Portugal | Lisbon in 24 hours

Arrive the evening before and rest up at a hotel or Airbnb. From a centrally located stay, a lot of Lisbon can be experienced in just 24 hours. Uber works great in Lisbon. Note that most of the city is built on hills (think San Francisco). Trams are a local way to get around, but the schedules and crowds kept us more as observers than riders.

Belém

Begin the day at the most famous breakfast spot in Lisbon — Pastéis de Belém. Try the pastel de nata and the other pastries. The coffee is good here too. Enjoy the local atmosphere, surrounded by traditional azulejos (blue tiles).

The counter at Pastéis de Belém, with blue-and-white tiled walls and a wooden sign bearing the bakery’s name.

Inside Pastéis de Belém.

Take a 4-minute walk to the Jerónimos Monastery. Buy tickets ahead of time, as the line can get long if you choose to go inside. For this itinerary we stick to visiting from the outside.

The ornately carved stone doorway of the Jerónimos Monastery, covered in statues and stonework, under a deep blue sky.

The Jerónimos Monastery.

Walk about 10 minutes to the Monument to the Discoveries. This monument pays homage to Portugal’s era of exploration. From here, enjoy the view of the famous 25 de Abril Bridge — a big red suspension bridge across the Tagus river.

The Monument to the Discoveries, a tall white stone prow lined with carved explorers, rising above a wave-patterned mosaic pavement.

The Monument to the Discoveries.

Walk about 5 minutes to the Belém Tower. It is a popular attraction to go inside as well, but it gets pretty busy in tourist season, and taking in the view from the outside is beautiful enough. Arrive when it first opens for shorter lines if you want to go in.

Two of us hugging on the waterfront in front of the Belém Tower, which is wrapped in scaffolding.

The Belém Tower, under construction when we visited.

Alfama

Take an Uber to the Alfama neighborhood.

A red vintage tram rounding a corner on a cobbled street between pink and red buildings.

A tram in the neighborhood.

First stop: the Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Enjoy the view of the water, the cruise ships in the harbor and the countless tiled roofs all around.

Red-tiled rooftops and church domes of Alfama stretching down to the Tagus, with a large cruise ship docked in the harbor.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

Walk over to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This gorgeous tiled balcony frames the views a bit more. Enjoy the vines of flowers and the blue-tiled walls here as well.

Two of us sitting on a blue-and-white tiled wall at Santa Luzia, with a cruise ship and the river behind.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

Optional: Visit the Castelo de São Jorge, about a 4-minute walk from the viewpoint. The castle takes about 2 hours and offers amazing views over Lisbon. Walking the ancient structure gives a glimpse into old-world Portugal. Buy castle tickets in advance. Choosing this option will cut into the time at the other stops.

Praça do Comércio

After a 12-minute walk, reach the Praça do Comércio — Lisbon’s commercial square.

The triumphal Rua Augusta Arch, with its clock and Christmas decorations hanging beneath, opening onto the Praça do Comércio.

The arch on the Praça do Comércio.

Lunch recommendation: Plant Base, a vegan restaurant in a cute space serving tacos, burgers, momos and more. Reservation recommended.

Baixa and Chiado

Visit the Carmo Convent. If possible, go into the open-air ruins of the convent and the museum inside.

The pointed Gothic stone archway and dark red wooden door of the Carmo Convent.

The Carmo Convent.

Walk around the corner and up the stairs to see the Santa Justa Lift. The lift can have incredibly long lines for the ride, but the staircase next to the Carmo Convent leads up to the same viewpoint for free.

Lisbon’s rooftops and hills seen from a terrace with potted palms, near the top of the Santa Justa Lift.

The view from the Santa Justa Lift area.

Walk 8 minutes to Landeau Chocolate for the best chocolate cake in the world (we did think so). The hot chocolate is recommended here too.

A warm orange wall at Landeau Chocolate hung with small framed paintings of bottles and portraits.

Landeau Chocolate.

Walk 9 minutes to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Many interesting local shops line the surrounding streets. Enjoy the view from its different levels.

A terraced garden with paths, benches and white statues, looking out over the city under a blue sky.

The garden at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Optional: On a rainy or hot day, consider the National Tile Museum instead.

Dinner

Dinner recommendation: Tantura — Israeli and Mediterranean food. Homey recipes, cooked fresh and served with love. One of the best meals we had in Lisbon. Reservation required.

The lit front windows of Tantura restaurant on a quiet cobbled street at dusk.

Tantura, in a local neighborhood.

With an extra day, this itinerary splits nicely in two: Belém and its monuments on one day, and the Castelo de São Jorge, the Carmo Convent and the surrounding spots on the next.

Stop by some local souvenir shops to look at handmade ceramics, cork products and, of course, football gear.

A basket of glazed ceramic fish in red, orange and silver, for sale in a souvenir shop.

Handmade ceramics in a souvenir shop.