09:30

Breakfast and first stroll in Rossio

Start at Praça Dom Pedro IV, commonly called Rossio, and take in the wave-pattern pavement and the façade of the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II. In the nearby cafés you can have breakfast with coffee and pastries for about 4–8 € per person.

Rossio railway station, with its Neo-Manueline façade, is just a short walk away.

10:30

Santa Justa Elevator

Admire the neo-Gothic structure of Santa Justa from the outside. As of the October 2026 check, Carris reports the elevator temporarily closed: head to Largo do Carmo on foot via Chiado, without planning to ride in the cabin or access the miradouro. Check the operator's updates before traveling.

The route to Largo do Carmo is uphill; check the Carris website for any reopening notices.

11:30

Carmo Convent

Reach Largo do Carmo on foot through Chiado and visit the convent ruins. Visit the open-air nave and the small archaeological museum; budget around 5–7 € for admission and about an hour for this stop.

Bring a light jacket: in open areas it can be windy.

13:00

Lunch between Baixa and Chiado

Head down toward Rua do Carmo and choose a tasca or a restaurant on the side streets, where it’s easier to find a set lunch menu than on the main roads. A simple lunch usually costs around 12–20 € per person; try a soup, the fish of the day, or a bacalhau dish.

Ask the price of dishes off the menu before ordering.

15:00

Walk to Praça do Comércio

Cross Baixa along Rua Augusta, taking in the regular facades rebuilt after the earthquake and the Arco da Rua Augusta. The large square overlooking the Tagus is freely accessible: take your time to walk under the arcades and reach the riverfront.

Going up to the arch terrace, when accessible, usually requires an indicative ticket of about 4–5 €.

17:00

Chiado and coffee break

Head back toward Chiado through the pedestrian streets of Baixa and spend a couple of hours browsing bookshops, stores, and historic cafés. Budget around 2–5 € for a coffee break with espresso and a pastry, or more if you choose a seated aperitif.

The climbs and smooth cobblestones can be demanding: shoes with good grip are useful.

19:00

Dinner in the historic center

Wrap up the day between Chiado and Baixa, both within walking distance, with a Portuguese dinner. For a full meal, budget around 20–35 € per person, drinks excluded or included depending on the venue.

Making a reservation is advisable at the most popular restaurants, especially on weekends.

09:00

Transfer from the city center to Belém

From the city center, you can reach Belém by tram 15E or by bus, checking stops and frequencies on the Carris network. The journey usually takes about 25–40 minutes depending on your starting point and traffic; a single ride with a valid ticket costs roughly €1.80–€2.50.

Alternatively, the Lisboa Card may be worthwhile if you also plan to visit attractions and use other transport.

09:45

Jerónimos Monastery

Spend the morning at the monastic complex, famous for its cloister and Manueline-style details. Allow at least 1.5–2 hours; the cloister requires a ticket, typically in the range of €12–€18, while access and prices may vary and the church may have different opening hours.

Arriving early helps keep the wait down; check for any weekly closures.

12:00

Stop at Pastéis de Belém

Head to the historic pastry shop just a few minutes' walk from the monastery and try the pastel de nata in its local version. One pastry costs roughly €1.50–€2.50; add a few minutes for the queue or sit at the indoor tables if you find a spot.

The takeaway queue and the seating queue may be different.

13:00

Lunch in the neighborhood

Choose a restaurant or café in the side streets of Belém, without straying from the monument route. Budget around €12–€22 for a casual lunch and €20–€35 for a fuller meal.

To save money, consider a light lunch and a longer break after visiting the monuments.

14:30

Padrão dos Descobrimentos and a stroll along the Tagus

Continue on foot to the monument dedicated to the Portuguese explorations, stopping to admire the carved figures and the compass rose in the square. The outdoor area is freely accessible; the standard ticket for the viewpoint, exhibition, and film currently costs €10, to be checked before purchase.

The riverside promenade is exposed to the sun: bring water and sunscreen.

16:00

Belém Tower

Continue on foot to the Tower, following the riverside path for about 20–30 minutes. The monument is one of the city’s symbols; for the interior visit, the standard adult ticket currently costs 15 €. Book your entry time and check availability and access conditions before traveling.

Access may be limited, and the internal stairs are narrow.

18:30

Return and dinner

Head back toward the city center by tram or bus, allowing about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. For dinner in the historic center, budget roughly 20–35 € per person; after a day of walking, it can be convenient to choose a place near your accommodation.

Check the last convenient departure if you plan to stop for dinner in Belém.

09:00

Breakfast and the climb to the Sé

Have breakfast in the Baixa area or along the route to the cathedral, with an estimated spend of 4–8 €. The climb up to Alfama is short but steep in places: allow 15–25 minutes on foot from the center, or use a city bus to reduce the effort.

Avoid relying on tram 28 as your only link: it can be very crowded.

09:45

Sé de Lisboa

Visit the cathedral and observe the layering of Romanesque elements and later additions. The tourist visit requires a standard adult ticket currently priced at 7 € and includes the naves and ambulatory, the upper choir, and the Treasury Museum. Access for prayer follows different conditions, and tourist visits are suspended during services; check the cathedral’s website for the areas actually open to visitors.

During religious services, some areas may not be accessible.

11:00

Alfama alleys

Continue slowly through alleys, stairways, and houses decorated with azulejos, leaving room for small detours and courtyards. The walk is free and takes about an hour, but the uneven ground and inclines make a leisurely pace worthwhile.

Respect the quiet of the residential streets and do not photograph people without permission.

12:15

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Head to the lookout for a view over Alfama’s rooftops and the Tagus, with the Church of São Vicente de Fora in the background. The stop is free; you can pause for a coffee or a drink for an estimated €2–6.

The morning light is often ideal for photographing the rooftops.

13:00

Lunch in Alfama

Choose a neighborhood tasca for a simple meal, or opt for a light lunch if you’d rather spend more time at the castle. Estimated prices range from €12–20 for a dish and a soft drink to €25–40 for a more substantial meal.

Smaller venues may have only a few tables: eating early reduces the chance of waiting.

14:30

São Jorge Castle

Reach the entrance on foot with an uphill walk of about 15–25 minutes from the viewpoint, or shorten the route with a local bus. Set aside 1.5–2 hours for the walls, courtyards, and viewpoints; tickets cost approximately €15–20, with possible differences by age or discounts.

Buying in advance can be useful during busy periods; check the admission conditions.

17:00

Scenic return and break

Make your way back down slowly toward the heart of Alfama, stopping at the viewpoints along the way if you want to rest and enjoy the view. Allow 30–45 minutes for the descent and a break of about €2–6 for a drink or coffee.

Some streets are steep and cobbled: plan your return trip without rushing.

19:30

Dinner and, optionally, fado

End with dinner in Alfama or nearby, where you’ll find venues serving traditional cuisine and fado evenings. A meal without a show typically costs about 20–35 €; dinner and a show can bring the total to around 45–80 € per person.

For a fado evening, book ahead and check in advance whether the show fee is included in the menu.