Perfect 2 days in Lisbon Itinerary

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal is located on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Nestled along the banks of the majestic Tagus River, the city enjoys a stunning setting amid “The Seven Hills” and the scenic Atlantic coastline. Lisboa, with its breathtaking vistas, diverse culinary landscape and an enduring architectural heritage continues to captivate the imagination of visitors from around the world. With world-class infrastructure and excellent global connectivity, Lisbon consistently ranks among Europe’s most beautiful and affordable destinations.  

A visit to Lisbon is sure to leave you smitten with its distinctive charm – a timeless fusion of warm Mediterranean climate, coastal allure, rich cultural legacy, varied traditional cuisine, a flourishing art scene and bustling nightlife. Lisbon boasts a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that commemorate its maritime dominance during the Age of Discovery, landmarks that showcase a beautiful blend of architectural styles and quaint neighborhoods that reflect the city’s unique historical fabric. This “City of Seven Hills” also proudly honours and celebrates its cherished heritage through colorful festivals, lively parades, enjoyable customs and vibrant performances. 

Planning a trip to this historic city in 2 days? We have a perfect itinerary that covers some of the absolute-must historic landmarks, picturesque quarters and spectacular miradouros or viewpoints.

2 Days in Lisbon Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Lisbon

Day 2: Explore more of Lisbon and surroundings

Getting to Lisbon City Center

Lisbon, the largest city in Portugal, is served by Humberto Delgado Airport. This international airport is approximately 4.3 miles (7 km) from Lisbon city centre.  

There are a few ways to get to Lisbon city center from Humberto Delgado Airport

• Metro

Lisbon Metro offers a convenient and affordable direct connection from the airport to the city center via Aeroporto-Saldanha or Purple Line (Linha Vermelha). The journey takes around 20 minutes and the metro station is located within the airport terminal. You can buy a one-way ticket (€ 1.85) or a 1-Day Ticket (€ 7.00) that is valid for unlimited journeys on the Lisbon Metro network.  

• Airport Shuttle

AeroBus Shuttle Bus provides a reliable and comfortable way to travel from the airport to city center. AeroBus The Shuttle Bus departs every 20 minutes from the airport and the journey takes around 30 minutes.

During our first visit to Lisbon, we took this shuttle from Lisbon Airport to get to Marquis de Pombal Square 

• Private Transfers

Private Transfers offers a fast convenient commute from airport to your accommodation in Lisbon 

• Taxis / Uber

Taxis can be easily found outside the terminal 

Getting around Lisbon City 

For your 2 days in Lisbon, there are a few options to get around the important city landmarks. 

• Lisbon Card

With the Lisbon Card you have the option to purchase a 24, 48, or 72 hours card that provides unlimited free access to Lisbon public transport system including buses, trams, carris metro and cable railways.  Additionally, enjoy free admission to historic landmarks like Jerónimos Monastery and the Belem Tower along with discounts to some of the other prime tourist attractions around the city. 

• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Taking a Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to discover Lisbon’s highlights at your own pace. With bus routes that are designed to help you cover most of the top attractions, you have the option of purchasing a 24 or 48 hour ticket to explore this beautiful city with minimal planning. 

2 Day in Lisbon Portugal

Day 1 – Exploring Lisbon

Lisbon is packed with numerous historic attractions   

• Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

Start your day at the erstwhile monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. An extraordinary example of gothic manueline style of architecture, this monastery is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jerónimos Monastery, built around the 16th century, was commissioned under the leadership of King Manuel to honor Vasco da Gama’s celebrated voyage to India. Jerónimos Monastery complex encompasses the stunning manueline style Church of Santa Maria (Igreja de Santa Maria), an awe-inspiring four-level cloisters, a library preserving a distinguished collection of rare books and manuscripts, tomb of renowned adventurer Vasco da Gama and the imposing Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos).  

Visit the Church of Santa Maria, constructed in the 16th century and complete with high ceilings, majestic arches, beautiful stained glass windows and manueline style stone carvings representing the Portuguese dominance during the Age of Discovery. The church also serves as the final resting place for the legendary maritime explorer Vasco da Gama along with celebrated Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões. The Cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery, situated next to the church, are ornately adorned with elegant arches, white marble columns and an elegant courtyard. The Monument to the Discoveries, built in the 20th century, is a relatively newer addition to this historic monastery complex. Situated along the banks of River Tagus and a short walking distance from the Church of Santa Maria, this grand monument is a tribute to the explorers and navigators of Portugal’s Age of Discovery.

Plan to spend around 3 hours at Jerónimos Monastery

Admission to Jerónimos Monastery

Visiting Hours

• Tuesday to Sunday : 09:30am to 05:30pm (Last entry is at 05:00pm)
• Closed on Mondays and National Holidays

Cost of Tickets

• Entry to Church of Santa Maria : Free
• Entry to Cloisters :
• Entry to Monument to the Discoveries : 
• Children (Under 12) – Entry is free

•  Belem Tower (Torre de Belém)

Belem Tower is located a short 15 minute walk from Monument to the Discoveries. We have walked this scenic route many times along the banks of the River Tagus, occasionally stopping at a cafe along the way.

