Lisbon · Long Weekend

Lisbon, Portugal·4 days

by TripHelm·Spring

Four days in Lisbon — tascas, miradouros, a Sintra day trip, and one slow morning in Belém. Light on monuments, heavy on pastéis.

Day 1

Breakfast · Dear Breakfast

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Smashed avocado on sourdough, oat flat white. Show up before 10 or wait 30 min.

Walk · Alfama tilework loop

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Start at Sé Cathedral, wind up to Largo das Portas do Sol. The miradouro view is the postcard.

Tram 28 · Estrela → Graça

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Board at Estrela (start of line) to actually get a seat. Avoid 5pm.

Lunch · A Cevicheria

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Ceviche + tiger's milk shot. Bar seats only, no reservations.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

The highest viewpoint in the city. Quieter than Portas do Sol. Bring a beer from the kiosk.

Cocktails · Foxtrot

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Speakeasy in a 1920s townhouse. Order the Negroni.

Dinner · Taberna da Rua das Flores

7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Daily-changing menu on a chalkboard. No reservations — line forms at 7. Get in line at 6:45.

Hotel · The Lumiares

11:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Day 2

Breakfast at hotel

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Tram 15 to Belém

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Get the front car. Stop at Pastéis de Belém.

Pastéis de Belém (the original)

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Skip the takeaway line — sit inside, it's faster. Order 2 each, plus a galão.

Jerónimos Monastery

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Pre-book the timed ticket online or you'll wait 90 minutes. Cloisters > nave.

MAAT museum + riverside walk

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Walk the roof of MAAT. Skip the exhibits unless something specific is on.

Lunch · Pastelaria Versailles

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Old-school pastelaria. Bifana sandwich + bicas.

Príncipe Real shopping + Embaixada

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Embaixada is a converted neo-Moorish palace full of Portuguese boutiques. The garden out back has cocktails.

Dinner · Boa-Bao

9:30 PM – 12:00 AM

Pan-Asian — sounds wrong for Lisbon but it's run by ex-Nobu chef. Reservation required.

Day 3

Breakfast · Manteigaria

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Better pastel de nata than Belém. Counter only.

Train · Rossio → Sintra

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

40 min. Get the 9:11 to beat the day-tour buses.

Quinta da Regaleira

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Initiation well first, then the grotto tunnels. It's a Masonic theme park and you'll love it.

Lunch · Tascantiga

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Tapas-style petiscos. Octopus salad and pica-pau.

Pena Palace + park

3:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Tuk-tuk up (€10 each way), walk the park down. Pre-book the timed entry. Yes it's Disney. Go anyway.

Train · Sintra → Lisbon

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Dinner · Cervejaria Ramiro

9:30 PM – 12:00 AM

The seafood institution. Order: amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, gambas al ajillo, then the prego at the end. No reservations — go at 7:15 sharp.

Day 4

Slow breakfast · Hello, Kristof

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Magazine-shop café. Pour-over and a long sit.

LX Factory wander

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Industrial complex turned design district. Ler Devagar bookstore is mandatory.

Lunch · Time Out Market

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Touristy but legitimately good. Henrique Sá Pessoa stall + Manteigaria nata for dessert.

Last walk · Elevador de Santa Justa view

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Skip the elevator line — walk up to the viewpoint from Largo do Carmo. Same view, free.

Taxi to airport

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM