There are so many things to see & do in Lisbon that planning a day tour to the capital of Portugal may prove a bit challenging without some help, even for experienced travelers. No worries, we are here to guide you in figuring out the itinerary which will allow you to see almost every aspect of Lisbon in good time. In this post we are covering a famous cafe, a bakery, Lisbon’s downtown area (with ample shopping ops) and some historical destinations. To cover some good attractions that you don’t have to visit personally, we have even included a ride on Tram 28 that will save you time and give you a detour of some good attractions within an hour or so.
Lisbon is truly unique – A place frozen in time and yet so contemporary
Some years ago, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city was regarded as the best kept secret of the country. Though nothing much has changed over the years, it is still a hidden gem in itself but the tourist crowd has definitely increased to some extent. It is not at all wrong when they say that if you want to see the best of Portugal, visit Lisbon – the city of seven hills. The city has hilly terrain and the names of its 7 hills are São Jorge, São Vicente, Sant’Ana, Santo André, Chagas, Santa Catarina and São Roque.
From the monstrous São Jorge Castle to the city’s pastel colored buildings, Lisbon is beauty-personified. On the periphery of Lisbon there are monuments that still exist from the Neolithic period and provide a deep insight into Lisbon’s history. In this post, we try to help you plan a memorable day trip to Lisbon. Some people say a day is never enough, but you will be surprised to know that Lisbon can be easily explored in a day. In order to be more flexible and save time, we suggest you rent a car.
Spend a marvelous day in Lisbon with this easy & simple Itinerary
01 Have your breakfast at Café Bernard & start early
This café is a tourist destination in itself – yes, it is that popular!! You will find a big crowd of tourists and locals placing their orders no matter when you visit.
It came into being in 1912 and has been dominating the local food scene for its delicious croissants (for which it is popular all over the country). It is a great place to start your day and we are certain that the breakfast you get here will be one of the best experiences you have ever had. It opens usually at 9 AM daily except for Sundays.
02 Next, visit Elevador de Santa Justa
After a refreshing breakfast, it is time to have another revitalising experience. Elevador de Santa Justa is an elevator that was built by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and provides the best panoramic view of the cute city. Interestingly, Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard was the student of Gustave Eiffel who is famous for Eiffel Tower.
Elevador de Santa Justa is just a five or 10 minutes walk from Café Bernard.
03 Take a stroll down Lisbon Downtown
Lisbon’s Downtown area has a lot of neighborhoods, Rua Augusta and Praça do Comércio are the most famous ones. Rua Augusta has a marble street which is located in the neighborhood called Baixa, and is known for its brand stores, cafes, and tobacco shops.
As you walk down the street you will reach Praca do Comercio, a square by the Tagus River best known for its architecture.
04 Hop on Tram 28 at Martim Moniz
After the quick trip to Downtown Lisbon, jump on Tram 28 and see the top Lisbon attractions in a small time frame.
The Tram will take you through Barrio Alto (a neighborhood in Lisbon known for its cobbled streets), the centre of the city, and past Sé Cathedral and the historic castle.
05 Visit Lisbon’s Castle
Dating back to the 11th century, Lisbon’s historic Castelo de Sao Jorge is of great historic importance. It is known that the place is even older – reportedly it was being used as a fortress in the 7th Century.
Once inside, you will get the chance to learn a lot about the castle’s history. Afterwards you can roam its grounds and enjoy the beautiful views of the city it provides.
06 Visit Belem for some cake
After Lisbon Castle, pay a visit to Belem – a suburb of Lisbon – which is noted for two things. First, a monastery which took more than 40 years to complete.
Second specialty of Belem is a cake called Pasteis de Belem that you can buy from the bakery (also called Pastéis de Belém). It is a custard cake and it is said that only three people know its recipe.
07 Visit Barrio Alto for wine, coffee & more
Barrio Alto is the place in Lisbon loaded with bars, restaurants and cafes. For some fine wine, visit BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto – it is located on Rua Rosa.
If you want something great to eat, we recommend the Portuguese specialty called ‘Slice on the stone’. It is steak and the best place to try is Cabacas – it is located on Rua das Gaveas.
What else to see and do?
If you are interested in exploring Lisbon’s nightlife, there are a lot of places that you can choose from. If you like rock music, Sabotage Club is a good option, however if you would like to experience a live music venue, Music Box is a good place to spend a great evening.
For people who want to have a peaceful dinner at a place with a view, TOPO Chiado, Restaurante Panorama, and Atira-te ao Rio are some good suggestions. They have great customer reviews and offer a variety of menu from European to Medditeranin and Portuguese. Have a great time!