Capital of seven hills, Lisbon blends yellow trams, Alfama's fado-filled alleys, the UNESCO monuments of Belem and warm pasteis de nata. Here's how to enjoy it in 3 days or 1 week.
Lisbon at a glance
Population
545,000
Airport
LIS
Ideal stay
3 to 5 days
Budget / day
โฌ60-200
Flight Paris
~2h30 direct
Time diff
-1h
Current climate
Best season
In brief
The city is best on foot, but it climbs
Count minimum 3 days for Alfama, Belem and Bairro Alto without rushing. 5 days to add Sintra and Cascais.
Choosing the right neighborhood changes everything
Baixa for the central location, Alfama for charm, Principe Real for quiet elegance.
Prefer transport and flat shoes
Metro, trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa lift link the hills. Cobblestones get slippery in the rain.
Taste the pastel de nata at the source
Pasteis de Belem has served its secret recipe since 1837. Warm, dusted with cinnamon.
A fado and rooftop scene of its own
Alfama fado houses, sunset miradouros, the Time Out Market: the city lives outdoors.
Must-see
The medieval maze that survived the 1755 earthquake. The cradle of fado.
The historic yellow tram crossing Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela.
Moorish fortress overlooking the city. 360 degree views of the Tagus and rooftops.
16th-century Manueline tower, UNESCO-listed, guardian of the Tagus mouth.
Manueline UNESCO masterpiece in Belem. Tomb of Vasco da Gama and a finely carved cloister.
The bakery serving the original pastel de nata since 1837. Daily queue, well worth it.
Vast royal square opening onto the Tagus. The Rua Augusta triumphal arch.
Chiado chic by day, Bairro Alto in full swing by night. The heart of nightlife.
Food hall in the Mercado da Ribeira: Portugal's chefs gathered under one roof.
Wrought-iron lift from 1902 linking Baixa to Carmo. Panoramic terrace at the top.
Choose your district
The center rebuilt after 1755, flat and full of shops. Everything on foot, metro everywhere. From โฌ90/night.
โ Recommended
The most picturesque district, stepped alleys and fado houses. From โฌ70/night.
Charm
Elegant and quiet, designer shops and gardens. Ideal for a relaxed stay. From โฌ110/night.
Chic
The party district. Lively late, perfect for nightlife, noisy at night. From โฌ75/night.
Lively
On the Tagus, near the UNESCO monuments. More open, 15 min by tram from the center. From โฌ80/night.
Monuments
Getting around
Metro & Carris buses
4 fast, clean metro lines. The Viva Viagem card tops up single or day tickets.
Trams & funiculars
Tram 28 for the scenery, the Bica and Gloria funiculars to climb effortlessly.
Taxi (Bolt, Uber)
Very common, cheap apps. Handy at night or with luggage on the slopes.
On foot
The best way to grasp the city, but it climbs steeply. Bring good flat shoes.
Climate & crowds
01
Jan
02
Feb
03
Mar
04
Apr
05
May
06
Jun
07
Jul
08
Aug
09
Sep
10
Oct
11
Nov
12
Dec
Spring
March to June ยท 18-25ยฐC, bright ยท Ideal: mild, gardens in bloom, reasonable crowds
Summer
July to Aug ยท 28-32ยฐC, dry ยท Fair: hot and touristy, Festas de Lisboa in June
Autumn
Sept to Oct ยท 20-26ยฐC, mild ยท Ideal: sea still warm, golden light
How much
Backpacker
โฌ60
per day
Comfort
โฌ130
per day
Premium
โฌ300
per day
Our tested itinerary
Day-by-day program.
Around
40 min away ยท Romantic palaces in the forest
40 min away ยท Chic seaside resort
๐ 3h by train ยท The sister city of the North
FAQ
Laura Petit โ
ยทEurope specialist
Last updated: June 6, 2026.