Written by Penna a Spillo
✈️ Category: Weekend in Europe
🇵🇹 What to see in Lisbon in three days: the ultimate 3-day itinerary
Lisbon is a wonderful city, full of things to do and see, even if you only have three days or a weekend to explore it.
Its slightly vintage charm blends perfectly with modern services and efficient public transport, and walking around is easy and incredibly rewarding.
I recently had the chance to visit, and with a bit of planning, I managed to explore it in a proper way.
Here’s the itinerary I followed to make the most of three days in Lisbon.
🗓️ Day 1: Discovering Lisbon’s historic centre
- Morning: Avenida da Liberdade & Bairro Alto
- Afternoon: Rua Augusta & Elevador de Santa Justa; Chiado & Convento do Carmo; Arco da Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio
- Evening: Alfama & the Cathedral
🏙️ Avenida da Liberdade & Bairro Alto: bohemian vibes and viewpoints
Since my Hotel was located on one of Lisbon’s central streets, Avenida da Liberdade, I started exploring from here.
Avenida da Liberdade is a wide boulevard reminiscent of Parisian avenues.
Walking south towards the sea, you’ll come across a beautiful square called Praça dos Restauradores, surrounded by colourful, eye-catching buildings.
Before reaching the square, on the right, a series of steep streets lead up to one of Lisbon’s most characteristic neighbourhoods, Bairro Alto.
At the entrance, you’ll find a panoramic viewpoint, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, perfect for a first taste of the area.
Bairro Alto is lively and full of character.
Explore it during the day for its narrow streets and charming little shops (don’t miss a sardine shop!), and return in the evening for the nightlife, restaurants, and music.
After wandering around a bit, you can head back down to Praça dos Restauradores and continue your walk from there.
🏛️ Rua Augusta & Elevador de Santa Justa: Lisbon’s iconic core
From Praça dos Restauradores, continue towards the sea along Rua Augusta, Lisbon’s most famous street.
This pedestrian street is lined with stunning historic buildings and traditional shops, and leads directly to Praça do Comércio through the Arco da Rua Augusta.
Along the way, stop to admire the Elevador de Santa Justa (entrance on Rua de Santa Justa, a side street off Rua Augusta).
Built in 1902, this neo-Gothic iron elevator leads up to the Chiado quarter.
🏰 Chiado & Convento do Carmo: historic cafés and open-air ruins
Taking the Elevador de Santa Justa will bring you quickly to Chiado, home to the remarkable Convento do Carmo, a Gothic ruin open to the sky, absolutely stunning.
From the top of the elevator, you can easily reach the Miradouro do Carmo, a viewpoint with gorgeous views over the Baixa and the castle.
Wander around this quarter: it’s full of little surprises and panoramic spots.
🌊 Arco da Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio: the riverside grand square
Back on Rua Augusta, continue to Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s most iconic square, right by the river.
It’s vast, beautiful, and the view of the water gives it a unique charm.
If you’re lucky with the weather, take a moment to relax here and soak in the maritime atmosphere, it reminded me of my hometown, Genoa.
At this point, you can either end your first day here, saving Alfama for tomorrow, or continue exploring in the afternoon, as I did.
🚋 Alfama & the Cathedral: yellow trams and winding alleyways
Alfama is a hidden gem, winding up the hill through small squares and narrow streets, with the iconic yellow trams passing by.
You can hop on the famous Tram 28 for a scenic ride, or explore the surroundings on foot until you reach the São Jorge Castle.
Lisbon has a slightly faded charm, revitalised in its central parts in a way that respects its original architecture, letting you discover small treasures around every corner.
The houses, often colourful and closely packed, occasionally open to reveal glimpses of the sea.
Along the way, make sure to pause and admire the Cathedral, it’s a peaceful, evocative spot.
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🗓️ Day 2: Creative hubs and coastal history
- Morning: LX Factory
- Afternoon: Belém Tower & Monument to the Discoveries
- Evening: Free time or dinner nearby
🎨 LX Factory: street art, design and alternative vibes in Alcântara
One of the best things about Lisbon is its amazing surroundings, which are worth exploring.
Just a short metro ride away is the Alcântara, home to a true gem: LX Factory.
Located under the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge, LX Factory is a creative and vibrant hub.
Originally a 19th-century industrial complex, it was transformed in 2008 into a cultural and commercial space hosting over 50 shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, art galleries, and coworking spaces.
From the Alcântara-Mar metro station, covered in street art, you’ll immediately sense the area’s creative vibe.
A few minutes’ walk from the station brings you to the main entrance, where the industrial charm has been preserved in a modern, artistic environment.
Today, LX Factory is a hotspot for artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and culture lovers, offering unique shops, eateries, and regular markets, exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural events.
🎯Address: Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisbon
🏰 Belém Tower & Monument to the Discoveries: age of exploration & pastéis de nata
NA short metro ride away is Belém, where you can walk along the river to the Belém Tower, a defensive fortification turned lighthouse and even prison, built in the distinctive Portuguese Renaissance style.
Along the way, stop to photograph the Monument to the Discoveries.
Don’t miss the famous Pastéis de Belém, available only at Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua de Belém 84–92), next to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
🎯 Address: Rua de Belém 84–92
🗓️ Day 3: Cais do Sodré and a seaside trip to Cascais
- Morning: Mercado da Ribeira & Pink Street
- Afternoon: Cascais
- Evening: Return to Lisbon / dinner nearby
🍷 Mercado da Ribeira & Pink Street: food stalls and nightlife
SFor the third day in Lisbon, here’s an easy and enjoyable itinerary.
Start your morning with two nearby highlights: Mercado da Ribeira and Pink Street.
Mercado da Ribeira is the city’s historic covered market, located in Cais do Sodré.
Inside, you’ll find the Time Out Market, featuring over 40 food stalls with dishes from top chefs and street food.
You can sample everything here: Portuguese cuisine, Asian and fusion dishes, desserts, cocktails, and more.
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 49
Just a two-minute walk away, still in Cais do Sodré, is Pink Street.
Once a red-light district, it’s now a trendy pedestrian street painted in bright pink, perfect for an evening drink or nightlife outing.
🌊 Cascais: ocean views, beaches and dramatic cliffs
Cascais, about 30 km west of Lisbon, is a charming seaside town.
A 30–40 minute train ride from Cais do Sodré offers stunning coastal views.
The town centre has pedestrian streets with wave-patterned stone pavements, restaurants, cafés, and small beaches, perfect for a dip or a sunset aperitif.
Don’t miss Boca do Inferno, dramatic cliffs where the waves crash with impressive force.
Cascais is also perfect for lunch, with many restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional Portuguese dishes like grilled fish, bacalhau, and seafood rice.
🗺️ Interactive map of the 3-day Lisbon itinerary
💡 Practical tips to make the most of your trip to Lisbon
- Transport: Get the Lisboa Card for unlimited public transport and discounts/free museum entry.
- Food: Don’t miss the iconic pastéis de nata, especially in Belém.
- Shoes: Lisbon is hilly! Comfortable shoes are a must.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated (5–10%).
- Payments: Cards are widely accepted, though small cash is useful.
- Safety: Generally safe, but watch for pickpockets in busy tourist areas.
- Weather: Mild even in winter, but it can be windy—bring a light jacket.
With these tips, your stay in Lisbon will be smoother, more enjoyable, and full of authentic experiences.
🧭 Discover more travel guides & itineraries
- Check also Porto for a Long Weekend: A Three-Day Itinerary
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