1 day in Lisbon: The Perfect 1 day Lisbon Itinerary
If you’re planning on visiting Portugal and you’ve only got 1 day in Lisbon, my guide will make sure you cover all the main sights.
Lisbon is one of my favourite city breaks in Europe, I’ve been four times and on each visit I find something new to love.
It’s an easy city to navigate, so if you only have 1 day to explore, you’ll be able to pack a lot in.
In this guide, I’ll take you through my 1 day itinerary for a trip to Lisbon, which I’ve planned so you’re covering the city to east to west (and not going back on yourself!).
I’ve also timestamped everything to give you a rough idea of timings so you can plan your day better.
Plus, I’ve included some practical information to help you plan your trip.
If you only have one day in Lisbon, a guided tour is a great way to start your day and tick off the main sights.
Is 1 day in Lisbon enough time?
In an ideal world, I’d recommend spending around 4 days in Lisbon, to give you time to explore it slowly, and maybe take a day trip to Cascais or Sintra.
But luckily Lisbon is really easy to get around, so even with only 1 day there, you’ll be able to fit a lot in. And hopefully it’ll give you a taster for how incredible it is and make you want to revisit!
What to see with 1 day in Lisbon:
I’ve visited Lisbon four times, so in this itinerary I’ve included the places and activities I think are most worth it if you only have a day:
- Alfama
- Tram 28
- Miradouro
- Miradouro Santa Lucia
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol
- Praco do Comercio
- Rua Nova do Carvalho
- Santa Justa lift
- Time Out Market
- Java Rooftop
- Rua de Silva
- Bica Funicular
- The Belém Tower
- LX Factory
- Jardim do Rio
- Bairro Alto
I’ve also added rough timestamps for each activity so you get an idea of how your day will go. I’ve tried to make this as accurate as possible but obviously it’ll depend on how long you spend at each place.
Lastly, I’m assuming you have 1 full day in Lisbon so I’ve included my favourite place to watch the sunset in this guide, but you can skip it if you need to leave before then (it’s a great excuse to revisit!)
How to spend a perfect day in Lisbon
Alfama neighbourhood (08:30am – 11:00am)
You’re going to start your day in Lisbon in stunning Alfama, the oldest neighbourhood in the city. Starting here means you’ll make your way west across Lisbon, and you won’t double back on yourself (time efficiency is key when you only have a day!)
Alfama is one of my favourite places in Lisbon, with charming narrow streets and historic buildings. Pay a visit to Sao Jorge Castle and the Se Cathedral, and if you’re visiting on a Tuesday or Saturday, there’s an incredible flea market that takes place in Alfama.
Whilst you’re in Alfama, there’s two viewpoints you have to visit. And luckily, they’re only a minute away from eachother, so they won’t take up much of your day.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
The first is Miradouro das Portas do Sol, which has amazing views over the Alfama neighbourhood. There’s also a small outdoor cafe there if you want to grab a drink and sit and admire the view.
Miradouro Santa Lucia
Next up, Miradouro Santa Lucia, which is just around the corner. Here the view is also over Alfama, but you’ll see more of the Tagus River too.
The viewpoint itself is stunning too, if you’re visiting in summer the pink flowers will be in bloom, and you’ll usually find a busker playing music.
Breakfast at Cafe da Garagem
Once you’re finished at Miradouro Saint Lucia, it’s time for a quick coffee and a snack, and luckily, one of my favourite cafes in Lisbon is just a 7 minute walk away – Cafe da Garagem.
It has a great variety of dishes – from lighter meals like avocado on toast to cheese boards and salads. Plus, they have vegan and vegetarian options. Best of all, you get incredible views over Lisbon from here.
Aim to get there for opening time at 10:30am.
Ride a yellow tram (11:30am – 11:45am)
Head back down the hill (6 minute walk) to Largo Portas do Sol to catch the historic Tram 28.
Riding one of the historical yellow trams is a MUST do on your trip to Lisbon, and you can stay on for as long or as little as you like, so it’s really easy to fit around your schedule if you only have one day in the city.
Tram 28 is the most famous tram in Lisbon because it passes through some of the most iconic neighbourhoods.
A single ticket costs €3.00 and you can buy it onboard the tram.
Praça do Comércio (11:45am – 12:00pm)
Get off the tram at Rua da Conceição and walk 5 minutes to Praco do Comercio. If you’ve seen pictures of Lisbon before your visit, you’ll have seen this.
It’s one of the main sights in the city and is easily recognisable because of the three yellow walls that surround it.
It’s actually one of Europe’s largest squares, and it was built on the site where the royal palace used to be.
Inside those yellow walls you’ll find shops, restaurants and government buildings, and if you go through the large archway in the middle you’ll find yourself on Rua Augusta, one of Lisbon’s main shopping streets.
Rua Nova do Carvalho (12:00pm – 12:20pm)
From Praco do Comercio, walk 9 minutes to Rua Nova do Carvalho (Pink Street). It’s actually a street lined with bars so it gets really busy during the evening.
But most people go here during the day to snap a picture because of its bright pink floor and umbrellas hanging overhead. There’s not really anything worth seeing here apart from that so you’ll only need 5 minutes to get a quick photo.
Santa Justa lift (12:20pm – 13:00pm)
Next up is the Santa Just lift, a 13 minute walk from Pink Street. The lift will take you up to a viewpoint with incredible views over the Baixa neighbourhood, and it’s one of the most popular attractions in Lisbon.
A ticket costs €5.30 and you’ll need to buy it from the ticket office next to the lift.
