The Perfect One Day Lisbon Tour

Welcome to Portugal’s coastal capital of Lisbon. Today we will show you the best of Lisbon in just one single day.

If you’re staying in Lisbon longer, you will want to check out our other blog posts, 48 Hours in Lisbon, Where to stay in LisbonYou can also find out more about the following: Best Day Trips from Lisbon. But for now, let’s get started with 1 day in Lisbon.

One Day in Lisbon Itinerary

Can you see Lisbon in one day? Lisbon is more difficult to cover than Porto but you can still enjoy the highlights and top attractions within a 24 hour period. We will show you what we think is the best route to take.

Morning

Belem Tower

Belem Tower is a great place to start your one-day visit to Lisbon. You can go inside Belem Tower, but it doesn’t open until 10 a.m., and the crowds are fierce. You can enjoy this attraction from the outside and feel satisfied. If you go for sunrise, it will just be you and a few photographers capturing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Portugal’s seven wonders.

It’s located directly on the Tagus River. This beautiful tower was constructed in 1515 as a defense against invaders who came in along the Tagus River.

Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)

After leaving the Belem Tower it is only a short walk to the Monument of Discoveries along the waterfront promenade. Portugal was a land of explorers; the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a tribute to Portugal’s legendary explorers. You can’t miss this monument as it towers over the Tagus River.

This impressive structure is 52 meters high. Although it was built in 20th century, its beauty is not diminished. You can pay a small amount to take the elevator up and enjoy the Tagus River views, or you can climb the stairs. It doesn’t open until 10 a.m., so we say to simply enjoy the views.

Be sure to take a closer look at the Compass Rose that adorns the square in front of The Monument of Discoveries. It was a gift from South Africa and pays tribute to Portugal’s journies in the 15th and 16th centuries. You’ll find a mermaid in the design as well as Neptune, favorite compass flowers, and blowing face.

You can take the elevator back to the Tagus after visiting our next Lisbon attraction if you want to see it.

Jerónimos Monastery

Walking up from the waterfront, you will come across Jerónimos Monastery. We recommend you visit this first. You can book your time entry ticket to get the first entry for the day. After seeing Belem Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, it should be the perfect time to enter Jerónimos Monastery, which opens at 10 am.

Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it too is one of Porugal’s seven wonders as it is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. The beautiful marble design should not be missed. Inside, you’ll want to find the cloisters, the courtyards and gardens, and the chapel. The monastery is also home to the tomb Vasco da Gama who was the first European ship captain to reach India.

Spend an hour here, and then get on your way. Remember, you have only one day to spend in Lisbon and people will ask you about it when you return home. “Did you see this?” “Did you see that?”You can say: “Yes, I did!”

• Upgrade to a Lisbon Card for free access to public transport and top attractions, including Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and more

Pateis de Bélem

Continuing our journey through Belém, we see that it’s time for a snack break. You have been going since sunrise, and if you didn’t book a hotel with breakfast included (which we highly recommend because it saves money and time), you will be ready to eat.

Pasteis de Bélem is an icon of the city, and whether you are hungry or not, you must go inside to taste this famous Portuguese custard.

Besteis de Bélem is the original Pastel de Nata that you will eat throughout Portugal. The nuns of the Monastery started the famous Portuguese custard pastry by using egg whites to starch up their habits. They had left-over yolks and didn’t know what to do with them, so they made a custard that they stuffed into pastries and sold to earn money for the Monastery. Pastel de nata was born. After the Monastery closed, they gave the recipe to a bakery next door. Since then, they have been serving Pasteis de Belem.

Don’t be afraid if you see a long line. The restaurant has a large space, and the queues move quickly. We were able to get inside in a matter of minutes.

Midday / Lunch

You can take the tram back to Placa Do Comercio (the main square located on the waterfront) from Belem and ride one of Lisbon’s historic trams while you make your way to its beautiful waterfront square. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy one of Lisbon’s top attractions – riding its iconic trams – while you make your way back to the old city.

You can hire Uber, just like we did. If you are hiring an Uber, ask it to drop you at the Time Out Market where you will have lunch. If you take the tram to Comercio Square, the Time Out Market will be a 15-minute stroll away. Before you go to the market, check out the beautiful Rua Agusta Arch and the square.

Rua Agusta

From Comercio Square, walk towards the pedestrian street Rua Agusta via the Rua Augusta Arch. Rua Agusta is six blocks of shops, restaurants and energy. Street performers entertain the customers as they enjoy their lunch.

Sit down at one of these outdoor cafes and enjoy some authentic Portuguese fare. This is a beautiful, central street that you should not miss. This is a beautiful street to stroll down, take in the sights, and visit the Bacalau and Pasteis de Nata stores, as well as the Portuguese cans shops.

Afternoon

Alfama District

The Alfama District is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood and a good place to round off the rest of the afternoon. It is only 5-10 minutes by foot from Rua Augusta to the beginning of your Alfama walking tour. It is here that you’ll really feel the history of Lisbon as you wander its narrow streets.

Lisbon Cathedral

Begin your stay in Alfama by visiting the Lisbon Cathedral. The oldest church of the city dates back to 12th century. You can go inside for free, but to see its cloisters, there is a small fee of about €2

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

Portas do Sol will be the next stop. It is a short walk upwards. This is a popular Miradouros because it has sweeping views of the city and river. See the terracotta-colored rooftops that make you feel as if the Mediterranean village is cascading down into the sea.

The view is spectacular from the large balcony. The National Pantheon and the Monastery of St. Vincen are two places to look out for.

Tram 28

Tram 28 can be accessed from Portas do Sol. Tram 28 will make your trip to Lisbon complete. Tram 28 was introduced in 1914 to replace the original horse-drawn wagons. The trams in Lisbon help locals navigate the steep hills of the city. Tram 28 is a 7m route that takes you through the popular tourist districts of Lisbon, Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Santa Catarina & Estrela.

It takes about 50 minutes to complete the route. We suggest you use it as public transportation instead. Uber is a good option if you only want to make a few stops. The tram runs from 10 to 11 pm, depending on the season. You can always go back and see more.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

Tram 28 takes you to the Monastery of St. George from Portas do Sol. You can explore the inside or just enjoy the view while you wait for the next stop, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. You may not have much time left, so you might want to skip the Monastery of St. George and head straight to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

It is worth stopping to get a view of Lisbon from above.

Castelo de São Jorge

Take a walk along the castle’s ancient walls and enjoy the incredible views of the city from high above. Castelo de São Jorge is open until 9 pm in the summer and is a great spot for sunset.

You’ll have access to its gardens and can join a guided tour. You can enter the museum for free, and enjoy the beautiful views and castle walls. This site is a historic destination with settlements that date back to the 7th Century BC.

Evening/Dinner

Barrio Alto is the perfect place to end your one-day itinerary in Lisbon. Bairro Alto is where you can enjoy the nightlife of Lisbon. There are many restaurants in Bairro Alto. We loved the Gin Lover’s Bar in Barrio Alto. We enjoyed a cocktail before a delicious dinner on the terrace.

Nightlife

You can choose to go bar-hopping, enjoy the nightlife in Bairro Alto or search for Fado performers. We recommend booking in advance if you want to see the Fado. Organised performance in advance here. This highly rated tour.

Lisbon, Portugal, was a very busy day. From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods and stunning views from its miradouros, we’ve shown you how to make the most of your day AND night in this stunning city. Check out our post if you’re spending more time in Lisbon. Itinerary for 48 hours in Lisbon

Check out our blog for more information on the top Lisbon attractions, the best places and ways to navigate the city. The Best Things to Do In Lisbon.