Portugal / City guide

Lisbon

Baixa, Alfama and Belém in three days

Divide Lisbon into three areas: central Baixa, the hills around Alfama and Belém farther west along the river. Start with the easier Baixa walk and tackle the hills the following day. Give Belém its own day because it sits apart from the other stops. This plan suits a first visit without day trips elsewhere.

See the three-day itinerary Find flights to Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

Length of stay3 days, plus travel days

SeasonApril–May or September–October

Getting aroundMetro and other public transport between areas

01 / Suggested itinerary

Three days in Lisbon

Follow the stops in order or choose the parts that interest you. Rearrange the days around your booked entry times.

01
Day 1
Baixa from Rossio to the river
1. Rossio — start in the square and find Rua Augusta.
2. Rua Augusta — follow the pedestrian street towards the arch.
3. Praça do Comércio — walk through the arch to the square and the Tagus.
Follow Rua Augusta south. This straightforward route also works on arrival day. Add Chiado afterwards if you want to continue uphill into the city.
02
Day 2
The castle and Alfama
1. Castelo de São Jorge — visit the castle grounds and viewpoints.
2. Miradouro de Santa Luzia — continue downhill for views over Alfama and the Tagus.
3. Sé de Lisboa — finish at the cathedral farther down the neighbourhood.
Get to the castle first, then follow the route downhill. This avoids some uphill walking, but there are still steps along the way. Check access if anyone in your party has difficulty with stairs.
03
Day 3
Belém's monuments
1. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos — start at the monastery if you want an interior visit.
2. Padrão dos Descobrimentos — walk towards the monument beside the river.
3. Torre de Belém — follow the waterfront west to see the tower from outside.
Take public transport to Belém and start at the monastery. Head towards the water, then west along the river. Check which buildings are open to visitors before buying tickets.

02 / Areas

Areas to explore

Baixa

Squares and shopping streets

Pedestrian Rua Augusta connects Rossio with Praça do Comércio, making an easy first route to follow. With heavy luggage, compare a stay here with an address higher up in Alfama.

Alfama

Lanes and viewpoints

Choose Alfama for small streets, the Sé cathedral and the view from Santa Luzia. Steps and steep sections mean map distances can understate the effort involved.

Belém

Monastery and monuments

Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries and Belém Tower work together as one outing. Decide which monument you want to enter; not every stop needs to involve a ticket.

03 / Season

When to go

Spring and autumn

March–May · September–October

Often mild enough for Alfama's hills. Bring rain protection and shoes with grip for stone-paved streets.

Summer

June–August

Hot days make uphill walks harder. Start at the castle and work downhill through Alfama instead of climbing from the river at midday.

Winter

November–February

Winters are usually mild, but do not expect daily sunshine. Check the forecast before choosing the day for Belém's outdoor stops.

04 / Arrival

Airports and transfers

Your airport affects both journey time and cost. Check which one is on your ticket.

LIS

Lisboa–Humberto Delgado

The metro is by Terminal 1. For Baixa-Chiado, change at Alameda. Check your departure terminal; reaching Terminal 2 also requires a terminal transfer. Porto and Faro are not nearby alternatives for Lisbon.

05 / Before you travel

Practical tips

Check the route to your accommodation

In Alfama, the last stretch can involve steps even when accommodation looks close on the map. Check the entrance and access before booking with a pushchair or heavy luggage.

Treat Belém as a separate outing

Group Belém's monuments together. Do not schedule the monastery between two timed bookings in Baixa or Alfama.

Choose the station around your address

The airport metro does not run directly to every part of the centre. Plan the change and final walk before travelling, especially if your accommodation is uphill.

Sources and updates11 November 2026

The itineraries are compiled by Nemello. Practical details have been checked against the sources below. Check current opening hours, tickets and transport with each operator before travelling.

Three days in Lisbon

Baixa from Rossio to the river

The castle and Alfama

Belém's monuments