Portugal | Three days in and around Lisbon

Arrive the evening before and rest up at a hotel or Airbnb. Choose one central to most of the neighborhoods to cut down on travel time. The airport is about 20–30 minutes from the city center.

Our family waiting at the departure gate with carry-on bags, in a bright terminal with tall glass windows.

Waiting at the airport.

Day 1 — Lisbon

Arrive in the Belém neighborhood by Uber from your accommodation.

Two of us standing on the cobbled pavement outside Pastéis de Belém, under its blue awning and tiled facade with Christmas garlands.

Outside Pastéis de Belém.

Begin the day at the most famous breakfast spot in Lisbon — Pastéis de Belém. Try the pastel de nata and the other pastries. The coffee is good here too. Enjoy the local atmosphere, surrounded by traditional azulejos (blue tiles).

A pastel de nata on a blue-rimmed plate next to a cappuccino dusted with cinnamon.

Pastel de nata.

Take a 4-minute walk to the Jerónimos Monastery. Buy tickets ahead of time, as the line can get long if you choose to go inside.

The richly carved white stone side doorway of the Jerónimos Monastery, under a deep blue sky.

The gorgeous architecture of the Jerónimos Monastery.

Walk about 10 minutes to the Monument to the Discoveries. This monument pays homage to Portugal’s era of exploration. From here, enjoy the view of the famous 25 de Abril Bridge — a big red suspension bridge across the Tagus river.

The Monument to the Discoveries, a tall white stone prow lined with carved explorers, beside the Tagus with the 25 de Abril Bridge in the distance.

The Monument to the Discoveries.

Walk about 5 minutes to the Belém Tower. It is a popular attraction to go inside as well, but it gets pretty busy in tourist season. Taking in the view from the outside is beautiful enough — especially when it isn’t covered in scaffolding.

Four of us on the waterfront in front of the Belém Tower, which is partly wrapped in scaffolding.

The Belém Tower, under construction.

Take an Uber to the Alfama neighborhood. First stop: the Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Enjoy the view of the water, the cruise ships in the harbor and the countless tiled roofs all around.

Red-tiled rooftops, church towers and a white dome stretching down to the Tagus, with a cruise ship docked in the harbor.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol.

Walk over to the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This gorgeous tiled balcony frames the views a bit more. Enjoy the vines of flowers and the blue-tiled walls here as well.

Our son sitting on a blue-and-white tiled wall at Santa Luzia, with cruise ships in the harbor behind him.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

A yellow tram climbing a cobbled street lined with pastel buildings.

Trams run right next to the viewpoints.

After a 12-minute walk, reach the Praça do Comércio — Lisbon’s commercial square, close to the water. The walkways and statues in the square make for lots of photo opportunities.

Three of us in the Praça do Comércio, in front of the white triumphal arch and the square’s yellow arcades.

Praça do Comércio.

Lunch recommendation: Plant Base, a vegan restaurant in a cute space serving tacos, burgers, momos and more. Reservation recommended.
After lunch, visit the Baixa and Chiado neighborhoods. Walk 2 minutes down the hill to the Carmo Convent. If possible, go into the ruins of the convent and the museum inside.

The pale stone walls, buttresses and arched windows of the Carmo Convent ruins against a bright blue sky.

The Carmo Convent.

Walk around the corner and up the stairs to see the Santa Justa Lift. The lift can have incredibly long lines for the ride, but the staircase next to the Carmo Convent leads up to the same viewpoint for free. Enjoy a view of the tiled rooftops and the hills around Lisbon.

The iron tower of the Santa Justa Lift seen from a stairway, with the castle hill behind.

The Santa Justa Lift from the steps near the Carmo Convent.

A wide view over the red rooftops of the Baixa towards the hills of Lisbon.

The view from the Santa Justa Lift.

Walk 8 minutes to Landeau Chocolate for the best chocolate cake in the world (we did think so). The hot chocolate is recommended here too.

Our son grinning behind a slice of chocolate cake dusted with cocoa and a tall glass of hot chocolate.

The best chocolate cake.

Walk 9 minutes to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. A small Christmas market was set up here over the festive season. The viewpoint is laid out like a two-level park — walk around and enjoy the views and the small garden.

The city spread across the hills under a cloudy blue sky, with the castle on the far hilltop, seen over a railing.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Dinner recommendation: Tantura — Israeli and Mediterranean food. Homey recipes, cooked fresh and served with love. One of the best meals we had in Lisbon. Reservation required.

