With a charming and contemporary culture that is unmatched elsewhere in the country coupled with plenty to see and do, Lisbon is a winning city to visit. Here are 20 things to do in 2 days. You can be sure you’ve seen some of the best it has to offer in a short time.
You might also enjoy our 20 top things to do in Porto or Faro.
Day 1
Start your day on the outskirts of the city and work your way in.
- Make a beeline for Pasteis de Belem to pick up breakfast. The Café serves some of the best custard tarts that Lisbon has to offer. Enjoy the view of Belem Palace; the official residence of the Portuguese President.
- The 16th century Belem Tower is one of the most photographed monuments in Lisbon so check it out whilst you are in the area.
- Visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, another visibly impressive building located in the Belem district and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Back in the city, be sure to take a ride on vintage Tram 28. The iconic tram rattles around the cities narrow streets day and night and provides a great overview of the city.
- Travel up high in the Elevador de Santa Justa. Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, the Neo-Gothic tower stands at 147ft and a climb to the top of the winding staircase will deliver wonderful views of the red roofs of Lisbon.
- Embark on an Inside Lisbon Gourmet Walk around lunchtime and get inside tips on wine and food and where to find the best in the city, plus enjoy some free tastings!
- Take a moment to relax at Miradouro de Santa Catarina whilst enjoying the views.
- Head to Rua do Carmo for window shopping galore and sample what is said to be the best gelato in Lisbon and on a more daring scale, the best chocolate cake in the world
- Explore the historic Alfama on foot and enjoy the wonderful architecture and rich culture.
- Spend your evening in Rossio Square, the heart of the city. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a few drinks at one of the cafes with outdoor seating.
Day 2
Head out to explore some nearby sights before travelling back in to enjoy the rest of Lisbon itself.
- Located in the beautiful municipality of Sintra, Palacio Nacional da Pena is one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. Just a glimpse of this fairytale Palace will convince you to venture inside.
- Another building to see is of course Castelo dos Mouros. This hilltop medieval castle dates back to the 8th century and provides great views as well as a historically interesting visit.
- Palacio Nacional de Sintra also features on the list of Sintra sights. The coloured glazed tiles in some of the halls and the Royal Chapel are really something special.
- Stop at the town of Cascais en route back to Lisbon. With glorious beaches and a more than charming appeal, it always proves popular with both visitors and locals.
- Known for its theatres, shops, bookstores and cafes, Largo do Chiado is an artsy part of the city where you can easily spend some time. With old churches and several impressive statues to be seen too, it appeals to almost everyone.
- A ride on the Elevador da Bica will deliver a postcard snapshot that really captures the essence of Lisbon.
- Take a stroll down the pretty Avenida da Liberdade. Built in the style of the Champs-Elysees in Paris, it is the main avenue of the city. You will find everything here from shops to theatres.
- Resembling the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Cristo Rei statue stands tall at 28m high and is easily spotted from all over the city. Head to the south bank of the river if you wish to visit it.
- The fascinating Castelo de Sao Jorge looks proudly over Lisbon and makes for a fascinating visit. Climb the towers, walk around the reconstructed castle walls and drink in great views over the city and Tagus River.
- Visit the Berardo Museum where you will find one of the greatest collections of Modern Art in Europe featuring the big names of Andy Warhol, Picasso, and Dali among others.
The order in which you tackle these lists is really up to you; switch and change as you please but rest assured that you won’t tire of things to do during your visit to the alluring city of Lisbon.
