3 days in Lisbon at a glance
The plan uses one area per day. Day 1 covers the Baixa, Alfama and the castle. Day 2 goes west to Belém. Day 3 is a day trip to Sintra. If you only have two days, drop the Sintra day and keep the first two.
Two rules decide the order. The Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower are closed on Mondays, so Day 2 must not fall on a Monday. And Pena Palace sells tickets for fixed slots, so book Day 3 before you leave home. If your trip starts on a Sunday or Monday, swap the days to suit.
Lisbon itinerary: day by day
The route in short, with the main costs for adults in 2026.
| Day | Area | Main stops | Main costs (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Baixa and Alfama | Praça do Comércio, castle, Santa Luzia, Museu do Fado | Castle €17, Museu do Fado €5 |
| Day 2 | Belém | Belém Tower, Jerónimos, Padrão, MAAT, LX Factory | Tower €15, Jerónimos €18, Padrão €10 |
| Day 3 | Sintra | Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira | Pena €20, Mouros €12, Regaleira €20, bus €13.50 |
Our picks for three days
A walking tour, Sintra with tickets and a sunset sail.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sintra, Pena, Cascais and Cabo day tour with tickets
A van from Avenida da Liberdade with a guided Pena visit, depending on the option, plus free time in Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais.
Check availability →
Sailboat sunset tour with a drink
Two hours on a sailboat with a welcome drink and snacks, leaving from Doca de Alcântara. Further food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Best of Lisbon walking tour: Rossio, Chiado and Alfama
Three hours with a local guide, a pastel de nata, a snack and a wine tasting. Entry to sights is not included.
Check availability →Lisbon tours and day trips
Walking tours, river cruises, fado evenings and Sintra day trips from Lisbon, with live prices and availability.
Day 1: Baixa, Alfama and the castle
Start in the center and finish up on the hill.
Morning: Baixa
Walk the grid from Rossio to the Praça do Comércio, where the arch opens to the river. The Santa Justa lift is closed, so enjoy the street level.
Midday: the castle
Go up to the Castelo de São Jorge. Tickets cost €17 and include a guided tour. Until 31 October it is open 9:00 to 21:00, from 1 November 9:00 to 18:00. The funiculars are closed, so use tram 28, a bus or your legs.
Tram 28 guide →Afternoon: Alfama
Walk down through Alfama to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, with its tile panels and garden. Then visit the Museu do Fado (€5, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00).
Alfama guide →Evening: Cais do Sodré
The Time Out Market is open Sunday to Wednesday until midnight and Thursday to Saturday until 2:00. It has no reservations and shared tables. An evening of fado is another option.
Day 2: Belém
Take tram 15E or the train from Cais do Sodré. Plan the whole day.
Morning: monastery and tower
Arrive when the Jerónimos Monastery opens at 9:30. Adults pay €18. Belém Tower costs €15 and uses time slots. Both are closed on Mondays. Together with the castle, they add up to €50.
Jerónimos guide →Midday: the riverside
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos costs €10 with the viewing platform, €5 for the exhibition only. Walk the river path between the monuments.
Belém Tower guide →Afternoon: MAAT or LX Factory
The MAAT costs €16 for visitors from abroad and is closed on Tuesdays according to the museum. LX Factory in Alcântara is free to enter and has shops, cafés and restaurants with their own hours.
Lisboa Card?
Castle, Jerónimos and tower cost €50 in total, and the Lisboa Card costs €31 for 24 hours. But it needs a pre-booked slot for the monastery and tower, which is the main catch.
Lisboa Card guide →Day 3: Sintra
Leave early. Trains from Rossio take about 40 minutes.
Getting there
Take the train from Rossio and check that the destination display says Sintra. Private cars cannot use the access roads to the palaces. Buses 434 and 435 run a hop-on hop-off loop for about €13.50 for 24 hours, and the Lisboa Card is not valid on them.
Pena Palace
The Essential ticket costs €20 and has a fixed time slot for the palace. Late arrivals are not admitted and not refunded. Allow about 30 minutes from the park entrance to the palace.
Pena Palace guide →Second stop
Choose the Moorish Castle (€12) or Quinta da Regaleira (€20, with its own time slot). Doing both and Pena is a long day.
Quinta da Regaleira →Budget
Bus, Pena, the Moorish Castle and Regaleira add up to €65.50. Add the train fare, or buy the €11.40 24-hour ticket, which includes the Sintra line.
Sintra day trip →Adjusting the plan
Changes for rain, children or a different pace.
Rainy day
Swap the outdoor stops for the Oceanário in the Parque das Nações (€25.50 to €29.90, open daily 10:00 to 20:00) or the MAAT.
Less walking
Use tram 28 for the climb to Alfama, and buy a 24-hour ticket for €7.25 if you ride more than about four times.
Coast instead of Sintra
Take the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré, about 40 minutes, and continue to the lighthouse at Cabo da Roca (€5 Essential, €10 Panorama).
Cascais guide →Where to sleep
The Baixa or Chiado puts Day 1 and the trains to Belém and Sintra within easy reach.
Where to stay →3 days in Lisbon: frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Lisbon?
Yes, for the main sights. It covers the old town, Belém and one day trip, at a steady pace.
Which day should I do Belém?
Not on a Monday, as the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower are closed. Check MAAT days too: it lists Tuesday as closed.
Do I need to book Sintra in advance?
Book the Pena Palace slot ahead. The ticket is for a fixed time and late arrivals are not admitted or refunded.
How do I get around?
Metro, bus and tram share a €1.90 single ticket valid for 60 minutes, with a €0.50 Navegante card. A 24-hour ticket costs €7.25.
What if it rains?
Move the Oceanário or a museum into that day, and keep the viewpoints and the castle for clear weather.