Three of us eating dinner at a candlelit table in Tantura, with shelves of dishes behind.

Tantura.

Day 2 — Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos

We took a day tour booked through GetYourGuide. Arrive at the tour bus pick-up spot in the center of town.
Arrive in Fátima. Visit the church and spend some time walking around the town. Light a candle and sit in the peaceful church.

The white basilica and bell tower of Fátima at the end of a vast open square, under a deep blue sky.

The church in Fátima.

One of us walking along a sunlit colonnade of white columns and arches at the sanctuary.

The colonnade at the sanctuary in Fátima.

Next, the tour arrives at the Batalha Monastery. Visit the monument and get some refreshments if needed.

Four of us standing in the square in front of the Gothic Batalha Monastery.

The Batalha Monastery.

Looking up at the tall, lace-like Gothic windows and pinnacles of the Batalha Monastery.

The Batalha Monastery.

From here, the bus stops in the town of Nazaré for lunch. Visit the beach if time permits. Then the tour goes up to the famous viewpoint to look at the big waves. Walk out to the lighthouse if the incline is manageable. There are some souvenir shops here as well.
Lunch recommendation: Nazaré is known for its seafood, but if you want something different, try Sabor’art Café. This homey café serves soups, sandwiches and wraps. The quality is amazing and the food is fresh.

Our son in a blue jacket on the wide sandy beach at Nazaré, with the cliffs behind.

The beach at Nazaré.

Nazaré’s white houses and long curving beach seen from high up on the hill.

The beach from up the hill.

Next, the bus stops at Óbidos, a medieval walled town with cobblestone streets lined with souvenir shops. Over the festive season, the streets are decorated with holiday lights. Take the stairs up to the town walls for beautiful views.

A shaded arcade in Óbidos lined with large terracotta pots of red geraniums.

Óbidos.

A cobbled street in Óbidos with whitewashed houses, a Christmas tree and a red post box.

Óbidos at Christmas.

After this last stop, the tour heads back to Lisbon for drop-off.
Dinner recommendation: If you’re interested in Indian food in Lisbon, try Swagat Indian Restaurant. The food was delicious, served in a colorful setting.

Day 3 — Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais

Take a day trip to Sintra, Cascais and the nearby towns. Leave Lisbon by private car or by train.
Arrive in Sintra and have breakfast at a café. We highly recommend Café Saudade in Sintra for breakfast or lunch.

The cream-colored building of Café Saudade in Sintra, with its ornate wooden door and terrace.

Café Saudade in Sintra.

Drive around town to the different viewpoints. Visit Pena Palace.

Pastel houses of Sintra among green trees, with mist hanging over the hills behind.

Sintra in the mist.

Visit Quinta da Regaleira, especially the gardens.
Have lunch in Sintra town.

A cozy restaurant interior with vintage radios lining a shelf above the bar and rows of wine bottles.

Our lunch restaurant — quaint and popular with locals, but short on vegetarian options.

Drive to a beautiful, secluded beach called Praia da Adraga. Walk around the sea arch and spend some time on the beach.

A huge rock arch standing on the sand at Praia da Adraga, with waves rolling in behind.

The sea arch at Praia da Adraga.

Our son standing by a small stream crossing the sand at Praia da Adraga, with cliffs behind.

Praia da Adraga.

Drive to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. It is notoriously windy. A path around the area has views of the lighthouse and the coastline.

A fenced dirt path along a green clifftop high above the Atlantic at Cabo da Roca.

Cabo da Roca.

Rugged green cliffs dropping into a grey sea, seen from the rocky viewpoint.

The Cabo da Roca viewpoint.

Drive to the seaside town of Cascais. Enjoy the scenery or walk around the town.

A turreted stone and yellow mansion on the rocks above a small sandy cove in Cascais.

Cascais.

Drive back to Lisbon.
Dinner recommendation: Boa-Bao, a pan-Asian restaurant. The food reminded us of Indonesian and Singaporean food. The dim sum, noodles and rice dishes were amazing. Reservation recommended.

The entrance to Boa-Bao at night, with yellow awnings over the doors.

Boa-Bao.

Five of us in hats and jackets on a path beside a lake, with cork trees and forest behind.

A local park with a beautiful lake and cork trees.

This plan gives an idea of how to spend 3 days in and around Lisbon. It can also be split up by adding a trip to the Algarve, Porto or Madeira in the middle.