2 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect Itinerary (2026)

Two days is enough to fall in love with Lisbon: the castle and Alfama’s lanes, the monuments of Belém, a sunset viewpoint, a fado night and plenty of pastel de nata. Here’s our 2-day Lisbon itinerary, updated for 2026 (with the closed lifts and new ticket rules).

Quick answer: Day 1: São Jorge Castle, Alfama, the cathedral, Baixa and Praça do Comércio, then sunset in Chiado or Bairro Alto and fado at night. Day 2: Belém (Jerónimos, Belém Tower, pastéis de Belém), LX Factory, and a sunset sail or rooftop drink. Avoid Mondays for Belém: the monastery and tower are closed.

Is two days enough?

Two days covers the essentials: the old town on one day and Belém on the other. It won’t leave time for Sintra, so save that for a third day. The plan below groups sights by area to cut down on travel, and puts the busiest places first thing in the morning. Lisbon is very hilly, so wear comfortable shoes with grip and expect to walk 10 to 15km a day.

Day 1: Alfama, Baixa and Chiado

• Morning: São Jorge Castle. Arrive at opening (€17; free for under-12s and with the Lisboa Card) for the walls and views. It usually opens at 9am and closes at 9pm from March to October, or 6pm from November to February. Allow about 1.5 hours. Then the Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol viewpoints. See the São Jorge Castle guide.
• Late morning: Alfama. Wander down through the lanes to the Sé cathedral, Lisbon’s oldest church, begun in the 12th century. On a Tuesday or Saturday, detour to the Feira da Ladra flea market. See our Alfama guide.
• Lunch: a tasca in Alfama or Baixa (look for the prato do dia, the good-value dish of the day). Grilled sardines are the thing to order in summer.
• Afternoon: Baixa. The grid of streets was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Walk Rua Augusta, climb the triumphal arch (€5 to go up) for the view over the square, and stroll Praça do Comércio by the river.
• Late afternoon: Chiado. Café A Brasileira, the Carmo Convent ruins and a pastel de nata at Manteigaria.
• Sunset: São Pedro de Alcântara or Santa Catarina viewpoint. (The Glória funicular is closed, so walk up.)
• Evening: dinner in Bairro Alto, then fado. See fado in Lisbon.

Day 2: Belém and the riverside

• Morning: tram 15 to Belém. It takes about 25 minutes from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio, or 7 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery (cloister €18; the church is free) at opening, usually 10am. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Pastéis de Belém: warm custard tarts from the 1837 bakery. Sit inside to skip the queue.
• Belém Tower: reopened in 2026 with timed tickets (€15) and a daily limit, so book ahead. Then the Monument to the Discoveries, a 10 to 15 minute walk along the river.
• Afternoon: the MAAT (and its free roof walk; the museum is closed on Tuesdays), then LX Factory for shops, the Ler Devagar bookshop and a coffee. Tram 15 or the train to Alcântara-Mar gets you there.
• Sunset: a sunset sail on the Tagus, or a drink at one of the best rooftop bars.
• Evening: dinner in Cais do Sodré, the Time Out Market or Pink Street.

Short on energy?

Do Day 1 by tuk-tuk to save the climbs, or ride tram 28 (€3.30 on board, less with a navegante card) early in the morning before the crowds. Bus 737 from Praça da Figueira also goes up to the castle gate. See the Lisbon trams guide.

If it rains

Keep Belém, where Jerónimos and the MAAT are indoors, and swap the viewpoints for the Gulbenkian museum or the Oceanário. Note that the National Tile Museum has been closed for restoration since November 2025, with no confirmed reopening date.

What to eat in two days

• Pastel de nata: try one in Chiado and one in Belém and pick a favourite.
• Bifana: a garlicky pork sandwich, the classic quick lunch.
• Bacalhau: salt cod, cooked in endless ways. Bacalhau à Brás (with egg and crispy potatoes) is a good start.
• Seafood: clams with garlic and coriander, or grilled fish by the river.
• Ginjinha: a small glass of sour cherry liqueur near Rossio.

More ideas: what to eat in Portugal.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are ideal: warm, sunny and good for walking. July and August are hot and busy, so start early and rest in the afternoon. In June, the Santo António festivities fill Alfama with grilled sardines and street parties. Winter is mild and quiet, with cheaper hotels. See the best time to visit Lisbon.

Practical tips

• Mondays: Jerónimos, Belém Tower and the Pantheon are closed, so swap the days around.
• The historic lifts (Santa Justa, Glória, Bica, Lavra) are closed in 2026.
• Lisboa Card: from €31 for 24 hours or €51 for 48 hours, covering transport and many sights. Worth it for busy sightseeing days. See is the Lisboa Card worth it?
• Book ahead: Belém Tower time slots, Jerónimos in summer, and fado dinners.
• Getting around: load a navegante card or use a contactless bank card on the metro. See Lisbon public transport.
• Arriving: the red metro line runs from the airport into town. From 15 October 2026, airport taxis charge fixed fares of about €16 to €23.
• Tourist tax: €4 per person per night, paid at your hotel. Under-13s are free.
• Late drinks: since February 2026, shops can’t sell alcohol to drink outside after 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, or after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Where to stay: Baixa, Chiado or Alfama. See where to stay in Lisbon.

FAQ

Is 2 days in Lisbon enough?

Yes, for the highlights: the castle, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Belém. You’ll need a third day for Sintra or a beach trip.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it for 2 days?

Usually, if you follow this plan. The 48-hour card (€51) covers the castle, the Rua Augusta arch, Jerónimos, Belém Tower and city transport, which would cost about €70 separately with two day passes.

Can I fit Sintra into 2 days?

Only by dropping Belém. Sintra needs a full day, and Pena tickets are for a set date and time, so book ahead.

Which day should I avoid for Belém?

Monday, when Jerónimos and Belém Tower are closed. The MAAT closes on Tuesdays instead.

Got a third day? Go to Sintra. See our 3-day Lisbon itinerary, or Lisbon in one day if you’re even shorter on time.

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