If the queue is long here (which it often is), you can walk up to the viewpoint instead and only pay the €1.50 entry fee for the observation deck.
Quick lunch – Time Out Market (13:00pm – 13:30pm)
Head back down to the Time Out Market, a 17 minute walk from the lift.
I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of a Time Out Market, in any city. Whilst I think the one in Lisbon is one of the better ones, ultimately I think it’s really overpriced and doesn’t showcase the best of a city’s food scene.
You’re much better spending time seeking out the local spots yourself.
BUT, if you only have 1 day in Lisbon, the Time Out Market is a good place to get lunch. It’s quick, there’s plenty of choice, and it’s centrally located, so it ticks a lot of boxes.
Grab a pastel de nata
Even if you don’t eat lunch at the Time Out Market (I’ve given you another lunch option below that I think is much better), I’d definitely have a quick look around. It’s also the perfect place to have your first pastel de nata.
These creamy, custardy tarts are absolutely delicious, and you simply can’t come to Lisbon without trying at least one.
One place I do think is worth its salt in the Time Out Market is Manteigaria, they sell delicious pastel de natas so grab one and eat it en route to your next stop.
Leisurely lunch – Java Rooftop (13:00pm – 14:30pm)
If you’re looking for a more leisurely lunch, I’d recommend heading to Java Rooftop, which is located just behind the Time Out Market.
It’s one of my favourite rooftops in Lisbon, they serve a delicious mediterranean menu alongside great cocktails and even better views over the city and out to the Tagus river.
You can book a table online here which I think is a real win if you’re short on time as you don’t need to be stressed about having to wait in a long queue (which can be the case for lots of places in Lisbon).
Ride the Bica Funicular (14:30pm – 15:00pm)
Take the Bica Funicular from Rua de São Paulo, 234, just behind the Time Out Market.
This small yellow funicular runs from the Cais do Sodre district at the bottom to Bairro Alto at the top of the hill.
Once you reach the top you’ll get breathtaking views down Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, one of the most beautiful streets in Lisbon.
Rua da Silva (15:00pm – 15:30pm)
Walk 11 minutes to Rua de Silva, or “Green Street” – a name that comes from all the plants and flowers that line it.
It’s really pretty and a great photo spot. There’s a few shops and cafes to explore on the street but you won’t need long.
Explore Belem (15:30pm – 17:30pm)
Take a taxi (15 minutes) to Belem, a historical neighbourhood located in the west of Lisbon.
A lot of explorers set sail from Belem during the Age of Discovery, so there’s quite a few monuments to explore.
Start with The Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built to defend Lisbon from invasion. You probably won’t have time to go inside, but I think it’s more impressive from the outside anyway.
If you’re dead set on going inside, make sure you book your ticket in advance to save time as the queues can get really long. You also get free entry with a Lisboa Card if you choose to buy one.
There’s also the Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries and the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) to explore.
Whilst you’re in Belem, you have to grab a pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém. They use a secret recipe that was crafted by the monks at the Jerónimos Monastery and they’re absolutely delicious.
LX Factory (17:30pm – 18:30pm)
Jump in another taxi to the LX Factory, an industrial space that’s been converted into shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. It’s so unique and one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
Don’t miss Ler Devagar, a stunning bookshop with a wall covered in books, it’s so pretty!
You’ll probably need around an hour to look around LX Factory, but as the next thing on the itinerary is to watch the sunset, you might need to leave earlier depending on what time of year you’re visiting Lisbon.
Watch the sunset (18:30pm – 19:30pm)
Jardim do Rio is my favourite sunset spot in Lisbon. Whilst the viewpoints across the city get really busy, Jardim do Rio stays relatively peaceful because it’s on the other side of the river.
To get there from LX Factory, you have a couple of options.
- Take an Uber to Cais do Sodre station (around 9 minutes), where you’ll need to get a boat. The boats leave every 15 minutes and it only takes 10 minutes to cross the river.
- Take an Uber directly from LX Factory to Jardim do Rio (25 minutes). This is what I’d recommend as you’ve only got a day in the city and it’s a much quicker route!
Dinner at Ponte Final (19:30pm – 21:00pm)
Next to Jardim do Rio is one of the most famous restaurants in Lisbon, Ponte FInal.
It serves traditional Portuguese food with incredible views over the water and the setting is absolutely stunning.
You need to book a table in advance if you want to eat here as it books up months in advance.
Drinks in Bairro Alto (21:00pm onwards)
If you’re staying in Lisbon for the evening, head back across the river for drinks in Bairro Alto.
Located at the top of the hill, it’s a really sleepy neighbourhood during the day, but at night, it’s a completely different place.
The bars get really busy here, with people spilling out onto the streets to drink. This is the place to go if you want a night out in the city.
Helpful information for your trip to Lisbon
Getting around Lisbon
Lisbon is a pretty easy city to navigate, with trains, taxis, buses, a metro, trams and even boats to help you get around.
If you’ve only got 1 day in Lisbon, I’d recommend using Uber as much as possible.
It’s affordable (most of my journeys within the city centre were around £4), and will get you to places quickly so you can see as much as possible.
Lisboa Card
If you only have 1 day in Lisbon, you might find it useful to buy a Lisboa Card.
It’s £22 for the day and it gets you free public transport, free entry to 26 different attractions (several of which are in this itinerary), plus discounts to other activities and tours.
The hills
Lisbon is a VERY hilly city. And you’re going to be doing a lot of walking if you’ve only got a day to see it all, so make sure you pack sensible shoes. This isn’t the holiday to try and break in your new sandals. Comfort is key.
