa Justa elevator. With this elevator, in addition to the viewpoint, you can go up to the Convento do Carmo to visit its spectacular ruins. Now yes and to finish the day go to the Plaza del Comercio.

At this famous spot you can climb the Rua Augusta Arch and enjoy the Tagus. Near the square there are many options of restaurants where you can end the day with a good dinner.

Enjoy a walk along the Tagus at sunset.

And to end the day, there is no better plan than booking a sailboat ride. Feeling the wind in your face while sailing on the Tagus is a feeling that you should not miss.

This ride, which lasts approximately two hours, will allow you to admire the most important monuments of Lisbon while enjoying a glass of Portuguese wine.

The second day starts right where the first day ended, at the Praça do Comércio. From there, you can take streetcar number 15 to the Belém area. This neighborhood of Lisbon is located 7 kilometers from the center and by streetcar it takes about 20 minutes to get there. It has so many points of interest to see that you should dedicate the whole day to the Belem neighborhood tour.

Visit the Jerónimos Monastery

The Jerónimos Monastery, declared a World Heritage Site, has the recognition of being the most visited monument in Lisbon. It is a spectacular complex formed by an impressive cloister and church and the national archaeological museum that houses in its east wing.

I recommend that you book tickets to the Jerónimos Monastery in advance, as there is always a queue. Nevertheless, the visit is well worth it. The monastery is a must-see in Lisbon.

Taste the Pasteles de Belém

One of the most famous experiences in the Belém neighborhood is to taste its famous pastries. These sweets have crossed borders and are very popular, but nowhere can you taste them better than in their place of origin. Next to the monastery is the original factory where you can taste these delicacies.

Also, if you are passionate about these cakes, as is my case, do not hesitate and book a cooking class pastel de nata. They will teach you how to make these culinary delights while you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Don't miss the Monument to the Discoveries

In front of the Jerónimos Monastery and across the Plaza del Imperio Garden is the Monument to the Discoveries.

It is one of the most photographed points of Lisbon thanks to its spectacularity with its more than 50 meters high. It was built to honor the memory of the discoverers who set sail from the same waters where Lisbon is located.

Enter the Belém Tower

On the west side of Belém and entering the waters of the Tagus is the Tower of Bélem, which is certainly the most representative place of Lisbon. It is a small fort on the banks of the Tagus that was used to defend the city, serve as a lighthouse and even a dungeon.

Book tickets for the Belém Tower and visit its interior and terrace, while enjoying the spectacular views of the Tagus River and the 25th of April Bridge.

These are the must-see sights of Belém, but if you are still hungry for more, you can visit some of its many museums, such as the archaeological museum or the carriage museum, or stroll through its parks and gardens.

After two days in Lisbon, you will have had plenty of time to see the main sights. It's time to visit the surroundings and one of the highlights of all of Portugal is Sintra. Located about 30 kilometers from Lisbon, this village is an almost fairytale setting for its palaces and gardens.

So much so that it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995. It is located in the middle of a natural park, Sintra-Cascais.

Visiting Sintra from Lisbon can be done by car or bus, but it is best to book an excursion to Sintra, which includes round-trip transportation and a professional guide who will show you all the charms of the place. Here are some options:

• Excursion to Sintra and Cascais, from $78.
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira, from $74.
• Excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca, from $90.

Let yourself be dazzled by the Pena Palace

There are many buildings to see in Sintra. The Pena Palace is the most visited and emblematic and one of the most popular monuments in Portugal. It is also considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe thanks to its unique blend of styles.

The Pena Palace should be the first and obligatory visit on your trip to Sintra. To do so, do not hesitate to book your ticket to the Pena Palace and let yourself be dazzled by this fairytale castle, as well as its 200 hectares of gardens. And if you go with time, also book tickets for the Parque da Pena in Sintra.

Discover Quinta da Regaleira

It stands out for its architecture, its gardens, its mysticism and is closely linked to the Masonic cult. It holds many secrets so it is advisable to visit it with a guide.

It is another essential point of Sintra and you can book an excursion to Quinta Quinta da Regaleira along with Sintra, Cascais, Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca, which lasts approximately eight hours.

Don't miss the Sintra National Palace

Located in the center of Sintra, the National Palace preserves its interior almost intact. On the outside, its two large cone-shaped chimneys, visible from many points of the park and the village of Sintra, are striking.

Explore the Monserrate Palace

It is known as the hidden gem of Sintra, as it is not as popular as its neighbors. However, it has more than enough charm to be included in the list of must-see places in Sintra.

Visit the Castelo dos Mouros

These last 4 points are considered the must-see Sintra, but the village is home to many more treasures. If the clock allows you can book tickets for the Castelo dos Mouros, the Convento dos Capuchos or the Chalet and garden of the Countess.

The fourth day in Lisbon has to start during the evening of the third day. After spending several hours in Sintra, what better way to immerse yourself in the Lisbon night than in the best area for it, the Alto district. Already on our last day you can take advantage to make another excursion to the village of Cascais, very close to Lisbon, and finish seeing the city visiting the Park of Nations.

See the Bairro Alto by night

After visiting Sintra, the best thing to do is to enjoy Lisbon's nightlife and the perfect place to do this is the Bairro Alto. Right in the center of the city, this neighborhood is avant-garde, modern and full of life especially when night falls.

There is a wide range of restaurants where you can dine even while enjoying a Portuguese Fado performance. And after dinner you can enjoy its many pubs or go to the viewpoint of Santa Catalina, where in addition to enjoying the night views, it is common to install stages for evening concerts. It is also a meeting point for the inhabitants of Lisbon and there is always a good atmosphere on its terraces.

Stroll through Cascais

And the morning of the fourth day, you have the option to book an excursion to Cascais, which is located about 30 kilometers from Lisbon and was during the twentieth century a town mostly of aristocrats and artists, which is noticeable as soon as you walk through its streets with beautiful palaces and numerous street artists.

In the 40's and fleeing from the war, many nobles arrived and took refuge in their palaces and enjoyed its beaches. This environment is said to have inspired Ian Fleming to give life to the character of James Bond. Spending a morning strolling through its streets and enjoying its beaches is a highly recommended activity , especially if you visit in summer.

Say goodbye at the Park of Nations

After visiting Lisbon in depth, a good way to say goodbye to the city is to do it in the Park of Nations, which is located in the eastern part of the city and is located in what was once an industrial district.

On the occasion of the Universal Exposition of 1998, this modern park with a futuristic air was built to host the event. It is very different from other neighborhoods for its modern buildings such as the Gare Do Oriente station, designed by Santiago Calatrava, or the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is one of the largest aquariums in Europe and a must-see especially if you are traveling with your family. Of course, book tickets for the Lisbon Oceanarium in advance because they are in high demand.

To say goodbye to Lisbon you can take the park's cable car to see the sunset from the heights with the Vasco de Gama bridge in the background. It is the longest bridge in Europe, with 17 kilometers across the Tagus River.