If your next vacation destination is a charming city with history and plenty to do, then Lisbon will tik all the boxes. The city is littered with cozy cafes and restaurants offering delicious local food and beverages which can be found easily wandering up and down the vibrant, winding streets which give the city it’s unique appeal.

This 3-day Lisbon itinerary is designed to help you experience the city’s highlights without feeling rushed. Over three days, you’ll explore Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods on a free walking tour, stop for iconic pastries and viewpoints, take a day trip to Sintra’s palaces and gardens, and end your trip with food halls, photo spots, and a traditional Fado performance.

You’ll also take part in an authentic Portuguese cooking class, which ended up being my personal favorite experience of the trip! It was a nice change of pace from sightseeing and a great way to learn more about the local cuisine.

Our Lisbon itinerary mixes the main sights with plenty of time to eat, walk around, and enjoy the city.

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, 3 days in Lisbon is the perfect amount of time to see the city’s top attractions while still leaving room to wander and enjoy it at your own pace.

Day 1: Exploring Lisbon

Start your day at O Trevo:

Begin your morning at O Trevo, an authentic Portguese cafe which is gained popularity when Anthony Bourdain visited for their bifana. This local favorite puts you at the perfect location for your next event: the free Walking to with Sandemans which meets at the Camoes monument.

Explore Lisbon with a walking tour:

One of my favorite ways to start exploring a new city is with a walking tour. It’s an easy way to learn about the history, explore the neighborhoods, and get personal recommendations from someone who actually lives in Lisbon.

We booked the Sandeman’s Free walking Tour which meets at Cameos Monument in Chiado and lasts about 3 hours. This tour was such a great introduction to Lisbon and our guide shared so many helpful restaurant and neighborhood recommendations that we included in our trip.

The tour is completely free to reserve; you simply tip your guide at the end based on how much you enjoyed it. Around $10-20 per person is a good range to consider giving for this tour.

While we love the free walking tours through Sandeman’s, the groups can be quite large, so if you’re looking for a smaller or more personalized tour, check out this Best Of Lisbon Walking Tour, which has over 2,000 5-star reviews and even includes some complimentary wine and Pastel De Nada.

Tip: You can find the Sandeman Free Walking Tour in almost every major European city!

Pastel de Nada Break at Mantageria

Pastel De Natas are Portugal’s most famous and popular dessert. These egg custard tarts are a must try when visiting Potrugal. Enjoy a warm, freshly baked pastel de nada at Mantageria which offers some of the best in the city!

Scenic Stop at Miradoura das Portas do Sol

Miradoura das Portas do Sol is one of Lisbon’s most iconic viewpoints and is completely free to visit. It’s terrace overlooks the rooftops of Alfama with views of Sao Vicente de Fora Monastery and the National Pantheon. This popular photo spot is a terrace located on the hillside of Alfama neighborhood and is open 24 hours to the public. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area if you want to stop for coffee or grab a bite to eat!

Take an Authentic Portuguese Cooking Class

This cooking class was one of the highlights of my trip! Prepare a 3 course authentic Portuguese meal while sipping on local wines. The food was delicious and plentiful and the chef was extremely patient with each one of us.

The menu consists of 3 courses including appetizers, a main course, and dessert. with plenty of wine to go around. This is also a great way to meet other people on your trip especially if you are solo traveling. Book this cooking class in advance because spots fill up quickly!

Day 2: Day Trip To Sintra

Sintra feels like stepping into a storybook. This historic town sits in the hills outside of Lisbon and is surrounded by forests, colorful palaces, and hidden gardens. It has a fairytale like atmosphere unlike anywhere else you’ll find in Portugal. Visiting Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon and is well worth setting aside a full day in your itinerary.

How to get to Sintra

You can reach Sintra by car in about thirty minutes, but parking in the town and near the main attractions can be difficult and often crowded.

The easiest and most stress-free option is to take the train. Direct trains run frequently from Rossio Station in central Lisbon and the journey takes about forty minutes. Tickets cost just a few euros each way, and there is no need to reserve in advance. Once you arrive at Sintra Station, you will be right at the starting point for transportation to the palaces and viewpoints.

Tip: Try to arrive before 9:00 AM if you can to avoid the crowds at popular spots such as Peña Palace.

How to get around Sintra

One thing to know before you go is that the main attractions in Sintra are not close together. The hills are steep, the roads are winding, and everything is a bit more spread out than it looks on Google Maps.

The 434 Tourist Bus is the easiest way to get around since it follows a loop that connects the main sights. You will also see tuk-tuks offering rides between locations, just keep in mind that prices can get expensive, especially during peak hours.

Best sites to see in Sintra

Pena Palace:

This is the bright, colorful palace you have probably seen in every photo of Sintra. It sits high on a hill surrounded by forest, so the views from the terraces are incredible. Pena Palace actually started off as a monastery before being transformed into a royal summer retreat.

Tip: Be sure to book your tickets in advance and choose the earliest time! The line for tickets can be hours if you do not buy them beforehand.

Moorish Castle

Located near Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle is an ancient stone fortress built during the early medieval period. The castle walls stretch along the hillside, providing wide views of Sintra and the countryside below.

Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira is a romantic estate with gardens, hidden pathways, underground tunnels, and the famous Initiation Well.

The well features a spiral staircase that descends through multiple stories and is one of the most photographed places in Sintra.

Should you visit with a tour or on your own?

We visited Sintra on our own and, while it was beautiful, it required a lot more walking and planning than we expected. The sites are farther apart than they look and transportation between them can take time. The walk from the train station to Peña Palace alone is 1.5 miles all uphill on the most pedestrian friendly roads.
If I were to do it again, I would book a small group tour. It helps with getting around and also provides helpful background and history that you miss on your own.

Day 3: Photo Opportunities and Fado Restaurant

Visit Pink Street for a photo opportunity

Pink Street, also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho, is a popular and vibrant street which got is name for it’s bright pink pavement. The street is lined with great bars and restaurants and is also a picturesque place for a photo opportunity.

Have Lunch at Timeout Market

Timeout Market is one of the most popular food halls in Lisbon and is the perfect spot to try several different Portuguese dishes all in one place. It has a lively atmosphere and features dozens of stalls offering everything from seafood and petiscos to pastry and wine. It’s a convenient and fun spot to stop for lunch, especially if you are traveling with others who want to try different things.

Have Dinner with a show at at Fado Restaurant

One of the most memorable ways to end your time in Lisbon is with a Fado show and a glass of wine. Fado is emotional Portuguese music, usually performed live in small spaces, and there is something really special about hearing it in person. The vibe is calm and low-key, and it gives you a nice chance to unwind at the end of the night.