Belem Tower, situated along the banks of River Tagus, is unquestionably one of Lisbon’s most emblematic monuments. The need for a fortress along the river to protect Lisbon from maritime attacks was originally conceived by King João II – a 15th century monarch of Portugal. However, King João II died before his ambitious vision could be realized. The project was ultimately carried out by King Manuel I, who commissioned the construction of the Belem Tower along the river. Belem Tower, designed by architect Francisco de Arruda, is a remarkable example of manueline style architecture. Today this iconic monument is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute must-visit attraction in Lisbon. 

Plan to spend around 45 minutes at Belém Tower

Admission to Belém Tower

Visiting Hours

• Tuesday to Sunday : 09:30am to 05:30pm (Last entry is at 05:00pm)
• Closed on Mondays and National Holidays

Cost of Tickets

• Entry to Church of Santa Maria : Free
• Entry to Cloisters :
• Entry to Monument to the Discoveries : 
• Children (Under 12) – Entry is free

• Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)

Next on this itinerary is one of Lisbon’s largest and most important squares – Commerce Square. This grand square is flanked by distinctive yellow-facade neoclassical buildings, with a statue of “The Reformer” King José I at its center and sweeping views of the Tagus River. 

Across all our visits to Lisbon, Commerce Square has remained one of our favorite hangout spots — a place where we have spent time wandering the square, sitting by the riverbanks, or strolling down Rua Augusta Street. 

Once at the Commerce Square, it is hard to miss the majestic Augusta Street Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta), splendidly overlooking the plaza and the river. Arco da Rua Augusta, designed by architect Veríssimo José da Costa, was constructed as a triumphant symbol of Lisbon’s resilience and recuperation following the devastating earthquake of 1755. This neoclassical monument is adorned with a number of sculptures and statutes that commemorates Portugal’s storied legacy. Look up to the apex of the arch to appreciate the majestic sculpture ‘Glory Crowning Genius and Valour’, which celebrates Portugal’s eternal spirit of wisdom and courage. The columns of this awe-inspiring arch are embellished with statues of eminent Portuguese personalities like Vasco da Gama, Nuno Álvares Pereira and Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo – better known as The Marquis of Pombal.

The observation deck top of Arco da Rua Augusta presents a 360º panoramic view of Praça do Comércio, River Tagus and the historic Baixa District. 

Admission to Arco da Rua Augusta Viewpoint

Visiting Hours

• Daily : 10:00am to 07:00pm (Last entry is at 06:45pm)
• Closed on Mondays and National Holidays

Cost of Tickets

• Entry to Arco da Rua Augusta : €3.50
• Entry to Arco da Rua Augusta with the Lisbon Card : Free

• Rua Augusta (Augusta Street) 

Spend the evening wandering on one of Lisbon’s premier pedestrian streets – Rua Augusta. This street begins at Arco da Rua Augusta and connects the north end of Praça do Comércio to Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square). 

Rua Augusta, a bustling pedestrian thoroughfare, brims with shops, restaurants, and inviting outdoor cafes. Whether you are looking to browse the boutiques, savor authentic Portuguese cuisine, enjoy a leisurely stroll, or catch an energetic street performance, Rua Augusta beautifully captures the vibrant spirit of Lisbon. 

Visit the historic Santa Justa Lift, located a short 2-4 minute walk from Rua Augusta. Constructed in 1902, Santa Justa Lift was originally constructed to connect the lower streets of Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo neighborhood. Today, this remarkable neo-Gothic elevator serves as an important transport link and a popular tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of Lisbon neighborhoods.  

Day 2 – Exploring more of Lisbon

For Day 2 of this Lisbon itinerary, we highly recommend a Tuk-Tuk Lisbon City Guided Tour that will help you to maximize your time in Lisbon and cover some of the important attractions with ease. We took this Tuk-Tuk tour during a previous visit to Lisbon and can confidently vouch for its convenience in getting around the city and visiting prominent tourist landmarks. 

This 1.5 – 3.5 hours guided Tuk-Tuk tour starts at Restaurante Sophia – Natural Italian in Dom Luís Square (Praça Dom Luís) which is also the back side of Time Out Market. Restaurante Sophia – Natural Italian is a short 15 minute walk from Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio). 

Embark on this fascinating Tuk-Tuk Tour that will take you through Lisbon’s oldest church – Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). Built in the 12th century during the reign of Portugal’s first king –  Afonso Henriques, this predominantly Romanesque cathedral was founded following the Christian reconquest of the city and the defeat of the Moors. Next on our itinerary is a photo stop at the scenic miradouro or viewpoint – Portas do Sol Viewpoint (Miradouro das Portas do Sol) which presents outstanding views of the historic Alfama neighborhood with graceful Tagus River in the background.  Continue the tour to the next miradouro – Santa Luzia Viewpoint (Miradouro de Santa Luzia). This vantage point offers stunning views of Lisbon’s distinctive white-walled, red-roofed buildings spread across its historic quarters. After soaking in the incredible landscape from the viewpoints, pass by the Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon (Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa). This church, built in the 18th century, is dedicated to Lisbon’s beloved Saint Anthony. Saint Anthony of Lisbon was known for his kindness, empathy and dedication towards the less fortunate. This tour then takes you through Graça Historic District, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods and famous for its heritage buildings, vibrant culture and panoramic viewpoints. After traversing through Graça District, arrive at another prominent viewpoint – Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. Immerse yourself in appreciating the sublime beauty of Lisbon from this viewpoint. Next, stop by the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora (Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora), constructed in the 17th century and devoted to the patron saint of Lisbon – Saint Vincent of Saragossa. The monastery’s main structure, built in the Mannerist architectural style, is elegantly flanked by two bell towers and flaunts cloisters adorned with intricate blue-and-white Baroque tile panels. Following the photo stop at the monastery proceed to the National Pantheon of Santa Engracia (Panteão Nacional de Santa Engrácia). The National Pantheon is the final resting place of many of Portugal’s most notable figures, honored for their achievements across a range of fields.  

Ride on to discover more of the oldest and the most colorful neighborhoods in Lisbon – Alfama. With its colorful houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and charming cafes, Alfama beautifully captures the medieval charm of Lisbon. You will get an opportunity to pause for a few photo opp in Alfama before proceeding to the Fado Museum. Fado is a celebrated traditional music form in Portugal, distinguished by its emotive depth and poignant expression of themes like love, yearning, grief, and hardship. Pause for a photo stop by the unique Fado Museum and then head towards Chafariz d’El-Rei – also known as King’s Fountain. This medieval fountain, built in the 13th century, is believed to be one of the oldest in Lisbon and served as an important water resource for maritime explorers. From Alfama District, continue to one of Lisbon’s most important squares – Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio). Enclosed on three sides by elegant yellow-faced neoclassical buildings, this sprawling square features a central statue of ‘The Reformer’ King José I and opens out to panoramic views of the River Tagus. The square also hosts the awe-inspiring Augusta Street Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta) – an enduring symbol of Lisbon’s perseverance and renewal following the catastrophic earthquake of 1755. A short distance from the Commerce Square is The Pink Street, known for its distinctive pink-coloured pavement and as a hotspot for vibrant nightlife. Pause in this trendy street for a few photos before proceeding to our last stop on the itinerary, Ribeira Market (Mercado da Ribeira). Mercado da Ribeira, which first opened its doors in 1882,continues to be Lisbon’s premier food market, offering fresh produce, fruits, flowers, fish, bread and cheese. 

At the end of this tour, we enthusiastically suggest checking out the TimeOut Market, located in Mercado da Ribeira. Time Out Market, featuring around 26 restaurants, 8 bars, a cooking school, retail stores, and an event venue, attracts some of Lisbon’s best culinary and cultural experiences. Whether you are craving for some fresh seafood or juicy burgers or some Italian pasta with port wine or delectable Portuguese cuisine with local beer, TimeOut Market has got you covered!   

• Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) 

Located in Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations) and along the Tagus River, the Lisbon Oceanarium is about a 15-minute drive from Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio).

Lisbon Oceanarium, home to more than 500 species of aquatic life from 4 ocean habitats, opened its doors in 1998 and is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe. This oceanarium, 15000 marine creatures boasts an extensive assemblage of marine bio-diversity – from sharks and octopuses to penguins and otters this site offers a glimpse into 

Global ocean

Window to the ocean 

Consistently ranked among the world’s best aquariums, the Lisbon Oceanarium is an excellent choice for a half-day family excursion. Skip the line and book this Lisbon Oceanarium Entrance Ticket experience here!

Admission to Lisbon Oceanarium

Visiting Hours

• Everyday : 10:00 am to 08:00pm (Last entry is at 05:00pm)
• Closed on Mondays and National Holidays

Cost of Tickets

• Entry for Adults : € 25
• Entry for Children (3-12 years) : € 15 (Entry for Children under 3 years is free)
• Entry for Seniors (over 65 years) : € 17

• Vasco da Gama Centre (Centro Vasco da Gama)

Another prime attraction in Parque das Nações district is the Vasco da Gama Centre (Centro Vasco da Gama), a sprawling entertainment complex featuring around 160 stores, a variety of eateries and a cinema hall. Whether you are in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely shopping spree, Vasco da Gama Centre offers it all.