3 days in Lisbon: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Lisbon is a city of river light, steep old quarters and monuments from the age of the great sea voyages. Day one keeps you in Belém and ends under the 25 de Abril Bridge, day two climbs from the great riverside square through the Alfama to the castle and the National Pantheon before the tile museum, and day three moves from the Gulbenkian across the aqueduct and Estrela to the old masters above the river.

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Day 1

Belém and the age of discovery

5 stops

09:00
Belém Tower
About 25 min
Start at the 16th-century tower that guarded the mouth of the Tagus and saw the explorers' ships off, and take time to look at its carved stone balconies and watchtowers. From here a flat riverside path leads east to the next monument.
Walk, 15 min
09:40
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
About 20 min
The Monument of the Discoveries is a giant stone prow lined with figures from Portugal's seafaring age, with Henry the Navigator at the front. Before you cross under the road to the monastery, look down at the huge compass and world map set into the pavement.
Walk, 7 min
10:10
National Archaeology Museum
About 1 h 30 min
Portugal's largest archaeology museum fills the long west wing of the Jerónimos complex, with finds from prehistory through the Roman period. An hour and a half suits a steady look before you step next door into the monastery itself.
Walk, 2 min
11:45
Jerónimos Monastery
About 1 h 15 min
The monastery is the high point of Portugal's Manueline style, with ropes, shells and sea creatures carved into the stone, and Vasco da Gama's tomb lies inside the church. Save time for the two-storey cloister, then take a short taxi ride east toward the bridge.
Taxi, 6 min
13:10
25 de Abril Bridge
About 20 min
Lisbon's long red suspension bridge links the city to Almada and looks a lot like San Francisco's Golden Gate. There is little to do here beyond photos from the riverside at Alcântara, so keep it short and let the afternoon stay free.

Day 2

Alfama: the great square, the cathedral, the castle and tiles

6 stops

09:00
Praça do Comércio
About 20 min
The great riverside square was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, with yellow arcades on three sides and King José I on horseback in the middle. Walk down to the Cais das Colunas steps at the water's edge before you head uphill to the cathedral.
Walk, 6 min
09:30
Lisbon Cathedral
About 45 min
The Sé is the oldest church in the city, a fortress-like Romanesque building begun in 1147, with twin towers framing a rose window. In the cloister, excavations show layers of Roman and Moorish Lisbon, and from here it is a short uphill walk to the castle.
Walk, 4 min
10:20
Castle of Saint George
About 1 h 35 min
The castle crowns the highest hill of the old town, and its walls and towers give the best views over the Baixa, the river and the red roofs below. Walk the ramparts, then follow the Alfama lanes on to São Vicente.
Walk, 8 min
12:05
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
About 30 min
This 17th-century church and monastery is known for cloisters lined with blue and white azulejo tiles and for the pantheon of the Braganza kings. If the roof terrace is open, go up for a view over the Alfama and the river.
Walk, 5 min
12:40
Church of Santa Engrácia
About 30 min
The white dome of Santa Engrácia took centuries to finish and now serves as the National Pantheon, where the fado singer Amália Rodrigues is buried. Climb to the terrace around the dome for one of the best views over the river, then allow a longer walk east, or a short taxi, to the tile museum.
Walk, 23 min
13:35
National Azulejo Museum
About 1 h 30 min
Portugal's tile museum fills the old Madre de Deus convent, tracing azulejos from Moorish patterns to modern design. Do not miss the gilded convent church or the long blue and white panel showing Lisbon's waterfront before the 1755 earthquake.

Day 3

The Gulbenkian, the aqueduct, Estrela and the old masters

4 stops

09:00
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
About 1 h 30 min
The collection of the oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian runs from Egyptian and Islamic art to European painting and a room of René Lalique's jewellery, all in a calm modern building. Leave a few minutes for the garden outside before the taxi west.
Taxi, 4 min
10:35
Águas Livres Aqueduct
About 20 min
The 18th-century aqueduct strides across the Alcântara valley on tall stone arches and came through the 1755 earthquake intact. It is a quick stop for the view of the arches, so do not plan more than a short look unless the walkway on top is open.
Taxi, 4 min
11:00
Estrela Basilica
About 45 min
Queen Maria I built this late 18th-century basilica, whose white dome stands out on Lisbon's western hills, and her tomb is inside along with a large Nativity scene of cork and terracotta figures. The Estrela garden across the street is a pleasant pause before the walk down to the art museum.
Walk, 15 min
12:00
National Museum of Ancient Art
About 1 h 30 min
This is Portugal's main collection of older art, from Portuguese painting to pieces brought back from Asia and Africa in the age of exploration. Look for the Panels of Saint Vincent and the Japanese Namban screens, and step out to the garden for a view over the river.

Good to know

Lisbon is hilly and many pavements are smooth limestone cobbles that get slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.
Belém is flat and easy on foot; the plan uses short taxi rides from Belém to the bridge on day one and between the Gulbenkian, the aqueduct and Estrela on day three.
Many of Lisbon's museums and monuments close on Mondays, so check the day you plan for each one before you go.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a plan with this many climbs; summer afternoons can be hot in the Alfama.
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3 days in Lisbon: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Belém Tower

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

National Archaeology Museum

Jerónimos Monastery

25 de Abril Bridge

Praça do Comércio

Lisbon Cathedral

Castle of Saint George

Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

Church of Santa Engrácia

National Azulejo Museum

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Águas Livres Aqueduct

Estrela Basilica

National Museum of Ancient Art

Good to know

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