Ever wonder where the gorgeous buildings with blue-colored tiles originated? Where the famous yellow “Tram 28” is located? Where Port Wine found its roots? Look no further than Portugal! After starting our trip by visiting Sao Miguel and Madeira (both volcanic islands located off the coast of Portugal and Northwest Africa), we concluded our Portuguese adventure in the capital city of Lisbon. In the following post I’ll be detailing our group of friends’ roughly 4 day Lisbon travel itinerary, helping you to make the most of your next journey to this fascinating city!
Lisbon Travel Itinerary
Day 1
After island hopping in the Atlantic, our next flight brought us into Lisbon. With the help of fellow AWF contributor Emma (view her post’s HERE) and our VRBO booking host, we had a seamless shuttle pick-up from the airport and were taken directly to our apartment. From here we quickly dropped off our bags and started our adventure!
After grabbing some coffee, we made our way down to Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paco), which is a large plaza facing the harbor. We stopped briefly to grab some Paella for lunch, knowing we’d soon be comparing this to the “real thing” once flying to Spain. We next proceeded to walk around Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama. Alfama is a picturesque neighborhood characterized by colorful blue tiles (azulejo) and narrow, steep cobblestone streets. Throughout our walks we encountered stunning architecture and multiple breathtaking churches, including St. Anthony of Padua (Santo Antonio).
After perusing the Alfama streets we continued our journey to Maradouro De Santa Luzia. This popular lookout offers spectacular views of the terracotta rooftops of Alfama and the adjacent Tagus River. For dinner we ate at Casanostra. The food was phenomenal and our friendly waiter offered recommendations along with translations every step of the way.
Night one of our Lisbon travel itinerary ended in the bustling Bairro Alto district at Cheers Irish Pub. We started on one side of the bar which offered live music. Here, we befriended Roberto, an Italian residing in Portugal who convinced us to end our night singing Karaoke in the lively portion of the bar next door.
Lisbon Travel Itinerary
Day 2
The next morning started with renting a car and driving up the coast of Portugal, from Sintra up north to Porto. Stopping in Sintra at Garagem Café, we fueled up before walking across the street to a small flea market in the square. After walking up hundreds of steps, we then arrived at the Pena Palace (Palacio da Pena). I highly recommend the palace tour; however, please note you must purchase a timed ticket ahead of time. I suggest booking the tour along with the Moors Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) which we completed on our walk back down.
We then proceeded up the coast to Nazaré, the famous town known for some of the largest waves in the world. This is in part due to the underwater Nazaré Canyon, which increases the swell and water current, making record breaking waves.
In Nazaré, there’s a small surfing museum and lighthouse we checked out before driving to the town of Fátima. The town is known for Our Lady of Fátima, the title given to the Virgin Mary after her apparitions were reported in the town in 1917 by 3 local children. This Catholic pilgrimage site, along with the Basilica, will leave you speechless. Prior to leaving, guests are invited to say a prayer and light a candle for a small donation. Our day ended rather late up north in Porto, the birthplace of Port wine produced in the Douro Valley. This is typically more of a dessert wine given its sweet, rich flavor.
Lisbon Travel Itinerary
Day 3
Sunday morning started off with Portuguese mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation. We then proceeded to Praça da Figueira, a rather large city center and square filled with several pop-up type shops. After browsing the area, we headed to brunch at Carmo Rooftop. I highly recommend visiting here for the surreal views and dining experience. Their “brunch” option included eggs, a calzone, pancakes, acai bowl, tea/coffee, and juice. All for just ~18€ or roughly $20!
We then took an Uber to Cascais, a coastal town of Portugal, where we relaxed at Praia da Rainha. A smaller beach enclosed by some cliffs and the local town above. After a relaxing afternoon, we stopped at Santini Ice Cream for some unique gelato before heading home.
Lisbon Travel Itinerary
Day 4
Our final day in wonderful Portugal was packed with local favorites and must see stops before flying to Barcelona, Spain. First on our list was Belém Tower (the Tower of Saint Vincent). This fortification initially provided embarkation and disembarkation for cargo entering the capital and was also considered the gateway to Lisbon. Unfortunately, the inside was closed for tours during our visit. A short walk nearby; however, had us in absolute awe, seeing the Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos).
Continuing our adventure after a short walk we stopped at the Jerónimos Monastery, before indulging in some sweets at Pastéis de Belém, known for their famous custard tart. A short taxi brought us to the LxMarket/Factory, a unique and hip area with plenty of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes.
After some shopping, we headed over to the Time Out Market, a rather large and popular food hall in Lisbon. From there our journey brought us to Pink Street (Rua Nova do Carvalho). Lined with various restaurants and cafes, this block is best known for its pink painted pavement and open-air type art gallery. We then proceeded to hop on the Elevador da Bica. This iconic tram ride climbs up the beautiful street of Rua da Bica Duarte Belo and provides some jaw dropping views.
After the tram ride, we visited a few miradouros, or viewpoints. These included Miradouro de Santa Catarina as well as Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara. Between the numerous terracotta roofs, blue-colored tiles, and clear blue sky, you will be in awe overlooking this gorgeous city. We continued onward to Rossio Square (Praça Dom Pedro IV), considered by some to be the liveliest square in all of Lisbon. Our trip came to a close at Zambeze, a rooftop bar in Lisbon near São Jorge Castle. Those who know us best know it wouldn’t be a complete trip without playing some cards and sipping sangria on the rooftop before our late night flight to Barcelona.
If you’ve been on the fence regarding a visit to Portugal, I recommend booking a flight ASAP. From the magnificent views, to the food, to the history and culture, to the friendly people, you will not be disappointed with your Lisbon travel itinerary. This country was simply wonderful and I cannot wait to visit again. I know we packed so much into a few days so feel free to reach out with specific questions or for recommendations! As always, thanks for reading and joining in as we Adventure With Friends. Obrigado!!
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